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From€1,390

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7942

8 days / 7 nights

Period of Operation : May to October

Crete

Min Participants : 2

Max People : 7

Tour Description

The Crete Sea Kayak and Hiking Tour is an amazing outdoor adventure holiday set on an island full of colors and contrasts—always different, always changing—with each day offering new experiences and lasting impressions.

Crete, Greece’s largest island, is famed for its varied terrain: from the soft, sandy beaches of Elafonisi to the jagged, snow-dusted White Mountains. The mighty Mt. Ida, home to the legendary Ideon Cave, is said to be the birthplace of Zeus himself.

This tour combines sea kayaking and hiking to immerse you in Crete’s awe-inspiring natural and historical landscapes. Paddle beneath towering cliffs, hike through dramatic gorges, discover ancient ruins accessible only by foot or boat—and relax by the ever-changing sea, whose hues shift from turquoise to Homer’s famed “wine-dark.”

More than a physical journey, this tour is a cultural immersion. You’ll embrace the Cretan way of life—a mosaic of music, dance, and tradition deeply rooted in time. All of this is paired with delicious meals built around the world-renowned Cretan Diet, an olive oil-based culinary tradition often credited as a secret to longevity.

Experience the perfect blend of culture and adventure as you paddle and hike through Crete’s breathtaking natural beauty and rich historical landscapes.

Level of difficulty

Easy-moderate, suitable for everybody with good physical condition and swimming knowledge.

Sea kayaking: Daily paddling between 1.5–8 nautical miles (2–5 hours)
Hiking: 4–6 hours/day on rocky and well-maintained paths

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Crete

Arrive at Heraklion or Chania Airport. Our team greets you and transfers you to your accommodation. In the evening, meet your guide and group for a briefing session covering the tour details, safety info, and gear fitting.

If arrival time allows, take a short stroll and begin soaking in the unique light and rhythms of Crete.
Dinner included

Day 2Old Town of Chania & Kayak Intro in Paleochora

Morning: Explore Chania’s Old Town, where Venetian mansions and Ottoman baths line colorful alleyways. Enjoy lunch by the harbor overlooking the iconic lighthouse.
Afternoon transfer to Paleochora, a serene town on the Libyan Sea.
Evening: First sea kayaking session—learn safety, basic strokes, and practice in calm waters near the shore.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 3Paddle Paleochora to Sougia via Lissos

A full day of coastal paddling through some of Crete’s wildest and most beautiful shoreline. Midway, we land at Lissos, once an important religious center, to explore its ancient ruins and mosaic floors.
After a beachside break, we continue to Sougia, a quiet village known for its laid-back charm.

Kayaking distance: ~8 nautical miles (~15 km)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 4Hike Agia Irini Gorge to Omalos

Leave the sea behind as we enter the mountainous heart of Crete. Hike the Agia Irini Gorge, where pine trees, wildflowers, and soaring cliffs guide our ascent. After reaching ~600m elevation, we stop for a traditional taverna lunch.
A short drive brings us to Omalos Plateau, nestled in the White Mountains.

Hiking duration: ~4 hours
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 5Hike the Legendary Samaria Gorge

After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast in Omalos, we begin our descent into the magnificent Samaria Gorge, one of the longest and most dramatic canyons in Europe.

The trail starts at Xyloskalo, perched at 1,200 meters, with a steep but well-maintained path. After the initial descent, we follow the gorge floor through a landscape of towering limestone cliffs, shaded forest, and freshwater streams.

Along the way, we stop to enjoy our packed lunch and rest in the serene surroundings. After 5–6 hours of hiking, we reach the isolated village of Agia Roumeli, where the gorge meets the Libyan Sea. You’ll have time to swim, relax on the beach, or explore the village at your own pace.

Hiking duration: 5–6 hours (~16 km)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 6Paddle to Loutro: Sea Caves & Hidden Beaches

Reunite with your kayak and paddle eastward along a remote stretch of coast. Visit sea caves, uninhabited beaches, and dramatic headlands. Snorkel in crystal-clear waters or nap in the sun.
We finish in Loutro, a dreamy seaside hamlet with whitewashed houses nestled around a protected bay.

Kayaking distance: ~7 nautical miles (~13 km)
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 7Final Paddle: Sweet Water Beach to Sfakia

Our final paddle brings us to Sweet Water Beach, where freshwater springs rise beneath the pebbles. After a coffee stop and swim, we continue to Chora Sfakion, a mountain-backed village with a storied past.
From here, we return by minibus to Chania or Heraklion.

Kayaking distance: ~4.5 nautical miles (~8 km)
Transfer: 2–3 hours
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 8Departure Day

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast. Transfer to the airport or continue your travels elsewhere in Crete. Departures on Day 7 can be arranged upon request.

Breakfast included

Photos

Pricing

Price is based on a minimum attendance of 4 people (for less or more participants, feel free to contact us).

Price Includes

All transfers (including airport, internal and luggage transfers)
Meals [7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)]
7 nights in beautiful accommodations
English speaking BCU certified guide
Full Sea Kayaking equipment: Kayaks, paddles, life jackets, spray decks, waterproof jackets. Extra equipment: waterproof bags and pouches, pumps and paddle-floats. Snorkeling equipment included as well.
Safety equipment (first aid kit, repair kit, flares, tow ropes, spare paddles, etc.)
Entrance fees to gorges we visit