Thodorou is One of Crete’s best-kept Secrets

Tucked away in plain sight, a stone's throw from the bustling coastline of Agia Marina, is Thodorou Island. A desolate, uninhabited island that for some reason remains off the radar of most visitors in Chania. It's not the kind of place you'd stumble upon, but it's the kind you have to know about. Which is exactly what makes it so charming.

Far removed from the crowded streets of Chania Old Town and the packed beaches of Elafonissi, Thodorou is like a whisper from Crete's untamed heart. It's a spot where history and myth cling to the rocks, and elusive animals have free range to roam. A forbidden island with secrets that go back centuries.

Where is Thodorou Island Located?

From the soft dunes of Agia Marina or Platanias, look out to sea and there it is. Thodorou Island, just over a kilometer from the mainland, hanging like a sentinel in the turquoise Aegean.

Its proximity is deceiving. As tantalizingly close as it is, the island is largely off-limits, protected for environmental reasons. It's this push-and-pull, within sight but out of grasp—that makes it that much more compelling.

Getting there: Can one actually visit, and how?

Access is restricted. Thodorou has been designated a nature reserve, primarily to protect the endangered kri-kri goats that live there. Visitors are only allowed on specific dates, usually religious holidays like Pentecost, or by special permission, usually with guided ecotours or licensed boat operators.

One of these operators is Blue Sense Yachting, which offers personalized cruises around the island, allowing responsible viewing without disturbance of the natural habitat.

Neighbouring landmarks and best viewing spots on the mainland.

History of Thodorou Island

From strategic fortress to Chania's silent sentinel

Far earlier than it was a refuge for wildlife, Thodorou was a region of immense strategic importance. In the 16th century, the Venetians prized it as a naval outpost, safeguarding the entrance to Chania. Now, all that is left from then are the crumbling walls, the outline of a watchtower, and the shadow of a fortress that once was bristling with cannons. Salt and time have weathered them, but they still stand as stern reminders of Crete's tempestuous past.

Military past and restricted access over the years

Thodorou was still a military outpost under the Ottoman and later German occupations. Its inaccessibility made it an ideal place for covert operations. Even during periods of peace, access was limited, adding to its mystique.

The Myth of Thodorou Island: A dragon, a saint & the curse of transformation

Legend has it that a terrifying dragon once terrorized Crete's people. In answer to their prayers, Saint Theodore turned the monster into stone, and it plunged into the sea—only to rise again as the island we know today. Locals say you can still see the outline of the dragon's head and backbone in the island's rocky outline.

How Folklore Shaped the Name and Identity of the Island

Thodorou, officially Agioi Theodoroi (Saint Theodores), takes its name from this myth. But it's not a myth—it's part of the island's identity. The name is a protective charm, a nod to its sacred history and untamed nature.

Elderly people in Chania still spin tales of spooky lights and sounds from the island on windless nights. Locals don't consider Thodorou dead—not just with flowers and animals, but with murmurs of souls from ancient times.

Thodorou and Lazareta: Two Islands, One Region, Very Different Stories

Though both lie off the port of Chania and both share a Venetian past, Thodorou and Lazareta are worlds apart. Lazareta is quite closer to Chania's ancient harbour and occasionally confused with Thodorou because it has its own legend and being so off-the-beaten-path.

Lazareta's spooky past as a quarantine isle

The past of Lazareta is uglier. Previously, it served as a colony for lepers and an island of quarantine amid plague and cholera outbreaks. Later on, it was even turned into an island prison. Its name, which has originated from "lazaretto," is heavy with centuries of sadness.

Where Lazareta speaks of human tragedy, Thodorou speaks of the strength of nature. It was never fully domesticated—never colonized, never domesticated. Perhaps because of that, it's still wild, still holy.

Meet the Island’s Rarest Residents: The Elusive Cretan Goat

The kri-kri goat, a Crete endemic subspecies, once roamed the island's mountainous landscape freely. Now critically endangered, it has found sanctuary on Thodorou—away from roads, dogs, and humans.

Why Thodorou Became a Protected Nature Reserve

During the 1930s, the kri-kri was declared by the Greek state a nature reserve in order to protect the creature. Such status has gained greater meaning in subsequent years, especially since tourism pressures keep surging on the mainland.

As much as the goats are free to go wherever they please, they are watched closely. Even small disturbances—boats getting too close, drones overhead—will disrupt their tenuous balance. Conservationists have a fine line between education and protection.

Why is It Worth Visiting Thodorou Island?

Few places bring together legend, history, and wild beauty the way Thodorou does. It's not a question of ticking off a place on a list. It's an experience of becoming part of something timeless, something ancient.

Whether you’re floating nearby or viewing it from the mainland, Thodorou offers panoramic drama. The play of light on the cliffs, the silence broken only by waves and gulls—it’s the kind of peace that’s increasingly hard to find.

A Different Kind of Cretan Experience

Thodorou isn’t Instagram-famous. There are no beach bars, no souvenir shops. And that’s precisely the point. It’s Crete unfiltered, undisturbed, and unforgettable.

Things to Do in Thodorou Island

Boat cruises and snorkeling trips nearby

Explore the island by boat and discover isolated inlets, dramatic cliffs, and secret coves. The sea is a brilliant blue color, inviting you in for a snorkel to observe underwater rock formations and sea life.

Best beaches with vistas of Thodorou

Agia Marina and Platanias beaches offer sun and sand, but also the best vista of Thodorou silhouetted against the horizon. It's the perfect backdrop for a lazy beach day—or a romantic evening.

Sunset photography and birdwatching from a distance

Golden hour transforms Thodorou into a silhouette of myth and legend. Bring your camera and scan seabirds nesting on the cliff, untainted by time.

THODOROU ISLAND-LAZARETA ISLAND CRUISE by Blue Sense Yachting

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey on the shimmering waters of Crete on the upscale Thodorou & Lazareta Island Cruise by Blue Sense Yachting. A luxury getaway for the most adventurous at heart. This expertly chosen cruise encourages you to explore the underwater environment of the island, explore the historic sea cave and be awed by the goddess statue within, and glide gently along the shore on a stand-up paddleboard. 

Along the journey, you'll snorkel in crystal-clear coves and enjoy stunning panoramic views of Agia Marina coastline. Onboard, there is a light lunch of cold cuts and Cretan cheeses accompanied by fresh bread, rusks, and wine, while a professional crew takes care of your comfort during the journey. 

Book your cruise today and let Blue Sense Yachting take you on a voyage where myth meets luxury, just off the coast of paradise.