Swim & Hike West Crete
See both above and below the surface with this 7 day hike & wild swim active holiday.
Hike gorges, forests, rough tracks, through olive groves and along old villagers paths to really get under the skin of this fantastic natural area of Crete. When you have worked up a sweat, the clear, cooling blue water will be there waiting for you! Guided wild swims each day mean that you have the benefit of our local experience to enjoy the best, little known swimming spots.
Whole body experience, immersed in nature.
Personalized small groups.
Breath-taking scenery, unforgettable experiences.
Scheduled dates
June 5th – 12th 2021 | From 1,190€ (confirmed trip – minimum number of participants already reached)
July 3rd – 10th 2021 | From 1,290€
August 21st – 28th 2021 | From 1,290€
October 2nd – 9th 2021 | From 990€ (confirmed trip – minimum number of participants already reached)
Other dates are possible, contact us for availability!
See our Accommodation & Booking Notes
Get a preview of activities in West Crete on our Youtube Channel: Fit in Crete Manu
Overview
Spend a week wild swimming in the sparkling, clear blue Cretan sea.
Hike through gorges, forests and sand dunes between swims accompanied by experienced local guides, then satisfy your appetite each day with freshly cooked, delicious local specialities.
Increase distance over the week to a final challenge: a 3.7km open water swim to “Limpet Island” off Falasarna beach.
We are flexible.
We have fixed dates but you can ask us about coming on your preferred dates.
We offer multi-day tours that include accommodation, but if you have your own favourite place to stay, we can organise just the activities, ask us.
Join us on one of our scheduled dates
June 5th – 12th 2021
July 3rd – 10th 2021
August 21st – 28th 2021
October 2nd – 9th 2021
or contact us to book this trip for your own dates!
Notes
The programme requires a reasonable level of general fitness. We’ll be on the move for a few hours every day. We’ll have breaks during and between activities. Most activities can be adjusted in difficulty level / distances to accommodate differences.
Activities & routes listed in the itinerary are weather dependent. We will always try to stick as close as possible to the itinerary but the activities and may be rearranged or substituted in case of need.
Highlights
- Experience all the scents and sounds of nature
- Enjoy the wilderness of the famous E4 path
- Hike the Gorge of Vultures
- Snorkel over a WW2 shipwreck
- Swim in sparkling blue waters
- Marvel at the colours of Elafonissi beach
- Explore off the beaten path and in little known spots
Itinerary
Airport transfer from Chania to your accommodation in Kissamos.
Briefing with information about the coming days.
Evening: Welcome Dinner with traditional Cretan fresh food.
Morning: Hike Sirikari gorge, along a partly-shaded narrow footpath. Watch griffon vultures that nest on the cliffs.
Approx. 2 hours walk.
Afternoon: Gentle intro swim in Kissamos bay, over seagrass meadows. 1.5 Km / 45minutes (can be longer). Visit to sandstone seashore fossils and 6 myo hominid footprints. Total: 3 hours
Hike on the old villagers path through Mediterranean maquis, admiring the multi-coloured geological formations. We’ll pass small coves, carob and strawberry tree woods, pebble beaches with rock chapels. Approx. 2 hours walking.
Arriving in the small village of Ravdoucha we’ll stop for lunch at a beachside taverna before swimming along the coastline, passing deep sea caves, old mining pylons, thick Poseidonia seagrass meadows, small beaches and tiny rock chapels before landing on a pebble beach.
2–3.5 Km / 1–2 hours swimming
Total time from the morning, incl. Lunch: 8 hours
Hike remote & beautiful Kambos gorge, on the West Coast, to it’s sea exit on a secluded cove. Approx. 2 1⁄2 hours walking.
Then plunge into the deep blue waters for a swim around Cape Crow, following the rocky cliffs to the village of Sfinari, on the Wild West coast. Approx. 1.5km / 45 minutes swimming
Total time from the morning incl. lunch: 8–9 hours
Explore the secret beaches and coves of the West coast. Swim around the coast between natural sea pools with very rich sea-life. See
the only native palm-trees of Europe.
1.6 or 3 Km / 45–90 minutes swimming.
Total excursion time: 4–5hours
Afternoon: Leisure time in Kissamos
Swim out to Limpet island and come back completing the Falasarna triangle in crystal clear waters, brushing the vertical cliffs enclosing the bay.
3.7Km / 90 minutes swimming. (There is a shorter option of 2.5Km / 1 hour swimming)
Visit to ancient Greek harbour that was raised 6m above sea level by an earthquake. Snorkel to a WWII shipwreck sunk in shallow water near the coast.
Total time from morning incl. Lunch: 7-8 hours
Hike along a section of the E4 path into the juniper forest on the South Coast, a semi-tropical setting with sand dunes along the coast.
1-2 hours walking.
Swim Elafonissi, the dreamy pink-sand lagoon with sparkling clear sea.
4.5Km / 2 hour swim. There is a shorter option of 2Km / 1 hour swim.
Total time from morning incl. Lunch 8-9 hours
All good things must come to an end, and our adventure ends in the town of Kissamos with your last breakfast at the accommodation and then it will be time to say our “see you soons”.
We’ll transfer you to Chania airport for your flight home, with your head full of the stunning scenes and unforgettable experiences of the last week.
Included
- Accommodation and breakfast for 7 nights
- 6 days of guided swim-hike activities around West Crete
- Airport transfers to/from Chania airport
- One taverna meal per day
- Snorkel masks & snorkel wetsuits (if required)
- Local information
Excluded
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Other meals not indicated
- Personal swimming & hiking equipment (e.g. tow floats, swim hats, wetsuits, towels, hiking poles)
- Other personal extras
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