its a long haul from elounda three and a half hours steady plod although you pass some fantastic scenery sights smells on the way.just when you get to sitia your not there yet another good hour to go.you arrive at vai through a palm tree lined grove that's fenced off i think its part of a conservation area national park, putting the car away seemed a bit of a struggle this is a very popular place we eventually chose the beach area car park pay at the wooden hut.its a cracker of a beach sandy shallow sea sheltered with a taverna there so your well catered for..best to get there early doors if possible we arrived at 13:00 and left at 17:00 ... and just made evening meal back at the hotel !was it worth it .....YES
Likes: rent a car and take a ride. It's worth to visit. Note that the palm trees there are endemic although you don't see the difference unless you happen to be a specialist in palms :)
Visit Vai beach we liked, because with palm trees that surround it is very unusual by European standards (filmed here Advertising on the Bounty). The beach is sandy and the water is clear, even if the island Chrissi it can not be compared. On the beach you can rent for 10 euros parasol and 2 sun loungers. In the parking lot in front of the beach stand selling one of the best olive oils in the world (as elsewhere in Crete), but there is really very good family company with its own production of honey, herbs, brandy, olive oil and all for a good price.The restaurant was good, the prices reasonable and everything clean.
You to to Vai for the beach and the palm trees; both are amazing, a large golden sand beach and an immense palm forest stretching all the way to the beach.In Vai there are no hotels (closest room accommodations are in Palaikastro 10 Km away).Vai beach has beautiful golden sand and clear water in a tropical setting (palm trees) in what is otherwise a rocky and barren surrounding landscape). You can rent at a reasonable price sun loungers and straw umbrellas; there is a restaurant that has wifi on the premises. Parking costs 3 Euros but one cannot complain as it is about the only place in Crete you are likely to pay for parking.If you visit eastern Crete, Vai is a must.
We went there especially, with our tour operator. While the excursion was overpriced the beach generally is very nice - clean, there is a shower and a dressing box. There is a nice taverna on the beach and a cafe bar (great fredoccino!!!). You can get there local olive and fruit, herbs, etc. The view from the view point is nice. If you are in the neighbourhood (ie. not more than an hour drive), do visit. Other than that - you can skip it.
Found this on Google Maps, and went on the off chance - is a gorgeous beach, and is well worth the long trip to get there.We parked just before the main carpark, which was free, rather than paying extra to park. The beach is very clean, there's a great bar nearer the carpark end of the beach.
Palm trees are indeed an exotic impression and extraordinary as for Crete beaches but due to commercial character now it's not that impressive. Worth visiting if not long way to get there.
The place is somehow remotely located, but it's natural beauty and the combination of palm trees, sandy beach and great sea makes it a must-go destination for the east Crete tourist. The price of the parking spot is 2,5 € and for the sunbed set another 9 €, but personally think it's well worth it. Remember, if u go all the way to visit this magnificent place, on your way back to visit also the Toplou monastery which is at the same area and is well-preserved and an important historical and spiritual site.
Hard to get there (~20 mins driving in the open field) but the result is nice: natural palms wood (the only one in Europe) and nice beach.Suggestion: do not stop at the furnished beach. Climb the stairs on the side of the restaurant and walk 10 mins on the rock. You ll get to an unknown and desert beach.
Super beach - crystal clear waters, lovely golden sand, sun bed and parasols reasonably priced - small car park fee - nice walk up the hill to the views over the next bay and nice restaurant