Diving in Agios Nikolaos: Vai Palm Beach & Toplou Monastery

Swim in Europe's only palm forest, then taste monastery wines overlooking the Cretan coast.

A full-day diving and sightseeing tour from Agios Nikolaos heading east along the Riviera, with stops at the 15th-century Toplou Monastery for wine and olive oil tastings, the protected Vai palm forest for swimming, and a sunset viewpoint on the return. Lunch, bottled water, an air-conditioned Land Rover Discovery, and a live guide in English, French, German or Russian are included. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours and suits all fitness levels.

The experience

The day starts from Agios Nikolaos and follows the Gulf of Mirabello eastward through villages to Toplou Monastery, a 15th-century compound with a small museum of Orthodox Christian art and working olive press and wine cellar. You can taste the monastery's award-winning wines and olive oil, both exported worldwide, or skip the tasting and move on. The monastery sits on the route, not as a detour, so the stop fits naturally into the morning.

After the monastery comes Vai palm forest, the only one of its kind in Europe, planted on a beach that ranks among Crete's most beautiful. You have time to swim in the clear water and walk through the rare landscape. On the return to Agios Nikolaos, the route stops at Platanos for a sunset view before heading back. Lunch is included during the day, along with bottled water and the comfort of an air-conditioned Land Rover Discovery. The guide speaks your language and handles all logistics.

What’s included

• Lunch and bottled water.
• wine and olive oil tasting at Toplou Monastery (optional).
• air-conditioned Land Rover Discovery with fuel and parking.
• live guide in English, French, German or Russian.
• hotel pickup from Agios Nikolaos.

Before you book

Days and timesSundayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 24 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Safari Crete Experience

Is this one for you?Book this if you want swimming and monastery stops combined in one day. You'll travel by air-conditioned Land Rover between sites rather than driving yourself, which lets you enjoy wine tastings and lunch without breaking focus.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Toplou Monastery like when we stop there?

Toplou Monastery is a 15th-century compound featuring a small museum with sacred Orthodox Christian art, utensils and chalcography by monks of Mount Athos, plus a working olive press and wine cellar where the monastery produces its own oil and wine for export.

Is the wine tasting at the monastery included, or do we have to pay extra?

The wine and spirit tasting at the monastery's cellar is optional, so you can choose to participate or skip it and spend the time exploring the compound or the grounds instead.

How much time do we actually get to swim at Vai palm forest?

The itinerary gives you plenty of time to enjoy swimming and walk through the rare landscape at Vai, though the exact duration depends on the day's pace and how long the monastery stop takes.

Does the tour include a guide, or do we explore on our own?

A live guide in English, French, German or Russian travels with you throughout the day and leads the stops, so you have interpretation and company rather than exploring independently.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Lunch, bottled water, the air-conditioned Land Rover, fuel, parking and the guide are all included. The wine and olive oil tasting at the monastery is optional and may carry a separate cost.