Marmara beach and sea caves - Crete

Marmara beach and sea caves - Crete

Crete, Greece

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Marmara Beach is a small pebbly beach located 4 km west of Loutro. The sea caves are its main attraction, but also the landscape with the Aradena Gorge in the background is also noteworthy.

How to get there

It’s located at the south coast of Crete. This part of the island is quite remote and there are no roads, so the only way to reach it is by walking or by boat from Chora Sfakion.

If you have a car (or a scooter), you can easily reach Chora Sfakion. If you go early in the morning, you can park at the port or here (3€). Alternatively, you can get to Chora Sfakion by by bus from Chania. You can check the bus schedules (Chania – Chora Sfakion).

By boat:

There are a couple of companies that operate the route: Chora Sfakion - Loutro - Marmara Beach (10€ one way, ~20'). If you can't find a direct route, you can take the boat from Chora Sfakion to Loutro and then from Loutro to Marmara, as the frequency is higher. Reservations are not necessary; you can purchase tickets on the spot at the port. Some companies do not accept card payments, so it's advisable to carry cash just in case.

Bear in mind that in the afternoons, there is usually more wind and waves, so some services may be canceled without prior notice. You can check wind/wave predictions on this website, and we also recommend asking at the port about the availability of the service.

Walking

There is a coastal path that connects Chora Sfakion - Glyka Nera - Loutro - Marmara Beach. It takes about 3 hours and is quite beautiful, but be cautious if you walk during the midday hours as there is little shade.

Beach - Sea caves

The beach is quite small. In fact, during the summer months, it may be crowded, especially on days with little wind. It's not a fine sandy beach.

One of the main attractions is swimming in the caves on the left side. Some of them are just 10 meters from the beach, but you can actually find caves along the entire coast up to Likos Beach (500 meters).The water is crystal clear, and visibility is spectacular, so it's recommended to bring a snorkel mask. The rock formations inside the caves are also very interesting.

At the beach, there is some shade provided by several trees, but you also have the option to rent sunbeds (2.5€) and umbrellas (2.5€). Additionally, there is a free restroom and a shower.

Next to the beach, you will find a Greek tavern where you can try some specialties of the region. The Greek yogurt with honey and fruits is highly recommended.

Behind the beach is the Aradena Gorge, which is quite popular among hikers. If you're interested, we recommend you to descend from the Aradena Bridge (More info here).

At Lykos Beach, you can rent a kayak to go to Mármara and visit the caves along the way. It is located between Loutro and Mármara.

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Try to check the weather forecast in advance and come when it’s not very windy. It will be easier if you plan to come back by boat and you will enjoy the caves better.