Crete: Full-Day Quad Safari with Cave, Abbey, Lunch & Beach Swim
Description
Your adventure begins with a safety briefing before riding along the coastline of Hersonissos and heading off-road into the mountains, passing through traditional villages and a historic monastery. Continue to the impressive Aposelemis Dam, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the famous sunken village of Sfentili. Visit to a traditional olive oil factory, where you’ll take part in a guided tour and enjoy an authentic olive oil tasting. You will then stop at a beautiful countryside farm, where a freshly prepared traditional Cretan meal is served in a natural setting. The most adventurous part of the route is the off-road ascent to the Cave, the highest point of the tour. Here, a breathtaking panoramic viewpoint combines with a unique cave setting that houses a small chapel inside, creating one of the most memorable moments of the experience. The day ends with a short beach stop, giving you the chance for a quick, refreshing dip after the heat and dust of the off-road ride.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Starting Point & Safety Briefing (Approx. 10 minutes) Adventure Begins Here! With a comprehensive safety briefing, ensuring a secure and enjoyable start to your journey. Upon pick-up, you'll receive all the necessary instructions regarding the operation of your quad bike and safety equipment, preparing you for a safe and exciting experience while emphasizing hygiene practices.
Scenic Coastal Ride (Approx. 1 hour) Zoom along Hersonissos's stunning coastline through the most famous and beautiful beaches of Hersonissos and enjoy breathtaking ocean views.
1st Stop: Gouverniotisa Monastery (Approx. 15 minutes) Visit the beautiful Gouverniotisa Monastery in Potamies for a quick break. Explore its serene atmosphere and rich history.
2nd Stop: Aposelemis Dam & Sfentili Village (Approx. 15 minutes) Enjoy panoramic views of the Aposelemis Dam and explore the submerged village of Sfentili.
3rd Stop: Olive Oil Factory (Approx. 20 minutes) Tour a traditional Olive Oil Factory, taste exquisite olive oils, and learn about the production process.
4th Stop: Traditional Lunch in Village (Approx. 45 minutes) Recharge with a delicious traditional lunch at an authentic local taverna in the charming village. Savor authentic flavors amidst a picturesque setting. Spend your free time at a horse farm! Experience the thrill of riding and the joy of bonding with beautiful horses.
5th Stop: Cave of Agia Fotini (Approx. 20 minutes) Discover the enchanting beauty of the Cave of Saint Fotini, adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. Delve into its rich history as a sacred site dedicated to Saint Fotini amidst panoramic vistas.
6th Stop: Beach Refreshment (Approx. 20 minutes) Before reaching our final destination, indulge in a rejuvenating break at the beach. After the dusty and hot journey, immerse yourself in the serene coastal atmosphere, letting all your worries wash away. Take a refreshing dive into the crystal-clear waters, adding an extra layer of excitement to your adventure.
th Stop: Return to Base End your adventure back at our office, filled with thrilling rides and unforgettable memories. We’ll provide transfers back to your hotel.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Free pick-up & drop-off. For guests staying in Heraklion (also Ammoudara/Gazi), Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Milatos, and Sisi, free pick-up & drop-off is available from designated meeting points, otherwise extra transfer charges may apply.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Here's some important information for your upcoming booking: • Valid car driver's licenses along with a physical ID are mandatory for all drivers. • For safety reasons, force majeure or due to weather conditions, the activity provider reserves the right to alter routes and stops as necessary.
Reviews(9)
So disappointed, we did not do half the things the ad promised. We went to the Abbey but it was closed, and they knew that before we wasted time treking there. We did not go to the cave nor the beach because they said we ran out of time. We spent hours riding thru the mountains looking at Olive trees and even stopped at a small abandoned town, which was a huge waste of time. The guides reason for stopping there was to say the towns people eft because of the new dam, nothing historical or meaningful to history of Greece. Big waste of money. We had hoped for at least one ancient ruin or to see something other than the olive tree farms on the side of the mountain. The guide was very nice and accomodating and the lunch spot was excellent. Otherwise, would never recommend this excursion.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the lunch and found our guide friendly, accommodating, and professional throughout the day. At the same time, we are genuinely sorry that certain aspects of the tour did not meet your expectations. Our safari experience is designed to showcase the authentic side of Crete, including mountain landscapes, traditional villages, local culture, olive-growing regions, and unique landmarks that many visitors would not otherwise have the opportunity to discover. Regarding the monastery, unfortunately its opening hours are occasionally subject to change without prior notice, something that is beyond our control. We understand your disappointment if you were looking forward to visiting it. As for the locations that were not visited, our guides sometimes need to adapt the itinerary due to timing, weather conditions, road access, group pace, or other operational factors in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. While we always do our best to follow the planned route, some adjustments can occasionally be necessary. We would also like to mention that the village of Sfendili is one of Crete's most distinctive and well-known landmarks. Following the construction of the Aposelemis Dam, much of the village became partially submerged, creating a unique site that attracts visitors interested in the island's recent history and transformation. While we appreciate that it may not have matched your personal interests, many guests consider it one of the highlights of the tour. We are grateful for your comments, as they help us improve our services. At the same time, we hope future readers will note that you enjoyed the hospitality of our guide, the quality of the lunch, and several parts of the overall experience, despite your disappointment regarding some of the planned stops. Thank you again for joining us during your visit to Crete. Should you ever return, we would welcome the opportunity to provide you with an experience more closely aligned with your interests and expectations.
Everything was great with the excursion. The ATV's were all newer and in very good shape. Lots of sites to see and would recommend to go.
We had an amazing experience with the Crete Squad Safari group! Our guide was very enthusiastic, took the time to take photos for us, and explained every place where we stopped. Everything felt very safe, and the driving was easy and enjoyable. The places they took us to were absolutely amazing, and the view from the viewpoint close to sunset was stunning! I highly recommend this experience, and I would definitely recommend choosing the sunset option!
Great day out we got to see some great sights and Alex our guide had great knowledge of the area and made our day so much fun Highly recommend
Great port excursion with our 3 teen boys to see another part of Crete. Loved the olive oil factory and it’s shop and the church cave was amazing. Delicious homemade lunch at a country inn.
The quad safari tour was awesome. I was traveling with my wife and two other couples, and we had a blast. Alex, our guide, was very friendly, patient, respectful, pleasant and always checked on us throughout the entire ride. My only negative comment would be that if you are arriving on a cruise ship, please have a back up transportation arrangement. Our cruise ship was supposed to dock at 7:00am but was not cleared to dock until 7:30am. The 30 minute delayed caused us to miss our transport that was provided by the Quad Safari Tour company. I contacted them via message informing them of the situation and asked if the driver could wait 15 minutes so that we could disembark the ship but they stated that he could not and that they had other clients that needed to be picked up and transported to their location. Then, they provided me their address and suggested that I take a taxi to their location to go on the tour. Not exactly the kind of customer service I was expecting. As a result, we had to make our own arrangements from the port to their location which costs us 90euros. When we arrived, I spoke to two of the staff members and they repeated the same thing that they had other clients to pick up and waiting 15 minutes for us would cause everyone to be late for the 9:00am tour. That is interesting since the driver had already left, and we later found out that he was at the wrong pickup location. Not only that but we arrived before the driver who couldn't wait for us.
A couple, however we are both adventure seekers and prefer to ride separately. Not an option apparently (even after paying full price for 2 persons, ~$198). Even so, definitely not the WILD Adventure we hoped for. Speed based on weakest link. Spill early in our adventure so we moved at a Turtles paste. I was hoping for a dish using lamb shanks, rack of lamb, or even some beef cheeks, or goat. Anything but chicken! No alternative option for lunch, chicken only. Taste Not Bad, but not desired after a week of chicken souvlaki and kebabs. No Cave, No Horseback Riding, and No Beach Stops. Review based on my personal experience/preference. Others enjoyed with no issue. Beautiful Scenic Views along the Journey.
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We would like to clarify a few important points for future guests. This experience is a group quad safari, where vehicles are shared unless a solo option is selected in advance. The tour is designed to accommodate all participants, with safety as our top priority, which may affect the pace depending on the group. Our itinerary includes multiple stops such as the cave, beach, and other locations. However, timing may vary during the day depending on group pace and operational conditions. In this particular case, some adjustments were made to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all participants. Regarding lunch, we offer a traditional Cretan meal as part of the experience, rather than a fixed restaurant-style menu. We always aim to be flexible and accommodate our guests’ needs whenever possible, and we regret that your expectations did not fully match the nature of the tour. We are glad you enjoyed the scenic views and the quad riding experience, which are key highlights of this activity. We appreciate your feedback and will continue improving our experience for future guests.
From the time we were picked up till we returned in the late afternoon, we were treated like special guests. Our guide was great, very friendly and always made sure we’re not only having fun but also being kept safe. We rode all over, went to a monastery, rode to the top of the mountain, had a terrific lunch, and got to even pet some horses. It was a truly fun, fun day!
