Hersonisos – Malia :off-road quad safari with transfer+Lunch

The best part of this Crete adventure is the mix: 70 percent off-road riding on a new 520cc quad, then a monastery visit, goat feeding, olive oil tasting, lunch, and a swim. I like that you see much more than a strip of beach, and that the day includes real local stops rather than just a fast ride in circles.

I also like the easy automatic quads, the hotel pickup, and the friendly guide team, including Arnaud and Dimitri. The main drawback is dust, plus the fact that you book seats rather than individual quads. If you want to ride alone, you must book two seats for each solo rider.

What makes this Malia quad safari special

• Around 70 kilometers of riding: About 70 percent follows dirt tracks, rocky paths, and countryside roads.
• A mountain monastery at 600 meters: Stop at the old Monastery of Saint George Vrahasiotis and hear about its past.
• Animals you can feed: Goats and sheep are part of the visit, adding a pleasant farm-style pause to the ride.
• Vassilakis Estate tasting: Sample local olive oil and learn about its production in your language.
• Traditional food and a beach stop: Finish the route with barbecue-style local food, then swim at Potamos Beach.
• Automatic 520cc quads: You handle the gas, brakes, and steering, while the guides manage the start and stop of the group.

From your hotel to Malia Travel

The tour begins with a free minibus pickup from hotels between Kokkini Hani and Sissi. Pickup times are scheduled roughly from 8:50 a.m. in Kokkini Hani to 9:45 a.m. in Malia, with stops in Gouves, Analipsi, Anissaras, Hersonissos, and Stalis.

You are asked to wait five minutes before the stated time at your hotel’s main entrance. Look for the minibus, since the company notes that they try to find it at the hotel rather than offering a single distinctive vehicle description.

The transfer to Malia takes about 30 minutes. This is useful if you are staying in Hersonissos, Stalis, Malia, or one of the many resort hotels in between. It also means the five-hour activity includes transportation time, so this is a compact excursion rather than an all-day expedition.

At Malia Travel, you receive a safety briefing lasting about 30 minutes. Previous guests describe the quads as automatic, with simple controls: gas, brakes, and steering. You still need a proper driving license held for at least one year. A passenger does not need a license.

One important booking detail deserves attention. Your reservation is for a seat, not automatically for one quad. Three people booking three seats may share quads, depending on the group setup. If each person wants to ride alone, each solo rider must book two seats.

A first look at Malia Palace

The route begins near the Malia Palace Archaeological Site. You ride around the area and pass by the site, with about 15 minutes listed for the ride and another 15 minutes passing through the area.

This is not a long archaeological visit with time for a full museum-style inspection. Think of it as a quick introduction to one of Crete’s important ancient sites before you head into the countryside. If you want a detailed look at Malia Palace, plan a separate visit on another day.

The short stop works well for this excursion because the focus is riding. You get a sense of the area, then move on instead of spending the morning standing among ruins in riding gear and dust.

Up the mountain to Saint George Vrahasiotis

The most atmospheric section takes you toward the old Monastery of Saint George Vrahasiotis. The route climbs to about 600 meters, bringing wider views over the northern part of Crete and the surrounding countryside.

The monastery visit lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time for a guided explanation, photos, and a short break. This is where the tour shifts from an outdoor driving activity to a cultural stop. You can hear about the monastery’s past and take in the quiet setting away from the coast.

Goats and sheep add a light, hands-on moment. You can feed them and, according to the tour details, interact with them during the visit. This makes the stop especially suitable for families with older children, though the tour is not suitable for babies under one year.

The ride up is part of the appeal, but the road conditions are also part of the bargain. Dust and loose stones are expected. Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty, and keep your camera or phone protected when the quads are moving.

Olive oil at Vassilakis Estate

At Vassilakis Estate, the tour pauses for a tasting visit lasting about 55 minutes. You learn about olive oil production and sample products in your selected tour language.

This is one of the more useful stops because olive oil is not just a souvenir idea in Crete. It is part of everyday food and rural life across the island. A tasting gives you a better sense of what you are buying than simply picking a bottle from a supermarket shelf.

The estate visit includes time to look around, take part in food tasting, and visit the food market area. You can use the stop to ask questions, compare flavors, and decide if you want to buy something for home.

I would keep some spending money or a card available here. A credit card is listed among the recommended items, while cash is also suggested. The price includes the tasting, but purchases beyond the tour are not stated as included.

Through a village and on to lunch

After the estate, you ride toward a traditional village and then through the Liofito area near Sissi. The scheduled riding portions are scenic, with the route passing through countryside and offering views along the way.

This part gives the tour a useful change of pace. You are not spending all five hours on rough tracks, and you are not confined to a vehicle looking through a window. You move between dirt routes, village roads, olive groves, and mountain scenery under your own control.

Lunch takes place at a local restaurant and includes barbecue-style food. The meal is listed as local and traditional, with vegetarian food available according to the tour experience. The lunch stop lasts about 45 minutes, so expect a practical meal rather than a long restaurant sitting.

You should still tell the tour team about dietary needs when booking or before departure. The supplied information confirms vegetarian food, but it does not provide a full menu or details about other dietary restrictions.

Potamos Beach gives the day a cool finish

The final major stop is Potamos Beach, reached by quad after the lunch section. You have about an hour there, with time for swimming, photos, and a drink or coffee.

This is a smart ending for a dusty ride. After mountain tracks and unpaved roads, a swim in clear water feels well timed. Bring swimwear and a towel, as both are specifically recommended. Sunscreen and sunglasses matter too, since much of the outing takes place outdoors.

The beach stop may be the most popular part for anyone who wants an activity with a proper rest period. You are not rushed straight from lunch back to the minibus. At the same time, the tour does not promise a long beach afternoon, so bring only what you can carry safely and conveniently.

Food and drinks at the beach are not clearly stated as included. The schedule mentions beer, cocktails, coffee, and tea as available during free time, so plan to pay for those separately unless your guide tells you otherwise.

What riding the quads is really like

The 520cc quads are new according to the tour information, and the machines are automatic. That removes the need to manage gears, making the activity easier for first-time quad riders who hold the required license.

You still need basic confidence on a motor vehicle. The route includes dusty tracks, rocks, and uneven ground. The guides control the group’s start and stop, but you remain responsible for steering and speed while riding.

The equipment includes helmets, and a safety briefing comes before the ride. One detailed account describes the guides providing chilled water during the outing, which is useful in Crete’s heat.

Expect dust on your clothes, arms, shoes, and possibly your face. Sunglasses help protect your eyes, while a scarf can cover your mouth and neck on dry sections. Bring a camera only if you can protect it from dust and jolts.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people without a driving license, or anyone over 70. People with insect allergies are also listed as unsuitable, and the tour is not designed for babies under one year. These restrictions are worth checking carefully before you pay.

Price, timing, and overall value

At $88 per person, the tour offers a lot for a five-hour outing: hotel transfers, quad use, safety instruction, approximately 70 kilometers of riding, the Malia Palace area, the monastery, animal feeding, olive oil tasting, lunch, and beach time.

The value is strongest if you want variety. Paying separately for a quad excursion, a mountain visit, an olive oil estate, a meal, and transport could quickly cost more. You also avoid arranging taxis between scattered countryside stops.

The value is less clear if your main goal is uninterrupted off-road riding. One person found the day could have included more off-road time, and that is a fair point. The tour is designed as a broad sampler of Crete, not a technical motorsport session.

The stated duration is five hours, but pickup and return transfers add about an hour of vehicle time around the activity. Hotel pickup can also take longer if you are near the edge of the service area or if the minibus is collecting several groups.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility, but you should still confirm the exact starting time and pickup point when booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you want an active day with several different experiences packed together. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children, provided the driver meets the license rule and everyone is comfortable with dust, heat, and uneven roads.

It is also a good fit if you are staying at a resort between Kokkini Hani and Sissi and do not want to rent a car. The pickup network covers many hotels in Hersonissos, Malia, Stalis, Gouves, Analipsi, and nearby areas.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike group driving, want a quiet archaeological visit, or expect to ride alone without paying for an extra seat. The route includes several stops, so it is not a non-stop quad challenge.

The guides speak English, German, Greek, Italian, and French. Arnaud and Dimitri are named members of the team, and the guiding style described for the activity includes patience, humor, local nature, and island history. That human element matters on a group ride, where clear instructions and a calm pace make a real difference.

What to bring for a cleaner, easier day

Bring a valid driving license, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera. Add a scarf and clothes that you do not mind covering in dust.

A credit card and some cash are sensible for possible purchases at the olive oil estate or drinks at the beach. Wear practical shoes rather than anything you want to keep spotless.

Your hotel pickup instructions matter. Wait at the main gate five minutes before the stated time, and allow for a minibus collection rather than expecting the quad base to be directly outside your hotel.

Should you book this Crete quad safari?

Book it if you want a lively half-day with real variety: mountain tracks, a monastery, animals, olive oil, local food, and a swim. The $88 price is fair for the number of inclusions, especially when free hotel transfers save you the trouble of arranging transport.

Skip it if you want a pure off-road driving session or a slow, in-depth archaeological tour. For most visitors based around Hersonissos or Malia, though, this is a well-rounded way to see inland Crete without giving up the beach entirely. Just reserve the right number of seats, bring clothes for dust, and treat the 70 percent off-road figure as a strong feature, not a promise of nonstop rough riding.

FAQ

How long does the quad safari last?

The activity lasts about five hours. The minibus transfer to Malia takes around 30 minutes, with a similar return transfer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are available from hotels between Kokkini Hani and Sissi, including areas such as Gouves, Analipsi, Anissaras, Hersonissos, Stalis, and Malia.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. Drivers must have a car driving license for at least one year. Passengers do not need a driving license.

Does each booking include a quad?

No. You book seats rather than vehicles. If you want to ride alone, you must book two seats for each solo rider.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is provided at a traditional local restaurant and includes barbecue-style local food. Vegetarian food is available.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English, German, Greek, Italian, and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.