Tour of Elafonisos

Tour of Elafonisos

Geographical & Historical Outline

Elafonisos is a small island 2 nautical miles from Neapolis on the south-east coast of Peloponnese.
It lies off the coast of Cape Maleas and Vatika. It has an area of 19 square kilometers.

The residents of Elafonisos posses one of the bigger fishing fleets in Greece with boats suitable for coastal fishing.
Elafonisos is connected with Pounda on Peloponnese by ferry boat (duration of trip 9 minutes).

In the antiquity, the current area where Elafonisos lies did not constitute island but a peninsula bearing the name “Onou Gnathos” as it is reported from Pausanias.

During the 16th and 17th century A.D. the island used as a base for operations of Pirates and Corsairs, since the “Elafonisos Channel” constitutes even today the main passage of vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean where hundreds of ships pass each day and night.
The island was re-populated by its current residents in 1850, when the Hellenic Navy put an end to the Aegean Piracy.

Elafonisos is an exotic island between the Peloponnese and Kythira.
It is 2 nautical miles from Neapolis on the south-east of Peloponnese.

Elafonisos is a popular tourist destination during the summer.
Many tourists visit the island for its fine sandy beaches with crystal clear waters.

The island has a small settlement with a picturesque church of Agios Spyridon built on a rock.
The beaches are ideal for those wanting a peaceful holiday far from the tourist track.
The most known beaches of the island, Sarakiniko, Fragos (Simos) and Panagias Nissia, are filled with blue-green waters.
Just across the island on similar patterns and only 570 ft away from the mainland the Pounta beach lies. Other beautiful beaches are those of Lefki and Pounda.

During your stay in Elafonisos it is worth visiting the prehistoric graves found at Pounta and the sunken city in Pavlopetri.

The island has a very good tourist infrastructure. You will find many hotels, apartments and rooms to let with all comforts and one organized camping site.
There are many taverns and restaurants where you can taste fresh fish and seafood dishes, fast food, grill rooms and coffee shops.
On the village there are internet café, bakery shop, super market, health center and many tourist shops.