- Region
- Asterousia, south Heraklion
- Distance
- About 75 km from Heraklion
- Beaches
- Sand (Psili Ammos) and pebbles (Makria Ammos)
- Facilities
- Tavernas, mini market, rooms
The beaches
Psili Ammos has fine sand and is the busiest beach, especially at weekends, with restaurants, a mini market and rooms nearby. Makria Ammos is long, with fine grey pebbles and deep water, tamarisk shade and a quieter eastern end. Karavovrysi, about 2 km east by path, has coarse sand and no shade.
The sea is calm except in winter, and people swim here all year.
St Paul and the oil tanks
The Acts of the Apostles mentions a ship carrying Paul putting in at 'Fair Havens', identified with Kaloi Limenes. A chapel of St Paul stands on the hill west of the village, beside a small cave linked to the story.
Opposite the village, the islet of Mikronisi holds large fuel tanks built from 1961 to refuel passing ships. They are an eyesore, but the water is clean.
Getting there
Drive from Pompia on the Messara plain via Pigaidakia on a narrow asphalt road with sharp bends. A dirt road also links Kaloi Limenes with the Odigitria monastery. The ruins of ancient Lasea and the Agiofarago gorge are nearby.
Questions before you go
Is Kaloi Limenes calm?
Yes, the bays are calm almost all year except in winter storms.
What are the tanks at Kaloi Limenes?
Fuel storage tanks on the islet of Mikronisi, used since 1961 to refuel ships.
Is Kaloi Limenes linked to St Paul?
Yes, it is identified with the 'Fair Havens' in Acts 27; a chapel of St Paul stands west of the village.
