Our most recommended things to do in Gournes

Heraklion: Half-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island with Meal

1. Heraklion: Half-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island with Meal

Set sail from the old Venetian Port of Heraklion to Dia Island on a yacht tour. Cruise through the Mediterranean Sea. Feel the wind on your skin, cool off in the sea by snorkeling and swimming, and enjoy a full meal onboard. After an hour of sailing, drop anchor at St George's Bay, the biggest bay on the island. Spend 2.5 hours there, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. With the snorkeling equipment that is available for everyone on board, explore the Mediterranean biodiversity and the remains of the ancient Minoans' port. Or use the fishing gear to try your hand at fishing, with respect to the local ecosystem. For the more adventurous, there is also a chance to walk the wild landscape of the island towards the chapel of Analipsi. Later, come back onboard for a taste of local cuisine. Sit on the deck, savor your meal, admire the scenic view, and listen to music.

Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket

2. Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket

Venture into the ocean’s depth with a 1-day admission ticket to the CRETAquarium. One of Europe’s largest aquariums, over 2,000 sea creatures lice the CRETAquarium's 60 diverse habitats. Delve into the caves and crevices of the Mediterranean, where stingrays and rock-like scorpionfish slither about. Pop out into the open ocean, where menacing sharks circle, waiting to be fed. Get up close and personal with jellyfish and schools of vibrant tropical clownfish through shallow, open-topped tanks, which allow a new viewing perspective of well known species.  Above all, gain a new appreciation for the unending diversity of the world’s most mystifying environment. When you’ve had your fill of looking at the ocean’s residents, why not pop in for a dip? The CRETAquarium is, fittingly, right on the beach.

Cretan night traditional dance and food

3. Cretan night traditional dance and food

Early in the evening, under the starry sky, in a summer tavern with the atmosphere flooded with the aroma of jasmine and the sweet melody of lyre and bouzouki, in the ancient village of Karouzanos, you will have the opportunity to walk through the streets of the traditional village and take a look at the rural life of this charming place. Then you will taste the traditional local dishes and the famous wine and shortly afterwards you will enjoy the unique grace of the Cretan dancers with their traditional costumes that will dance for you Cretan Greek and Folk dances. Catch up at the dance with them, follow in their footsteps and feel for an evening like Zorba. An ideal opportunity to have fun as Cretans, taste traditional dishes, learn a little more about the people of Crete and keep the memory of this wonderful night in your heart.

From Crete: Santorini Day Trip by Boat with Oia & Fira Visit

4. From Crete: Santorini Day Trip by Boat with Oia & Fira Visit

Board a high-speed vessel with an open deck and coffee bars and enjoy a nice ferry cruise from Heraklion to the island of Santorini (Duration: approximately 2 hours). Upon arrival in Santorini, you will be transferred from the port to the magnificent village of Oia in the north. During the transfer, an experienced guide on the bus will share many interesting facts about Santorini, its history, features, and secrets. In Oia, you will have approximately 2 hours of free time to visit picturesque spots and viewpoints and enjoy breathtaking views. The town of Oia is famous worldwide for its iconic panoramic views, Cycladic architecture with white houses and churches with blue domes. After Oia, the tour continues to the capital of Santorini - the town of Fira. Fira is just as beautiful as Oia, with breathtaking views of the sea and Caldera from its streets. You can visit the big Orthodox Cathedral on the main square in the center of Fira and walk through the city. Fira is full of interesting and picturesque spots and corners. You will have almost 1.5 hours there to explore on your own. The tour will end with a transfer to the Santorini port, where you will take a return trip to Crete. The day trip ends at the port of Heraklion or at your hotel area if you select the option that includes hotel transfer.

Heraklion: Dia Island Sailing Tour with Lunch and Swimming

5. Heraklion: Dia Island Sailing Tour with Lunch and Swimming

Dia is an uninhabited island in the north of Crete which played an important role in navigation in antiquity, especially in the Minoan and medieval times. Enjoy sailing in clear tropical waters and warm sun! The yacht sails from the port of Heraklion and arrives in Dia after an hour. Once you get there, you will have free time to admire the natural beauty of the island and of course enjoy sunbathing and your swim in the crystal clear water. You will also have the opportunity to use the amateur fishing and swimming equipment as enjoy your meal on board.

From Heraklion: Elounda, Kolokitha, and Spinalonga Boat Trip

6. From Heraklion: Elounda, Kolokitha, and Spinalonga Boat Trip

Relax and enjoy a 4-hour long boat trip to some of Crete's most famous sites. Explore the lagoon of Elounda, see Kolokitha's beautiful sandy beach, and see Spinalonga, a former leper colony and Venetian fortress. Begin the tour at Elounda Port at 2 p.m. where you get on board the boat. Set sail towards Spinalonga Island, a picturesque islet known for its stunning scenery and rich history. Approach the island, where you will get to see the Venetian fortress, which was once used as a leper colony. Head towards the Barbarossa cave, a natural wonder that will take your breath away. Learn more about the cave, named after the famous pirate Barbarossa, who used it as a hideout in the past. Enjoy a chance to take photos and explore the cave before you move on to the next stop. Move on to the next destination, Skistra Beach, where you will get to swim in crystal-clear waters and soak up the sun. Admire the beach, known for its stunning scenery and tranquil atmosphere, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. Take a refreshing swim before will heading towards Kolokytha Beach, where you'll get to enjoy the pristine sand and turquoise waters of the beach, surrounded by lush vegetation, providing a stunning backdrop for your photos. Indulge in a salad and fruit bar on board, where you can enjoy healthy snacks and refreshments. Order cocktails at an additional cost and sip on delicious drinks as you take in the stunning views.

Crete: Fishing and Swimming Boat Trip

7. Crete: Fishing and Swimming Boat Trip

What about a daily fishing tour combined with swimming in crystal clear blue sea? Starting off at a renowned fishing village, you will board a small boat and when you are out in the open sea a local fisherman will show you various fishing techniques. Then it is time to swim in clear crystal sea and enjoy the serenity of the place. The tour ends with a delicious meal onboard during our return to the port. The excursion can take place at different times of the day (06:00-11:00 / 09:00-14:00 / 12:00-17:00 / 16:00-21:00).

Heraklion: Spinalonga Agios Nic Elounda all inn Boat and BBQ

8. Heraklion: Spinalonga Agios Nic Elounda all inn Boat and BBQ

Enjoy a walking tour of the island of Spinalonga during a full-day excursion from Elounda to the island. Visit Agios Nikolaos and Elounda and swim in the crystal-clear waters of Kolokytha, where you can enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch. Leave from Heraklion, in a spacious, comfortable bus and travel to the designated locations, along the coast through the St. George Gorge to Elounda, a tranquil coastal resort. Board the boat around 10:00, and visit the bay and the beach of Kolokytha, a secluded haven that offers a respite from daily life. You can swim and eat a delicious BBQ on board. Take the boat to Spinalonga around 12:45, traveling across Mirabello Bay. Learn about Spinalonga's complex history as a natural barrier for Olous in Ancient Greek times, a Saracen pirate refuge, a Venetian fortification, and a Turkic settlement. Depart from Spinalonga at appr. 2:45 pm. As you head towards our last destination from Elounda by bus, you will have the opportunity for a quick olive oil tasting, before arriving at the capital town of Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos at around 3:45 pm. Relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni and enjoy your walk to the local shops. Return to Heraklion after the excursion, at approximately 6:30 pm.

Crete: Mirabello Bay Cruise with Snorkel Gear and Transfer

9. Crete: Mirabello Bay Cruise with Snorkel Gear and Transfer

The cruise starts at 11:00 o’clock from Agios Nikolaos port. We start with a slow cruise along the Mirabello gulf to Kolokytha beach, lasting approximately one hour. There the ship will anchor, and you can enjoy the turquoise waters and swim in the crystal-clear waters for about an hour and fifteen minutes. Afterwards we continue to our second hidden beach in Skistra Bay, a perfect place to snorkel and relax and enjoy a cocktail (included). Here we stay again for an hour and 15 minutes for swimming. Fresh fruit is served and those who are hungry can order food on board. Around 15:45 you are back at the port of Agios Nikolaos where the bus is already waiting for you to take you back to your hotel. The romantic atmosphere together with the extraordinary landscapes make the cruise ideal for creating unforgettable memories. Attention: for Agios Nikolaos and Elounda area is no pickup service, but meeting point at Agios Nikolaos port.

Cretan Traditional Dinner and Dance Show in a Village

10. Cretan Traditional Dinner and Dance Show in a Village

Join a unique journey through the vibrant culture of Crete as you explore the island’s traditional dances and cuisine. This unforgettable evening will take you on a journey through the heart of Crete, where you’ll experience the local way of life and the rich history of the island. You start early in the evening by picking you up from specific pick-up locations. You arrive at the village of Karouzanos at around 19:30, there you will have the chance to stroll through its streets and observe the rural life of this wonderful place. Later, you arrive at the traditional taverna and enjoy a warm welcome from the local hosts, there they savor a delicious meal of Cretan specialties, including traditional meze, dinner, and Cretan wine. Soon after, you will be able to enjoy the unique grace of the Cretan dancers in their traditional costumes as they perform Cretan Greek and Folk dances. Catch up with them at the dance, follow in their footsteps, and experience an evening like Zorba. Opa!

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What people are saying about Gournes

Overall rating

4.1 / 5

based on 8 reviews

It was a fantastic day out, great hospitality and food and company , Beautiful swimming with snorkel and fins provided. So fantastic to sail the waves A really great day out worth every penny We will remember for ever thank you

Great trip, snorkelling equipment really made it so good we loved it.. food was good staff are so welcoming nice half day trip, with good amount of time for swimming and exploring. Would do it again

The cruise to Dia Island was very relaxing, such a lovely sail boat. The crew of 2 worked hard to make sure we had the best experience.

Excellent fun, the captain and crew were lovely and the food was surprisingly good. Views were stunning, highly recommended.

Was a beautiful experience. Lovely hosts who took us to the island