The island of Crete, the largest in Greece, is full of attractions of almost every kind, including beaches, museums, historical monuments, ancient cities, and unspoiled nature. But one part of Crete has a special attraction for some visitors from the United States, and that is Souda Bay.
Souda Bay is the site of a US military installation, US Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, which functions as a base for aircraft, ships, and submarines. It covers 110 acres and is located at the largest Hellenic (Greek) Air Force Base on the northwestern coast of Crete. About 750 members of the military and civilians are at the facility, which supports reconnaissance missions of the United States Navy and Air Force, along with other joint Navy and Air Force missions and operations involving various nations.
Souda Bay was mentioned in media coverage in 2012 due to the tragedy in Benghazi, Libya, when Arizona Senator John McCain asked why there was no rapid response team at the base, just 200 miles off the coast of Libya. The Cretans are well aware of Libya’s close location in the southern part of the Mediterranean Sea; In geographic naming conventions, the waters that wash the southern coast of Crete are actually part of the ‘Liviakos’, or Libyan Sea.
Location of Souda Bay
Souda Bay is located on the northwest coast of the island of Crete, near the city of Chania. This area has always had some military importance, as it is the closest point from Crete to the mainland of Greece and also on the sea route from Italy and other European ports.
Access to Souda Bay
If you are not a family member of a service person serving Souda Bay, access is limited. The coastal areas are practically all under military control; In addition to the American presence and the Hellenic Air Force Base, there is a Hellenic Naval Base in Souda Bay. The deep and protected harbor has made Souda Bay strategically important for several thousand years. Drivers traveling along the national highway can get a glimpse of the bay, and several villages also offer good views of the bay.
Military cemeteries in the area
Due to its strategic importance, this area was the scene of fierce fighting during the Nazi invasion of Crete in 1941 during the Battle of Crete. There is a German war cemetery located in Maleme, a few kilometers from Souda Bay. There is also an Allied war cemetery and a memorial to members of the Royal British Air Force. These are frequently visited by descendants of service members who lost their lives in Crete.
What to know if you go
You’ll find many locally owned hotels in a variety of price ranges in and around the Chania area, near the war cemeteries, and along the National Highway, which stretches across the upper part of Crete. Fly into Chania International Airport and then rent a car or take public transportation to your hotel and Souda Bay.
