AT SOUDA BAY
(MARATHI, CAPE DREPANO-CAVES, ALMYRIDA)
Souda Bay is a particularly picturesque, protected, beautiful, natural harbour and a place of strategic importance through the centuries.
Our boat “GRAMVOUSA EXPRESS” departs almost daily ( from May to October) at 10.45, from the main port of Souda and returns to the same port at 15.45.
Travelling in the deep blue waters of the bay and listening to pleasant music, the boat passes by the islet of Souda, which stands like a guardian at the entrance of the harbour and then by Leon, the small, almost round islet, which is located close to it.
On the islet of Souda you can find Fortezza, a Venetian fortress built in 1571 AD. Before the fortress was built, it was the only castle in the area, protecting for centuries the entrance to the port of Souda and the city of Chania.
Travelling to the northwest side of the bay, you can see the steep slopes of the Akrotiri peninsula, which in some places form wonderful beaches, such as the beach at Marathi, where the ship will dock after a 45-minute trip.
The sandy beach at Marathi, where we will stay until 13.00pm, combined with its shallow waters and the protection from the winds due to its location, is ideal for families and children. You can choose whether to stay on board to relax, swim nearby and have lunch or disembark and swim at Marathi beach, returning later to the boat for lunch.
The on-board Self-Service Bar is open throughout the cruise, so you can enjoy a delicious meal consisting of a main course (also suitable for vegetarians), an individual salad and bottled water.
Departing from Marathi (13.00), the boat passes close to the hidden area of Pervolitsa, where you will have the opportunity to admire the wild goats, which run with miraculous balance on the rocks, like acrobats.
As we continue our journey on the southeastern side of the bay, we will approach Cape Drepano.
If the weather conditions are favourable, we will approach the stone lighthouse at Cape Drapano. This lighthouse is considered to be one of the oldest in Crete, since its history goes back to 1864.
At Cape Drepano, the amazing Cave of Elephants was discovered in 1999. It was so named after the elephant bones found inside. In its warm waters, the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus shelters. The cave was recognized as one of the most important in Greece. The deep blue colour of the waters creates a landscape of incredible beauty.
Approaching the coast, we can see sea caves, which we will approach to enjoy the view and witness once again the “wonders of nature”.
The boat will make another stop near the shore of one of the leeward beaches of the area (depending on the weather) and will anchor for a swim in its blue waters.
On the way back, we will admire the mountains of the Apokoronas peninsula that tower over the bay and offer breathtaking views.
At the top of one of these mountains you will observe the ancient city of Aptera, which was one of the most important city-states of western Crete in ancient times.
On the hill Kamami you will see the historic Turkish Izzeddin Fortress, built in 1870, named after the eldest son of a Sultan. In its cells, powerful political figures of the early 20th century were imprisoned and some of the first political prisoners were executed there. The fortress has been designated a cultural heritage monument.
Full of beautiful images and excited by this fascinating sea adventure, we will return to the port of Souda at around 15.45.