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Karavostasi Beach is a scenic spot on the northern coast of Crete. Surrounded by rocky capes, it features small creeks, rocky ridges and shallow pebble areas to snorkel. These varied environments allow for observing a diversity of fish and invertebrate species, including sargo, schools of mullets, juvenile groupers and cornetfish.

A bluespotted cornetfish in Karavostasi Beach.
A bluespotted cornetfish in Karavostasi Beach meadows.

How to get to Karavostasi Beach snorkeling spot?

Karavostasi Beach is located in the village of Bali, on Crete island’s northern shore. It is located a 1-hour drive west of Heraklion, and a 1:30 hours drive east of Chania. The little bay is just north of the village, next to Evita Beach Hotel and Karavostasi Restaurant.

You can park near the beach and along the road, and then walk down to the beach. In summer, the beach can be crowded, try to come early in the morning.

Karavostasi Beach snorkeling map, Crete

Water entrance for snorkeling Karavostasi Beach

The water entrance is sandy and convenient for children or beginners.

Karavostasi Beach snorkeling exploration tips

You can snorkel throughout the bay and the surrounding rocky areas. The north edge of the bay, along the rocky cape, is the most spectacular and the most abundant in fish. If you follow the shore to the right (south), you can also easily reach Little Cave Beach, which features shallow rocky beds.

Dusky grouper in Karavostasi Beach
Juvenile dusky groupers are frequently seen in rocky areas.

The rocky cliffs and capes enclosing the beach are very attractive. They feature a diverse underwater relief, including spectacular ridges and walls (↕15-20ft/5-7m).

Common sights in the rocky areas include sargo, saddled seabream, small dusky groupers, schools of mullets, as well as the bluespotted cornetfish, a Lessespian migrant which is now common in the southeastern Mediterranean Sea. In places, patches of Posidonia, attracting wrasse and salema, can be found,

Sargo in Karavostasi Beach
A sargo, one of the most common fish in the Mediterranean.

The beach is located in a small bay and sheltered from the waves. Purple jellyfish can be present in the bay at certain times of the year, including in the shallows near the beach.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Evita Beach Hotel, as well as two restaurants, are located on the beach. You’ll find more options in the village, easily accessible on foot.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth20ft/7m
  • Water entranceFrom a sandy beach
  • Visitor numbersHigh
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.