Aquarius Apartments "by Checkin"

Aquarius Apartments gives you a straightforward base in Agia Pelagia: a family-friendly property with balconies, air-conditioned rooms, a garden, a terrace and an outdoor pool. It suits divers who want somewhere practical to return to, rather than a resort that tries to turn every quiet minute into an organised event.

The useful details are close at hand. You have free WiFi, a bar, room service and a 24-hour front desk, while the rooms come with a refrigerator, television, wardrobe and private bathroom. The website is available in English, German, Dutch and Greek, so English-speaking guests are clearly catered for in the hotel’s written information.

You stay in Agia Pelagia, Crete, rather than in Heraklion itself. Agia Pelagia Beach is about 0.4 miles away on foot, roughly a seven-minute walk, putting the bay within easy reach when you want a change from the pool. Psaromoura Beach is about 0.7 miles away, while Mononaftis Beach is around 1 mile away on foot.

The location also works for a few outings beyond the shoreline. Ligaria Beach is about 1.4 miles away, and Mades Beach around 2.5 miles. Palaiokastro is roughly 4.4 miles by car; Heraklion’s Venetian Walls are about 12 miles away, with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum at a similar distance. Heraklion International Airport is about 13 miles away by car, with a driving time of around 23 minutes.

The room choice is best read by the way you travel. A Double Room keeps things simple for two, with twin single beds, a balcony and the basics needed for a night between dives. If you are travelling as a small group or want more room to spread out, the apartments accommodate up to three or four guests, depending on the option you choose.

Air conditioning matters in Crete, particularly when you return warm, salty and ready to stop moving. A refrigerator gives you somewhere to keep water cold, while the private bathroom, wardrobe and television cover the unglamorous but useful parts of the evening. Family rooms are available, and balconies provide outdoor space without requiring you to leave the property.

The pool, garden and terrace give you somewhere to sit when the day’s diving is done. The property also has a safety deposit box, and the accommodation is non-smoking. Children of any age are welcome, so the larger apartment options can work for a mixed-age trip as well as for divers travelling together.

Breakfast is continental and served daily. That gives you a familiar start before heading out, with no need to turn the first meal of the day into a full production. The exact breakfast hours are not part of the hotel’s published details, so you will want to confirm the timing if an early departure matters to your dive plan.

There is one bar on site, along with room service. That covers the useful return-from-the-water sequence: shower, something cold, and food brought to you if you cannot be bothered to go anywhere else. The surrounding area adds more options when you want a proper evening out, including To Alonaki and To Rodi, both around 5 miles away by car.

The outdoor swimming pool is the obvious place to land when you are not diving, eating or sitting at the bar. Sun loungers and umbrellas are provided, so you can choose between a proper lie-down and the sort of half-rest that still involves keeping one eye on the water. The garden and terrace add quieter places to sit with a book or a drink.

Agia Pelagia also gives you a few low-effort alternatives. You can walk to the main beach, continue towards Psaromoura, or make a short trip to another nearby cove. For a day away from the coast, Palaiokastro and the El Greco Museum are within driving distance. The setting is better suited to swimming, wandering and taking it easy than to a packed programme, which is often exactly the point after several days underwater.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 23:00, and check-out from 00:00 to 11:00. The 24-hour front desk is useful if your arrival does not fit neatly into the middle of the afternoon, although the stated check-in window still ends at 23:00. There is no age requirement for check-in.

Heraklion International Airport is around 13 miles away by car. An airport shuttle is available through the property and can be arranged with the hotel; the service carries an additional charge. If you are driving, free public parking is available on site and does not require a reservation.

WiFi is free throughout the property. Pets are welcome on request, with no extra charge, and a safety deposit box is available. Children of any age can stay, while cots and extra beds depend on the accommodation option and availability. Parties and events are not permitted.