CretAquarium - General Information

You will find the CretAquarium very easy to find, just follow the signposts to Gouves which is just a few kilometres from Heraklion Airport past Kokkini Hani. Once into Gouves you will see the aquarium well signposted with parking available on the seafront. It has a well stocked cafe and rest rooms including baby changing facilities. It caters well for groups of any size. It is usually recommended to go as early as possible to avoid the afternoon rush and queues.

Below you will find some videos taken directly from the CretAquarium and a few pictures taken on our many visits to the aquarium. CretAquarium is newly opened in the resort of Gouves on the east side of Crete about 30 minutes away from Heraklion City. It is open 365 days a year and provides a wonderful insight into the sea life of the Mediterranean Sea.

As part of THALASSOKOSMOS (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research), the largest marine research, technology and entertainment complex in the Mediterranean, CretAquarium's operation and development are founded on scientific knowledge and discoveries made in marine science. Its main goal is to educate people on the marine life under threat from extinction and educate people on how to save our fragile marine life and sea’s.

About the Aquariums

Along the 600 m seascape of the Mediterranean, the Greek seas and tropical waters awaiting them, visitors come face to face with approximately 2.500 organisms belonging to 200 species. These are kept in 32 tanks, with a total capacity of 1.600.000 litres. The tanks alternate depending on the species, their habitats or habits.

Habitats which host numerous species and large species that have need of room are kept in large tanks, while in the smaller ones, visitors will come across particular species and micro-ecosystems which, though impressive and significant, would be lost to sight in the larger tanks.

Photographs of CretAquarium

Here are a select number of photos taken around the CretAquarium on a day trip out. The photos are of the aquatic life that life in the showcase tanks. If you have visited this wonderful aquarium and would like to submit some pictures or videos then please contact us and submit them there.