Best Elafonisi Beach Tours from Chania Heraklion & Rethymnon

Famous for its pinkish sand and incredible water color, Elafonisi Beach in Crete is on the bucket list for many people visiting Crete.

The only problem is that the beach is somewhat remote, so accommodations nearby are scarce and fill up fast. For this reason, a well-organized tour can be a great and comfortable option for those who don’t want to rent a car nor travel by public transportation.

So let’s see what are the best Elafonisi Beach tours that can take you to this amazing beach from the main towns in Crete.

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My Top 3 Picks

#1 TOP PICK

visit elafonisi beach in crete

From Chania: Day trip to Elafonisi Island


Spend 4h at the beach

Several pickup locations in and around Chania

#2nd PICK

Elafonisi pink beach in Crete, Greece

From Chania: Elafonisi & Falasarna


Visit both Elafonisi and Falasarna beach

Snacks are included

#3rd PICK

visit elafonisi beach crete greece

From Heraklion: Elafonisi Beach Tour


Spend 4.5 hours at Elafonisi Beach

Quick stop for breakfast

visit elafonisi beach in crete

1. Day Trip to Elafonisi Island

⭐️ RATING: 4.4/5 (1300+ Reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 12 hours | ✅ Book it!

If you’re staying in or around Chania and want to visit the stunning Elafonisi Beach as a day trip, this tour is a great choice. They offer pickups from a multitude of locations, which is super convenient.

As a side note, I recommend staying on the western part of Crete, especially if it’s your first trip to Crete. Not only you’ll be closer to Elafonisi Beach, but this side of the island also has Chania, Falasarna Beach, Balos Lagoon and Samaria Gorge, which are some of the main attractions in Crete.

Once you arrive at the beach, you’ll have a solid 4 hours to enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters and pinkish sands of Elafonisi Lagoon. But remember: it’s illegal to take any sand from the beach, so no matter how tempting it may be, please refrain from doing it.

Lastly, I will also mention that on your way to Elafonisi, there’s a short pit stop at a café for a quick breakfast and another one on your way back, at a restaurant, to quench your hunger after a day at the beach.

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Elafonisi pink beach in Crete, Greece

2. Elafonisi & Falasarna Shared Tour with snacks

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 (80+ Reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10.5 hours | ✅ Book it!

Ready to get a double dose of Cretan beach beauty? This Elafonisi and Falasarna small shared tour (up to 15 persons) is one you won’t want to miss.

Starting from Chania, this tour takes you to two of the most popular beaches in Crete – Elafonisi and Falasarna.

Yes, you heard that right! You’ll get to visit not one but two stunning beaches, spending a total of 5 hours swimming and soaking up the Mediterranean sun.

Beverages like soft drinks, beer, wine, and bottled water, as well as a snack box, are all included. Also, before returning to Chania, you’ll make one last stop in Vouves where you’ll get to visit a traditional olive oil grove.

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Elafonisi Lagoon

3. Private Tour To Elafonisi and Falasarna

⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 (3 Reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!

If you’re someone who doesn’t like being part of a larger tour group and prefers a more intimate experience, then this private tour to Elafonisi and Falasarna might be right up your alley.

Starting from Chania, you’ll be taken away on a personal adventure to two of Crete’s most beloved beaches.

With two hours at each beach, you’ll have plenty of time to relax, swim, or simply enjoy the beautiful natural scenery at your own pace.

Lastly, this tour comes with a complimentary lunch pack and a bottle of water, so you don’t have to worry about where you’ll eat or how you’ll stay hydrated.

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Elafonisi Lagoon in Crete

4. Elafonisi Full-Day Tour from Chania

⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 (100+ Reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8-10 hours | ✅ Book it!

Are you wanting a full day of sun, sand, and sightseeing? If so, the Elafonisi full-day tour from Chania is a great choice.

It starts with convenient pickups and drop-offs at various locations in the Chania area, so you can jump on board no matter where you’re staying.

Once on the bus, you’re headed to the stunning Elafonisi Beach where you have 4 hours to enjoy the fine sand and azure waters.

However, before you actually hit the beach you’ll make a quick stop at Agia Sofia Cave, where you’ll find a historic church. Also, on your way back, you’ll be able to grab a late lunch at a Cretan taverna.

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Elafonisi beach tour

5. Elafonisi and Milia Mountain Retreat Tour with Lunch

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 (20+ Reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!

Looking for a full-day adventure that goes beyond relaxing at a beach? This Elafonisi and Milia Mountain Retreat tour could be just what you’re after.

This journey kicks off early, whisking you away to Elafonisi Beach to make the most of the quieter morning hours before the crowds hit. For your comfort, the tour includes the use of sunbeds and umbrellas, as well as some snacks to keep you going until lunch.

After your morning beach stint, it’s time for some adventure. You’ll hop onto your 4WD vehicle and set off on the rugged roads leading to Milia Mountain Retreat.

Once there, you’re treated to a delicious lunch, also included in the tour, giving you a taste of local cuisine amid the stunning mountain scenery.

This tour is a fantastic way to blend beach fun with a dash of mountain adventure!

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Best Elafonisi Beach tours from Heraklion

visit elafonisi beach crete greece

6. Elafonisi Beach Day Tour with Pickup from Heraklion

⭐️ RATING: 4.4/5 (240+ Reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 13 hours | ✅ Book it!

Got your sights set on Elafonisi but staying in Heraklion? Don’t worry, this Elafonisi Beach tour has got you covered.

With a generous 4.5 hours dedicated to enjoying Elafonisi, you’ll have ample time to soak up the sun, explore the unique pinkish sands, or swim into the azure waters. Plus, the tour includes a quick pit stop for breakfast, allowing you to fuel up for the day ahead.

But fair warning, this tour does come with a bit of a caveat. Given the distance from Heraklion to Elafonisi, you’ll also spend about 4 hours on the road.

However, I think it’s a small price to pay for the chance to enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Plus, you can use the travel time to snooze a bit, catch up on your reading, or simply enjoy the scenic Cretan countryside passing by your window.

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Elafonisi Lagoon

7. Private Elafonisi Day Tour from Heraklion

⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 (30+ Reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!

As Heraklion is farthest from Elafonisi, booking a private tour can be a good idea to maximize your time at the beach.

Not only it will offer you the flexibility to customize your itinerary according to your interests (if you wish to), but you’ll not run the risk of losing time by waiting for other people. For example, I was once on a coach who waited for half an hour for a group of girls who didn’t understand the leaving hour at a stop.

To ensure you stay refreshed throughout your trip, bottled water and snacks are included.

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Best Elafonisi Beach tours from Rethymnon

how to get to Elafonisi beach

8. From Rethymno: Elafonissi Pink Sand Beach Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 (390+ Reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours | ✅ Book it!

If you’re staying in Rethymno and want to visit the beautiful Elafonisi Beach, then this tour might be just what you’re looking for.

If time permits, you’ll enjoy a delightful breakfast in the Cretan village of Elos, before arriving at Elafonisi Beach and Lagoon.

Once there, you’ll have around 4 hours to explore the pinkish sands and swim in the enticing turquoise waters. On top of that, if time permits, you’ll enjoy a nice breakfast in Elos village.

Lastly, the tour also includes a stop at Aghia Sophia Cave, where you’ll find a historic church.

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FAQs

How do I get to Elafonisi Beach?

You can get to Elafonisi by renting a car and driving there yourself, by public bus, or by booking a tour.

How far is Elafonisi from Chania?

Elafonisi Beach is around 73km (45 miles) away from Chania, which translates into about 1.5 hours of driving.

Tours are great for visiting remote attractions without having to rent a car

Final thoughts

So there you have it, a collection of some of the best Elafonisi Beach tours that promise to whisk you away on an unforgettable Cretan adventure.

And, if you want to find out other ways of visiting this beautiful lagoon without actually driving, I recommend you also read my post on how to get to Elafonisi Beach without a car.

Happy exploring~


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