Crete · Rethymno

Excursions to Georgioupoli

Catamaran cruises and beach days at Georgioupoli, the long sandy bay between Rethymno and Chania, with the freshwater Lake Kournas a short hop inland.

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2Excursions

RethymnoWest of Rethymno

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All excursions to Georgioupoli.

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Destination

Crete 34 Peloponnese 1 Rhodes 5 Santorini 2

Excursion type

Historical 10 City tours 9 Religious 5 Outdoor 26 Sea tours 22 ECO Tours 14 Gastronomic 6 Family 38 Exclusive 8

Duration

Full-day 23 Half-day 17

Group size

Group 27 Mini Group 13

Languages

English 34 French 3 Russian 13 Romanian 7 Polish 1 Lithuanian 4 Estonian 1 Norwegian 1 German 8 Dutch 3 Greek 1

Supplier

Cretan Holidays 7 DanEri Yachts 7 Kyriakakis Travel 5 Rhodes Adventures 3 Sea Jets 2 T4V 4 TEZ TOUR 10 VIVA Lets Fly 1

Group Size

1-10 1 1-20 1 10 1 12 1 15 1 18 6 18-22 1 18-50 1 20 1 20+ 2 25+ 1 30-60 2 35 1 40 1 40+ 8 40-60 2 45 1 49+ 2 50 2 8-28 1 max.11 1

Crete

Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €145 View

Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €80 View

Crete

Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View

Crete

Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View

Crete

Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port.

from €145 View

Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port

from €85 View

Crete

Legends of Crete

6+ hours

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €69 View

Crete

From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch

6 hours · Outdoor

Please arrive at the port of Hersonissos 30 minutes…

from €59 View

Crete

Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €129 View

Crete

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €67 View

Crete

Crete: WaterCity Waterpark

6 hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €42.5 View

Crete

Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night

3+ hours · Historical

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €50 View

Book with the operator

Booking Georgioupoli direct.

You may have found the Georgioupoli cruises on the big platforms. Booking direct with us is a little different.

The local team, not a reseller

You book with the Rethymno team that runs the Georgioupoli boats and the Kournas trips itself, not a reseller.

Real people, quick to answer

A local team on the phone, WhatsApp and Viber daily from 08:00 to 22:00, before you travel and on the day itself.

Flexible hotel pick-up

Pick-up is arranged around your hotel across Georgioupoli, Rethymno and the coast-road resorts.

Clear prices, no mark-up

The from-price you see is ours, with no third-party booking fee added over the top.

If weather or sea conditions cancel a departure, we move you to another date or refund you in full.

About the area

The bay & Lake Kournas.

Georgioupoli is a relaxed resort on a long sweep of sandy beach where a river meets the sea, framed by eucalyptus trees and the little chapel of St Nicholas out on the rocks. The bay is calm and shallow, which makes it a favourite for easy beach days and gentle catamaran cruises.

Just inland lies Lake Kournas, Crete’s only natural freshwater lake, ringed by mountains and perfect for a paddle or a walk, often combined with Georgioupoli on the same relaxed day out from Rethymno. It sits within easy reach of Rethymno and Skaleta, with more to explore across the rest of Crete.

Beach / settingLong sandy bay, river mouth

Best timeMay to October

Getting thereCatamaran / day trip from Rethymno

Weather

When to visit Georgioupoli.

Georgioupoli is a summer beach town, warmest and calmest from June to September, with a gentle shoulder season.

Month	Air (day)	Sea	How busy
May	24°C	20°C	Quiet
June	28°C	22°C	Building
July	31°C	24°C	Busy
August	31°C	26°C	Busy
September	28°C	25°C	Easing
October	24°C	24°C	Quiet

Fewest crowdsMay and October, quieter on the long beach.

Warmest seaAugust into September for the shallow water.

Family calmLight-wind days, when the shallows are flat.

Getting here

Getting to Georgioupoli.

Georgioupoli lies on the coast between Chania and Rethymno, an easy stop by road or on a day trip.

By road

The village is right off the main north-coast road, about forty minutes from both Chania and Rethymno.

On a day trip

Excursions include Georgioupoli with pick-up from the resorts, often paired with a swim or a river visit.

Where to stay

Where to stay for Georgioupoli.

Georgioupoli sits between Chania and Rethymno, an easy base for both sides of the coast.

Browse hotels nearby

Georgioupoli

Right on the long beach by the river mouth, relaxed and family-friendly.

Kavros

The neighbouring resort strip, with big sandy beaches.

Rethymno

The Venetian old town twenty minutes east, for atmosphere and dining.

Almyrida

A calm little resort west towards Chania, good for families.

Nearby sights

What’s near Georgioupoli.

The green heart of the north coast surrounds Georgioupoli with a lake, springs and an old town.

Lake Kournas

Crete’s only freshwater lake, a short drive inland with pedal boats.

Argyroupoli Springs

A shady village of running springs and old plane trees in the hills.

Rethymno Old Town

The Venetian and Ottoman quarter below its great fortress.

The jetty church

The tiny chapel of Agios Nikolaos out on the stone breakwater.

Food & drink

Taste of Georgioupoli.

Cooking here is green and coastal, built on olive oil, wild greens, cheese and honey, with fish by the sea.

Try fresh fish and eel at Lake Kournas, dakos and graviera, and finish with a glass of raki on the house.

Local specialties to try

Fresh fishDakosGraviera cheeseKalitsouniaRakiCretan honey

One trusted partner

Plan your whole Georgioupoli trip.

Book every part of your trip with one local team: flights, ferries, transfers, a car and your hotel.

FlightsFind flights to Crete FerriesFerry tickets to Crete TransfersAirport & port pick-up Car rentalRent a car in Crete HotelsStays across Crete

Before you go

Good to know for Georgioupoli.

BeachA long sandy strip with calm, shallow water

What to bringWater, sun cover and beach toys

The riverA eucalyptus-lined river meets the sea here

LandmarkThe little church on the stone jetty

Good forFamilies and easy beach days

FacilitiesTavernas, sunbeds and watersports

Across Crete

More of Crete near Georgioupoli.

Other stand-out spots worth adding to your Crete trip.

Balos LagoonChania

Elafonisi BeachChania

Falassarna BeachChania

Samaria GorgeChania

Knossos PalaceHeraklion

Plan your visit

How long for Georgioupoli?

Georgioupoli works as a full beach day or a shorter cruise.

1A full day

The long sands and freshwater Lake Kournas make an easy full day for families.

+Add more

Add a Skaleta sunset sail, or see all Rethymno excursions.

Before you book

Your Georgioupoli questions

Where does the Georgioupoli catamaran leave from?

The premium catamaran cruise sails from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay, with hotel pick-up from the Rethymno area included.

Is Georgioupoli good for families?

Very, the beach is long, sandy and shallow near the shore, and the calm bay suits children well.

What is Lake Kournas?

It's Crete's only natural freshwater lake, a short drive inland, ringed by mountains, great for pedal boats, a walk or a relaxed lunch.

Do the cruises include food?

Most catamaran cruises include drinks and a light meal or snacks on board; the details are shown on each cruise before you book.

What if the sea is rough?

If we cancel a sailing for weather or safety, you're offered another date or a full refund, always explained up front.

Can you swim at Lake Kournas?

Yes. Kournas is a calm freshwater lake with shallow edges, pedal boats and a small beach, an easy add-on to the Georgioupoli sands.

Is Georgioupoli beach sandy?

Yes, it is a long stretch of soft sand with gently shelving water, which is why it suits families with young children.

A Time 4 Vacation guide with travellers in Greece

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Booking Georgioupoli, step by step.

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Compare Georgioupoli excursions by type, date and budget, and pick the day that suits you.

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Reserve your Georgioupoli day out online in minutes, with instant confirmation and a voucher by email.

Meet your guide

On the day a licensed local guide meets you and takes care of the rest, so you can just enjoy Georgioupoli.

Ready to explore Georgioupoli?

Tell us your dates and what you have in mind. A local expert will put together the excursions, transfers and stays that fit, usually within a day.

Browse excursions Talk to a local expert

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