Watch out not to mix up Soudas! There are two of them, one at the Prefecture of Chania and one just 3 km at the eastern side of Plakias. The crystal clear cool water and coarse sand beach lead to a small river flowing into the sea. It is worth exploring the area since there, you will find Theofrasto’s Cretan palms, an endemic variety met in very few places in Crete (Vai, Preveli, Agios Nikitas). Souda is a beautiful place... as long as it is not windy; the coarse sand will then give you a painful exfoliation. You can also visit the tavern right above the beach for lunch.