Petrakis beach
The very quiet beach of East Tsigounas, mostly known as Petrakis, is located 1km east of Lendas and 76km south of Heraklion. it is located on the foots of the steep and inhospitable slopes of Asterousia Mountains.
Asterousia Range beaches
The southern side of the Asterousia Mountains forms one of the wildest and most secluded coastlines of Crete, extending from the area of Matala to the mouth of the Anapodaris River. The steep mountain slopes and deep gorges descend to the South Cretan Sea, creating small coves, sea caves and beaches with sand or pebbles. Many of these beaches remain difficult to access and can be reached by dirt roads, through gorges or only by boat, preserving their peaceful and largely untouched character.
Vourlidia beach at Salamias
The small pebble beach Vourlidia is formed at the exit of Flomias gorge, at the west part of Salamias bay and at the base of Oxa cape. This incredible beach can be accessed after strenuous hiking from Agios Ioannis (east) or Tripiti beach (west). The place above the beach can be approached through very bad dirt track from Koumasa or Kapetaniana.
Leprias beach
Leprias or Lepries is a small pebbly beach located at Kalokambos area, about 73km south of Heraklion city, amidst the wild and majestic landscape of Asterousia Range, southwest of the summit of Kofinas. The beach is formed in front of a steep dirt slope, which crumbles and collapses like the leper's skin, therefore it is called Leprias, after the Greek word for leper.
Aspes beach (Martelos)
Between the monastery of Panagia Koudoumas and the Cape Martelos there are imposing vertical cliffs with beautiful striped formations, known as Aspes (don't confuse with the popular Aspes beach). At the base of the cliffs three small beaches with crystal blue waters and pebbles are formed, which are only accessible by boat, as there is no access by any trail.
Gournia Fjord near Vathy
The inaccessible area of Gournia is located in the Asterousia Mountains, between Vathi beach and the rugged location of Sideropetra. In Gournia, five consecutive fjords are formed, the largest of which, for some years, forms an amazing tiny beach.
Agios Onoufrios beach (Antiskari)
Between the settlements Tsigounas and Platia Peramata there are several beaches with the characteristic black pebble of southern Crete. One of the most unknown and secluded is the long beach of Agios Onoufrios, in a secluded location with many greenhouses almost hanging from the cliffs.
Glykys Kolimbos beach
Glykys Kolymbos beach (or Glykos Kolymbos) is the westernmost of all the beaches in the area of the Tris Ekklisies in the Asterousia Mountains. It is a special place with impressive geological formations in the water, which from above look like stripes.
Agadiko beaches
The wider area is full of salt pans, where you will see the famous salt pans of Asterousia filling hollows with seawater evaporated by the sun.
