Activities

Crete rewards active visitors. The island's clear waters are excellent for snorkeling and scuba diving, particularly around the Akrotiri peninsula near Chania and the coves of eastern Lasithi. Preveli lagoon and the coastline around Loutro offer exceptional underwater visibility, while the rocky seabed around Cape Drapano shelters diverse marine life.

The Samaria Gorge, 16 kilometres long and running through the heart of the White Mountains, is the most famous walking route on the island. But dozens of lesser-known gorges, coastal paths and mountain trails suit every level of walker — from the gentle Imbros Gorge in South Chania to the high-altitude traverse of the Lefka Ori plateau.

Water sports are concentrated on the organised north coast beaches, with windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding available from most beach operations from May to October. The south coast is generally calmer in summer, making it better suited to snorkeling and sea kayaking from remote coves.