Chrissi

Chrissi

Chrissi is the uninhabited islet 8 nautical miles south of Ierapetra in Crete, a tiny 5-square-kilometre sliver of white sand, pinkish shell fragments, and ancient cedar forest in the middle of the Libyan Sea. Known in ancient times as Ilea, it’s a Natura 2000 reserve with dunes that look more Saharan than Cretan and water that is almost fluorescent turquoise, often called Golden Beach for the way the light hits it.

You can only visit as a day trip from Ierapetra, about an hour by boat, with no overnight stays and strict protections — no picking shells, no stepping on the cedars, which are 200 years old and stunted by the wind into bonsai shapes. Boats drop you at Belegrina beach on the north side, you swim, you walk the low dusty interior, and you feel like you’ve landed on a Caribbean atoll that somehow drifted into Crete.

Golden sand and cedar forest off the bottom of Crete

You’ll love it here if you want Caribbean-looking water without leaving Crete. About 7 miles 11 kilometers off southern Crete, the land that time forgot, with sparkling beaches, cedar forest and gin-clear waters. Hidden gem off south coast boasts stunning beaches, clear sands and turquoise waters, exotic waters in all shades of blue and green, golden beaches where it got its name, and protected forest with cedar trees over 200 years old. Very beautiful island, sandy beaches everywhere with white and ultra-white sand, two sides of island, plenty of sun umbrellas once, now more wild. Best for day-trippers who want white sand and ultra-clear sea, photographers, and families who want a full day out. It feels like paradise, but watch out for sharp rocks on seabed, you need the whole day for visiting, ferries going back around 1600. Less ideal if you want facilities or to stay overnight, there are no facilities at all on the island now, and access rules have tightened because it’s Natura 2000. Currently no boat is allowed to dock, so you either stay on boat or swim 60 meters with only life jacket to island. Access to mainland of Chrissi island is prohibited, boat stops close to shore and you swim near beach. That’s why stalls in Ierapetra sell waterproof bags. So check current rules before you go, it changes to protect natural ecosystem.

The swim-in day trip

Hop on a boat from Ierapetra or Makry Gialos, that’s the only way. Ferry ride from Ierapetra to Chrissi takes about 70 minutes each way, 6-hour cruise typical, priced from around 40 to 60 euro with free cancellation, includes boat, swimming equipment, hotel transfers from Heraklion area, self-service bar with light meals drinks. Port of Ierapetra easily accessible by car or public bus from Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, free parking at port. Christina Boat is well reviewed, comfortable spacious kind staff, lunch included option. Ferries going to island are fully packed so be early enough before leaving, and bring packed lunch as there are no facilities at all on island now, operators often issue packed lunch. Best time is May to October, boats run daily in summer, June and September less crowded, water gin-clear. July and August hottest, sand dazzling, bring reef shoes for sharp rocks, hat, and waterproof bag for phone. You can combine with Heraklion coach transfer, travel to Chrissi by private coach and public ferry. Note new rule, disembarkation close to shore, passengers need to swim short distance to beach, so not ideal for non-swimmers, small children, or anyone with mobility issues. If you can’t swim 60m, you’ll enjoy from boat, which is still beautiful. Book day before in high season, and go early boat for whiter sand before crowds.

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Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by admin