Vai Palm Forest can be found on the eastern part of Crete, a bit to the north of Palaiokastro, 85 Kms away from Agios Nicolaos. Vai Beach is on the Cretan coast of the Carpathian Sea (southeastern ) Vai Palm Tree Forest is the largest forest housing the indigenous Cretan Palm tree, which is also known as Phoenix Theofrasti and has been accounted for since the Minoan era. Its name derives from the Greek word for palms, which is "Vàgia".

Legend has it that Arab pirates passing from the shores consumed dates and spit their pits on the ground. Supposedly from those date seeds grew 6000 Palm trees, from which around 4500 are still in existence today. Vai Palm Forest was discovered during the 70s by hippies who came to the area seeking a new refuge after being chased from Matala, turning the area into a free camping site. However, during the 80s, the Palm Tree Forest was declared a protected area (IUCN).


Today, the largest part of the forest is out of bounds but visitors can enjoy the crystal-clear emerald waters of Vai Beach, with its fine golden sand, as well as admire the site's biodiversity, as many migratory birds stop there on their journey to and from Africa.