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A boat trip to Chrissi, Crete's golden isle

EXPERIENCE

A boat trip to Chrissi, Crete’s golden island

Just off the south of Crete, Chrissi is an island of exotic beaches and protected nature that more than lives up to its name

View on map

Duration

5-8 hrs

Season

May - October

OVERVIEW

A boat trip to Chrissi island from Crete

Golden by name, golden by nature. Chrissi takes its name from the colour of the shimmering sand on its beautiful beaches. Now add to that the experience of a tiny island of aquamarine water and colourful shells and the scent of cedar trees wafting through the air. There’s no question. If you take a day trip here, you’re in for a treat.

Around nine nautical miles into the Libyan Sea from Ierapetra, on the south coast of Crete, Chrissi was inhabited in Minoan and Roman times. But its history is more closely linked with the fortunes of nature, not man. Submerged around 350,000 years ago, it boasts an abundance of fossilised shells as well as Europe’s largest natural Lebanon cedar tree forest and more than 120 recorded species of migratory bird. It is part of the Natura 2000 network, making it Europe’s southernmost protected environment.

Boat trips from Crete to Chrissi island typically arrive on the quieter southern shore, from which you can easily explore. But let’s face it, first up you’ll be heading to one of those exotic beaches.

DON'T MISS

Highlights of Chrissi island

Vougiou Mati Beach

This is where the boat from Ierapetra drops you off, with a small rocky bay to your left and a long beach to your right. The beach is a good option for when you’re waiting for your return boat or when the northern beaches are wavy.

Golden Beach

A 10min walk to the north coast will bring you to the most popular (and photographed) beach on Chrissi island. Officially called Belegrina Beach, it takes its more common name from the incredible expanse of lustrous sand that greets you, extending right into the amazingly clear water.

Fragou Mnima

A small beach to the east of the cedar forest, with a salt marsh nearby. The seabed isn’t as sandy here, so the beach is often quieter.

Vages Beach

Long and sandy, with shallow turquoise water that’s typically calm, Veges Beach is an excellent choice to laze away the afternoon.

Fossilised shells

Around 50 different types of coral, shells, barnacles and urchins are embedded into the volcanic rock along the northern shores. You’ll find them on the beaches of Belegrina, Hatzivolakas and Kataprosopo.

Church of Agios Nikolaos

Heading to the northwest shore of Chrissi, you’ll find this little church, believed to be from the 13th century, as well as traces of a Minoan and Roman settlement (including three carved graves) and a lighthouse.

Cedar Forest

For the best view of the Lebanon Cedar tree forest climb the small hill called Kefala, just east of Belegrina Beach. Many trees are believed to be over 200 years old, with a root system that’s double the height of the tree and specially adapted to sand.