Elafonissi gets its namesake not from the island Elafonissos of Peloponissus but the Greek term “Elafi”, or deer, for how its multiple sandy islets lead visitors to its shores without so much as a drop of water on their feet. Broken seashells littered across the shoreline give the sands of Elafonissi their telltale pink, petering out into chalk white further from shore. Trapped between the mainland and Elafonissi is a shallow lagoon that gently teases the early swimmer out into the water with its slow and steady ripples. A walk along the kilometer long perimeter of Elafonissi will lead you past coves tucked into cliff walls and limestone sculptures molded in the middle of the azure ocean. Snorkeling gear is similarly a must for the coral beds are endless. The beach draws crowds from far and wide particularly during summer so it would be advisable to target other times of the year for a more relaxing experience immersed in the delicate landscape of Elafonissi.