- Region
- Messara, south Heraklion
- Distance
- About 4 km from Matala
- Beach
- Fine sand, some pebbles
- Facilities
- Umbrellas, tavernas, rooms, lifeguard
The beach
The sand is fine and blond, with pebbles in places. Just offshore a long, smooth rock shelf runs along the sea bed and can be slippery.
North-west winds often raise big waves here. Combined with the rock shelf, that can make getting in tricky, so pick a calm morning.
Turtles
Loggerhead turtles nest on Kalamaki from May to September. Keep dark beach areas dark at night, don't dig near marked nests, and take beach furniture away in the evening.
Walks from Kalamaki
Walk south along the sand to Kommos beach (1.8 km), with the excavated Minoan harbour town of Kommos behind it; part of the beach is used by naturists. North, the unorganised Afratias stretch leads towards the military airfield at Tymbaki; don't try to pass the fence.
Matala is 4 km south and Agia Triada about 4.5 km inland.
Questions before you go
How far is Kalamaki from Matala?
About 4 km by road; you can also walk south along the coast via Kommos.
Is Kalamaki beach good for children?
On calm days, yes. Watch the waves and the slippery rock shelf near the shore.
Do turtles nest at Kalamaki?
Yes, loggerhead turtles nest from May to September.
