Chrissi Island (Gaidouronisi)

Chrissi, also spelled Chrysi and meaning golden, is an uninhabited island lying in the South Cretan Sea roughly 15 kilometres (about 7.5 nautical miles) south of Crete, close to the town of Ierapetra. Also known as Gaidouronisi, donkey island, it is administratively part of the Lasithi regional unit and is one of the most distinctive day-trip destinations in eastern Crete. The only practical way to reach Chrissi is by excursion boat from Ierapetra. Boats typically run between the middle of May and late October, leaving the quay each morning during the summer season and returning in the afternoon, so a visit is normally a self-contained day trip rather than an overnight stay. In fact, because the island is a protected zone, camping and overnight stays are strictly prohibited. Chrissi is celebrated for its golden-sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise water. The coves of Belegrina, Hatsivolakas and Kataprosopo are known for an extraordinary variety of seashells, and the island's pale sand is itself made largely of shell debris. This shell-strewn shoreline is one of the features that makes the island feel so different from the mainland beaches. The island is protected as an area of intense natural beauty, in large part because it holds the largest naturally formed Juniperus macrocarpa (Cedar) forest in Europe. This forest covers around 350 acres, with trees averaging roughly 200 years in age, and visitors are expected to stay on marked paths to avoid damaging the fragile habitat. Archaeologists have also excavated a Minoan settlement on the island dating to between about 1800 and 1500 BC, including purple-dye workshops and numerous artefacts. Chrissi suits travellers looking for a wild, low-development escape and a memorable boat excursion rather than resort comforts. Because it is uninhabited and protected, facilities are minimal, so visitors should come prepared with sun protection, water and sturdy footwear, and treat the whole island with care as the special natural reserve that it is.