Family fun times

add water sport between maki poli and sunwing - jet skis, banana boats, peddle boats with slides, paddle board and more. 

Rated as one of the top 10 beaches for families in Greece, Makrygialos also boasts having the longest beach in East Crete. A blue flag beach, it’s gently sloping, soft sand makes it ideal for all ages. There are plenty of places in the village to buy fun beach equipment – snorkels, flippers, lilos, buckets and spades. We provide your beach towels so you don’t need to take up space in your suitcase.

If the family are into Watersports, then Makrygialos has the lot: scuba diving, sea kayaking, surfing, water skiing, jet ski, wind surfing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, banana rings/sofas, pirate ship adventures to Koufonisi Island. Check out Xtreme Water sports and George Chardakis Watersports

Acquaplus Water Park offers more than 50 different slides, games and facilities, over two sections. One section for children has slides, a playground and inflatables; the section for adults includes extreme slides for those wanting an adrenaline rush.  5km from Hersonissos, 30km east of Heraklion. 

If you enjoy watching sea-life, then visit CretAquarium, near Gournes, 14km east of Heraklion. It’s open every day, offering young and old a unique insight into the diversity of Mediterranean sea-life 

Aquaworld  near Hersonissos not only has sea-life but also includes reptiles from around the world. There are lots of hands on experiences, marine life exhibits and snake encounters to keep all ages entertained.

Make a day of it and visit Dinosauria in Gournes after your visit to the aquarium. More than 50 life sized dinosaurs complete with movements and sounds will fire your imagination. Lots of interactive displays showing lifestyle, diet and habits of dinosaurs. 

How good is your sense of direction? Enjoy a fun, interactive day out for the family in the long winding paths of the Labyrinth Park. Find the Minotaur hiding in the centre of the main labyrinth, collecting clues on the way. Or opt for the easier Cretan Labyrinth with its one long curving path to the centre.  The park also has mini-golf, a mini farm, horse riding, archery and a café (if you get out of the Labyrinth!) The park is near Hersonissos, 27km east of Heraklion.

Explore under the earth on the slopes of the Dikti mountain range and see the many stalactites and stalagmites in the wonderful Dikteon cave. The supposed birthplace of Zeus, it is also the home of the vampire Mediterranean Ear Bat. Drive from Neopoli, to the Lasithi plateau, to the village of Psychro. Allow plenty of time (45-60 mins) as it is a winding uphill road. 

Go Karting for the whole family. 20 km from Makrygialos on the road to Ierapetra. It's open every day from 11.00 am. Drive through the olive groves and you'll find the entrance on the left. The track has got some great wide bends ideal for over-taking. They offer training for children and adults and have a range of karts to suit all abilities. 

ADD IN INFLATABLE DOWN IN THE HARBOUR DURING PEAK SEASON 

The long beach