Elafonisi is located 76km west of Chania and 5km south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery, in the southwesternmost tip of Crete. Elafonisi is an oblong peninsula, which often breaks into two parts by water giving the impression of being a separate island. It is a Natura 2000 protected area. The island is full of sand dunes with sea daffodils and jupiners. The endangered loggerhead and sea turtle and several more rare animals and plants find shelter on the island; it is strictly forbidden to remove any plants, animals, shells, and sand from the area.

Exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise water, reminding of the Caribbean, are formed on either side of the peninsula. The sand is pinkish in many places, taking its color from millions of crushed shells. Near the breaking point of the peninsula, the seawater does not exceed 1m in depth, creating a small lagoon, ideal for children. You can easily cross the lagoon in order to reach the opposite side of the peninsula while carrying your staff with you because the water is very shallow there.