Kera Kayak Safari, Turtle Island

Kera Kayak Safari, Turtle Island, 1.5 - 3.5 hours, rated 4.3 across 64 traveller reviews.

Overview

This kayak safari starts from Kera Beach, a short drive from Chania, and paddles out along the coast to a set of rock formations locals call the stone ships. Legend has it these were pirate vessels turned to stone after villagers prayed to the Virgin Mary to halt a raid. Guides retell that story on the water before the group pushes on toward Carga Island, nicknamed Turtle Island for its shape and for occasional turtle sightings around it.

There are two versions. The 1.5-hour safari covers the stone ships and Turtle Island. The 3-hour safari adds two sea caves with notable rock formations, whose location the operator keeps to itself. Several reviewers said their trips ran past the booked length because guides allowed generous time for swimming and snorkelling.

Tours run in Greek, English or Spanish, and no pickup is included, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point at Papagalos Cantina and Watersports in Kera, near Vamos. The operator keeps the turtles wild rather than feeding them, so sightings are a possibility, never a promise.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Papagalos CantinaCheck in at Papagalos Cantina and Watersports in Kera, Vamos. One reviewer advises searching for the cantina by name in a navigation app rather than Kera Beach.
2. Paddle from Kera BeachSet off by kayak or paddleboard along the water off Kera Beach with the guide.
3. See the stone shipsStop at the rock formations known as the stone ships, where the guide explains the local legend behind them.
4. Visit Turtle IslandContinue to Carga Island, called Turtle Island for its shape and the turtles sometimes seen nearby. Sightings are not guaranteed since the animals are wild and not fed.
5. Explore two secret cavesOn the 3-hour safari only, visit two sea caves with rock formations whose location the operator keeps to itself.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this safari.

• Getting there. Make your own way to the meeting point. One traveller recommends searching for Papagalos Cantina and Watersports in a navigation app rather than Kera Beach, which apparently leads people astray.
• Time and pace. The 1.5-hour and 3-hour options are listed, and the overall experience runs between 1.5 and 3.5 hours. A few reviewers report trips lasting beyond the booked slot, so leave buffer time in your day.
• What to bring. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water. One reviewer suggested water shoes for the rocks around the caves, and a waterproof camera gets good use on the water.
• Fitness level. The longer safari involves sustained paddling between stops. One reviewer found the 3-hour tour a little strenuous, so some paddling condition helps on that option.
• Swimming and caves. One reviewer describes getting out of the kayak to swim into the caves, and cliff jumping comes up in several accounts. Anyone keen on those extras should be comfortable in the water.
• Turtle sightings. Turtles are wild and not fed, so the operator makes clear there is no guarantee of seeing one. Go for the coastline and caves, and treat a turtle as a bonus.

Common issues. The main honest caveat is the turtle question: sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild and deliberately not fed. One reviewer said clearer advance information on what you actually see would help. Food and drinks are excluded, and there is no pickup, so transport to Kera is on you.

Common Questions