Location

Crete, (Eastern Crete) Lasithi, near Sitia

Beach Name

Vai

My Rating Overall

3=good beach, would choose it for swimming among other beaches if we were in the area

Beach

S=sand

Sea Floor

R=rock (large rocks making walking in the water uncomfortable)

The sea floor is hard and slippery at many spots making entrance to the water a bit tricky at times

Water

3=very nice and clean sea. We would go swimming there again if we were in the area

(just my own unscientific observation of the water feel and appearance)
My family and I enjoy the water when it is crystal clear, and cool instead of warm. We don' like to see any visible floating particles of any kind or algae settled on the beach.

Clothing

Topless sunbathing is common

Some beach areas might be suitable for nude swimming

There are two beaches directly to the North and South of Vai beach accessible by a steep footpath. The one to the south is frequented by nudists.

Access

Good=paved road all the way to the beach, parking near the beach

Parking at Vai costs € 2.50 (summer of 2003). You can park about two hundred meters before the beach off the road if you arrive before 11:00 AM on weekdays, or you can park on the side of the road if you don't want to pay the parking fee.

Amenities

R=restaurant (on the beach)
B=bar (on the beach)
C=cantina (on the beach)
O=organized beach

Beach umbrellas cost € 3.50 (summer of 2003) with two sun beds, and the prices are reasonable at the periptero for water (€ 0.50 for small bottle)

RV / Camper Accessibility

P= RV Room for Parking. Site suitable for parking on the side of the road for the day, but not for camping.
N= Campers explicitly forbidden

Snorkeling

P=looks promising but I did not dive

The rocky hills to the north and to the south of the beach, as well as the rocky islet nearby seem like a great place to snorkel. There is also a scuba diving club at the beach.

Notes

Vai has been voted consistently as one of the top ten beaches in Greece in various publications. We found the beach nice, but its popularity is its downfall. The palm forest that frames the beach bestows unique character to the place, and offers a welcome spot for shade.

Vai can get crowded even during the weekdays in the summer, and parking near the beach costs money.

Ascent the steps up the rocky hill to the South for a bird-eye's view of the entire beach. There is a footpath that leads further up the hill (find a break in the fence near the observation post) and down to what seems like a spacious, secluded, and sandy beach. During my visit in the summer of 2003 I saw just three families using this beach.

Climb the rocky hill to the South to access another very nice sandy beach. I photographed the beach from high up the hill, and all I could see just is one couple of naturists sunbathing at the far end. The whole setting is spectacular as the beach is framed by huge rocks and a cliff that drops dramatically at the back.