Top Crete Nature and Wildlife Tours

Visit the family home of a local Cretan for an evening of cooking, eating, and cultural exchange. Begin your visit in the vegetable gardens, where you harvest ingredients to use in your recipes. Learn traditional dishes from your hosts, hear the stories behind each, and taste local cheeses. Enjoy views of the Aegean Sea and the mountains, then sit down to a meal you helped prepare, paired with local wine.

Travelers to Crete tend to stick to the well-worn paths between major towns and attractions, like Knossos and Rethymnon. This tour, operated using a four-wheeled all-terrain-vehicle, unlocks the Cretan backroads and off-road trails. See parts of Crete that most visitors to the island miss, steal a glimpse into local life away from the main tourist routes and learn how the storied past of the Melidoni Cave stretches back through time.

Embark on a full-day 4x4 adventure through Crete’s stunning landscapes, charming villages, and hidden gems, complete with lunch and swimming. Visit highlights like the Venetian Lion Fountains in Spili, the breathtaking Kourtaliotiko Gorge, and the exotic Preveli Beach, where a palm-lined lagoon meets crystal-clear waters. Enjoy a traditional Cretan lunch with unlimited wine, all while exploring off-the-beaten-path locations with a guide.

Spend a day at Acqua Plus, the most popular water park on Crete. The park is divided into two sides, one for all ages and one for adults only. Facilities are clean, well-run, and safe, with multiple lifeguards on duty at all times. In addition to the many games, slides, and water rides inside the park, there is a beautiful garden in the center with Cretan flowers and trees, exotic flowers, weeping willows, palm trees, bougainvilleas,  French marigolds and more greenery, making for a nice escape form the heat and sun.

The Samaria Gorge is one of Crete's most beautiful natural landmarks, but it's also a challenging hike. Make exploring simpler, all thanks to this full-day tour. Round-trip transit from your hotel takes the hassle out of getting there (entry fee and boat ride own expense), and you can traverse the gorge in safety with a professional mountain guide. Along the way, admire the rugged White Mountains and soak up the scenery.

Getting to know the real Chania isn't always easy—but on this private, half-day tour, your guide will help you discover its local charms. Enjoy a cafe visit with a view; next, head to a winery for a sommelier-led indigenous wine tasting. Then it's on to Old Town Chania, where you'll go for a walking tour, visit a local restaurant, and enjoy a range of Cretan delicacies, from breads and cheeses to pastries and beyond.

Visit some of Crete’s best beaches without having to drive yourself on a guided day tour from Rethymno. You’ll head to Preveli Beach on the island’s south coast, where you can swim and relax on the sand. On the way, stop at Kourtaliotis Gorge to admire waterfalls and springs, noting an entrance fee applies. Refuel with a traditional lunch in Plakias (at your own expense).

Instead of tying yourself to a large group tour with a rigid itinerary, take your time exploring the ancient Minoan capital of Knossos with this private audio tour. Visit the remarkable Palace of Knossos and many other highlights of this archeological site, including South Propylaeum and the West Magazines. Leave the guidebooks behind and learn about the culture and lifestyles of people living in Minoan Crete from your audio guide.

Discover the Bronze Age city of Knossos and take a sightseeing tour of Heraklion. Knossos was once the capital of the Minoan civilization and is known to be Europe’s oldest city. Enjoy a guided tour of the labyrinthine palace and learn about its history. Then, visit Heraklion, the current capital of Crete, to discover its landmarks including the Lion’s Fountain.

Set sail on a semi-private catamaran cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island for a day of sea, sun, and swimming. Your journey begins with a warm welcome featuring coffee and local pastries. Enjoy stunning coastal views, refreshing sea breezes, and unlimited drinks as we sail. Upon reaching Dia Island, anchor in a secluded bay to swim in crystal-clear waters before indulging in a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch onboard.

The best way to explore Crete is by boat, and this half-day cruise from Hersonissos visits St. George's Bay and the small towns of Malia and Stalis. Set sail aboard a traditional pirate ship, ideal for younger travelers; stop to swim and snorkel at the island’s beaches and bays; spot dolphins and sea turtles along the coast; and tuck into a delicious BBQ lunch on board.

Step aboard the 'Mikros Naftilos' for a private cruise to the islands of Gramvousa and the Balos Lagoon. With a well-established local operator as your skipper, you'll relax on a carefully planned route that showcases the area's coastal highlights. Enjoy a lunch of regional dishes and unlimited drinks as you cruise, and stop for cool-down dips in the sea along the way.

Immerse yourself in the Aegean Sea with this 3-hour guided snorkeling trip from Chania. All equipment is provided. Swim in the crystal blue waters in Almyrida Chania and explore reefs, caves and see the Elephant Cave of Crete.

Discover the enchanting landscapes of Crete on a guided half-day Buggy Safari. This adventure takes you through charming villages, scenic olive groves, and historic sites, all while ensuring a comfortable ride. Experience breathtaking views in Rodia, visit a traditional olive oil mill for a tasting, and explore Fodele, the birthplace of El Greco. Perfect for families, couples, and beginner drivers, this tour combines culture, nature, and a touch of adventure, making it an unforgettable way to see Crete. - Daily departures at 9:30 and 18:00 for a 3-hour adventure - Visit a traditional olive oil mill with tasting included - Scenic drives through nature and historic ghost villages - Small group sizes for personal guidance and safety

Discover scenic villages and dramatic gorges on this fully customizable tour of the Rethymno region. A typical day might begin with Spili village, the Kortialotiko Gorge and the Church of St. Nicholas of Kortialoti. Next, head to the Holy Monastery of Preveli and Preveli Beach with its natural palm forest. Finally, explore Rethymno’s Venetian old town. Your package covers door-to-door private guided transfers: meals and tickets are at your expense.

With its sheer walls and tight passageways, the Samaria Gorge is one of Crete’s most striking natural wonders. With this tour, all the logistics are taken care of so all you need do is complete the challenging 10-mile (18-kilometer) hike. Set off from Chania in early morning and arrive at the trailhead ahead of the crowds. After the guided hike, board a boat back to Chora Sfakion, then a bus back to Chania.

Enjoy some of Crete’s most beautiful beaches without the self-drive hassles on this guided small-group tour. Travel direct from your door to Kissamos, where you board a boat for Balos Beach and Lagoon, then savor the soft white sands. Next, ride a boat to Gramvousa Island (own expense), swim in the clear waters, and opt to hike to the 16th-century fortress. Your guide will drop you directly to your door.

Go to hidden-away corners of Crete few travelers get to see with this guided all-terrain vehicle tour. Follow your guide off-road to quiet tracks far from the traffic and crowded resorts. Explore the near-abandoned ghost village of Achlada, where only a few locals still live, and Fodele, the birthplace of El Greco.

Spend a day immersed in nature on this private trip to Elafonisi and Agia Sofia Cave. Elafonisi's pink-tinged sand and shallow water make it one of Crete's most visited beaches, but getting there independently involves navigating tricky mountain roads. This private full-day tour picks you up from your hotel, makes a scenic stop at Agia Sofia Cave in the White Mountains, and delivers you to the beach with a sun umbrella included.

Follow the lead of this excursion on the way to Ierapetra by bus, accompanied by the morning sun. Soon after embarking in the boat, enjoy the trip in the Libyan sea on your way to Chrissi island where you will taste the natural beauty of a unique and protected by “Natura 2000” golden beach.

Hit the trails in Crete with this e-bike adventure through the wilderness. Meet your guide for a small-group, half-day mountain biking excursion to the gorges of Margarites and Eleftherna. Pedal along lush green trails flanking the rivers and forests of Milopotamos Valley and the Psiloritis mountain range. Get extra assistance with the battery from an e-bike and cover ground quickly in this unique Cretan terrain.

Head into the mountains of Crete for scenic views and sample local flavors with this small-group sunset tour. Visit Sfendili village, then head off-road to the Lassithi Plateau for sunset views with sparkling wine and fresh fruit. Afterwards, taste olive oil and raki before sitting down to a 3-course lunch with unlimited wine at a traditional taverna.

Discover the highlights of South Crete on this full-day Land Rover safari adventure. Enjoy hotel or port pickup, then soak up the scenery as your driver navigates through the Cretan Mountains along the Minoan Route. Stop at an ancient Roman aqueduct, see Diction Cave, walk through Tripitis Gorge, and swim at Tripitis Beach.

Explore Crete on an all-day off-road tour with a personal driver. After a convenient pickup from select hotels, hop in a 4x4 and get off the beaten path with an informative private guide. Visit otherwise inaccessible parts of the island, take a refreshing swim at the famed Preveli Beach, and enjoy a delicious lunch included in the tour price.