Exploring the magnificent underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea
Together with a family of good friends who were visiting Crete, we found a cool refuge from the September heat and decided to spend a couple of hours at CRETAquarium.
The aquarium is located near Gournes, about 14 km east of Heraklion and around 11 km west of Hersonissos, roughly a 15-minute drive from the latter.
Opened in 2005 on the site of a former US military base on the coast, CRETAquarium, or Thalassokosmos (“World of the Sea” in Greek), is the largest aquarium in Greece and one of the most important in Europe. Its focus is on the marine life and ecosystems of the Mediterranean.
CRETAquarium operates within the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research and is involved not only in education, but also in scientific research, the care and rehabilitation of injured marine animals and the protection of marine biodiversity.
Visiting the Aquarium
We were lucky to find the aquarium relatively quiet when we visited. We spent almost two hours inside, moving from one aquarium to another and discovering just how much life there is beneath the surface of the Mediterranean.
There were sharks and stingrays, turtles and jellyfish, seahorses, shellfish, coral reefs and hundreds of colourful fish moving among rocks and marine vegetation.
Some of the inhabitants were familiar to us. We spotted Caretta caretta turtles, a spectacular scorpionfish and a sand shark. One of the funniest encounters was with an octopus that seemed much more interested in playing with shells than in showing itself properly.
Then there was the enormous cod. It had a rather strange, almost prehistoric appearance and stayed motionless for a long time, looking at us through the glass. We couldn't resist stopping to look back.
The aquarium has 61 tanks of different sizes, holding a total of around 1.7 million litres of seawater. More than 2,500 specimens representing around 250 species can be found here, mainly from the Mediterranean basin.
There are about 100 observation points, with information about the different species and habitats. The aquariums are arranged according to different marine environments, making it easier to understand where the creatures live and how the underwater world around us is organised.
Some of the displays recreate parts of Cretan underwater landscapes, including rocks from Matala Beach in southern Crete and seabed scenery from the area around Vai in eastern Crete.
Along the way, there are interactive screens, video projections and various observation instruments, including a periscope, microscopes and stereoscopes for looking at microorganisms.
Although CRETAquarium is the largest aquarium in Greece, it wasn't really its size that impressed us most. What we enjoyed was the variety of creatures and the opportunity to see so many different forms of marine life in one place.
Before leaving, we had a look around the small souvenir shop. Outside, we stopped for a few photos with the colourful panels and the large statues of marine animals.
There is also a small snack buffet next to the shop, while outside the building there is a kiosk selling drinks and ice cream.
Useful information
There is more to discover at CRETAquarium than the aquariums themselves. Audio guides, guided tours and a variety of educational and interactive activities offer different ways to explore the marine world, with plenty for children to enjoy as well.
- Audio guides and guided tours
The audio guide is available in nine languages and is easy to use. The portable device works a little like a mobile phone, and each aquarium has its own number. Enter the number and you can listen to information about what you are seeing while continuing around the aquarium at your own pace.
We also noticed organised guided tours, particularly for groups and schoolchildren.
- Activities and events for adults and children
There are also several activities designed to bring visitors closer to the marine world.
Children can explore the “touch pools”, where they can get closer to different species of marine invertebrates. Visitors over 12 can also discover the underwater world through virtual reality glasses.
The aquarium's educational work extends beyond the building itself. Through VR technology and webcams, students in Greece and abroad can take part in virtual visits and learn more about the Mediterranean and its marine environment.
How to get there
CRETAquarium is easy to find. It is located in the former American Base at Gournes, about 14 km from Heraklion and Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport.
It is also within easy reach of several popular resorts on the north coast, including Gouves, Hersonissos, Stalida, Malia and Elounda.
If you have a rental car, driving is probably the easiest way to get there. Taxis and buses are also available and will take you close to the entrance.
About 1 km before reaching the aquarium is Dinosauria Park, with dinosaur replicas and animatronic models. If you are travelling with children, it is an easy place to combine with the aquarium for a day out.
The coast is only a few minutes' walk away, so you can also combine the visit with some time by the sea.
Our visit to CRETAquarium
We didn't set out expecting anything extraordinary that day. We simply wanted somewhere cool to escape the heat for a while. But the visit turned out to be much more interesting than we expected.
Standing in front of the aquariums and watching these creatures move through their underwater world was fascinating. Some were beautiful, some unusual, and a few were simply funny to watch. The octopus with its shells and the enormous cod were probably the two encounters we remembered most.
CRETAquarium is a good choice for families, but you don't have to be travelling with children to enjoy it. If you are curious about the Mediterranean and the life beneath its surface, it is certainly worth a visit.
We hope you enjoy our video and the experience we have shared with you.
For current opening hours and admission fees, check the official CRETAquarium website before visiting.