Agia Marina beach – Chania

Agia Marina beach is a long, organized sandy beach on the north coast of Crete, 9 km west of Chania, facing the protected islet of Thodorou. Agia Marina beach has shallow, calm, blue water, a full row of sunbeds, umbrellas and water sports, and man-made stone piers that keep swimming sheltered on windy days. It is one of the busiest and most popular beaches near Chania, with beach bars, tavernas and hotels lining the shore.

Where is Agia Marina beach?

Agia Marina beach lies 9 km west of Chania city, on the coast road that runs out toward Kolymbari. The beach is part of a long sandy strip where Stalos, Agia Marina and Platanias run into one another, so the sand stretches east into Stalos and west toward the port of Platanias. Agia Marina beach takes its name from the local church of Agia Marina, which holds its festival on 17 July. Straight out from the shore sits the protected islet of Thodorou, which gives the beach its distinctive view.

Sand, sea and swimming

Agia Marina beach is soft sand with clear blue water that stays shallow and calm close to the shore, so children can paddle safely. The beach faces north and lies open to the wind, which keeps the water fresh but can raise a chop in the afternoon. Man-made stone piers near the Platanias end shape small coves that stay sheltered, so you can swim there even on breezy days. Mornings are usually the calmest time to get in the water.

Facilities and water sports

Agia Marina beach is a well-organized beach with a full set of services along the sand. Agia Marina beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas to rent, showers and lifeguards in season, and it flies a Blue Flag. Beach bars, tavernas, cafes and restaurants line the shore and stay lively into the night. Water sports run from the beach through the summer, including jet skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, banana-boat rides and stand-up paddleboarding. Trees shade parts of the sand, and the shore is a marked nesting point for loggerhead sea turtles.

Thodorou islet and the kri-kri goats

Agia Marina beach looks straight out at Thodorou, a small protected islet that is a nature reserve. Thodorou is home to the endangered Cretan wild goat, the kri-kri, relocated here from the White Mountains near the Samaria Gorge. Approaching the island is forbidden, and only a limited number of boat trips run to it each year with special permission from the Forest Service. About 1.5 km south of the village lies the Nerospilia cave, which holds stalactites and stalagmites and was a place of worship in the Middle Minoan period. The cave stands on private land, so it is closed to visitors. The village also keeps a small folklore museum worth a look.

Beaches near Agia Marina beach

The same sandy coast holds several more beaches on either side of Agia Marina, listed below by distance.

• Stalos beach (1.8 km): a well-equipped sandy beach just east, 7 km west of Chania, backed by the traditional village of Pano Stalos.
• Platanias beach (2.5 km): a lively resort beach to the west, with a long sandy shore, beach bars and busy nightlife.
• Kalamaki beach (3.6 km): a sandy, organized beach 6 km west of Chania at the western end of the Agii Apostoli strip.
• Gerani beach (4.1 km): a quieter 2.5 km sandy stretch with tamarisk shade and a turtle-nesting shore.

Getting to Agia Marina beach

Agia Marina beach sits 9 km west of Chania on the coast road, so it is quick to reach from the town and from Chania International Airport. Frequent KTEL and city buses stop close to the sand and take about 20 minutes from Chania, and a taxi, bike or car covers the same run easily. A beach day here pairs well with the old town of Chania, the nearby resorts of Stalos and Platanias, and the quieter coves further west. The simplest way to string them together on your own schedule is by car, which you can compare on our car rental in Crete page.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Agia Marina beach?

Agia Marina beach is on the north coast of Crete, 9 km west of Chania city, on the sandy strip that links Stalos and Platanias.

How do I get to Agia Marina beach from Chania?

Frequent KTEL and city buses run from Chania to Agia Marina beach in about 20 minutes, and you can also drive, take a taxi or ride a bike along the coast road.

Is Agia Marina beach good for families with children?

Yes. The water is shallow and calm close to the shore, lifeguards watch the beach in season, and the sheltered coves by the piers stay quiet on windy days.

What facilities and water sports does Agia Marina beach have?

Agia Marina beach has sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, lifeguards and a Blue Flag, plus beach bars and tavernas. Water sports include jet skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, banana-boat rides and stand-up paddleboarding.

Can you visit Thodorou islet opposite the beach?

No. Thodorou is a protected nature reserve for the kri-kri wild goat, so landing is forbidden; only a few boat trips run each year with special permission from the Forest Service.