Kalypso Beach Crete is one of the best beaches in Crete, and one of the most unusual. It’s set in its own secret cove a short drive from the beach village of Plakias Crete. It’s also part of the Kalypso Cretan Village Resort & Spa, one of several Plakias resorts close by.
It’s very different to most Crete beaches because of its incredible setting. It’s a long, narrow sea inlet between a soaring sea cliff on one side and a narrow finger of land on the other. There’s no sand, just rock and water.
A bridge links both sides of the inlet – called the ‘Pirate’s Fjord’. This is possibly unique among Greece beaches – you come here to swim, snorkel, or soak in the sun from the rocky area above the water.
Kalypso Beach Crete – In a Nutshell
- The beach is 5 km (3 miles) from Plakias beach and village on the south coast of Crete
- It’s the focal point of the Kalypso Cretan Village Hotel Resort – the accommodation is a short walk up the hill from the beach
- It’s also known as Karavos Beach
- You don’t have to be a guest of the Kalypso Hotel to visit the beach – you’ll just need to pay for use of umbrellas and sunbeds
- Kalypso Beach Crete is set in the ‘Pirate’s Fjord’, a narrow inlet with a low narrow peninsula on one side and a spectacular towering cliff on the other
- It’s one of the most dramatic Rethymno beaches, and there are several other great beaches close by, including Damnoni, Ammoudi and Skinaria
- This is one of the best places for swimming and snorkeling in Crete, with exceptionally clear water
- Do not go to Hotel Kalypso expecting sand as there isn’t any – you come here for the water and the spectacular setting
How to get to Kalypso Beach Crete
The nearest public transport takes you to Kalypso Beach is Plakias village. Plakias beach Crete is a more popular destination, and several buses a day run from the lovely regional capital Rethymno.
The only way to reach the Kalypso Hotel Crete from Plakias is to drive yourself or take a taxi. The latter costs 8 euros each way – the hotel reception will book the return journey for you.
What facilities are at Kalypso Beach Crete
Hotel staff are available to help you choose your umbrella and sunbeds – a two bed and umbrella set costs 10 euros.
There are two small snack bars – one grilling kebabs by the shore, and another operated by the Kalypso Dive Center.
The toilets are 200 metres up the hill from the beach – head for the pirate ship next to one of the swimming pools, they’re downstairs inside.
Swimming at Kalypso Beach Crete
My wife Faye, the family fish, is the expert on this subject, having swum in five different continents. Her word is good enough for a landlubber like me. She said it’s the best, clearest water she has swum in anywhere in the world. The visibility and clarity from above is astonishing – you can make out every single detail in the sea bed.
Tours To Kalypso Beach
This Kalypso tour from Rethymno is for beginners with lessons in scuba diving and snorkelling – and you’ll rarely find a better place to do either.
And this private tour from Rethymno includes a stop at the nearby Kourtaliotiko Gorge as well as Kalypso Beach.
A Walk to Damnoni Beach
While Faye and our son swim for an hour or two, I often take off for a walk to explore the surrounding coastline. There is a set of concrete steps leading up the sheer cliff to the left of the beach, offering bird’s eye views back down onto Kalypso Beach.
I was aware that a path led from the top around the coast. You gradually descend, cross some empty ground just inland and turn the corner to reach lovely Damnoni Beach, a beautiful crescent of sand surrounded by rocky hills. Boat rips run from there to nearby Preveli Palm Beach.
I only went as far as Damnoni, but you can continue to Ammoudi beach and eventually to Skinaria beach. There’s plenty of exploring to do on your Plakias holidays, with other beaches like gorgeous Souda just to the west of the main village and beach.
The walk from Kalypso Spa took around 15 minutes each way.
Where To Stay Near Kalypso Beach
The nearest option is of course the Kalypso Cretan Village Resort & Spa, which has had a few less than favourable reviews of late. We didn’t stay there, and only visited the beach, so can’t add anything to this.
At nearby Damnoni, Mythos Apartments has consistently excellent reviews, and it’s also just a short walk from this superb beach.
Plakias is the largest village in the area, with a wide selection of places to stay. These in crude:
**** – Apollo Plakias – 4-star aparthotel, a short walk from the village and beach
*** – Lamon Hotel – 3-star family hotel right in the middle of Plakias, and right next to the beach
** – Plakias Bay Hotel – family-run hotel just south of Plakias Beach with outstanding restaurant and breakfast
Kalypso Beach Crete – Final Words
I hope you’ve found my guide to Kalypso Beach helpful, even inspirational. We were amazed to find this place, and visiting (and swimming) there was an amazing experience.
Kalypso Bech is on a beautiful part of the south coast of Crete, with Damnoni Beach and Skinaria Beach both close by. Check out my Rethymno beaches guide for more places to visit in this beautiful province of Crete, and my guide to the best day trips from Rethymno.
It’s only a short drive through the mountains from Kalypso Beach to the north Crete coast. My guide to the best things to do in Rethymno shows you the best of the regional capital.
Explore more of Crete in our guides below:
Overall Crete Articles
Regions of Crete – what to see where, and how to choose your ideal base for your Crete holiday
Pink Beaches In Crete – the 3 stunning pink sand beaches to visit on Crete
Famous Landmarks In Crete To Visit – from Knossos to its most famous beaches, gorges and more
Castles in Crete – Heraklion, Rethymno, Frangokastello and more
Minoan Sites in Crete – the six World Heritage-listed Minoan palace sites on the island
Heraklion and Central Crete
Things To Do In Heraklion – discover the greatly underrated capital of Crete
Visiting Knossos Palace Crete – the foremost ancient Minoan site in the world
Visiting Heraklion Archaeological Museum – the foremost museum on Minoan history
Things To Do In Malia – away from the foam parties – terrific beaches, lovely Old Town and a Bronze Age World Heritage Site
Things To Do In Hersonissos – Crete’s other main party town
Hersonissos or Malia – which is better for you?
Bali Crete Beaches – guide to all 5 beaches in this beautiful north coast village
Kalypso Beach Crete – a fjord, of all things, in Crete – and one of the best places to swim and snorkel in Greece
Visiting Spinalonga Island Crete – the impregnable Venetian fortress that became home to Greece’s last leper colony
Voulisma Beach – glorious golden sands in eastern Crete
Western Crete
Things To Do In Chania – discover the most beautiful city in Crete, indeed, perhaps, Greece
Balos Beach Crete – one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean
Elafonissi Beach – the most famous pink sand beach in Crete
Falassarna Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in the world
Kedrodasos Beach– glorious pristine beach and coves in a grove of rare juniper trees
Things To Do In Rethymno – discovering Crete’s enchanting third city
Rethymno Beaches – 20 of the best beaches in Rethymno province in central and western Crete
Panormos Crete – one of the loveliest villages on the north Crete coast
David Angel
David Angel is a British writer and photographer who has been travelling and photographing Europe for over 25 years. His work is regularly featured in worldwide media including the BBC, the Guardian, the Times and the Sunday Times.