DESKTOP 1267 - CRETE, GREECE

Elafonisi ("Deer Island") is located 76km west of Chania and 5km south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery, in the southwesternmost point of Crete, Greece. Elafonisi is peninsula, which has a tombolo at one point, and when the tide is in, it gives the impression of being an island. Elafonisi is a Natura 2000 protected area. The island has dunes with sand lilies and junipers. The endangered sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and several other rare animals nest on the island and it is strictly forbidden to remove any plants, animals and sand from the area.

On either side of the peninsula there are idyllic beaches with white sand and turquoise waters, reminiscent of the Caribbean. The sand is pinkish in many places, taking its colour from thousands of tiny shell fragments. Near the shore, the water is very shallow, creating a small lagoon, ideal for bathing children.

This post is part of the  Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wednesday Waters meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.