Join us on an unforgettable adventure! Our excursion from Ammoudara to the uninhabited island of Chrissi is a wonderful opportunity to take a break from “civilization”, walk on almost deserted dunes and touch the intricately shaped Lebanese cedars that are hundreds of years old. There are probably no other places like this in Europe. And to make the scenery even more beautiful, this small southern island has gorgeous golden and snow-white beaches and seashores with water of every shade of blue!
On this journey you will have both bus and boat trip and visit the following attractions:
Our organised tour makes it easy to get from Ammoudara to Chrissi: a comfortable bus will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the port of Ierapetra on the south coast of our island. So before you get to the largest town on the entire southern coast of Crete (it holds the title of being the southernmost and warmest town in all of Europe, by the way), you will drive through and see a large part of the island.
Upon arrival to the city of the “Holy Stone” (that’s what Ieraptera’s name translates to), we will board the ferry. From there, our journey begins with a scenic boat trip across the sparkling Libyan Sea! The sea part of the trip will last just under an hour, while the free time on the shores of the island of Chrissi itself will last about four or four and a half hours.
Let’s talk about Chrissi (“Golden”) Island, also known as Gaidouronisi, which translates to “Donkey Island”. It’s situated in the Libyan Sea about 15 kilometers south of Ierapetra. It’s not that far away, so on a clear day you can see it from Ierapetra, appearing as a thin strip on the horizon. Chrissi is mostly flat, with its highest point being Kefala (it means “Head”) hill on the eastern side, reaching an altitude of only 31 meters. The island itself is about 5 kilometers long and covers an area of about 4.8 square kilometers. Speaking of inhabitants… Let’s say it’s uninhabited, with only 1-2 nature reserve keepers and a group of scientists, including the two founders of the Crete.life agency, who came there 4-5 times a year to do some research. Why? Because this small island is also an area of special natural beauty and a resting and nesting place for migratory birds.
The key point of our trip will be the main beach of the island, Golden Beach or Belegrina Beach. Ready? Then dive into the inviting turquoise waters for a rejuvenating swim and enjoy the tranquility of one of the cleanest and most protected beaches in the area.
What to do there? Relax and do nothing! Swim! Sunbathe! Or… If you wear comfortable shoes and walk around the island, you will see beaches with red, green and black sand and pebbles. Part of the coast is covered with shells of various shapes and sizes – from white to pink and from tiny to large, especially in spring and early summer (i.e. after winter storms). On the western side, a rocky path leads to the salt marsh and the 13th century chapel of Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas), along with various Minoan and Roman artifacts (the excavations have not yet been completed) and the island’s lighthouse. If you explore the eastern part of the island, you’ll find an abundance of shells and fossils scattered among sharp rocks.
Since you will have about four hours for this spot, we can suggest that you not only swim, but also walk along the sand dunes and wander through an ancient cedar forest where time seems to have stopped among the majestic, wind-sculpted old cedar trees. Most of the trees here are between 200-300 years old – and even older, even though they may only be a few meters high!
Would you like to combine a bus ride through the island, a boat trip and a beach relaxation on a beautiful beach with the clearest sea and magnificent scenery all around? Then an organized bus tour from Ammoudara to Chrissi Island is what you need. Without a doubt, this day and the photos from Chrissi island will stay with you forever!
If you want to go to Chrissi Island with an organized bus tour from Ammoudara, the price of the trip in 2025 is:
This tour is sometimes included in special promotions and sold cheaper for our followers – keep an eye out for discounts on Facebook!
Are you traveling as a big family or a group? Contact us in advance or visit our offices and we will try to make you the best offer.
You can book an excursion to the island of Chrissi from Ammoudara online (see “How to book excursions in Crete”).
In 2025 the excursion to Chrissi Island from Ammoudara takes place from 26/05 to 26/09. Available tour days – Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Please note that trip schedules are subject to change, including cancellation. This is extremely rare and may be due to weather conditions. For example, heavy rains at the beginning (April and May) or end of the season (September and October) and other force majeure situations. If there are any changes, we will try to let you know as soon as possible.
Please make sure that you have correctly identified your vacation area in Crete and read the cancellation and refund policy.
If there is less than 24 hours before the trip, please contact the manager to check availability before you make a booking!
Firstly, you can come to one of our offices where booking for all services is available and payment can be made either by cash or card.
Secondly, in case of online booking you can choose cash payment (which is available for some areas only) or you can pay online by card. In the case of cash, we will arrange a meeting with our courier in advance, who will bring the prepared documents to your hotel or villa and collect the cash. Please note that this option is only available for bookings made well in advance (days or weeks before the trip!). In case of online payment, you will receive the tickets by e-mail or WhatsApp – as you prefer.
Please keep all documents and tickets until the end of your trip!
It depends on the location of your hotel or villa. In some cases a tour bus will literally stop at the front door of the hotel and you just have to be there, in others it may be a short walk to the nearest pick-up point. This is usually a large central street, bus stop, square, car park, etc. – somewhere where there is no risk of the tour bus getting stuck on a narrow one-way street or stuck in traffic.
You will receive full details of the time and place of the pick-up with your travel documents when you make your booking. Please read it carefully before the trip.
There are no mandatory long hikes, you can walk around the island if you like.
When traveling, you will be exposed to the sun for many hours. Take this into account. You will also travel by bus and ferry. This trip is not recommended for young children who are not comfortable traveling by bus or boat.
Since the tour starts early in the morning, you can order an early breakfast at the hotel restaurant or take it with you (lunch box).
You can have lunch on board: the menu includes salads, meat and vegetable dishes, fruit, etc. Lunch costs 12 euro per person. You can also purchase drinks, fruits, ice cream, etc. Please note that cash payments are not accepted; only credit or debit cards are accepted.
Make sure you have all the necessary sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, headgear, etc.), swimwear and money for extras. If you feel seasick, it is advisable to take tablets one hour before departure.
Yes. During the trip you will have a guide on the bus and on the boat. He will help you organize your trip and answer any questions you may have. He will also give you some information about the trip and the places you will visit. Since this is a beach trip, don’t expect a highly informative excursion. We will be walking, relaxing, swimming and sunbathing!
It is more spectacular. A trip to Chrissi Island is first and foremost a trip for beautiful views of great wild beaches. The guide’s main job is to organize the group and make sure the holiday goes exactly as it should!
Languages: English, German, French on any available day. On some days we can also organize excursions with Italian, Polish, Romanian and Russian speaking guides, so check the booking calendar or send us a request.
Please note that this is an approximate tour schedule. Times may vary depending on traffic and pick-up and drop-off locations. Exact times will be sent to you along with other information when you make your reservation and specify your hotel.
| Schedule of the excursion program | |
|---|---|
| 6:50 - 8:30 | Departure from the hotels |
| 10:30 - 11:30 | Arrival at the port of Ierapetra, embarkation on the ship for the cruise |
| 11:30 - 12:30 | Traveling by sea, arriving at the island |
| 12:30 - 16:30 | Free time in the surroundings of Chrissi |
| 16:30 - 17:30 | Traveling by sea, arrival at the port of Ierapetra |
| 19:30 - 21:30 | Return to the hotels |
| Duration and travel time | |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 hours | From the hotels by bus to the port of Ierapetra |
| Up to 50 minutes | Boat trip to the island |
| 4 hours | Main stop at Chrissi Island |
| up to 3 hours | Transfer by bus to the hotels |