Endless fun in the water
On the wonderful beaches of Crete, visitors may seize the opportunity to indulge in the eternal blue of the sea in numerous ways: from sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, rowing and canoeing, to fun sports activities, such as SUP and jet skiing. For a more relaxed sporting experience, hydro-biking in the sea, in a lake (Lake Kournas) or even a river (Preveli Beach River) is an excellent option.
For action seekers, water skiing is quintessential, as is flying over the deep blue water with a sea parachute, while a flyboard or jetpack can be challenging as well! But even if you prefer more laid-back activities, you can try out SUP yoga or have a go at diving by exploring the rich Cretan seabed, with the guidance of certified instructors and the use of proper equipment.
Diving
The imposing rugged terrain of Crete unravels into the sea, shaping impressive formations of abysses, caves and reefs. At the same time, numerous shipwrecks and plane wrecks bear witness to the island’s history.
Visitors to Crete have the opportunity to escape to the magical world of the deep blue sea by choosing from a large number of diving centres.
In Chania, the Souda Bay and the rocky coast starting from Kalyves to Georgioupolis host dozens of impressive dive sites with an abundance of caves and rocky abysses.
Among them, the underwater cave of the Elephants stands out, named after the fossilised elephant bones found on the seabed. A similar site can be found on the coast of Cape Spatha, north of Kolimbari and at Cape Gramvousa.
In Rethymno, almost all diving clubs offer excursions to the Skinaria beach near Plakias, which is no coincidence. Indeed, the seabed at Skinaria is one of the most notable on the island, with a rich maritime life, visible for more than 40 meters in depth. To the north, the rocky shores between Skaleta and Geropotamos which are full of caves, are exemplary for underwater exploration.
In Heraklion, the sites which are primarily chosen by diving clubs are located in the west, at the area of Achlada. Diving centres are located on the beaches of Ligarias and Mononaftis. Several diving clubs are also located in Hersonissos and Malia, regularly offering diving excursions to the island of Dia.
In Lasithi, the diving route commonly starts from the area of Agios Nikolaos, the island of Agioi Pantes and Voulisma. On the wild shores of Cape Sidero, visitors can admire one of the richest seabeds on the island, while excursions are scheduled from Sitia to the Dionysades islets.
In the area of Ierapetra, the Peristera beach and the islet of Agia Fotia await to be explored by divers, whereas in Koufonissi (Lefki), Itano and Elounda, there are parts of submerged old towns, which can be viewed from their snorkelling masks.
