Nearby beaches

The south coast is famous for its array of wonderful beaches, all offering crystal clear waters and some great snorkelling opportunities.

The closest beach to Villas Domus Mare I and II, apart from their own private cove, is Agios Pavlos beach. The main beach is a beautiful bay but be sure to walk beyond the bay to find the second beach of this amazing area which is famous for its sand dunes and is something not to be missed.

Triopetra beach is only a stone’s throw away and definitely worth a visit. A sweeping stretch of sand,  it is named after the 3 rocks which rise proudly from the sea and has a few tavernas.

Preveli beach is a famous beach on the south coast and an area of natural and protected beauty with a beautiful palm forest.. Preveli beach is located at the mouth of a river that comes from the imposing Kourtaliotiko Gorge. If you walk up the side of the river you will find some rock pools in which to swim which takes the experience you will have at Preveli beach to the next level.

Ammoudi beach is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds and some taverns and rooms nearby. Moreover, in Amoudi you can find a scuba diving centre. Amoudi has thick white sand and rocky seabed, ideal for diving and snorkeling, and the waters have a bright green color. Next to the beach there are many tamarisk trees, under which you can find shade and camp.It is one of the best beaches to visit on the south part of Crete.

West of Ammoudi starts a dirt road that leads to Damnoni and passes next to towering cliffs and imposing rocks. Just 200m west of Ammoudi, along the dirt road, you will find a parking plateau that has unrestricted view to Damnoni. Right there, on your left hand, you will see a spectacular miniature sandy beach, with turquoise waters and a characteristic rock in the sea. The beach is shaped between two little oblong rocks. The beach is named Klisidi and is an ideal choice when no people are there (quite rare in peak seasons).

Next to Klisidi, you will meet the amazing nudist beach of Small Ammoudi or Ammoudaki. The turquoise waters and spectacular white coarse sand, make this small beach popular destination for nudists. Moreover, on the beach there is a small canteen, which also provides umbrellas and sunbeds. At the west side of the beach, you can swim till a marine cave, where the sun rays make the color of the water vivid blue. The seabed is sandy and you can walk there. At the other end, there is an under water hole that connects Ammoudaki with Klisidi. So you can get from one beach to another only with a dive. To reach the beaches of Ammoudi on foot, you can walk east of Damnoni, till you meet Ammoudaki.

Skinaria beach is a small beach with soft gray-beige sand and fine pebbles, with crystal blue deep water. The seabed is rocky, but on the north part of the beach, it is sandy. Life thrives in the area, both inside and outside of the sea. On the beach there are small ponds with fresh water that comes from springs that carry water from the mountain of Kouroupa. Water clarity is really impressive, usually exceeding 40m in horizontal direction. Indeed, it is no coincidence that most scuba diving centres in Crete have Skinaria is their program. The beach is slightly organized, with a tavern offering a few umbrellas and refreshments; the last time we visited the beach, umbrellas and sunbeds were free if you bought refreshments. 

Matala beach is located 68km southwest of Heraklion, at the exit of a small valley, which forms an enclosed bay with nice view to the islands of Paximadia. There is a beautiful sandy beach, 300m long, with fine gravel and crystal clear deep water. The beach is very well organized with umbrellas, toilets, showers, lifeguard, first aids, beach volley courts, snack bars, water sports, excursion boats, a camping site, etc.