Location
Elafonisos (Island of the Deers), is propably due to the rich hunting that existed in the region in the antiquity as it is reported by Pausanias (Greek: Παυσανίας) there was a sanctuary of Artemis (Greek: Άρτεμις) (Goddess of hunting) in the region. Also, the existence of a population of deers of red colour. In Venetian and Portolan maps of 15th century, Elafonisos is impressed as CERVI and the Kythera as CERIGO (a name that the locals use up to today for Kythera (Tsirigo, Greek: Τσιρίγο).

Viglafia (Greek: Βιγλάφια) draws its name from Vigla (observatory) and Elafia (Deers). Viglafia is a natural observatory for the surrounding fields, the lagoon Stroggyli (Greek: Στρογγυλή), and Elafonisos island. The isolated population of deers in Elafonisos could well be observed from there.

In the antiquity, the current area where Elafonisos lies did not constitute island but a peninsula bearing the name "Onou Gnathos" (Greek: Όνου Γνάθος) (Donkey Jawbone) as it is reported by Pausanias (2nd century AD) who in his tour describes the city of Voia in the sunken region of island Petri (Pavlopetri, Greek: Παυλοπέτρι) where even today the ruins of houses and roads are still distinguishable. The region between the island and Peloponnese that sunk in the aftermath of an earthquake and other smaller pieces of ground around the island that today reward us with splendid gold-greenblue colours in their waters.

During the 16th and 17th century A.D. the island used as a base for operations of Pirates and Corsairs, since the "Elafonisos Channel" constitutes even today the main passage of vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean where hundreds of ships pass each day and night.

The island was re-populated by its current residents in 1850, when the Hellenic Navy put an end to the Aegean Piracy. The initial inhabitants came from the surrounding villages of Vatika area. The Hellenic Kingdom exploited the omition of Elafonisos and another Island called Sapienza from the treaty of sovereignty of the "Ionian Republic" in which both islands where part of.

All the islands the coastal region had observatories (called Vigles, Greek: Βίγλα), where the Observers could watch ships approach the shores, and warn the local population. The observers shift (called Vardia in Greek, Greek: Βάρδια) gives name of the mountain in the middle Elafonisos (276m altitude). It was used as an Observator by the current residents during the B World War to protect the civilians from air raids and the firepower of German highspeed ships that started from the German Naval station at Gytheio (Greek: Γύθειο) aiming at scaring the residents of Elafonisos. Residents used the hidden caves at the Mauroudi (Greek: Μαυρουδί) region to hide and protect themselves from the aggressors.

The residents of Elafonisos posses one of the bigger fishing fleets in Greece with boats suitable for coastal fishing. Most of them are wooden "Trehandiri" (Greek: Τρεχαντήρι) but also "Paragadia" (Greek: Παραγάδια) and various types. Elafonisiotes, are famous for exceptional woodwork shipbuilding as genuine descendants trireme from the Spetses, Hydra, Koilada but also Samos and elsewhere.

Rumour has it that Elafonisi in Southwestern Crete owes its name to the Elafonisiotes when at their passage they called the place (E)Lafonisi , the resemblance of colours of sea with splendid goldgreenblue waters of Simos, Saracenico, Pounta and Virgin Mary Islands is more than evident.

In mythology according to Kostantinos Mentis research: Foskolos mentions that goddess Aphrodite separated Elafonisos from Kithera in order to protect Harietes.

Odyssey - Land of the Cyclops
The Odyssey begins with the Channel of Elafonisos. When Odysseas was returning to Ithaki from Troia he reached cape Maleas. There he was defeated by the elements of nature. He unsuccessfully tried to enter the channel of Elafonisos. After his navy was banished he arrived at the land of the Cyclops.
As local tradition has it, Kato-Nisi is known as the Land of the Cyclopes. The islands of Panagia are called "Cyclopetres" (Stones of Cyclops), while the front cave in called Polifimos’ cave.

The Phoenicians often visited Elafonisos (and Kithera as well). Traces of porphyry were found in the prehistorical town of Elafonisos called Pavlopetri.