From the dunes of Lafonissi and Xerokambos to the tropical shores of Kedrodasos and Chrissi, from the hidden beaches in the wild gorges of Sfakia and Asteroussia to the emerald bays of Triopetra and Plakias, from Balos and Elounda lagoons to the palm groves of Preveli and Vai, from piney beaches of Ierapetra to the long organized strands of the northern coasts, Crete offers the ultimate combination of carefree holidays and natural beauty, which can be finely reflected on its beaches.
Ammoudares beaches 
Ammoudares is located 8km west of Ierapetra and 45km south of Agios Nikolaos. It close to the settlement of Nea Anatoli and Stomio, which all share actually the same beachfront. Ammoudares beachfront consists of sequential long beaches with coarse gray sand. All beaches are unorganized and secluded. They are not popular, mainly because the area is surrounded by thousands of greenhouses. The locals avoid swimming in the area due to pesticides and drugs, but still the water is clean.
Gylisma Beach 
Gylisma (or Kambos beach) is located 69km southwest of Chania and 29km south of Kissamos, close to Kambos village. The beach is also known as Afratolakoi.
If you head east of Fylaki beach, you will soon (100m only) reach the exit of the Sfakiano Gorge, with a nice pebbly beach formed. The area is called Plakakia and hosts some of the most spectacular beaches in Crete, formed on small narrow fjords. Indeed, some of them are formed inside small caves! There is a tricky dirt road leading close to the beach.
Gra Ligia is a seaside village located just 5km west of Ierapetra and 39km south of Agios Nikolaos. It is situated at the exit of a large fertile valley, which is full with greenhouses with early vegetables. Locals were the first to grow vegetables in greenhouses and this was later extended throughout the area of Ierapetra. There are so many greenhouses, that locals call Gra Ligia as “Silicon Valley of Greece”.
The secluded beach of Kokkina Grema (i.e. Red Cliffs) is located 55km west of Chania, 28km southwest of Kissamos and 3km west of Platanos village. The beach is named after the huge reddish peninsula at its north end.
In the area between Ravdoucha and Nopigia several secluded bays with small beaches are formed, mainly with pebbles and rocky bottom. From Nopigia the road runs along the coast through a spectacular seascape till the church of Panagia Myrtidiotissa at position Choni and stops a little further.
The bay of Chomatistra is located 24km north of Agios Nikolaos and 9km north of Plaka, near the village Vrouchas and the Cape of Agios Ioannis - Aforesmenos. The wild landscape of the area is characterized by bare mountains, steep cliffs and strong winds.
Agios Pavlos (i.e. St. Paul) is a beautiful secluded beach, located in a picturesque cove at Peninsula Rodopos, 40km northwest of Chania. The easiest way to access the beach is by boat from Ravdoucha or Kissamos.
