The sheer number of breathtaking beaches in Crete is enough to amaze any visitor. You can find long stretches of sand lined with palm trees, small idyllic coves, lovely pebbly beaches and exotic lagoons. Off the coast of Crete are several tiny islands where the azure waters lap soft sands. In other words, Crete beaches cater to all preferences and styles, including quiet family beaches, beaches packed with the younger crowd, secluded beaches for couples and gay beaches in Crete. Water sports facilities in Crete are offered at many beaches, some of which are ideal for scuba diving in Crete. You can find a plethora of Crete hotel accommodation beside the lovely beaches of the island. All four prefectures of Crete Greece offer splendid beaches and we recommend purchasing a good map of Crete and visiting as many as possible. The most popular Crete beaches are:

Chania Crete Beaches
Agia Marina, Agii Apostoli, Balos, Falasarna, Almirida, Georgioupolis, Kalyves, Kastelli-Kissamos, Kolymbari and Platanias, as well as Gramvoussa Island on the northern coast of the Chania Prefecture, and Domata, Frangokastelo, Fournoti, Loutro, and the isles of Elafonissi and Gavdos, which are celebrated for their clear waters, on the southern coast of the Chania Prefecture..

Heraklion Crete Beaches
Agia Pelagia, Ammoudara, Fodele, Gournes, Hersonissos, Malia, Mononaftis and Stalida (Stalis) on the northern coast of the Heraklion Prefecture, and Agios Nikitas, Dermatos, Kalamaki and Katalyki, Lendas, Loutra and Matala on the southern coast of the Heraklion Prefecture.

Lassithi Crete Beaches
Almyros, Amoudara, Driros, Elounda, Havania, Istro, Milatos, Mochlos, Pachia Ammos, Plaka, Sisi, Sitia and the islands of Chryssi, Koufonissi and Spinalonga, which have turquoise waters and powder-like sand, on the northern coast of the Lassithi Prefecture, Agia Fotia, Ierapetra, Langada, Makrygialos, Myrtos and Xerokambos on the southern coast of the Lassithi Prefecture, and Itanos, Kato Zakros, Palekastro and the famous Palm Tree Beach of Vai on the eastern coast of the Lassithi Prefecture.

Rethymon Crete Beaches
Near Rethymnon Town, and in Adele, Bali, Episkopi, Gerani, Panormos and Platanes on the northern coast of the Rethymnon Prefecture, and Agia Gal i ni, Agios Georgios, Agios Pavlos, Ammoudi, Damnoni, Plakias, Preveli, Rodakino and Triopetra on the southern coast of the Rethymnon Prefecture