Ierapetra is the southernmost town of Europe, one of the most popular destinations in Crete, and the fourth biggest town of the island. For information about the culture, history and nature of the idyllic city of Ierapetra and the beautiful surrounding area, please visit: https://www.ierapetra.gr/index.php/en/
Our boats depart for the island of Chrissi from the port of Ierapetra. The island of Chrissi is situated approximately 9 nautical miles south of Ierapetra and it is a Wildlife Refuge. Chrissi island is a habitat of stunning natural beauty, included in the European initiative NATURA 2000.
TIMETABLE
The cruise operates daily. Departure time from the port of Ierapetra at 11.30 and return to the same port at 17.30, with our ship "ARISTOVOULOS".
Attention: The itinerary may change depending on the time period. Please inquire from our offices (information tel. +30 28420 20008, and +30 28220 22888, E-mail: info@cretandailycruises.com).
Passengers must be at the boarding area of the ship at the port of Ierapetra 40 minutes before its departure.
Our priority is to offer you wonderful holiday experiences in paradises on earth. Please check the weather before you travel.
In order to protect the unique natural ecosystem of the island of Chrissi, it is not allowed to disembark on the island this summer. The ship approaches the island and anchors in a leeward spot near a selected beach for swimming in crystal clear water, a short distance from the shore to facilitate access for passengers who want to reach the island by swimming. If you can't swim, you can reach the beach by ship's boat. The use of the island's beaches is allowed. Access to the interior of the island and the use of the shade of the junipers are prohibited.
CRUISE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
View the island on google map.
Chrissi is a miracle of nature in the vastness of Libyan Sea. Born from the eruption of the submarine volcano that created it 350,000 years ago.
It has an area of 4,743 square kilometers, and a maximum altitude of 27 meters. It’s an islet known for its exotic waters in all the shades of blue and green, the golden beaches -where it got its name from-, and the protected forest with the cedar trees, which are over 200 years old. Chrissi is a piece of paradise on earth, the southernmost natural park of Europe, and a gem in the Mediterranean.
Listening to pleasant music, we travel all the way to the South, on the borders of Europe and Africa, in the embrace of the Libyan Sea, with flying companions the herring gulls, who are vigilant "guardians" of the inaccessible, island borders. The trip from the port of Ierapetra to the exotic Chrissi lasts about 1 hour.
On the island there are traces of a Minoan settlement that prospered from the trade of porphyra, which is the popular red pigment used for dying royal clothes.Recently, the biggest laver farm in the Mediterranean was discovered there. The cedar forest extends to the center of Chrissi, covering an area of 350,000 square meters, which is about 1/4th of the island, with an average of 14 trees per 1,000 square meters, and average age of trees 200-300 years. Those trees is a rare variety of Lebanon cedars, 1 meter tall, and with a diameter of up to 1 meter. The cedars have a root system that develops at a radius of at least double their height. Except from their large roots, they also develop a network of thinner ones that form a thick mesh that withholds the sand.
As we approach, the dark blue of the sea gives its place to increasingly light shades. The island is surrounded by shallow bays and sandy beaches covered with shells, one of the characteristic features of the island. The options for swimming and diving in calm, turquoise waters are many. The protagonist is the beach Chrissi Ammos or Belegrina with its exotic waters, located in the north of the island. Other idyllic bays are Hatzivolakas to the northwest, Fokiospilo to the northeast, the Treis Vagies to the southeast, Kataprosopo to the east and the southern beach at "Vougiou Mati".
The ship anchors in a leeward spot near a selected beach for swimming and enjoying the crystal clear waters, a short distance from the shore to facilitate access for passengers who want to reach the island by swimming. If you can't swim, you can reach the beach by boat.
Our journey will continue by sailing close to island so that you have the opportunity to admire the beautiful coastline and the view of the island from the sea, enjoying a sea cruise in the exotic waters of Libyan Sea.
The colors of the rocks, which are mainly grey-green, reddish-brown, black, etc., are spectacular, while almost the entire island is covered by golden sand. The base rocks of Chrissi were created through the solidification of lava that poured out of an undersea volcano millions of years ago. The 49 species of fossils (corals, shells, barnacles, urchins) found on the island come from the sea. They were imprinted on the volcanic rocks 350,000-70,000 years ago, when Chrissi was still underwater. The northern shores (Belegrina, Hatzivolakas, Kataprosopo) are filled with shells. Especially on the east side of the northern beach, the amount of shells is so big that the view is overwhelming.
The ship's self-service restaurant-bar is open throughout the cruise, so you can enjoy a delicious meal, salad, wine, snacks, coffee, soft drinks, ice creams, etc. on board.
The preservation of the island’s natural environment, beyond the moral dimensions, is imposed through a strict national and European institutional protection system.
Thus, the following are prohibited:
- Hiking outside the beaches and the use of the shade of the junipers
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The collection of rocks, fossils, shells and ancient finds
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The collection of plants and animal catching
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Free camping
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Starting a fire
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Smoking around bushes and woodlands
- Any kind of pollution. Make sure that you don't leave any garbage behind, but take them back with you on the ship
The dream trip, the beautiful images of nature, swimming in the crystal clear sea complete an unforgettable experience.
Relaxation, serenity, and a sense of tropical adventure!
Incredible destination…
Have a great time!