Crete is home to some of Greece’s most beautiful beaches. But with tourism to the island on the rise, Greece is taking measures to avoid congestion and protect the environment.

According to reports, a presidential decree is expected to be issued any day now with restrictions on the number of people permitted to be at Elafonisi beach each day.

Located in western Crete, Elafonisi is renowned across the globe for its crystal clear blue waters and light pink sand. But aside from being popular among locals and tourists, it is also home to rare species of animals and birds, whose habitat, which includes dunes, cedar trees, white lilies, and black rocks, needs to be protected.

In 2017 the Association of Hoteliers of Chania put forward a proposal for visitors to pay a €10 (AUD$15.90) entry fee to spend the day at the beach, in a move to discourage overcrowding and protect the environment.

“The beach is at risk from the uncontrolled flow of people,” read the proposal, which was rejected by the local council.

Aside from Athens, Crete has been attracting the second largest number of tourists to the country.