Greek island + children at all times = seashore – however while 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 seashore in Crete with children can be unmissable.
Crete’s pink sand seashore 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 pretty surroundings, it’s effectively price preserving on the checklist.
Round 90 minutes from Chania on the north coast, the place we have been staying for a part of our vacation in Crete, it pays to plan forward in case you are heading to Elafonisi seashore with children – listed here are my high ideas.
Plan your drive
There are guided excursions which can take you to Elafonisi – or Elafonissi – seashore however if you happen to’re completely happy driving on slim mountain roads, it’s significantly better to rent a automotive and head down there your self.
Firstly, as a result of you want to get there early. Once we arrived simply earlier than 9.30, I might nonetheless discover a parking house within the shade and we just about had our choose of loungers on the seashore itself.
Many of the coach excursions arrive later so it can already be busier (though clearly you don’t want to fret about parking).
The drive additionally takes you thru some wonderful mountain surroundings in the direction of the tip – though I had my eyes firmly fastened on the street, navigating some tight and twisty bends.
However with your individual automotive, you may cease en route if you happen to fancy taking photographs. If in case you have journey sick children, you too can pause for a breather, plus they’re much less prone to be affected in a automotive than in a coach.
In case you undoubtedly don’t need to drive your self, there’s a good selection of excursions to Elafonisi Seashore, with pick-up choices across the island together with Chania and Rethymno but additionally Heraklion – keep in mind you’ll have an extended journey from the island’s capital although
Go to the best automotive park
As you drive nearer to the seashore, you’ll spot numerous indicators for parking on the street down – don’t be tempted to cease right here although (except you’ve arrived late and there’s no different possibility).
You’ll get charged to park and it’s a good distance right down to the seashore itself – plus a steeper climb again up after your day by the ocean.
As an alternative, simply proceed following the street till it stops, as that leads you immediately into the free automotive park at Elafonisi seashore itself. In all probability, you’ll be following a string of different vehicles down there as effectively, as anybody heading right here is prone to be making their solution to the seashore.
Carry money
Whereas increasingly more locations are transferring to contactless fee, you’ll need to convey money to lease the loungers and seashore umbrellas.
In summer season 2022, these price 15 Euros per pair with a parasol and 5 euros additional per lounger. Contactless gave the impression to be an possibility however there wasn’t any information for the transaction, so fortunately we had sufficient to cowl it.
In case you don’t, be sure to convey your individual seashore umbrella and towels – there’s barely any shade in any other case. Elafonisi Island is likely one of the finest spots to discover a extra shaded spot, however we determined it was effectively price paying for these.
The bathrooms by the automotive park additionally want money: it’s 50 cents to make use of these, though children are free.
Not all of the sand is pink
The sand on the primary seashore, 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 12 months.
However this space isn’t the place the place you’ll discover the rosiest shades anyway.
Wade over to Elafonisi Island and you will discover extra pink stretches, plus heat tidal swimming pools – as ever, it’s price heading there early on if you wish to snap photographs and benefit from the views with out too many crowds.
It’s not at all times 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 not less than.
The sandbar which connects Elafonisi Island to Crete itself hardly ever has greater than round a metre of water over it – youthful children could have to swim or be carried slightly than wade, however older ones ought to nonetheless be capable of maintain their heads above water.
A dry bag will certainly come in useful, in any other case you’ll in all probability want to hold your belongings above your head in some unspecified time in the future. It’s effectively 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 seashore!
Do save somewhat time to discover right here as effectively, though keep in mind it’s finest to do that early too as there’s restricted shade.
Bringing waterproof sneakers (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 consequently.
Residence to 110 plant species, together with some that are uncommon or distinctive to the reserve, you need to persist with the paths to keep away from damaging the crops.
In case you’re very fortunate, chances are you’ll even see turtles as they nest on the island, though they have a tendency to steer very clear of individuals so don’t depend on it.
Carry a snorkel
In case you’re travelling with youthful children, 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 primary lagoon.
The ocean right here is an incredible turquoise color and extremely clear, so if you happen to’re visiting Crete with barely older children, do pack a snorkel as effectively.
The sheltered lagoon may be very calm so it’s perfect for novices and there are tiny fish swimming round. You would possibly spot different sea creatures as effectively, relying which space you swim in.
You’ll discover kayaks to lease too if you happen to’re visiting with teenagers or extra adventurous children who need 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 automotive park, there are stalls promoting costly seashore toys and a few snack bars serving meals.
The selection is restricted and it’s unsurprisingly pricy, plus with lots of people lounging on the seashore, you may anticipate queues. Finest to convey 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 seashore with children, you may head off earlier than lunch because the temperatures rise, and enterprise over to a taverna elsewhere. One other bonus of getting your individual rent automotive!
As an alternative of retracing our route by means of the guts of the island, we drove over to the west coast in the direction of Sfinari the place there are some pretty tavernas on this quiet seashore 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 children, try my high picks
Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions on visiting Elafonisi seashore with children are my very own
Photographs copyright MummyTravels
