Chania: Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour & Hidden Surprises

4.94

(554 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I opened my eyes to that weirdly perfect blue — you know the one, where the water in Marathi Bay looks almost fake. We’d just arrived after a quick hotel pickup (I barely finished my coffee), and right away our guide, Nikos, handed me a paddleboard and grinned like he knew something I didn’t. The boards felt solid underfoot but honestly, I was more worried about falling in front of everyone. Turns out, nobody cared — there was this easygoing mood from the start. The sun was already warm on my shoulders and someone nearby was laughing at their own wobbly start. I could smell sunscreen and salt.

We set off along the waterfront, gliding past rocks that looked sculpted by centuries of wind. Nikos pointed out sea urchins clinging to the shallows — some native, some not so welcome these days. He told us about the Mediterranean ecosystem in this part of Crete; I tried to remember half of it but mostly just watched tiny fish darting below my board. At one point we paused for a “surprise element” (Nikos’ words) — let’s just say it involved jumping into water so clear you could see your toes twenty feet down. Someone thought they spotted a sea turtle and for a second everyone went quiet except for the sound of paddles tapping gently against boards. That silence stuck with me.

I didn’t expect how much fun it would be trying little tricks on the SUP — or how much I’d laugh at myself failing them. Our guide gave tips without making it feel like a lesson; more like sharing something he genuinely loved. There were stories about growing up around these bays, about storms that rolled in unexpectedly (though today was calm). By the end, arms tired but happy, we drifted back toward shore with sand sticking to our feet and hair full of salt spray. Still thinking about that view.