Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 22 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches worth booking?
Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches is a 13-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $25 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4/5 rating across 22 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (22)
- Duration
- 13 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Discover the beauty of southern Crete on a full-day excursion to Preveli Palm Beach and the stunning coastline of Damnoni. Travel through scenic landscapes before boarding a boat to one of Crete’s most unique beaches, wh
What you get
- Boat Trip to Preveli Palm Beach
- Liability insurance coverage by ALLIANZ
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tour Guide
- Professional Driver
About this experience
Discover the beauty of southern Crete on a full-day excursion to Preveli Palm Beach and the stunning coastline of Damnoni. Travel through scenic landscapes before boarding a boat to one of Crete’s most unique beaches, where golden sand meets a palm-lined river surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Enjoy free time to swim, relax, and explore. Continue to Damnoni Beach, with the chance to visit the nearby coves of Amoudi and Kleisidi. Admire the spectacular views of Kourtaliotiko Gorge along the way. This tour operates with two different itineraries depending on the day of departure: -Tuesdays: Includes free time in the charming old town of Rethymnon. -Thursdays & Saturdays: No Rethymnon stop, with extended beach time at Preveli, Damnoni, Amoudi, and Kleisidi. A perfect mix of beaches, nature, sightseeing, and relaxation—ideal for discovering Crete’s south coast in one unforgettable day.
What's included
Included
- Boat Trip to Preveli Palm Beach
- Liability insurance coverage by ALLIANZ
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tour Guide
- Professional Driver
Not included
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Heraklion
Morning Pickup We begin collecting participants from their designated pick-up points in the morning. Depending on your accommodation location, the drive to the first destination will take 2–4 hours.
180 minutes here
Damnoni
1st Stop: Damnoni Beach (arrival point / boat embarkation) Arrive at the beautiful beach of Damnoni, where you will board the boat heading to the famous Preveli Palm Beach.
Pass by without stopping
Preveli Beach
Boat Trip: 30 minutes 2nd Stop: Preveli Palm Beach (Duration: 2 hours | Tuesdays: 1 hour 30 minutes) Reach the world-renowned Preveli Beach, where golden sand meets a palm-lined river surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Enjoy free time to swim in the turquoise sea, relax on the beach, or explore the unique tropical scenery. Boat Trip: 30 minutes
150 minutes here
3rd Stop: Damnoni – Amoudi – Kleisidi Beaches (Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes | Tuesdays: 1 hour 10 minutes) Return to Damnoni Beach and enjoy free time for swimming, lunch, or exploring the nearby hidden coves of Amoudi and Kleisidi, all within walking distance. A perfect chance to experience some of the most beautiful beaches in southern Crete. Bus Transfer: 20 minutes
90 minutes here
Kourtaliotiko Gorge
4th Stop: Kourtaliotiko Gorge (Duration: 10 minutes) Take in the spectacular views of the wild and rugged Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Enjoy a short photo stop to admire one of Crete’s most impressive natural landmarks. Bus Transfer: 30 minutes
40 minutes here
Heraklion
Embarkation in the buses from Damnoni region and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning. Depending on traffic and on the pick-up places of each one, the time of journey back to the hotel will differ. Bus Drive: 2–4 hours.
180 minutes here
Rethymnon Old Town
5th Stop: Rethymnon Old Town (Tuesdays only | Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes) On Tuesdays, enjoy free time in the charming old town of Rethymnon. Stroll through picturesque alleys, visit the old Venetian harbor, relax at a local café, or walk along the seaside promenade.
80 minutes here
Heraklion
Return to Resorts At the end of the excursion, board the bus for the return journey to your accommodation. Return times may vary depending on traffic and pick-up/drop-off locations.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 2 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
English: Agia Pelagia area
Pick-up from specific points:: Agia Pelagia, Lygaria Pickup included
Polish: Agia Pelagia area
Pick-up from specific points:: Agia Pelagia, Lygaria Pickup included
French: Agia Pelagia area
Pick-up from specific areas: Agia Pelagia, Lygaria Pickup included
French: Heraklion area
Pick-up from specific points: : Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani Pickup included
German: Anisaras, Gouves area
Pick-up from specific points:: Anisaras, Analipsi, Gouves Pickup included
German: Agia Pelagia area
Pick-up from specific points:: Agia Pelagia, Lygaria Pickup included
Italian: Agia Pelagia area
Pick-up from specific points:: Agia Pelagia, Lygaria Pickup included
English: Heraklion area
Pick-up from specific points: : Heraklion, Amoudara & Kokini Hani Pickup included
Italian: Hersonissos, Malia
Pick-up from specific points: : Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, Piskopiano and Sisi Pickup included
English: Anisaras, Gouves area
Pick-up from specific points:: Anisaras, Analipsi, Gouves Pickup included
Polish: Heraklion area
Pick-up from specific points: : Heraklion, Ammoudara & Kokkini Hani Pickup included
English: Hersonissos, Malia
Pick-up from specific points: : Stalis, Malia, Hersonisos, Piskopiano and Sisi Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, pl, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cretan Odyssey
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 13 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Price range
- $25 to $57
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Cretan Odyssey, who run 13 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.7.
See everything Cretan Odyssey runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.
How much does Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches cost?
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Prices start at $25 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Heraklion usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches take?
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Plan for about 13 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Heraklion is not rushed.
Is Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 22 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 13-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches?
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Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Heraklion can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Heraklion and add a light layer if any part of the 13-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Heraklion: Preveli By Boat, Rethymno & Damnoni Secret Beaches start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Heraklion within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Heraklion?
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On Outty we rank every Heraklion experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory, Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, 5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Heraklion?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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