Elafonissi

Elafonissi is in west Crete, 75 kilometres southwest of Chania. The Elafonissi area includes the beach, the islet 200 metres offshore and the shallow lagoon between the two. This lovely islet was the site of a massacre of 850 women and children by the Turks in 1824 and due to this fact there is a memorial plaque on the highest point of the islet. The beaches, surrounding the islet, are among the most beautiful on Crete. The shallow waters are warm and attract swimmers, spear-fishermen, and windsurfers from all over the world. There are very few facilities in this as yet undeveloped area.