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Greece
Crete
Lasithi Prefecture
Ierapetra
Things to Do in Ierapetra
Chrissi Island
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Chrissi Island

See all things to do
See all things to do
Chrissi Island
4
2,588 reviews
#3 of 32 things to do in Ierapetra
Islands
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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About
This hidden gem off the southern coast of Crete boasts stunning beaches, drawing travelers with its clear sands and turquoise waters. After relaxing on the aptly named Golden Beach, stroll through fragrant cedar woods to reach Kataprosopo Beach, a great snorkeling spot. Watch out for sharp rocks on the seabed. To get to Chrissi island, hop on a boat from Makry Gialos or Ierapetra. You can expect peak crowds during summer; consider visiting in early May or October. You can easily rent umbrellas and lounge chairs, but bring provisions for your visit—food and drink options on the island are limited. – Tripadvisor
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4.0
2,588 reviews
Excellent
1,398
Very good
577
Average
327
Poor
136
Terrible
150
KM
Wroclaw, Poland7 contributions
More a swimming spot
Sep 2022
We went to Chris Island from Ierapetra on a cruise 27 Euros per person. We were told that on the island are amazing spots to relax and that the boat comes directly to the beach. In fact, the boat stopped around 200-300 meters from the coastline and we had to leave all our things on deck to see the island. However it was very nice to swim on the open sea.
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nicola H
16 contributions
beautiful but..
Jul 2021 • Couples
Beautiful island but it doesnt have facilities (the portaloos are a serious disease waiting to happen, i still have trauma thinking about them!) and the sea was super choppy when we went so i didnt get further than ankle deep. there are no sun-beds and a beach umbrella (which u have to take yourself) will do very little to keep you protected from the sun. however there was beautiful trees on the beach that offered ample shade, although we did wait a bit for one to become available! we booked a boat trip there that left us on the island for 4 hours, i wouldnt recommend it, it’s a long time to be baking in the sun with little relief from the sea (because it was too choppy to swim). the boat trip back took almost 2 hours because the sea was rough, and it wasnt fun. however we did get to swim in open water before it got rough, and that was super refreshing. if the sea had been better maybe my experience would have been better. iv given 4 star because of the potential it had to be a better trip (ie if we had stayed less time and the water was calmer).
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ellie K
Cambridge, UK275 contributions
Amazing beach! Look after it!
Aug 2021 • Family
The most amazing beach! We loved the fact that it is now a NATURA area and that the restaurant and beach bar have been removed. It is normal to allow for a few people to stay on the island to sell souvenirs and also some cold drinks without altering the landscape.

The beach itself is a must once in Crete. There are no words to describe the feeling of swimming in these waters! Ensure you top up your sun cream every hour or so though and get or hire an umbrella before you go (the latter is available inside the boats). Also a good idea to place a bottle of water in the freezer the day before to use whilst on the island.

However, it needs much more attendance in cleaning and toilet facilities. There are not enough bins for this amount of people and there are no signs reminding of everyone to take back their rubbish. There’s also no recycling bins and a large amount of plastic goes wasted. The toilets are a bit of a disgrace and better not need to use one whilst on the island!
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Philippe G
Düsseldorf, Germany1 contribution
First and last time.
Jul 2021 • Couples
Nice Water! But that's the only positiv thing about the Island.

No shape at all. If you want to sit under an umbrella, some random guy shows up and asks 10€ for it.

They have a very small shop, where you can buy drinks, but no food.

The organization to get on the boat (ierapetra and crysi) was terrible. No Covid 19 restrictions. We had to sign a paper by only writing down our names. That was it.

After one hour, we wanted to leave the island. Unfortunately, we had to wait until our boat took us back.

First and last time on this island.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Amousk
1 contribution
Disappointing and not what was expected
Aug 2022 • Family
We have been to Crisis Island before and it was amazing. This year we purchased a boat ticket at Iriapetra car park kiosk; when we got to boat in harbor, we were then sent back to another desk to get tickets verified.
BUT at no time did anyone tell us that the boat no longer actually goes to Crissi Island. It just floats nearby and stops on 2 occasions for people to jump off boat into deep sea for swimming. So if you are a non swimmer, or not able bodied/have mobility issues, or are scared of deep water, or expecting to spend a nice day on the beach with your family having a picnic or a drink/ food from beach bar (like previous years), you will be very disappointed. £110 later and stuck on boat for 5 hours in 30 Degrees+ heat.
I totally get the ecological concerns, but communication and marketing at time of purchase was seriously lacking, and will put lots of people off. We were expecting a trip to Crissi Island, not just a boat ride and swim in middle of sea, which we could have had closer to home, without hiring a car and driving at least 2 hours to get to other side of Crete Island. Still may be worth a trip but ONLY IF you are strong confident swimmers and happy to spend rest of time on the boat.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
janluvsholidays
West Yorkshire, UK2,465 contributions
Mixed feelings........
Jul 2020 • Couples
Right, here goes and I’ll try and be as fair as I can.
We were recommended here for snorkelling which we both love, however we were very disappointed with that side of it as the strong winds and rough sea made it impossible.
We started out on the North shore but eventually walked back to the south to try there. The sea was calm but there wasn’t much marine life at all.
We actually found a better spot next to El Greco cafe bar in Hersonissos.

Okay, so despite being disappointed about the lack of snorkelling we found Chrissi Island very unique and beautiful.
The walk from the south to the north only takes a few minutes and that in itself is a beautiful walk (even in the hot sun). The cedar trees are amazing to look at and the old gnarled ones are amazing.
There’s a few hippy type stalls selling their handmade crafts but apart from that there is nothing. We didn’t venture into the porta loos as we had been warned they were pretty disgusting.
We did see a few dumped rubbish bags which was a shame as the island is pretty much unspoilt (please take your rubbish back to the boat)
We also collected some salt which has a pretty weird taste!
Overall we had a good day out.
We took plenty water and we paid an extra 5€ for food when we booked the trip.
If you’re offered this option please don’t take it. It was a greasy cold mess and we ditched ours in the bin back on the boat.
Luckily we had taken back up food in our cool bag so we didn’t go hungry.

Tips;
Pool/beach shoes are a must for walking on the hot sand and for the rocks in the water.

Bring a beach umbrella or rent one from the boat for 5€ (plus 10€ returnable deposit).

Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hanine L
Amman, Jordan17 contributions
Not worth it
Aug 2021 • Friends
I visited Chrissi island in August. The tour was organized by my hotel and based on the description given, I thought it was going to be amazing. Unfortunately, it was not worth the time or money. I was staying in Sissi, a village in Northern Crete, and the bus ride was long all the way down to the south. Then, I went on a boat trip and it was packed! I also found out that my ticket didn't even include lunch (I paid 70 euros for the trip!) The boat trip was about an hour to the island. When we got to the island, we were told that the 'Golden beach' was the best. The island is basically deserted. There's nothing there, except a few trees and a bunch of tourists. There's no food or drinks or even clean toilets. The were too many waves to be able to swim at the Golden beach and there were too many rocks. The problem was that we were obliged to stay there for 4 hours until the boat returned. Fortunately, I was able to find some shade under a tree. This place is definitely not worth your time or money, and there are much better and nicer beaches in Crete. Very disappointing!
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David
Haarlem, The Netherlands2 contributions
Crowded and not worth it unless your on a smaller boat with lunch included
Aug 2021 • Family
There are soo many nice beaches in Crete, so this is not worth the hassle of a whole day with few creature comforts and extreme heat. Chrissi is crowded with huge boats dropping people for the day. The only way to do this is to go on a smaller boat that also serves lunch. Around 60 euros pp. You then spend a couple of hours on Chrissi and the rest on the boat snorkeling etc.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
anchi100
Prague, Czech Republic414 contributions
Amazing day; great beach and snorkeling
Oct 2021 • Solo
October is very mild; still very warm but pleasant. It was a perfect day for Chrissi, sunny, no wind. At this time of the season, there were no sun beds for rent or any food, I got a nice sandwich in a cafe in Ierapetra on the way to Chrissi.
There were also not many people as only two boats make the route this late in season.
It reminded me Bora Bora… ok, no sharks or reys but actually very good snorkeling at the Eastern tip of the island, the Golden beach was beautiful, the water amazing colors, the cedars offered some shade… my only wish was that I could stay a few more hours!
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
interhellas car rentals in Crete
Heraklion, Greece4 contributions
Chrissi combines all the beauty of all the places in Crete
Oct 2021
This is by far the best place to visit in Crete.
It combines Elafonissi, Balos, Falassarna, all their beauty you can find together in this place.
HIGHLY recommended.
Some people will complain about this or that, but these people are the ones who easily complain about almost anything, I have been there 3 times and it was worth all the way.
Written September 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Chrissi Island (Ierapetra) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Chrissi Island
Chrissi Island is open:
  • Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Chrissi Island tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 Chrissi Island tours on Tripadvisor