What seas surround Crete? Crete

Judging by the number of questions received, many cannot figure out what kind of seas wash the island of Crete.

There are two most common versions. First - Crete is washed by three seas. Second - Crete is washed by four seas. The most interesting thing is that there are five names. Namely: Mediterranean, Aegean, Ionian, Cretan and Libyan.

So, let's get down to business!

How many seas are there in Crete?

All of the seas listed (we’ll look at each separately a little later) belong to the Mediterranean basin. So it would not be a mistake to say that the islands of Crete are washed by one single sea.

The Aegean Sea, being part of the Mediterranean, actually reaches the northern coast of Crete. And this is certain.

But the assertion that the Ionian Sea is located on the western side of the island is very doubtful. Still, it is located quite far to the northwest. But since there are no official boundaries of the seas, this statement can be accepted.

The Libyan and Cretan seas are historical names that are not officially recognized. But, nevertheless, used, therefore, this can be accepted.

Geographically, the Cretan Sea is located near the northern coast of Crete and is part of the Aegean and, accordingly, the Mediterranean. And Libya is located on the southern side of the island, in practice it is also the Mediterranean Sea.

So it turns out that vacationers on the northern coast of the island swim in three seas at once, and guests on the southern coast only in two. Joke.

In the end it turns out that everyone is right. And those who talk about three seas, and those who talk about four. However, those who say about one or two will also not be mistaken. Question of wording.

About the confluence of the three seas of Crete they are very fond of writing in prospectuses describing the famous Bay of Ballos. Indeed, from the top of the mountain there is a stunning view of the snow-white beach and the water shimmering in all shades of azure. Indeed, it seems that it is in this extraordinary place that the three most beautiful seas of Crete merge together.

The northern coast is Cretan, the southern is Libyan (separates Greece from Africa), the western is Ionian. However, local residents often use their own names for these seas, of which there are more than ten in total.

In this article we will take a closer look at one of the most wonderful reservoirs created by nature. This is the Cretan Sea, often called the Aegean Sea. But first we will present general information about the magnificent and numerous seas of Greece.

Seas of Greece

Tourists, going on a trip or vacation to Greece, first of all choose not a specific resort, but the sea. And in this case, tourists have an excellent choice, since Greece is surrounded by many seas.

Most of the maps represent only the above-mentioned 3 seas. Once on the beach, tourists may find that they are either on the Cretan Sea, or on the Balearic or Libyan Sea. The Mediterranean Sea basin includes the following seas:

• Aegean (Cretan Sea);
• Ionic;
• Adriatic;
• Ligurian;
• Alboran;
• Libyan;
• Tyrrhenian;
• Balearic.

The northern part of Greece itself is also washed by the Thracian Sea, and the southwestern zone of the Aegean Sea is the Myrtoan Sea.

While on vacation right here, you can learn in more detail about the modern division of the seas that wash the outskirts of the cities of one of the most ancient and wonderful countries in the world, attracting travelers from all over the world with its amazing nature.

Seas around the island of Crete

1. The Cretan Sea is often called the Aegean Sea. Many people ignorantly argue about names, not suspecting that both are correct. A more detailed description of this amazing natural reservoir will be given below.
2. separates the island from Libya. The coastline of Greece on the side of this sea is steeper and covered with steep cliffs. The beaches here are not very popular. But in summer this sea is calmer than the northern Cretan sea.
3. washing the island on the western side, it is famous for its amazingly beautiful, changing shades of the water surface at different times of the day. For example, Balos Lagoon is distinguished by the fact that here the sea waters reflect more than 15 shades. The sea in this place is warm and rather shallow, making it suitable for families with children.

Local aborigines believe that the eastern side of Crete is washed by the waters of the Carpathian Sea, the name of which comes from the island of Karpathos, located to the east of the island. This definition is rarely used and has no official confirmation.

Thanks to the huge number of sandy beaches on the northern coast of the Cretan Sea, the island is quite famous and popular among numerous visiting tourists. In this regard, the Blue Flag award was received for the local recreational conditions that meet the highest modern requirements.

The Cretan Sea is very popular. The reviews from tourists who have ever vacationed there are the best and most enthusiastic. These places leave unforgettable impressions in the memory of every traveler. Probably the main reason for this is the large number of sandy beaches, smooth entry into the sea and developed infrastructure.

In general, the sea is located between the island of Crete and the beautiful Cyclades archipelago (56 islands and islets around the ancient sacred island of Delos).

But it is the northern coast of the largest island of the Cretan Sea that can boast a considerable number of well-equipped beaches.

The sea is unpredictable in nature. Throughout your vacation, you can find calm and waves that are raised by northern winds. During this period, swimming becomes dangerous.

In any case, this sea remains one of the most popular and beloved by both romantics and extreme recreation lovers.

Hydrography

What is the Cretan Sea like in terms of hydrography? The surface water temperature in winter ranges from 11 to 15 degrees Celsius, and in summer 22-27 °C. At a depth of more than 350 meters, its temperature remains unchanged throughout the year (about 13 °C).

In the western part of the sea the current is directed south, and in the eastern part it is directed north. Its speed is up to 0.5-1 kilometers per hour.

Due to global warming of the water temperature of all seas (the Cretan Sea is no exception), the salinity of the waters is gradually increasing. This sea has a considerable concentration of salt, greater than, for example, the Black Sea, and is approximately 40.0%. For this reason, after swimming in such water, a shower with fresh water is necessary to avoid negative consequences for the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes.

Peculiarities

The Cretan Sea is characterized by semidiurnal tides, the magnitude of which can reach up to 60 centimeters.

It has a wayward and slightly unpredictable character. A calm person can at times suddenly become agitated and then immediately calm down. This is due to the prevailing winds in these places, blowing over the coast of the city of Chania (the former capital of Crete and the second largest city in Greece), capable of raising rather large waves over the Libyan and Cretan seas in the summer.

Conclusion

The Cretan (Aegean) Sea is ideal for absolutely all vacationers with completely different tastes. It is not for nothing that artists, writers, musicians and simply romantics often come to the island of Crete in search of inspiration.

Crete is the largest and “warmest” island of Greece, washed by the waters of three Mediterranean seas. The island is surrounded by waters: the northern coast is Cretan (Aegean), the southern coast is Libyan, the western coast is Ionian. This is a very simplified list because local people often use their own names. There are more than ten such names in total.

What seas wash Crete - a brief generalized description

Cretan Sea

The sea is often called the Aegean. Some tourists, out of ignorance, sometimes argue about the name of this sea, not suspecting that both names will be correct.

From the local aborigines you can also hear that from the east the island of Crete is washed by the Carpathian Sea. This name comes from the name of the island of Kartatos, located east of Crete. But this definition is rarely used and has no official confirmation.

Upon arrival at Heraklion airport, you will immediately smell the amazing sea air of the Cretan Sea. Thanks to the large number of sandy beaches, sloping coastline and shallow waters, the northern coast of Crete is very popular among tourists.

It is the coast of the Cretan Sea that has a large number of beaches that have received the distinctive international Blue Flag award for the fact that recreation conditions meet high standards.

What other seas wash Crete?

These are seas with beautiful clean warm water and various features of the local landscape to suit every taste of vacationers.

Libyan Sea

This sea separates Crete from Libya. The Libyan coast, surprisingly, does not have such an extensive network of beaches. Here the coastline is high and covered with steep cliffs. The bays can only be reached from the sea or by crossing the rocks. You must enter the water very carefully so as not to slip. The beaches are not very popular; sometimes with pebbly black sand.

In summer, the Libyan Sea is calmer than the northern Cretan Sea. Most often, during a storm on the northern coast, the southern coast of the island is calm. Southern waters are protected by rocks along the coast.

Ionian Sea

What seas wash Crete and where is the best place to go on vacation with children? The Ionian Sea is best suited for this. It washes the western shores of the island and is famous for its unique shades of water at different times of the day. In Balos Lagoon, for example, sea water shines in more than 15 shades. Here the sea is shallow and warm. The area is popular for tourists and guests with children.

The island of Crete is the mysterious homeland of the minotaur. A luxurious resort for the whole family among olive groves.

Beaches and sea of ​​Crete

The shores of Crete are caressed by three seas: in the west they are washed by the Ionian Sea, in the north by the Aegean Sea, and in the south and east by the Mediterranean. Sometimes the northern waters are called the Cretan Sea, and the southern ones - the Libyan Sea (these are parts of the Mediterranean Sea). The water warms up very quickly, so already in mid-April the first tourists swim off the Cretan shores.

They have different surfaces - there are sandy, pebble, and mixed areas. Perhaps the most favorite beach among vacationers is Elafonisi. Couples with children come here, to the south of Crete - the entrance to the water is very smooth, and the sand is soft, light pink. Lovers of snow-white sand, palm trees and silence choose the eastern Vai beach. Divers flock to Balos Bay looking for pirate treasures in a sunken ship. In the island's capital, Heraklion, the sand and pebble beach of Paleokastro is popular. There are two notable beaches in the Chania region: Falasarna and Frangokastello (near the Venetian fortress).

Resorts of Crete

Crete is usually divided into four resort areas: Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon and Lasithi. At each resort, tourists are guaranteed an azure sea and spacious, clean beaches surrounded by olive groves and vineyards.

Heraklion is a large city, the capital of the island of Crete. Tourists often stay in the areas of Agia Pelagia, Amoudara, Chersonossis, Stalida. From Heraklion it is convenient to go on excursions around the island and on sea cruises.

Lasithi is known for the “reserved” place for tourists, Agios Nikolaos, on the shores of Mirabello Bay. The Lasithi region is home to attractions such as the Cave of Zeus and the Valley of Windmills.

The cozy town of Chania is famous for its long beach. It is pleasant to walk along the local narrow streets, hiding from the heat in hospitable taverns.

Rethymno is a picturesque resort town with several satellite villages. There is a thriving nightlife here, many colorful shops and beautiful long beaches.

Sights of Crete

The main Cretan “brand” is, of course, the Minotaur. It is impossible to do without a visit, where, according to legend, the monster lived. The myth says that the minotaur was the main trump card of the Minoan civilization - they traditionally used it to intimidate their neighbors, so much so that they annually sent seven young men and seven girls to “feed” the horned creature. Theseus put an end to the sacrifices, helped by Princess Ariadne with a ball of thread.

The Palace of Knossos was destroyed by an earthquake caused by the eruption of the Santorini volcano, 130 km from the island. It was not possible to restore it entirely - the territory of the palace is huge, its corridors, rooms and dungeons really resemble a labyrinth. and everyone can admire the ancient frescoes.

The second myth, which is also inextricably linked with Crete, is the birth of Zeus. According to legend, he was born in one of the caves, which is now called Dictey. The cave is truly impressive - it has stalactites, stalagmites, and even a beautiful underground lake.

The third myth is associated with Artemis and Athena. According to legend, the goddess of wisdom and the goddess of hunting loved to swim in the “bottomless” lake Vulizmeni. The lake is relatively small, but its depth is amazing: in the middle it is almost 64 meters! The lake is located in Agios Nikolaos.

Fans of natural attractions will also like it - the longest in Europe, as much as 18 kilometers. It is located in the Chania region and is famous for its unique flora and fauna - only here the Cretan cypress grows and the Kri-Kri goat runs around. If you are going to the gorge, do not forget about comfortable shoes. This place is very picturesque, there is even a palm forest - according to legend, the father of all date palms on the planet.

Cruises to the island, to its blue and white churches and black sand beaches, are popular. We recommend a trip to the island of Spinalonga, where half a century ago there was the largest leprosopria in Greece. Now this secluded place has turned into a find for tourists - there is an ancient fortress, narrow streets and many taverns and restaurants.

Cuisine of Crete

The cuisine of Crete is famous for its seafood and vegetables. Be sure to stop by the restaurant and try fish, octopus, shrimp and snails, which the locals call “khokhlya” or “escargot”.

Goats and sheep are raised in Crete, so the cheese and meat here are always fresh and very tasty. Try ofto - grilled lamb or goat meat; skafiani - lamb with cottage cheese; Delicious Kalitsunya pies fried in oil and filled with white cheese. Of course, you can find both horyatiki salad and moussaka in restaurants. Homemade wine, tsikoudia, and ouzo are served with the meal. You can try all these dishes at the “Cretan evening” - the tables will be laden with dishes, and national dances will delight your eyes.

One day they heard from local residents that the island of Crete is washed by several seas at once. But this is interesting, because by that time we had already noticed how different the sea in the south of Crete is from the sea washing the northern coast of the island, and the west is noticeably different from the east of the island. Naturally, it became interesting and we tried to figure it out, talked a lot with local residents, read many different sources, and in the end we even got a little confused. After all, someone said that Crete was washed by three seas, someone claimed that there were four, on some map they saw that the seas were generally mixed up, yes, they saw this too. Fortunately, years of searching for information on this issue unexpectedly led us to an interesting person who opened our eyes to many things. And here's what we found out...

Mediterranean Sea

We will certainly not be mistaken if we say that, first of all, the island of Crete is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, which stretches between three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. This, by the way, is where its name came from. But it is interesting that there are documents according to which the Mediterranean Sea is divided into the Western Basin (which includes: the Strait of Gibraltar, the Alboran Sea, the Balearic Sea, the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ligurian Sea) and the Eastern Basin (which includes: the Strait of Sicily, the Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea and Aegean Sea). The island of Crete is located in the Eastern Basin of the Mediterranean Sea, southeast of the Ionian Sea and washed from the north by the waters of the Aegean Sea.

However, often in Crete we heard such names of seas as: Libyan, Cretan and even Cyprus. The fact is that some names, despite the fact that they are not reflected in these documents, have been used by local residents since ancient times and continue to be used today. For example, we often hear how the southern part of the Aegean Sea, in the area of ​​the northern coast of the island of Crete, is called the “Cretan Sea”, and the sea area, if you look at the map, located between the southern coast of Crete and part of the northern coast of Africa is the Libyan Sea. Only a couple of times, but one of the locals told us that Crete is washed by the Cyprus Sea from the east, because... to the east is the island of Cyprus. As for the sea in the area of ​​​​the western coast of Crete, sometimes disputes arise on the topic: is it the Ionian Sea or not. And here it would be time to turn to the documents again, but is there any point in doing this within the framework of this note? Although we’ll still pay a little attention to this issue later. Well, for now, let’s briefly try to explain where each of these seas (the names of which are still popular among local residents) is located, at least approximately, so that on vacation you can imagine what we are talking about:

Aegean Sea (Cretan Sea)

The entire northern coast of the island of Crete, including the northern part of the eastern coast, up to Cape Salamon (Akra Plaka), is washed by the Aegean Sea. This provision, as we wrote above, is recognized by documents. However, there is often information that the northern coast of the island is washed by the Cretan Sea. If you look at the map (on some of which, by the way, we also see this name), the Cretan Sea is considered to be the southern part of the Aegean Sea - in the area of ​​the northern coast of the island of Crete. That is, in fact, the Cretan Sea is a smaller sea located north of the island of Crete.

Well, and the Aegean Sea... Ferries go from Crete to Athens, and catamarans go to Santorini. It is the Aegean Sea (Cretan Sea) that meets us at the airport in Heraklion. The sensations you experience when leaving the plane cannot be fully expressed in words. Sea air, hot sun, softened by a light breeze from the sea.

It is worth noting that the northern coast of Crete and the Aegean Sea itself are very, very popular among tourists. A large number of sandy beaches, smooth entry into the sea and amenities, because it is the northern coast that can boast of a larger number of beaches that have received the Blue Flag of Europe.

European Blue Flag on the beach of Agia Marina (northern coast of Crete)

“Summer, sun, sea, sound of the surf”, you’ve probably come across such a romantic description of a real vacation more than once! But in summer, surf on the Cretan Sea is not such a rare phenomenon. Yes, it seems to us that the sea surf should not be confused with a storm. The storm in Crete is, in our opinion, a little different. In summer in Crete we are often talking about the surf and a refreshing breeze as a pleasant addition. And this phenomenon is due to the fact that from May to September, northern winds - Meltemi - prevail in the Aegean Sea. It is Meltemi that gives a breeze in the summer, a life-giving coolness that softens the summer heat so well. But the same wind can also cause sea surf or, as you can often read on forums about Crete, waves on the northern coast. By the way, in addition to the breeze, there is another positive side of the surf - the air at this time is saturated with useful sea particles, and the delicious smell of the sea simply cannot be compared with anything.

Well, of course, all this does not prevent the Cretan Sea (aka the Aegean Sea) from remaining the most beloved and popular among millions of tourists, romantics, lovers of beach, sports and even extreme sports.

Libyan Sea

The Libyan Sea (as it is often called by locals, the same name is sometimes found on maps) is located between the southern coast of Crete and Libya. In other words, it is believed that the southern coast of Crete is washed by the Libyan Sea. If we understand correctly, this name is not displayed in official documents, but it still appears quite often, both in conversations and in some guidebooks and maps.

And, it would seem, the Libyan Sea is only 50-60 km from, but the difference between the seas, at least according to our personal feelings, is amazing.

And also, based on personal observations over many years, we can assume that in summer the Libyan Sea is still calmer than the Aegean (Cretan). Therefore, if there is surf on the sea on the northern coast, then it is quite possible that in the south of Crete the sea may be calmer. The reason for this may partly be the fact that in many places the southern coast of Crete is protected from northern winds by high mountains.

Loutro (southern Crete)

Cyprus Sea

Some local residents of the eastern coast of Crete, with whom we had the opportunity to communicate, believe that the eastern coast of the island is washed by the Cyprus Sea. Indeed, the island of Cyprus is located east of Crete, which is probably why the name “Cyprus Sea” appeared. But it is worth noting that it is believed that the northern part of the eastern coast of Crete, right up to Cape Salamon (Akra Plaka), which forms the bay south of the village and beach of Chiona, including, by the way, the famous palm beach of Vai, is washed by waters.

Most likely, this is why there is so much controversy about what kind of sea the eastern coast of Crete is washed by. We don’t know how correct this is, however, some local residents continue to believe that, at least south of Cape Salamon, the eastern coast of Crete is washed by the Cyprus Sea. Therefore, in order not to get confused ourselves, we will continue to call it that, although, as we wrote above, we have not seen this name of the sea in official documents.

So, the Cyprus Sea, surprisingly, for some reason is not as popular among tourists as, for example, but there are very unusual beaches here, for example, Zakros beach, next to which there is a unique archaeological territory of the famous Minoan palace Zakros. But in general, the Cyprus Sea reminded us a little, where natural slabs were also found in the coastal zone, where there are also small coves, pebble beaches and, of course, clear water, peace and tranquility. And so far we have not been able to understand which sea (Cypriot or Libyan) belongs to the stunning, rather secluded, one of the most beautiful and very beloved beaches - Xerokambos, located in the south-eastern part of the island.

Staying overnight on Xerokambos is our most cherished dream. Moreover, both

Is the Ionian Sea washing the western coast?

And here’s an interesting point. Indeed, according to documents that define the boundaries of the seas and straits included in the Mediterranean Sea, the Ionian Sea, or rather its southeastern border lies in the area of ​​​​the island of Antikythira (), approximately 30-35 km northeast of the famous Balos beach. That is, if we understand everything correctly, then the Ionian Sea does not wash the shores of the island of Crete. However, one often hears that the western coast of Crete is washed by the Ionian Sea. Well, we won’t argue, but since we don’t know for sure, we will try to avoid this statement in the future in this note. Moreover, even on a Google map you can roughly understand where exactly the Ionian Sea passes.

And yet, it is impossible not to note the fact that from the west the islands are a completely different sea and it is very different from those seas that wash other parts of Crete. Just look at the famous Balos Lagoon, where at different times of the day you can count from 12 to 17 shades of water. The sea in the Balos Lagoon area is quite shallow and very warm in summer. And, by the way, in the Balos region there is a border, this is by the way. So, thanks to the fantastic beauty of the lagoon, the pirate history of neighboring Gramvousa, this place is incredibly popular, not only among adults, but also among children.

The sea washing the western coast of Crete, despite the fact that there are not many beaches here, is very popular among tourists who prefer to explore the island by car. Here are some of the most beautiful beaches, well, we think so (and maybe not only us), the sea plays and surprises with its brightest colors. And what are the views of infinity and stunning sunsets at sea:

Where can you find a calm sea (without waves) around the island of Crete?

This is perhaps the most frequently asked question. Probably because it is difficult to give an exact answer. No, on the one hand, it would seem that everything is simple, because most often the cause of rough seas is the wind (we will not take exceptions into account now), which means, in theory, you could just find a place protected from the wind and swim calmly . That’s right, but the wind can be of different strengths, directions, and sometimes even in the most sheltered bays the sea may not be the calmest. So, of course, there is no need to talk about any rules. But, nevertheless, when vacationing in Crete, we also prefer a calm sea without waves, so we have drawn some conclusions for ourselves over the years:

• When deciding where we will go for a swim today or tomorrow, just in case, we study sites with current weather reports on the direction and strength of the wind in this or that part of Crete. By the way, here we published useful links to services that we ourselves constantly use: Weather in Crete (Climate of the island of Crete). By the way, in the same article they also left links to services where you can find out online the sea water temperature in the area of ​​​​the island of Crete and even the height of the waves.
• And here we remember a sign that a local resident once told us: “If the wind blows from the sea, then there will be surf. If from land, then the sea will most likely be calm near the shore.”
• And also, especially if we are planning a trip to another part of the island, if possible, we watch webcams via the Internet, if, of course, they are available in that area. In fact, this is very visual, because in real time you can see what is happening at the other end of Crete, whether the sea is calm there at a given moment or not. Here is a link to some. Important to remember , that when viewing webcams, Internet traffic can be greatly consumed, which costs a lot of money.
• In general, it has long been noticed that in the summer on the northern and western coasts of Crete, sea surf is a fairly common occurrence. Although, of course, it doesn’t happen once in a while. This is due to the fact that from May to September in the Aegean Sea, as we said above, the northern Meltemi winds dominate (in the area of ​​​​the island of Crete this is most often the northwest wind), in addition to the surf, giving refreshing breezes and noticeably softening the heat.

  When the waves on the northern coast of Crete become too big, and there is no desire to go to other parts of the island, then we simply look for beaches closed from the northwest wind, such as, for example: see hotels in the Elounda area on Booking.com >>);
  Agia Pelagie ();
  the village of Bali ();

  This is a list of our preferences. Of course, there are more such places in Crete. Well, turning to our many years of experience, we can say with confidence that, even though in such coves in the summer the sea is indeed often calmer than on the open beaches of the northern coast, there are also waves here from time to time - the wind can change its direction and sometimes even several times a day.

• And in the summer we often do this: if there is surf on the northern coast of Crete, then we go to the southern coast, where we quite often find a calmer sea. Of course, this is also not a rule, as practice has shown, but in the summer we often do just that. And in general, even just traveling to the other side of the island, there are so many interesting things you can see along the way. It’s funny, sometimes we didn’t even get to the sea in this way, being carried away by other interesting aspects of Crete. But this is also a separate topic for a separate note :)

There is something romantic in this sea

In general, what can I say, since Crete is an island, it is washed by the sea on all sides. The Aegean (Cretan) Sea is probably ideal for absolutely everyone, including for holidays with small children, at least due to the well-developed infrastructure on the northern coast. Slightly less popular: The Cyprus and Libyan seas will appeal more to lovers of a quiet and measured holiday. And the west coast surprises with the truly bright colors of its beaches and the romance of fantastic sunsets. With such diversity, everyone will find their favorite corner. It is not for nothing that artists, photographers, musicians, writers and, of course, true romantics come to Crete every year, not just to relax, but also in search of inspiration!

Yes, it seems to us that the sea is indeed a little different in different parts of the island, but we definitely agree that it is equally romantic everywhere. We have been pondering the question for many years: what exactly constantly motivates us to return to Crete? There are, of course, many reasons. But one of them, of course, is the sea. We always think about it, look through photographs, watch videos of the sea surf, we have our favorite places where we constantly return when vacationing in Crete and... often we simply dream of Crete and the sea and this is something more personal. ..