Located in the north part of the Spinalonga Peninsula, just opposite the islet Kalydon with the fort of Spinalonga, is a special place known as Armos. It is home to a number of abandoned farms and is rarely visited due to its lack of roads. The Kolokitha beach, located in the southeast base of the peninsula, is the most well-known beach in the area, but there are several other unknown beaches in the northern part that are just as worth visiting, particularly by canoe from Plaka.
One of these beaches is Vathi, located two kilometers northeast of the port of Elounda, at the northwest side of the peninsula. It is a small, well-protected cove with calm waters and stunning views of the town and mountains of Elounda. The beach itself is comprised of pebbles and sand, and the relatively shallow waters make it ideal for swimming. There are also remnants of abandoned farms nearby, a platform for boats, and plenty of tamarisk and carob trees for those wishing to rest in the shade.
Further northeast is the area known as Oxo Harakia or Skourgeto, located at the northernmost tip of the peninsula. Its name comes from the rocks (haraki, meaning ‘rock’, in the Cretan dialect) emerging above the sea level at the narrow passage between the islet and the peninsula. Here we find two beautiful small beaches, with sand, rocks in places, and crystal clear waters, making it a perfect spot for seclusion and snorkeling. There are also plenty of pottery sherds scattered in the area, a reminder of the area’s ancient inhabitants.
Finally, there is the sandy beach of Pelekiti, located at the exit of a nearby ravine. This area was once used for the extraction of boulders to build the fort of Spinalonga, so it is full of stairs and striking shapes in the rocks that continue into the sea. The name ‘Pelekita’ comes from the Greek term meaning ‘chiseled’.
