A strip of sand a few meters wide separates the mainland from Kolokitha, an uninhabited islet in the Gulf of Elounda, in the northeastern part of Crete. This thin sandy cord — technically called a tombolo — can be walked on when the sea level allows, and transforms the crossing to the island into something almost surreal: one literally walks on water, with the sea lapping at both sides of the feet.
Kolokitha is located near Elounda, in the municipality of Agios Nikolaos, in the Lasithi region. The main beach of the islet can be reached in less than twenty minutes on foot from the village of Plaka, which overlooks the gulf. Despite its relative proximity to one of the most frequented tourist areas of Crete, Kolokitha remains almost always deserted, even in the peak months of the Greek summer.
The Venetian Ruins on the Water
On the islet, the remains of a Venetian fortress survive, built during the period of the Serenissima's rule over Crete, which lasted from 1204 until the Ottoman conquest in 1669. The perimeter walls are still partially standing, although in a state of advanced decay, and rise on the rocky tip of the island with a direct view of the Gulf of Mirabello. This is not a museum-like monument with ticket offices and explanatory panels: the ruins are freely accessible, integrated into the natural landscape of the islet.
Those who visit Kolokitha can closely observe the typical Venetian construction techniques of the eastern Mediterranean: squared blocks of local stone, partially collapsed round arches, and cisterns for collecting rainwater carved into the rock. Mediterranean vegetation — mastic shrubs, wild capers, and a few fig trees — grows among the stones, making the whole scene even more photogenic and solitary.
The waters of Kolokitha
The seabed around the islet is shallow and clear, with visibility that in calm conditions can exceed ten meters. The color of the water shifts from emerald green near the shore to deep blue towards the center of the gulf. The main beach is made of fine pebbles and sand, without any bathing facilities of any kind: no umbrellas for rent, no bar, no shower. Those who arrive must bring everything they need.
Thanks to the absence of tourist pressure and the lack of motorboats in the immediate vicinity, the waters of Kolokitha host a relatively intact marine fauna by Eastern Mediterranean standards. It is common to spot sea urchins, octopuses among the rocks, and small schools of silver fish. Those who bring a mask and snorkel can explore the seabed without needing to dive deeply.
How to reach Kolokitha
The easiest way to get there is to start from the village of Plaka, located about 12 kilometers from Elounda and reachable by car or public transport that connects Elounda to Agios Nikolaos. From Plaka, a dirt path leads to the shore of the gulf in front of the islet. The best time to cross the tombolo is early in the morning, when the sea is calm and the slanting light enhances the color of the water. In summer, between July and August, it is advisable to arrive by nine in the morning to avoid both the intense heat and the few other visitors who tend to arrive mid-morning.
There are no accommodations on the islet or in the immediate vicinity of the access path. The village of Plaka offers some taverns along the waterfront where you can have lunch before or after the visit. It is essential to bring enough water, at least one and a half liters per person, because there are no sources on the island. Water shoes are useful for crossing the tombolo and walking on the rocky bottom near the shore.
Why Kolokitha Remains Little Visited
The main reason is geographical: the islet does not appear in general tourist guides and is not served by organized boat excursions like the nearby island of Spinalonga, which hosts the famous Venetian leper hospital and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Kolokitha does not have a dramatic history to sell nor a ticket to punch: it is simply a piece of land between the sea, with ancient stones and improbably colored water.
This lack of tourist infrastructure is exactly what makes it interesting. Those looking for a place to sit in silence in front of the Aegean Sea, with the mountains of Crete in the background and no one else around, will find in Kolokitha something that has become rare in the Mediterranean summer: the tangible feeling of having arrived before the others.
