#139 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Damnoni Beach
Plakias, Crete, Greece•Libyan Sea• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: dronepicr (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.67/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
25.5°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€44/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Calm & Glassy
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces N (0°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces N (0°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
N (0°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 90°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the N-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Damnoni Beach: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Plakias, Crete, Greece
Ideal Swimming
Early August
25.5°C
Air ~36°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 25.5°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.5°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 15.8°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 16.0°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.9°C | 28°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 19.1°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| June | 22.2°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| July | 24.6°C | 36°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 25.5°C | 36°C | Warm Bathwater |
| September | 24.9°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 23.3°C | 31°C | Ideal Swimming |
| November | 21.0°C | 27°C | Refreshing |
| December | 18.4°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Greece Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 3 Jun – 15 Nov (>21°C) · 165 days
Planning around peak water warmth (25.5°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Damnoni Beach for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Damnoni Beach (Plakias, Crete, Greece)
🌊 Water temperature: 25.5°C
⛱️ Beach access: 72% free public sand • Sunbeds: €15–€30
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces N (sheltered from S winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/damnoni-beach-gr/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: ExcellentCertified Blue Flag
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Excellent Quality
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.5 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.7 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Damnoni Beach
A curve of grey-gold sand on startlingly clear Libyan Sea water, just along from Plakias.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Paved road access south of Rethymno, just east of Plakias
•Protected Status / Environment: Wide coastal bay facing the Libyan Sea flanked by rocky headlands
•Notable Feature: Large sandy beach with Blue Flag certification, watersport amenities, and clear waters
Official Tourism Authorities:incrediblecrete.gr
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Balanced Concession Mix
Free Public Sand (72%)Private Concessions (28%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€15low season→€30August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Regulated municipal umbrellas alongside spacious free public sectors. Ample towel space available.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Natura 2000 and municipal regulations preserve wide open public sand expanses across Cretan bays.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Plakias, Crete. Accessible via regional coastal roads (35.174°N, 24.415°E).
•Clean sandy entry, usually calm mornings; some swell when the south wind blows.
•A south-coast bay east of Plakias, with the tiny Ammoudi coves tucked beyond its headland.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
CHQ / HER · 40m driveScenic drive along the Northern Crete coastal highway.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Damnoni Beach?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Damnoni Beach
What is the water temperature at Damnoni Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Damnoni Beach averages 25.5°C (78°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Damnoni Beach?
Damnoni Beach is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Plakias, Crete, Greece.
Is Damnoni Beach good for families with kids?
Damnoni Beach has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Damnoni Beach?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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