Private Tour
Private Custom Tour: Explore Elafonisi, the World’s Best Beach
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Escape the crowds and discover western Crete your way with this private, fully customizable tour to Elafonisi — regularly ranked among the best beaches in the world for its pink sand, shallow turquoise waters, and untouched natural beauty. Your main destination is Elafonisi Beach, a protected nature reserve and true bucket-list location. Along the way, enjoy the freedom to choose from a selection of hidden gems and authentic Cretan experiences that most visitors miss.
This is a flexible itinerary: tell us your preferences in advance, or decide with your driver on the day.
Suggested Itinerary (All Optional – You Choose!)
1)Cretan Honey Museum & Tasting
2)Komolithi Clay Hills
3)Elafonisi Beach
4)Optional Second Beach
5)Historic Monastery Visit
6)Lunch in a Village
7)Agia Sofia Cave
Note: This is a 100% private tour, but due to time constraints (6–9 hours total), not all stops can be visited in one day. Choose your favorites, and we’ll tailor the day to suit your style.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Flexible Pick-Up Time Based on Your Schedule
Bottled Water Provided for Each Guest
Private Transportation (modern, air-conditioned vehicle)
Child Seats and Boosters Available on Request
Customizable Itinerary – Plan Your Preferred Stops
Vehicle Sanitized Before Each Tour
Tastings of Local Products (honey, olive oil, raki, etc.) where available
Friendly Local Driver-Guide (knowledgeable and English speaking)
Photo Stop Opportunities at Scenic Viewpoints
Audio/Charging Support in Vehicle (USB ports and Bluetooth)
Entrance Fees (if applicable)
Food & Drinks at Tavernas or Restaurants (lunch stop is optional and paid directly by guests)
Beach Amenities (sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports equipment not included)
Souvenirs or Personal Purchases
Tips & Gratuities (optional but appreciated)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
(OPTIONAL) Start your day with an authentic taste of Crete’s countryside. This small, family-run honey museum and workshop invites you into the world of traditional Cretan beekeeping. Learn how honey was produced over centuries, see original tools and hives, and understand the importance of bees to local agriculture and culture. You’ll also enjoy tastings of pure local honey, raki infused with herbs, handmade creams and balms from beeswax, and other organic treats like carob syrup and herbal infusions. It's more than just a tasting — it's a cultural immersion into the natural flavors of Crete.
Komolithi
(OPTIONAL) These surreal, moon-like clay mounds rise unexpectedly from the Cretan landscape and make for a quick but unforgettable stop. The Komolithi formations are a natural phenomenon created by erosion over centuries, and they offer a striking visual contrast to the olive groves and hills surrounding them. Perfect for unique photography and a quiet moment in nature that few tourists get to experience.
Options
From Heraklion
We can pick you up from:: Heraklion, Stalida, Malia, Hersonissos, Gouves, Analipsi, Kokkini Hani, Amoudara, Karteros, Anissaras, Agia Pelagia
Private Custom Tour
Duration: 11 hours: Up to 11 hours
Mercedes-Benz Vito or Similar
Pickup included
From Rethymno
We can pick you up from:: Rethymno,Panormo, Adelianos Kampos, Bali, Platanias (Rethymno), Atsipopoulo, Missiria, Perivolia, Sfakaki, Skaleta
Private Custom Tour
Duration: 9 hours: Up to 9 hours
Family SUV
Pickup included
From Chania/Souda
We can pick you up from:: Chania/Souda Cruise Port or your hotel in Chania Region, Stalos, Galatas, Agia Marina, Platanias, Maleme, Kolimbari, Kissamos
Custom Tour
Duration: 8 hours: Up to 8 hours
Mercedes-Benz Vito or Similar
Pickup included
Reviews
127 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Five stars to Sakis & Crete Wanderer 🥇
JourneyerUK,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We travelled as a family with teenagers to Southwest Crete from Chania and had great time. Visiting Monolithoi was an unexpected surprise; the moon-like landscape looked like a film set! Elafonisi beach and Kedrodasos beach were breathtaking. A few kilometres apart but so different: Elafonisi with its pink sand & shallow turquoise waters, and Kedrodasos wild and amazing. Five stars to Sakis 🥇🥇🏆🏆; he was professional, discrete, caring and ensured we experienced as many things as possibles. As if we were looked after by a friend. We recommend Crete Wanderer 100%.
Leonidas was a wonderful...
Lisa Y,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Leonidas was a wonderful guide for our tour and very accommodating to our interests and preferences and provided lots of context for each stop. We ended up seeing all of the listed spots (plus one additional) and also had a lovely lunch. The shuttle bus was very comfortable. I would recommend this tour!
Fantastic tour guide who...
Michael S,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic tour guide who tailored the tour to the weather and what we wanted to see, with very unique stops along the way!
Knowledgeable and flexible tour guide
Scenic26425007427,
Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Leonidas was a very knowledgeable tour guide! And super nice and added a stop that wasn’t on the list for us. We got to choose when to start the tour too
Spectacular beach and wonderful lunch
Amy C,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00If you love crystal clear blue ocean water this is the tour for you. Our guide picked us up at the ship and stopped at a few areas along the way. We went to a honey production shop and then he stopped at some other historic places. The island is very mountainous and if you don’t do well with winding roads this tour is not for you. Once we arrived at Elephasani beach, it was a 10 to 15 minute walk down to the water. Just a warning, but it was worth it. He then took us to a restaurant in the mountains where we had the best chicken Slouvaki of the trip.
Glowing review, 10 star experience
jennifersO8189DU,
Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Leonidas was a fanastic, knowledgeable driver. The experience we had on that beautiful, long, scenic drive through the mountains to that incredible pink beach is one I will never forget. I couldn’t have had a better experience. If I ever have the privilege of returning to Crete, I would definitely reach out to him again.
Enjoyable day in Chania
Christine Y,
Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful day visiting the cave for God of wisdom, the Elafonisi beach and the old town. Our driver, Giorgos, was nice and friendly.
Crete private tour
Venture35454790855,
Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00George was a great tour guide. He collected us promptly from our hotel at our requested time and the car was fully air conditioned and cold bottles of water were waiting for us (important as it was 36 degrees C on the day of our trip!) From there we drove in the direction of Elafosini Beach and stopped off at an ancient cave. There was a bit of a hike up some steep steps but the cave at the top was lovely and cool and very interesting to look at. There was also a little snack bar type place at the bottom if you wanted to purchase cold drinks or use the toilet etc. From there we headed straight to the main event (Elafosini pink beach) which was amazing, although less pink in real life, and as expected crammed full of tourists. I would advise arriving before 10am to ensure you get a parasol (available for hire) because if you’re not under cover the sun is brutal at that time of year. We stayed as long as we liked and then headed for lunch at a lovely local tavern which only the locals would have ever found. Our tour guide, George, joined us for lunch at our request and it was nice to get to know him a little better. Very friendly and knowledgeable guy. Our last stop was a local honey farm where we sampled lots of local delights and purchased some to take home. Everything was very reasonably priced. Would recommend this tour to anyone who hates coaches and waiting around for other people to take photos. We loved that it was totally customisable and we could stay anywhere for as long or as little as we liked and even skip some parts of the tour if they weren’t to our taste. Worth the extra €€€. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Crete Wanderer Tour Guides
aowentx1,
Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We purchased a customizable Elafonisi full day tour. The tour company that Tripadvisor used was Crete Wanderer. This was a father and son team and they were fabulous! They were sweet, patient, professional, and was very careful to take us to all the places that we wanted to see on the Chania side of Crete. We were from a cruise ship so we decided that Elafonisi was too far to go . Instead, we headed to the beaches at Falasarna, which was very beautiful but on the way we stopped at a cliffside family owned shop, shop to purchase olive oil and honey . Had beautiful views. After the beach Falasarna we went to the Cabana Mare & Agia Marina beach club where we spent several hours. Lots of people and lots of fun ! Towards the end of the day, we tour the town of Chania right there at the port . There are so many adorable gift shops to go through . We got so involved in shopping that we almost missed the last tender back to the ship! I highly recommend using Crete Wanderer . They are excellent Crete tour guides . I know I will call them again. Next time I go to ,Crete Greece.
Loved our tour!!
Y102MUmariap,
Sep 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day!! Amazing tour guide. He was knowledgeable and accommodating. Had great suggestions and tips. Will definitely call him the next time we are in town!!
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