Crete Islands
Gavdos, Chrysi, Koufonisi
On the Southeast and west coast of Crete in the Libyan Sea
there is a wonderful opportunity for island visits to
Gavdos island
Chrysi Island (Chrissi Island)
and Koufonisi Island - Crete.
Gavdos Island
the most southerly part of Greece and lies 45km south of Hora Sfakion. Ferry-boats dock in the port of Karabe (Karavi) after almost a 2 and half hour crossing from Hora Sfakia.
The small port of Karabe, a few bars and shops, one or two tavernas and some accommodation. The small port provides boat service to Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro. There is a twice-a-week ferry crossing from Paleochora to Gavdos.
Kastri is the main village located about a km from the port. The Island is "home" to around 50 people. Bikes and scooters are available to rent but there is no public transport. Camping is tolerated in most places. Apartments and rooms are available, It is recommended to book in advance. There are a few tavernas. Good beaches.
Sleeping on Gavdos Island
Gavdos Panorama rooms and restaurant
Gavdos Princess Hotel and restaurant
Sofia Rooms Gavdos (Sofia’s restaurant next door)
All the above hotels (in no particular order) can be Book direct or you can find them and more alternatives on
Search availibility and Compare prices with Hotellook
Koufonisi Island (also known as Lefki)
is a small island in the Libyan Sea just off the South East coast of Crete and at a distance of 3,5 nautical miles south-southeast of Cape Goudoura, and 10 nautical miles southeast of Makrysgialos.
The island is about 6 kilometers long. Koufonisi belongs to a group of small islets in the area like Makroulo, Marmara, Strogylo and Trahila. Koufonisi Island is uninhabited now but is full of ruins that indicate human activity from the early Minoan times to post-Byzantine years.
The locals like to call Koufonisi Delos of Crete, after the significant antiquities that have been found there. The island has beautiful sandy beaches, mainly covered with fine sand, and was once an important center for sponge diving.
No accommodation available. A couple of tavernas that open during the tourist season.
The boat for the island departs Makrysgialos port in the morning and returns again in the afternoon.
How to get to the Islands
Boat Tours / cruises to Chrissi and Koufonisi Island.
Here is a link to Cretan daily cruises book your ticket and more
and another day cruises link to Chrissi Island and Crete south east coast
Ferry to Gavdos Island depart
from Hora Sfakia, ferry crossing around 1 hour 15-20 minutes
from Paleochora, ferry crossing around 3 hours 30 minutes.
Chrysi (Chrissi) Island
Thank you Fotorama Ier for Chrissi Ierapetra 2016
Chrissi or Chryssi or Gaidouronisi meaning ‘donkey island ` lies 8-9 nautical miles south of Ierapetra town in Crete. The residents of Ierapetra simply call it “the island”.
The Chrysi (Chrissi) season lasts six months a year from mid-May until late October. There are timetables, see links below, departing from the port of Ierapetra to the island on a daily basis. Makrigialos further east along the coast from Ierapetra offers excursion boats to Chrysi (Chrissi) also daily.
Chrysi Island is almost flat and from a distance, it seems like a thin line of land in the middle of the sea. Its longest length is 5km with an average width of 1km The highest spot is to the east on "Kefala" hill (the head) and is 31m high.
There is no public transport. Walking is the name of the game here. A few tavernas. No accommodation. Clean sandy beaches, turquoise coloured sea, and a small forest of cedar trees.
On the beach
We all love our sunshine filled days on the sand, but when the day is done, clean up and take your rubbish with you.
If we can eliminate the trash on our beaches we can help eliminate trash in our oceans.