Porto Gouves Marina

Porto Gouves Marina is situated on the island of Crete, the largest and probably the most famous island in Southern Greece. The marina is a large private facility welcoming guests all year round. Moorings for yachts of up to 18.5m are available, as well as detailed technical and nautical services. Because the marina is part of a hotel resort, it has easy access to many restaurants and shops.

Porto Gouves Marina has been offering high quality services since July 2005.

It is the first privately held marina in Crete, and it is conveniently located in the middle coastline of the island.

Managed by MarinaHotel & Bungalows, it has an extensive range of services to make sure that you enjoy stay.

Porto Gouves Marina is the first private marina in the island of Crete (Southern Greece), one of the most developed and popular resort destinations in Europe.

Porto Gouves Marina was officially open in 2005. It is situated in front of the Marina Hotel & Bungalows, operated by the same hotel management. It can serve yachts up to 18,50 meters.

The marina is located in the middle coastline of Crete, on the region of Gouves, just 6 miles east from Iraklion harbor, exact coordinations 35°20’15’ North 25° 18’13’’ East. It is 15 km from the International Airport ‘Nikos Kazantzakis’ and Iraklion Town. The marina offers 72 berths with water supply, electricity supply (currency 220V), telephone connection, and TV aerial antennas. It also has dry storage facilities for 15 boats.

Sightseeing: Crete has a very special location at the crossroads where Europe, Asia and Africa meet. With an area of 8,335 square kilometers, it is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. It has an elongated shape with an east-west axis and a length of 257km and a maximum width of 60km. But the width narrows down to 12km in the area of Ierapetra.

Crete is divided into four prefectures (nomos). From west to east they are: Chania, Rethimnon, Iraklion and Lassithi. Each of the prefectures are subdivided into provinces (eparchies). All the major cities of Crete are on the north side of the island on the seaside. From west to east they are: Chania with a population of around 50,000; Rethymno with 23,000, Iraklio with 115,000; Agios Nikolaos with 8,000 and Sitia with 7,000 people; adding up to the total population of the island with 500,000.

Crete has a very nice climate, probably the mildest in Europe. Even during the hottest months of July and August, the strong northwesterly wind, the meltemi, moderates. Rainfall is very rare during the summer months. Autumn is Crete's mildest season, when temperatures are often higher than in spring. The mountains that lie across the island serve as a barrier for weather, often creating different conditions in northern and southern Crete.

Crete is also rich in natural species. The island is home to a rich flora that contain, among many hundreds of others, 130 species of wild flowers and herbs which are unique. The most famous among these is probably dictamo (Organium dictamus), an herb that was brought to attention by Aristotle for its medicinal use.

The fauna of Crete is no less important than its flora. The unique Cretan wild goat (Capra aegagrus-cretica) can be spotted by its distinctive and impressive look. Protected by the government, the agrimi or "kri-kri" can be seen in the Lefka Ori, in the Samaria National Forest, and on the islets of Dia, Thodorou, and Agii Pandes.

The island has a vibrant bird life. The most distinctive bird species are the Cretan golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus) and the lammergeyer (Gypaetus barbatus), a subspecies unique to Crete.

It was proven by the latest archaeological finds that Crete has been inhabited for at least 8,000 years. The first people on the island lived in caves and used tools made from stone. This Neolithic or "New Stone Age" period lasted from about 5000 B.C. to 2600 B.C. Religion in this period was based on the goddess of fertility. Numerous clay figurines of stout females that were found not only in Crete but throughout the eastern Mediterranean are an evidence of this widely accepted religion.

Minoan Period came after the long period of the Neolithic Age. Sir Arthur Evans, the archaeologist who worked on the Palace of Knossos, named this age after the mythological ruler of Knossos, King Minos. This period lasted for about 1,500 years and is known as the "Golden Age" of Crete.

The inhabitants of Crete belong to the so called Mediterranean type. Cretan people are among the tallest in Europe, which can be seen in the isolated mountain areas where the population has remained mostly unchanged by outside influence. Cretans are a proud and independent people with a strong culture reflecting their long history of struggles against occupying forces.

Many old traditions are preserved in the villages of Crete, especially in the more isolated ones. Among them are the unique Cretan wedding and the Cretan baptism. Both are special celebrations that continue for several days.

The attractions of Crete go beyond its natural beauty and the magnificent history that can be witnessed in wonderful monuments. You have many options as to how you wish to spend your time on Crete. Numerous awarded beaches, water sports, water-parks, diving, mountaineering, hiking, climbing forests - aesthetic forests, national parks, preserved natural monuments, lakes - lagoons, caves, gorges, therapeutic - spa tourism, golf, churches – monasteries and castles are among the island’s touristic attractions.