Greek island + youngsters all the time = seaside – however whenever you’re on Crete, you don’t simply have the same old golden sands to tempt you, and I knew a go to to Elafonisi seaside in Crete with youngsters could be unmissable.
Crete’s pink sand seaside is likely one of the most well-known locations on the island, and never only for households. With snorkelling, the small lagoon to paddle and swim in, and a few beautiful surroundings, it’s properly price preserving on the record.
Round 90 minutes from Chania on the north coast, the place we had been staying for a part of our vacation in Crete, it pays to plan forward in case you are heading to Elafonisi seaside with youngsters – listed here are my prime suggestions.
Plan your drive
There are guided excursions which is able to take you to Elafonisi – or Elafonissi – seaside however if you happen to’re blissful driving on slender mountain roads, it’s significantly better to rent a automobile and head down there your self.
Firstly, as a result of you could get there early. After we arrived simply earlier than 9.30, I may nonetheless discover a parking house within the shade and we just about had our choose of loungers on the seaside itself.
Should you’re planning to rent a automobile to discover Crete with youngsters, one in all my favorite websites is Zest Automotive Rental or you can too evaluate charges at Uncover Vehicles
Many of the coach excursions arrive later so it’ll already be busier (though clearly you don’t want to fret about parking).
The drive additionally takes you thru some wonderful mountain surroundings in direction of the tip – though I had my eyes firmly fastened on the highway, navigating some tight and twisty bends.
However with your individual automobile, you possibly can cease en route if you happen to fancy taking pictures. In case you have journey sick youngsters, you can too pause for a breather, plus they’re much less more likely to be affected in a automobile than in a coach.
Should you positively don’t wish to drive your self, there’s a large choice of excursions to Elafonisi Seashore, with pick-up choices across the island together with Chania and Rethymno but in addition Heraklion – keep in mind you’ll have an extended journey from the island’s capital although
Go to the best automobile park
As you drive nearer to the seaside, you’ll spot numerous indicators for parking on the highway down – don’t be tempted to cease right here although (except you’ve arrived late and there’s no different choice).
You’ll get charged to park and it’s a great distance all the way down to the seaside itself – plus a steeper climb again up after your day by the ocean.
As a substitute, simply proceed following the highway till it stops, as that leads you immediately into the free automobile park at Elafonisi seaside itself. In all chance, you’ll be following a string of different automobiles down there as properly, as anybody heading right here is more likely to be making their method to the seaside.
EDIT: Based mostly on the remark under from a go to in June 2023, it appears they could have closed the free automobile park
Convey money
Whereas increasingly locations are transferring to contactless cost, you’ll wish to deliver money to lease the loungers and seaside umbrellas.
In summer season 2022, these value 15 Euros per pair with a parasol and 5 euros additional per lounger. Contactless gave the impression to be an choice however there wasn’t any information for the transaction, so fortunately we had sufficient to cowl it.
Should you don’t, be sure to deliver your individual seaside umbrella and towels – there’s barely any shade in any other case. Elafonisi Island is likely one of the greatest spots to discover a extra shaded spot, however we determined it was properly price paying for these.
The bathrooms by the automobile park additionally want money: it’s 50 cents to make use of these, though youngsters are free.
Not all of the sand is pink
The sand on the principle seaside, the place all of the loungers line the water, is extra golden than pink – the pink color comes from tiny ground-up shells so it varies relying on the tides and the time of yr.
However this space isn’t the place the place you’ll discover the rosiest shades anyway.
Wade over to Elafonisi Island and you could find extra pink stretches, plus heat tidal swimming pools – as ever, it’s price heading there early on if you wish to snap pictures and benefit from the views with out too many crowds.
It’s not all the time apparent to see the place the shallowest sections are, however keep watch over the opposite individuals crossing to identify the sandbanks, and be ready to go in as much as your waist at the least.
The sandbar which connects Elafonisi Island to Crete itself not often has greater than round a metre of water over it – youthful youngsters could must swim or be carried quite than wade, however older ones ought to nonetheless be capable of preserve their heads above water.
A dry bag will certainly turn out to be useful, in any other case you’ll most likely want to hold your belongings above your head sooner or later. It’s properly definitely worth the effort as the color actually is unbelievable.
Discover Elafonisi island
The island is definitely a nature reserve, and feels very unspoiled – particularly by comparability to the string of loungers alongside the remainder of the seaside!
Do save a little bit time to discover right here as properly, though keep in mind it’s greatest to do that early too as there’s restricted shade.
Bringing waterproof footwear (or carrying your flip flops over your head) can also be a superb plan because the sand on the island itself will get highly regarded in consequence.
Residence to 110 plant species, together with some that are uncommon or distinctive to the reserve, it’s best to follow the paths to keep away from damaging the crops.
Should you’re very fortunate, chances are you’ll even see turtles as they nest on the island, though they have an inclination to steer very clear of individuals so don’t depend on it.
Convey a snorkel
Should you’re travelling with youthful youngsters, the shallow water is ideal to splash round in – in addition to the little tide swimming pools, which warmth up properly beneath the Greek solar, there’s a really gradual slope in the principle lagoon.
The ocean right here is a tremendous turquoise color and extremely clear, so if you happen to’re visiting Crete with barely older youngsters, do pack a snorkel as properly.
The sheltered lagoon could be very calm so it’s very best for novices and there are tiny fish swimming round. You would possibly spot different sea creatures as properly, relying which space you swim in.
You’ll discover kayaks to lease too if you happen to’re visiting with teenagers or extra adventurous youngsters who wish to enterprise additional out.
There are even lifeguards in the course of the summer season months as an added precaution.
Services are restricted
In addition to parking and some bathrooms by the automobile park, there are stalls promoting costly seaside toys and a few snack bars serving meals.
The selection is proscribed and it’s unsurprisingly pricy, plus with lots of people lounging on the seaside, you possibly can count on queues. Finest to deliver your individual meals and drinks if you happen to can.
Alternatively, if you happen to’re not planning to spend the entire day at Elafonisi seaside with youngsters, you possibly can head off earlier than lunch because the temperatures rise, and enterprise over to a taverna elsewhere. One other bonus of getting your individual rent automobile!
As a substitute of retracing our route by the guts of the island, we drove over to the west coast in direction of Sfinari the place there are some beautiful tavernas on this quiet seaside serving contemporary fish. There are extra loungers right here if you wish to end the day on a much less pink stretch of sand too.
For extra issues to do in Crete with youngsters, try my prime picks
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions on visiting Elafonisi seaside with youngsters are my very own
Photos copyright MummyTravels
