Georgioupolis: Preveli Palm Beach Day Trip by Bus and Boat

This day trip crosses Crete from Georgioupolis to the south coast, then reaches Preveli by water taxi rather than by the cliff staircase. The day gives you two hours at the palm beach, free time in the village of Plakias and a photo stop at the Kourtaliotiko gorge on the return. BALLOS TRAVEL AGENCY run it from €28, with a 4.25 rating across 121 reviews.

What this day trip actually does

The route runs south by coach, switches to a boat, and comes back through the gorge. Four stages make up the day.

First is the coach, roughly an hour from Georgioupolis across the island to a small bay on the Libyan Sea. Second is the water taxi, a 20 to 30 minute crossing to Preveli. Third is Preveli itself, about two hours at the beach where the Megalos Potamos river runs out through a wild palm forest into the sea. Fourth is the return: free time in Plakias, then a stop above the Kourtaliotiko gorge, where small churches are built into the cliff face.

Arriving by boat is the point. The overland route to Preveli ends in a long staircase down the cliff and the same climb back in full sun; the water taxi puts you on the sand.

Places this tour visits

The route crosses from the north coast to the Libyan Sea and back through the mountains.

• Preveli, the destination is Preveli beach, where the palm-lined river meets the sea.
• Georgioupolis, pick-up covers Georgioupolis, which makes this the shortest Preveli run from the north coast.
• Kourtaliotiko Gorge, the return passes Kourtaliotiko gorge, the cliff-walled canyon the Preveli river flows out of.

What’s included and what isn’t

The €28 covers the coach and the guide. The boat is paid separately on the day.

Included:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Air-conditioned coach
• Informative driver and guide
• Free time at Preveli, Plakias and the gorge viewpoint

Not included:

• Water taxi ticket, €14 per adult
• Food and drinks
• Gratuities

Budget €14 per adult in cash on top of the ticket.

Why we recommend this experience

We recommend this one because it solves the hard part of Preveli for €28. The beach is the reason people come to the south coast, and the cliff path is the reason many regret it. Putting the boat in the middle of the day turns a strenuous trip into an easy one, and at this price it is the cheapest way we know to reach the palm forest from the Georgioupolis side.

The reviews are unusually consistent about the running of it. Guides are named again and again, Elena, Alexandra, Alicia, Paul, Jannes, which is what a well-staffed operation looks like rather than a one-good-guide fluke. A German guest praised the timing specifically, saying the stops were not too short and not too long at each location. Transportation scores 4.7 out of 5, the strongest of the three dimensions, and several reviewers single out the driver on the mountain roads.

Adding Plakias and the gorge to the return makes it a day rather than a beach transfer. A German visitor called the Plakias stop a highlight in its own right.

Three things to weigh, because this rates 4.25 rather than higher.

There is nothing at Preveli. A British reviewer put it plainly: there is not a great deal to do there, and there are no loungers or umbrellas. They still rated it five stars and enjoyed lying on the sand, but if a sunbed is essential to your beach day, this is the wrong trip.

Guiding is the weakest score at 4.1 out of 5. The guide commentary is the part reviewers are least uniform about, even while praising individuals by name.

The boat is not guaranteed. The operator states that in strong wind you may be asked to walk to the beach instead, which means the cliff path, the very thing the boat exists to avoid. Check the forecast.

CreteLocals insider tips

Carry the boat fare in cash, bring your own shade, and check the wind.

1. Bring €14 per adult in cash for the water taxi, which is charged at the bay and is not part of the ticket.
2. Check the wind forecast the day before, since a windy morning can cancel the boat and leave you with the cliff path.
3. Pack an umbrella or a sunshade, because Preveli has no loungers, no umbrellas and very little natural shade.
4. Walk up the river under the palms rather than staying on the sand, which is what makes this beach different from every other one on the coast.
5. Wear water shoes for the riverbed, which is stony where the fresh water meets the sea.
6. Keep your camera ready on the return, as the gorge stop is where the cliff churches come into view.

What to know before you go

Pick-up and drop-off are included from Georgioupolis hotels. The coach leg runs about an hour each way and the boat crossing about 20 to 30 minutes.

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and water shoes. Temperatures on the south coast run high, so sun protection matters more here than on the north side. Pets are not permitted, though assistance dogs are allowed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Preveli beach on this trip?

You travel by coach to a small bay, then by water taxi to the beach, which avoids the cliff staircase the overland route uses.

How much is the boat to Preveli?

The water taxi costs €14 per adult, paid separately on the day and not included in the ticket price.

How long do you get at Preveli beach?

Reviewers report about two hours at the beach, plus free time later in Plakias.

Are there sunbeds at Preveli?

No loungers or umbrellas are available, so bring your own shade if you need it.

What else does the trip include?

Free time in Plakias village and a photo stop above the Kourtaliotiko gorge, where churches are built into the cliff.

What happens if it is windy?

The operator may ask you to walk down to the beach instead of taking the boat, so check the forecast before you travel.

Check dates and prices for the Preveli palm beach day trip from Georgioupolis.