The Donkey Island, (but with no donkeys at all) or Chrissi (golden: because of its "golden" sand) is a small (1x5 Km) island south of Ierapetra. It is well known for its shell beach at the northern part and for its cedar forest. There are boats departing from Ierapetra twice a day (at 10.30 and 12.00 - but call the port authority to confirm) and then returning in the afternoon. You can camp on the island, but keep in mind that there are no facilities, except 2 small (and not so cheap) tavernas and that there is no water or electricity on the island (the tavernas use generators). This doesn't disappoint the hundreds of wild campers that spend many days there during the summer (some of them even stay for over a month!).

It is a magnificent and extremely quiet place, although destroyed to a point by "development". In the early 80's, it was fully occupied by naturists, and the whole beach was covered with shells. The boats, dangerously packed with tourists, arrive at about 11.15 and until 16.00 or 18.00 when they leave, the northern beach (which is the most beautiful) is crowded. The eastern part of this beach was occupied by some naturists, but one day we witnessed a very uncomfortable incident: a local scolded a Greek man that was going in the nude. So, as you can see, the part of the beach with the umbrellas may not be the best one to go naked, at least during the "peak hours". After the boats leave, the island is yours to enjoy. We heard that the western part of the beach was completely occupied by naturists, but instead of going there, we preferred to visit the southern part of the island. This is where the boat moors. You can continue to the east, until you reach the eastmost part of the island (about 10min walk). There is a small and totally deserted bay (facing the south) where you can go naked. There is also another deserted beach facing the east (both beaches are visible from the boat as you reach the island). Both have small pebbles, some shells and crystal clear waters.

So, the question is: is it worth it? My reporter thinks so. Maybe it is not very wise to go just for one day. There will be too many people (although everyone prefers the northern beach), the boat fare is relatively expensive (6000 gdr including the return) and the boats themselves are not very reliable. But if you are a wild camping fan, I think it is a very good destination. It is a peaceful and very beautiful place. You can wander in the cedar forest with the white sand hills and during the night you can see one of the best starlit skies. In two words, it is the ideal place to escape "civilisation".

Two notes for those who wish to camp: many people prefer to buy water and some food (cans mostly) from Ierapetra and carry it with them, because the prices at the tavernas are high. Also, please respect the environment: don't light fires, especially using cedar wood. Finally (and this goes to every visitor), PLEASE DON'T COLLECT SHELLS!

2000: A report from summer suggests that the beach next to the Golden Beach in Chrissi is totally empty and gives the possibility of walking nude.

2002: A report suggests that the Shell Beach is well known as a naturist beach and is well used by local Greek visitors for nude sunning and swimming.

2005: Barefoot reporters who visited in June had a very pleasant day at this island. On the boat they spoke to one of the crew members who showed us on his map where the nudists normally were. On the north, walk to the west from golden beach. Just over the headland the beach is mostly nude. But this day the wind was too strong, so he pointed us to the shell beach in the south-east. At first my reporters were the only 2 there, but later they were joined by 3 more couples who all went nude. Late in the afternoon, there was a Swedish football team who walked all around the island and when they came to the nudist beach they first were uncomfortably laughing. But then one of them took off his clothes and started pointing and laughing at the other ones. When one of my Barefoot reporters pointed at this brave nude guy and gave him thumbs up, then all other 10 quickly followed his example. So they ended up 100% nude at this beautiful beach.

2010: the ferry cost 25 Euros. The day the writer and wife visited was extremely windy from the north. There was a deserted bay to the east of the ferry terminal which had some protection from the wind and they spent several hours nude there. It was so windy that the majority of people who had gone to Golden Beach on the north coast returned to the relative shelter of the south on which there were a few people au naturel.

2014: we have seen a few nude couples on a remote area of the main beach of Chrissi island. But don't go there for nude sunbathing, better go to Xerocampos (more beautiful and more nude !)