Crete: Preveli Tropical Beach and Palm Forest
This day trip reaches Preveli the good way, by boat. The coach runs from Chania across the island with a stop at the Kourtaliotiko gorge, then you board at Damnoni for a short cruise along the Libyan Sea to Preveli, where the Megalos Potamos river meets the sea under a forest of palms. Allcretetours run it over 10 hours from €43, with a 4.38 rating across 16 reviews.
What this day trip actually does
The route crosses to the south coast, sees the gorge, then takes to the water. Four stages fill the 10 hours.
First is the pick-up and the drive through the Cretan countryside towards the south coast. Second is the Kourtaliotiko gorge, where towering cliffs and the wind that funnels through them make the photo stop, about an hour is allowed. Third is Damnoni, where the boat waits for a short cruise across the Libyan Sea, and Preveli appears from the water as a river mouth wrapped in palms and mountains. Fourth is Preveli itself: swimming in the emerald water, walking the riverbank under the palms, or following the river inland to the springs and small waterfalls in the gorge.
Arriving by boat is the difference. The overland route ends in roughly 300 steps down a cliff and the same back up; the boat puts you on the sand.
Places this tour visits
The route runs from the north-west coast to the Libyan Sea.
- Preveli, the destination is Preveli beach, where the palm-lined river runs into the sea.
- Kourtaliotiko Gorge, the photo stop is at Kourtaliotiko gorge, the cliff-walled canyon the Preveli river runs out of.
- Damnoni, the boat leaves from Damnoni beach, a short hop east along the coast.
- Chania, pick-up covers the Chania coast, which makes this the western departure for Preveli.
What’s included and what isn’t
The €43 covers the coach and the guide; the two site fees are paid on the day.
Included:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Guiding throughout
- Air-conditioned coach
- Full liability insurance
Not included:
- Boat ticket from Damnoni to Preveli, €13
- Kourtaliotiko gorge entry, €5
- Food and drinks
Budget €18 per person in cash on top of the ticket.
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this version of Preveli specifically because of the boat. Every other way in involves the cliff staircase, roughly 300 steps down and a 20 to 30 minute climb back in full sun, which is the single most common complaint about Preveli trips. Coming in from Damnoni across the Libyan Sea removes all of it and gives you the approach shot as the palm forest opens up ahead of the boat.
The reviews describe a well-run day. A Dutch guest noted the guide made clear at the start where food and toilets were and built in a bakery stop, small things that decide how a ten-hour day feels. A Swiss reviewer called it perfectly organised from start to finish, and a German guest rated it the highlight of their holiday, singling out the pick-up and the guide.
Preveli itself needs little argument: Theophrastus palms grow wild in only a handful of places in Europe, and here they line a freshwater river running into the sea.
Three things to weigh, since this scores 4.38 and the criticisms are consistent.
The gorge stop divides people. An Australian reviewer loved Preveli but not the gorge, where the wind was strong enough that they abandoned the walk to the water, and they objected to paying €5 per person to enter. A Polish reviewer rating it three stars said there was too little specific information about the gorge for the hour allowed.
The extra costs are not in the headline price. €13 for the boat and €5 for the gorge add 40% to a €43 ticket, and both are cash on the day.
The gorge is genuinely windy. Kourtaliotiko is named for the clattering sound the wind makes through it, so treat the walk down as optional rather than assumed.
CreteLocals insider tips
Carry €18 in cash, read up on the gorge first, and follow the river inland at Preveli.
- Bring €18 per person in cash, covering the €13 boat and the €5 gorge entry.
- Read about Kourtaliotiko before you arrive, since reviewers report the on-site commentary being thin for the hour you get.
- Skip the gorge descent if the wind is up, which reviewers describe as strong enough to turn people back.
- Walk up the river at Preveli rather than staying on the sand, because the palm gorge and its springs are what make the beach unusual.
- Sit at the front of the boat from Damnoni, where the approach to the palm forest is the best view of the day.
- Check your voucher the day before at 123voucher.eu/voucher, which is where the pick-up time and point appear.
What to know before you go
Your voucher with the pick-up time and point arrives by email one day before, and can also be viewed at 123voucher.eu/voucher with your booking reference.
Bring sunglasses, beachwear, comfortable shoes and cash. Pets, alcohol and large bags are not permitted on the coach.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Preveli day trip?
The day runs 10 hours from pick-up to drop-off, including the drive, the gorge stop and the boat to Preveli.
Do you reach Preveli by boat?
Yes, a short cruise from Damnoni across the Libyan Sea, which avoids the roughly 300-step cliff path used by the overland route.
What extra costs are there?
The €13 boat ticket and the €5 Kourtaliotiko gorge entry are both paid separately, in cash on the day.
What is Preveli known for?
Preveli has a wild palm forest lining the Megalos Potamos river where it meets the sea, one of very few such groves in Europe.
Is the gorge stop worth it?
Opinions divide. Reviewers praise the cliffs but report strong wind and thin commentary, and the €5 entry is charged separately.
Where does the tour depart from?
Pick-up covers the Chania area, making this the western departure point for Preveli.
Check dates and prices for the Preveli palm beach tour with Kourtaliotiko gorge.
Location
Crete is located at Preveli Beach. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
