Sports & Leisure | Grand Bay Beach Resort

Once a week, Grand Bay Beach Resort offers its valued guests the traditional Cretan Night event hosted in the main restaurant. Greek/ Cretan dancers will entertain you with traditional dances while you enjoy your buffet dinner (traditional Cretan dishes). A night filled with good food, music and entertainment for your enjoyment!

Entertainment / Animation is also specially arranged on occasion and features sports activities such as aqua aerobics and gymnastics, beach volley ball tournaments, fun games and action of the day events (theme days such as ‘pool party day’ and ‘Olympic games day’).

Play a competitive game of tennis or just hit the ball about in any of the two tennis courts are available at Cavo Spada Luxury Resort and Spa (transportation arrangements to our sister hotel will be made for you at reception). Equipment is provided and playing at night is made possible by flood lights.

Other nearby activities

For the below mentioned activities, events and tours, please speak to us at reception. We will happily provide you with more details and make the necessary enquiries and arrangements on your behalf.

Watching the environmentally protected sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach. This takes place towards the end of August/ beginning of September each year on the beach of Kolymbari. The process only lasts about 15 days with eggs hatching every 4 to 5 days within that time. Remaining environmentally friendly and in continuous cooperation with Archelon – the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece – we take great care that these remain protected and are unharmed by beach activities, locals and visitors.
Visit the olive tree in Vouves village – it is known to be the oldest olive tree in the world (estimated at 4000 years old) and still produces olives today. Here also is the Olive Tree Museum of Vouves – a small museum housed in a traditional home. For more info have a look at: olive museum vouves
Visit an olive oil production and bottling plant where extra virgin local olive oil is produced and bottled.
Visit wineries where you can other that viewing the wineries and sampling Cretan wines also participate in wine picking (possible only at certain times of the year. The making of local tsikoudiacan also be viewed (usually in September month).
See the sheep shearing (usually April and October months) is a several days event that takes place in nearby small villages.
Visit a local fabrics and textile manufacturing plant. Here you can see how the traditional linen and carpets are made.
Take a sailing trip with a private skipper. Individually designed routes and duration make this a tailor-made experience.
Water sports such as jet-ski, surfing, scuba diving, paddle boats, canoe as well as other activities such as horseriding, hiking and cycling can also be found nearby.
For those who enjoy cave exploration, there are several nearby caves to visit on the mountain at Kolymbari. Also other caves can be found at the Akrotiri peninsula and on the south coast of the island.
Naval Week is held annually in July at Souda Bay (the port of Chania) and features exhibitions and events (also tours on a military war ship).
Agricultural August is an event held at the Chania Old Venetian harbor every August. Locals from each village set up kiosks with their local produce. This is a good place to sample and buy Cretan pastries, ‘dakos’ (the local barley rusks), olive oil, cheese and other dairy products as well as handmade textiles. Several events are held during this festive time and feature Greek and Cretan live music and dancing.

DIVING

THE DIVING CHALENGE

The diving experience in the crystal clear waters of Chania is really unique and we challenge everyone to try it out.
Giannoulis Hotels and Resorts in co-operation with the Blue Adventures Diving, offer this unique experience with a total respect to the environment and a focus to the safety of our guests.
Scuba diving is gaining daily more and more friends because, along with the strong excitement and entertainment it offers, it also brings to divers the added dimension to explore the undersea world of treasures and feel the acquaintance with the sea and the underwater life which is always an unforgettable experience.
At Giannoulis Hotels and Resorts anyone has this chance to live out that thrilling experience through unique submarine explorations in the marine area of Chania.

WHY DIVING IN CHANIA

Someone can choose Chania for diving for several reasons.
There is a smooth variation in depths which is suitable for the diving challenge of the new visitors of the underwater world, same time that experienced divers will be delighted by the safe and clear waters which are full of life. It is an ideal destination for those who want to be trained in diving, but also for those who want to enjoy the depth.

The very interesting bottom composition is a result of the many volcanic formations from the past, the clear water with visibility of up to 30 metres, mild weather and high temperatures all provide the ideal environment, to experience the dive sites safely.
The sea temperature from May to November ranges from 21 to 28 degrees of Celsius, making the water accessible all the time.

The offer of the dive sites are of particular interest.
Eastward from the harbor of Chania, about 4 nautical miles away, there is a beautiful rocky area with clear blue water and visibility of up to 30 meters called Agios Onoufrios. In this area we offer many different types of dives, the best of which include a variety of cave and cavern diving. Divers can admire a colorful environment, including the unique pink coral as they explore the many interesting passageways and chambers which make these sites some of the most popular dives around the Chania area. The depth of the caverns, range from 9 meters to 21 metres. Wall diving, deep diving, night diving, multi level diving and drift diving are also available.

Cave and Cavern Diving are our most exciting dives and we offer these dives to Open Water Divers. Cavern exploration will give the diver the most incredible light show, as the sunlight pierces through water, like laser beams. Don’t miss out on the experience of the incredible images of an underground world filled with stalactites and stalagmites

The PADI Five Stars instructor Development Centre (IDC) certification, and the twenty years of experience in diving offered by the collaborating Blue Adventures Diving is a guarantee for safe and full of pleasure dives.

Come and experience a new and distinct diving destination – Chania.

Activities – Packages

Our hotel, with the co-operation of the “PADI” certified Blue Adventures Diving center offers a wide range of activities for both beginners, as well as experienced or certified divers.

Discover Snorkeling

Includes:

• Transportation to and from the hotel

• One day boat trip

• Equipment and theory at the diving center

• 1st site: Snorkeling with guide

• 2nd site: No limit snorkeling

The diving program is valid for all ages. Total cost is 50 euro per person.

Discover Scuba Diving

Includes:

• Transportation to and from the hotel

• One day course

• DSD PADI Manual

• Equipment and theory at the diving center

• Diving skill in the pool

• Sea dive: max depth 12 m.

• Referral paper to continue for PADI Open Water Certificate (1st day)

The diving program is valid for children of 10 years and over, and it must be combined with a minimum stay of two (2) days for safety reasons. Total cost 85 euro per person.

One (1) Day Diving

Includes:

• Transportation to and from the hotel

• Full equipment

• Dive brief at the diving center

• Two (2) different best dive sites by boat

The diving program must be combined with a minimum stay of two (2) days for safety reasons. Total cost 90 euro per person.

Three (3) Days Diving

Includes:

• Transportation to and from the hotel

• Full equipment

• Dive brief at the diving center

• Six (6) different dive sites at your choice by boat

The diving program must be combined with a minimum stay of four (4) days for safety reasons. Total cost 255 euro per person.

CYCLING – TREKKING

Crete island and especially Chania region offers several places of rare natural beauty and interest. The combination of sun, sea, mountains, wild rivers, gorges, narrow trails, and the many small Cretan villages; all create this undiscovered sports paradise in the Southern part of Europe and they wait to be explored. So, if you are adorer of the adventure and the outdoor activities we offer you the opportunity to enjoy all these amazing places of wild nature at Chania through our specially designed bike tour packages.

The weather in Chania is ideal for cycling & trekking as the temperatures during the summer season are between 25 and 33 degrees Celsius. The intense heat is eased by the breeze of the Meltemi; a light refreshing north wind which makes the ride more enjoyable. During the autumn and the spring period the temperatures are more than ideal for cycling and trekking. In winter there are also plenty of sunshine days and the rains are limited with temperatures between 15 and 23 degrees Celsius.

Giannoulis Hotels and Resorts in co-operation with ‘Sports Tours Hellas’, present two (2) cycling stations within the hotels; the first one is based at our Cavo Spada Luxury Resort & Spa and the second one is based at our Santa Marina Beach Hotel. In this way, we are offering to all of our guests the opportunity to discover the amazing wild Cretan Nature with a bike.

‘Sports Tours Hellas’ is a company created from ex. Riders and coaches and its staff has a great love for outdoor sport activities and especially cycling. After a long experience of 30 years and presentation in the International Sports Cycling Scene, our cooperators are capable of providing a high level of services focusing on safety and with an overall respect for the environment.

At our daily available Cycling Programs, the routes are combined with rides beside the sea and among the mountains. You can also choose a program combined by cycling and trekking in amazing landscapes such as Mesaulia Gorge and many other additional choices are available to select. All available routes are differentiated and offer uniqueness in order to carter all tastes and meet the needs of all ages.

Book now and take the opportunity to discover a new Cycling Destination – Chania

Bike and Beach

Participants are collected from their stayed hotel and they will be transferred to the place at which program starts. After 1.30h of cycling they get to the wonderful village of ‘Palaiochora’. This is a fantastic program includes an easy access to the fantastic beach of ‘Grammeno’. Green clear waters, Greek local food in a fantastic tavern and Greek coffee are waiting to enjoy them under a peaceful environment. The company car will transfer all the participants back to their hotel.

Duration of Activity: 1 hours 30 min.

Total Duration: 8 hours

Minimum number of participants: 3

Maximum number of participants: 20

Difficulty range 1-5: 1

Price includes:
•   Bike
•   Wine taste and soft treat
•   Escort service & transfer from and to the base
•   Guide

Cycling and winery visit

A fantastic experience!Participants are collected from their stayed hotel and they will be transferred to the place at which program starts. New bikes are available (‘Wilier’ Italian brand name) and after 1.30h of cycling, crossing orange and olive trees, cycling route finishes at the winery of ‘Manousakis‘. All the participants will have the opportunity to learn about the production of wine and its history from specialized in the winery. At the end of the tour visitors will be able to taste all different kinds of wines. The company car will transfer them back to their base.

Duration of Activity: 1 hours 30 min.

Total Duration: 4 hours

Minimum number of participants: 6

Maximum number of participants: 20

Difficulty range 1-5: 1

Price includes:
•   Bike
•   Wine taste and soft treat
•   Escort service & transfer from and to the base
•   Guide

Cycling, Trekking and Olive factory visit

Trekking activity, crossing the gorge of ‘Deliana‘ and after a short break for rest and a light meal in a local tavern, all the participants will visit the ‘Violea’ Olive Oil Factory. All the participants will have the opportunity to learn about the production of olive oil and its history from specialized in the olive. Finally, an easy cycling route, duration of 1h 15min until the finish line in ‘Kolymbari’ village.

Duration of Activity: 3 hours 15 min.

Total Duration: 6 hours

Minimum number of participants: 6

Maximum number of participants: 20

Difficulty range 1-5: 2

Price includes:
•   Bike
•    Refreshments and soft meal
•   Escort service & transfer from and to the base
•   Guide

Trekking and Orthodox monastery visit

After a 1hour and 45min of trekking activity (off road path) participants will visit ‘Gouverneto Cave’ through a wonderful view. During the way back, they will have the opportunity to visit the Orthodox monastery of ‘Agia Triada’,where they will informed about the history of the monastery and they will taste the local products produce by the monks. (upon request three days in advance)

Duration of Activity: 1 hours 30 min.

Total Duration: 4 hours

Minimum number of participants: 4

Maximum number of participants: 50

Difficulty range 1-5: 2

Price includes:
•    Refreshments and soft meal
•   Escort service & transfer from and to the base
•   Guide

Sailing Adventure –mini cruise

The ‘Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40′ boat can accommodate up to 8 people in its 3 twin cabins and 2 toilets. The ample space inside offers freedom of movement and the kitchen is fully equipped with a large gas oven. Daily or multi day excursions can be organized to the island of ‘Gramvousa’. There is a captain on board during all of the excursions.

Duration of Activity: 7 hours

Total Duration: 8 hours

Minimum number of participants: 1

Maximum number of participants: 8

Price includes:
• Refreshments and soft meal
• Guide