Stalis has a good beach and a great selection of watersports. There are plenty of bars and tavernas and many high quality restaurants. It can get quite busy in peak season, although there are still plenty of options for a quieter time if thats what your after. Elounda is also worth a look. I believe it has some watersports although I've only visited for the day so can't advise too much on this resort.

Good luck searching!

Steve

Try to get to Chania area....it has everything without being spoilt. The watersports in Agia Marina are superb. I speak from a wide knowledge of all areas in Crete.
Good luck

I have to say I agree about Chania area if possible.

We were in Stalis last year - our first time in Crete and it wasnt for us. Lots of nice restaurants admittedly but I have seen much better beaches - Stalis was much too crowded with sunloungers and umbrellas for us............

Also too many boozed up teenagers on quad bikes - mostly coming from Malia which isint far away - admittedly we were there in July so perhaps Stalis isint like this at other times of the year.

We drove around a LOT as we were disappointed in the resort and found Elounda and Ag Nic to be beautiful - lovely little shops and restaurants but still you felt you were in Crete, and none of the lethal quad bikes to be seen!

We wouldnt go back to the Stalis/Malia area that time of year again but appreciate that some folk love it!

Thanks everyone for your reply. I am going to have to see if I can find out if any flights go from Edinburgh or Newcastle to Chania. And if not try and find out if Elounda has watersports. But you have given me a better feel for the different areas which I appreciate and ruling places out is a help too!

try http://www.Elounda77.net that gives you full details of elounda

Jane

Hi

Take a look at the Anastasia Hotel if you are thinking of booking Stalis as it has excellent reviews.

We have booked for later on this year.

Liz

Hi
Try western Crete, Almirida has watersports on the beach, cycle hire ,bars and tavernas but not too rowdy,
there is a hotel on the beachfront or think about renting a private villa!

hi
There are fantastic facilities in the Almiryda area, All the usual tavernas, shops, etc.
On Almiryda beach there is windsurfing and pedaloes. you can hire bikes in almiryda and its just a short drive to Chania with easy access onto the national road from Kalyves,
On the road to Chania airport there is 10 pin bowling and nearby is a waterpark,
So there is plenty to do in the Chania reigon and if you want to tour other parts of the island check out "CRETE ON THE ROAD" a wonderful and informative book by Frankie Miles about much more than the usual tourist attractions, so you don't miss the best bits on your travels,

Thanks, and I will look for that book.

I am actually booked now for Elounda, Olive Grove apartments as they seem to have good reviews. I couldn't get a flight to the west part from Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow and these airports are by far the easiest for where I live. Thanks for all your help.

Barbarajoh

Thanks for the reply, Enjoy your holiday

Hi Barbarajoh
Yes enjoy your hols.....you'll find plenty to see and do.
It really is a shame that in recent years it's become increasingly difficult for we British to get to the West of Crete, which really is the jewel of the island. I've spoken to many local hotel and villa owners who bemoan the loss of British trade, especially in the bar! The area is now dominated by Scandinavians who are prepared to spend much more than us on the holiday booking in order to guarantee quality accommodation but spend little once they arrive. We have the mentality, borne out of el cheapo packages to Spain, that everything in the mediterranean should be cheaper than at home. This is no longer true for most destinations in Euroland. So we skimp on the booking side and even complain if the accommodation isn't wonderful but we expect to pay just a few hundred pounds for it. Hence the accommodation owners in western Crete grabbed at the offers from high spending Scandinavian tour operators and rejected the Brits - helps explain the demise of XL (Kosmar) who once dominated the wonderful area West of Chania. The only upside of this evolution is that you no longer see the drunken brawls that used to take place in the West when the British hordes were there. There aren't even Germans anymore!
The reality is that quality costs and with the exchange crisis I expect to see even fewer Brits this year.
Regardless of my rant above you'll enjoy it.

Yes, I agree with you that it is a shame that it is not easy for me to get to the west. But perhaps when the children are away we will get there. Same with the mainland, we went to Tolon twice because our teenagers loved it and it was safe for them but it will be equally hard to get there and I don't know that they get the Scandinavians either.

But Elounda does look lovely and I am looking forward it.

Barbara

Elounda is beautiful.The scenery is gorgeous and its close to the Island of Spinalonga.

Hi Barbarajoh,
Read Victoria Hislop's "The Island" before you go. I have very fond memories of Elounda. Try getting to The Lassiti Plateau with all the windmills and Phaestos isn't too far away. You should venture down to the cave of Zeusbut beware the guides who like to give visiting females a helping hand!

Will definitely do all those things Richard, that is the kind of info I joined the forum for and I have not been disappointed. A very helpful crowd!

Barbara

I have on many occasions gone to Chania airport via Athens and not had any trouble with transfers, I quite like the chance to stretch your legs, do a bit of shopping then hop on another plane arrive in Chania and collect your luggage, you don't collect it and re-check in at Athens its all done for you
Maybe this would suit others trying to get to the western side of the island