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Greek island + youngsters at all times = 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 can 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 effectively price retaining on the checklist.
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 if you’re heading to Elafonisi seaside with youngsters – listed below are my prime suggestions.
Plan your drive
There are guided excursions which can take you to Elafonisi – or Elafonissi – seaside however in case you’re comfortable 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 might want to get there early. Once we arrived simply earlier than 9.30, I might nonetheless discover a parking area within the shade and we just about had our choose of loungers on the seaside itself.
When you’re planning to rent a automotive to discover Crete with youngsters, considered one of my favorite websites is Zest Automobile Rental or you can too examine charges at Uncover Automobiles
A lot of the coach excursions arrive later so it is going to already be busier (though clearly you don’t want to fret about parking).
The drive additionally takes you thru some superb mountain surroundings in direction of the tip – though I had my eyes firmly mounted on the highway, navigating some tight and twisty bends.
However with your personal automotive, you’ll be able to cease en route in case you fancy taking photographs. When you have journey sick youngsters, you can too pause for a breather, plus they’re much less more likely to be affected in a automotive than in a coach.
When you undoubtedly don’t wish to drive your self, there’s a good selection of excursions to Elafonisi Seaside, 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 appropriate automotive 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 good distance all the way down to the seaside itself – plus a steeper climb again up after your day by the ocean.
As an alternative, simply proceed following the highway till it stops, as that leads you instantly into the free automotive park at Elafonisi seaside itself. In all probability, you’ll be following a string of different automobiles down there as effectively, as anybody heading right here is more likely to be making their strategy to the seaside.
EDIT: Primarily based on the remark under from a go to in June 2023, it appears they might have closed the free automotive park
Carry money
Whereas increasingly locations are shifting to contactless cost, you’ll wish to convey money to lease the loungers and seaside umbrellas.
In summer time 2022, these price 15 Euros per pair with a parasol and 5 euros further per lounger. Contactless gave the impression to be an choice however there wasn’t any knowledge for the transaction, so fortunately we had sufficient to cowl it.
When you don’t, be sure to convey your personal 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 effectively price paying for these.
The bogs by the automotive 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 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 could find 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 no less than.
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 reasonably 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 well worth the effort as the color actually is unimaginable.
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 somewhat time to discover right here as effectively, 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 very good plan because the sand on the island itself will get very popular consequently.
House to 110 plant species, together with some that are uncommon or distinctive to the reserve, it’s best to stick with the paths to keep away from damaging the vegetation.
When you’re very fortunate, it’s possible 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.
Carry a snorkel
When 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 underneath the Greek solar, there’s a really gradual slope in the principle lagoon.
The ocean right here is an incredible turquoise color and extremely clear, so in case you’re visiting Crete with barely older youngsters, do pack a snorkel as effectively.
The sheltered lagoon may be very calm so it’s preferrred for novices and there are tiny fish swimming round. You may spot different sea creatures as effectively, relying which space you swim in.
You’ll discover kayaks to lease too in case you’re visiting with teenagers or extra adventurous youngsters who wish to enterprise additional out.
There are even lifeguards throughout the summer time months as an added precaution.
Amenities are restricted
In addition to parking and some bogs by the automotive park, there are stalls promoting costly seaside 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 seaside, you’ll be able to anticipate queues. Finest to convey your personal meals and drinks in case you can.
Alternatively, in case you’re not planning to spend the entire day at Elafonisi seaside with youngsters, you’ll be able to head off earlier than lunch because the temperatures rise, and enterprise over to a taverna elsewhere. One other bonus of getting your personal rent automotive!
As an alternative of retracing our route by the center 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 put up comprises 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
Pictures copyright MummyTravels
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