Kedrodasos beach
Kedrodasos (i.e. cedar forest) is an amazing beach, located 76km southwest of Chania and 1km east of the famous Elafonissi lagoon. The beach is filled with juniper trees (mistakenly confused with cedars) and sanddunes, reminding of tropical Lebanese beaches. These are the small twisted junipers (juniper species are Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa and Juniperus phoenicea). If you ever visit the beach, you should note that the trees are very fragile and need respect.
The cedar grove covers a big area of about 110 acres and is a magnificent place. It is a wonderful choice for camping and a favorite beach for naturists. It is a very nice beach with white sand and some smooth and flat rocks in places. Fortunately, there are no facilities nearby, making this secluded beach, one of the latest untouched paradises in Europe. Moreover, since the beach is secluded, you should keep it clean and not littered.
The beach is protected to some point from the winds that usually blow in the neighboring Elafonissos. The European path E4 crosses the beach (there are yellow and black signs on the way).
AGIOS IOANNIS BEACHES
During the last years the fame of Kedrodasos has increased the number of visitors. Thus, if you want to stay totally remote in the peak season, just like in the past, there are some nice beaches located 1-2km on the east and on the way to the remote chapel of Agios Ioannis (Saint John). They are a more secluded version of Kedrodasos, with less trees and natural shade. They are crossed by the E4 footpath and can only be accessed by walking to the east from Kedrodasos. The first beach we meet from Kedrodasos is called Pahia Ammoutsa (Thick Sand) after the sand and the sanddunes and is the longest of the area. After some meters we meet the small beach Kambi Lakkos at the exit of a small stream and just below the chapel of Saint John there is the beach of Kokkino Ammoutsaki (Red Sand) named after the reddish sand. Note that Saint John chapel can also be accessed by car from Paleohora through a dirt track.
Moreover, Kedrodasos wider area is considered ideal for the lovers of wind- and kitesurfing, as wind is usually intense and sea is flat.
