About

Kedrodasos Beach

Kedrodasos lies immediately east of Elafonisi and is reached by a 15 minute walk along the coast from the Elafonisi car park. The beach is a wide crescent of coarse golden sand shaded by a dense grove of Juniperus macrocarpa, a protected species of coastal cedar. The trees grow right to the waterline, an extraordinary sight that makes this one of the most distinctive beaches in all of Greece.

Because it requires a short walk beyond the main Elafonisi car park, Kedrodasos remains significantly less visited than its famous neighbour. In the height of summer, when Elafonisi is packed, Kedrodasos often has only a handful of people on it. The trade off is that there are no facilities whatsoever, no sun beds, no cafes, no toilets. Everything must be carried in and carried out.

The beach is completely undeveloped and must remain so under the Natura 2000 protection rules. Camping is forbidden, as are fires. The water is good for swimming and the wave action is slightly more pronounced than at Elafonisi, which makes it better for those who prefer some movement in the sea. Snorkelling is excellent around the rocky headlands at each end of the bay.

Essential Info

Plan Your Visit

Distance from Chania

76 km from Chania (1 hr 20 min)

Best Season

May to October

Water Type

Open sandy beach, some wave action

Facilities

None. Completely wild beach.

Parking

Park at Elafonisi car park, 15 minute walk

Note

Part of a protected Natura 2000 zone

Live Weather

Insider Tips

What You Need to Know

🌲The cedar trees are a protected species. Do not collect wood, damage branches, or camp beneath them.
🎒Bring everything you need. There is nothing at the beach. Water, food, sun protection, and a first aid kit are essential.
🚶Walk west from the Elafonisi car park along the coast for about 15 minutes. The path is easy on flat ground.
🤿Snorkel around the rocky points at each end of the bay. The underwater landscape is much richer than the main beach.
🌅Visit in the afternoon when the crowd at Elafonisi begins to thin and the cedar grove casts long shadow over the sand.

Getting There

Rent a Car — Explore Crete Freely

Kedrodasos is reached from the same car park as Elafonisi. Park up and walk 15 minutes for one of the most beautiful wild beaches in Crete.

Get a Free Quote