Matala bay (Matala) Heraklion - Crete - Greece Anchorage in Matala, Crete

Matala Bay, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, is an anchorage where you can anchor on sand at about 6 m, but there is plenty of swell. Matala lies 68 km southwest of Heraklion at the meeting of the Messara plain and Asteroussia Mountains, and it is known for carved caves in the rocks and the hippies of the 1970s. The bay is an enclosed cove with views to the Paximadia islets, a 300 m sandy beach with fine gravel and clear deep water, and rocky seabed patches in places, with waves common due to west winds. The beach is organized with umbrellas, toilets, showers, lifeguard, first aids, beach volley courts, snack bars, water sports, excursion boats, and a camping site, with accommodation and dining around Matala. The area also includes a huge cave on the north part of the beach, tamarisk trees for shade, lively beach bars in the evenings, and the Matala Festival in June.