Elafonissi is an oblong peninsula, which often breaks into two parts by water giving the impression of being a separate island. Exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise water, reminding us 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.
Elafonissi is a place of exceptional natural beauty, and it has been included in the Natura 2000 Protection Program. Someone could say that nature made its wonder in Elafonissi. One of the reasons Elafonissi is included in the protected areas of Natura is that here lay the Caretta-Caretta turtles.
The island’s history goes back to the ancient times when the ancient Greeks built a temple dedicated to Mousagetis Apollo, which means the lord of the Musses, who with their music calmed down the marine deities and the wavy sea. The island was once occupied by pirates, but now it attracts thousands of visitors. This is reflected in the name of the island. Elafonissi means “Treasure island” in Greek, named after the treasures that pirates stored here.