Freediving near Agios Nikolaos: try it, take a course or go spearfishing
Freedive Crete is in Plakias, on the south coast of Crete, about 3 hours by car from Agios Nikolaos. That is a long way for one session, so this page is honest about what works. We teach freediving and spearfishing in the Libyan Sea.
How to get to Plakias from Agios Nikolaos
By car
About 175 km, roughly 3 h each way without stops. That is a routing estimate: summer traffic and the winding road over the mountains to the south coast can add time.
Directions in Google MapsBy public bus (KTEL)
There is no direct bus. Take KTEL from Agios Nikolaos to Heraklion (about 1.5 hours, buses through the day), then Heraklion to Rethymno, then change at Rethymno bus station for Plakias: three buses and two changes. The Rethymno-Plakias bus takes about 40 minutes and runs up to about six times a day in summer, and its timetable changes with the season, with fewer buses outside summer. By bus this does not work as a day trip; plan to stay at least one night in Plakias.
Official timetables:
By taxi
Taxis run from Agios Nikolaos to Plakias, but it is a 3-hour ride each way. Agree the fare before you set off, and compare it with letting us arrange your transport below.
We arrange your transport
Tell us where you are staying in Agios Nikolaos, the date and how many you are, and we arrange the transport for you, there and back, timed with your session. No comparing taxis or working out bus changes.
Price: quoted with your booking.
The message is pre-filled. Add your hotel, date, number of people and activity, then send.
What you can do with us
Try freediving
Discover Freediving is a half-day first session with an instructor beside you, no experience needed. From €160 per person in a group.
See pricesFreediving courses
Molchanovs, SSI and AIDA certification courses, usually 2 to 4 days. From €360 per person in a group.
See the coursesSpearfishing
Discover Spearfishing is a half-day first session on gear, safety and technique. Courses and coaching for experienced divers too. From €160 per person in a group.
See spearfishingHow a day with us works
- Leave Agios Nikolaos around 6:00 and reach Plakias by about 9:00.
- Half-day session: a Discover Freediving or Discover Spearfishing first session.
- Lunch in Plakias, then drive back and be in Agios Nikolaos around 17:00 to 18:00.
- That is 6 hours of driving for half a day in the water. For anything more, stay a night or two in Plakias.
We agree the session start time with you when you book. Rooms in Plakias
Questions from visitors
- How far is Plakias from Agios Nikolaos?
- About 175 km, roughly 3 hours by car each way, across Heraklion and Rethymno to the south coast.
- Can I do a day trip from Agios Nikolaos?
- By car and for a half-day first session, yes, but it means about 6 hours of driving. For a course of 2 to 4 days, stay in Plakias.
- Can you arrange transport from my hotel in Agios Nikolaos?
- Yes. Send us your hotel, date and group size and we arrange the transport there and back, timed with your session. The price depends on the date and group size, so we quote it with your booking.
- Is there a bus from Agios Nikolaos to Plakias?
- Not a direct one. It takes three KTEL buses, via Heraklion and Rethymno, and the last one runs only a few times a day, so it does not work as a day trip.
Want to try scuba too? Our partner next door, Scuba Diving Crete