Reviewed · PARAGLIDING & AIR TOURS

Unique drone images of Crete and you from the air

★ 5.0 · 3 reviews 1 hour (approx.) From $180 Bookable on Viator
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The most unusual part of this Crete experience is the viewpoint. Instead of another beach photo taken from eye level, Axel uses a drone to frame you against the broad sweep of Petres Beach, one of the island’s longest sandy shores. The result can turn a simple holiday portrait, anniversary, or after-wedding session into something far more striking.

I like the private format, since only your group takes part, and I like the chance to create both still photos and videos. The early 7:00 am start is a sensible choice for a beach session, though it will not suit anyone who prefers a slow holiday morning. You should also confirm exactly what finished files are included, since the experience specifically says you will look at the photographs together, but does not spell out delivery details.

Key points

  • Aerial photos at Petres Beach: Use Crete’s long sandy shoreline as the setting for unusual images from above.
  • Private session with Axel: Only your group participates, which helps keep the pace personal and relaxed.
  • Photos and videos included: The focus is on creating both kinds of visual memories with a drone.
  • One-hour format: The session is short and focused, making it easier to fit into a wider Rethymno-area day.
  • Other beaches by request: Northwest Crete locations may be possible, while places farther away carry an extra charge.

Petres Beach from a viewpoint you cannot get on foot

Unique drone images of Crete and you from the air - Petres Beach from a viewpoint you cannot get on foot

Most beach portraits flatten the setting. You see the people, a strip of sand, and perhaps a little sea behind them. A drone changes the composition. From above, you can appear as part of the curve, width, and texture of the beach rather than simply standing in front of it.

The meeting point is La Playa Taverna Beach Bar at Petres Beach, near Episkopi and Rethymno. That makes the location easy to identify, and the activity begins and ends there. You are not being taken through a chain of separate attractions. This is a focused photo session built around one coastal setting.

The beach is described as the longest sandy beach in Crete. That broad scale matters for aerial photography. A drone can show the contrast between your small human figure and the open shore, creating images that feel more like a scene than a standard holiday snapshot.

You should keep your expectations practical. The supplied details do not promise a particular number of photographs, a certain video length, retouching, or a specific delivery method. Ask about those points before booking if the files matter as much to you as the experience itself.

More flights over Crete:

Why the 7:00 am start can work in your favor

The session starts at 7:00 am, which is early by holiday standards. Still, an early beach appointment has clear advantages. The light can be softer, and a morning session gives you the rest of the day for swimming, sightseeing, or breakfast without having to break up the afternoon.

The early start may also help you feel less self-conscious. Beach areas can become more active later in the day, while a morning shoot can offer a quieter setting. The experience details do not promise an empty beach, so I would not book it expecting complete solitude, but the timing is at least designed around a calm start.

There is one real drawback: this is not a flexible drop-in activity. You need to be at the meeting point on time, ready for a session that lasts about one hour. If your accommodation is some distance away, check your own transport plan carefully. The activity does not include a stated pickup service.

The one-hour length is otherwise useful. You are not committing half a day to a photo shoot, and the private setup means your time is not shared with unrelated people. Couples can focus on the images they want, while a family or small group can use the same slot for a set of shared photos.

Working with Axel during a private photo session

Unique drone images of Crete and you from the air - Working with Axel during a private photo session

Axel is the named photographer and drone operator connected with the experience. The tone described by the available information is personal rather than formal. You work together on the photos and videos, instead of simply arriving, posing once, and leaving.

That matters if you feel awkward in front of a camera. One person described arriving nervous and unsure what to expect, then settling into a fun and comfortable session. You do not need to be experienced at posing. It is sensible to tell Axel in advance if you have a particular idea, outfit, anniversary theme, or preferred style.

The private format is especially useful for couples. A wedding anniversary session can be planned around the two of you, without a larger group waiting its turn. The experience has also been used for after-wedding images, so it can suit people who want a more relaxed setting after the ceremony itself.

A professional photographer and a dress specialist have also been able to work alongside Axel during one anniversary shoot. That suggests the drone session can fit into a larger creative plan, but you should arrange any extra professionals yourself unless they are specifically included in your booking. The provided information only covers the drone photo and video experience.

You can also book as a group, and group discounts are listed as a feature. The amount of the discount is not stated, so ask for the current group price before assuming how much you will save.

What happens during the one-hour beach session

Unique drone images of Crete and you from the air - What happens during the one-hour beach session

The experience is simple in structure, but the short duration means you should arrive prepared.

You meet at La Playa Taverna Taverna Beach Bar at 7:00 am. From there, the session takes place on or near Petres Beach. The exact sequence of poses and flight patterns is not provided, so Axel will likely shape the shoot around your group, the beach, and the conditions on the morning.

The main activity is taking photos and videos from the drone. You may be asked to walk, stand, sit, or arrange yourselves in ways that read clearly from the air. The most useful thing you can do is stay open to direction. A pose that feels slightly odd from ground level may look natural once the camera is high above you.

If you are booking for an anniversary or after-wedding session, discuss your goals before the day. The information supports special-occasion photography, but it does not promise a wedding-style production with hair, makeup, clothing, props, or a full ground camera crew.

At the end, you look at the photographs from the day together. This gives the session a clear finish and lets you see how the aerial perspective changes the images. Again, confirm whether viewing is followed by digital delivery, and ask how long that takes. The available details do not say.

Because the session depends on a drone, weather is important. Poor weather can lead to cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered. That policy protects you from spending money on a compromised aerial shoot, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your Crete schedule.

Same island, a completely different day out:

The value of aerial photos at $180.19 per person

Unique drone images of Crete and you from the air - The value of aerial photos at $180.19 per person

At $180.19 per person, this is not a casual beach activity priced like a short sightseeing stop. You are paying for a private creative service, drone operation, time on location, and the chance to create images that are difficult to reproduce with a phone.

The value depends heavily on your purpose. For a solo holidaymaker wanting a few quick snapshots, the price may feel high. For a couple marking ten years of marriage, or for newlyweds who want distinctive images in Crete, the cost becomes easier to justify because the pictures serve as a lasting record of a specific occasion.

The per-person price also needs context. The experience is private, and group discounts are available, so the final cost may work differently for a pair or larger group. You should request the discount terms and clarify whether the listed price covers each participant in the same way.

I would also compare the price based on what you receive afterward. The experience clearly includes photos and videos being created, and it ends with a look at the photographs. It does not state the number of edited images, video clips, file resolution, or download arrangements. Those questions are not minor when the main reason for booking is the finished material.

The strongest value is the unusual viewpoint. You are not simply paying for a person to hold a camera at the beach. You are paying for an aerial composition that shows both you and the scale of Crete’s sandy coast.

Asking for another beach in northwest Crete

Unique drone images of Crete and you from the air - Asking for another beach in northwest Crete

Petres Beach is the main setting, but other beaches in northwest Crete may be possible on request. This gives you some choice if Petres does not fit your plans or if you have a particular coastal setting in mind.

Do not assume every beach can be substituted at the same price. Other places in Crete are possible for an extra charge, and the amount is not provided. Ask about the exact location, added fee, and meeting arrangements before committing to a different beach.

The beach change may also affect timing. The stated meeting point remains La Playa Taverna Beach Bar at Petres Beach, while the information does not explain whether Axel meets you directly at another location. For a different site, get the practical details in writing.

There is a good reason to keep Petres as your first choice. It is the setting designed into the experience, and its long sandy shoreline gives the drone room to show scale. A different beach may offer a look you prefer, but it could also involve a higher charge and more planning.

Who will get the most from this Crete experience

Unique drone images of Crete and you from the air - Who will get the most from this Crete experience

This session suits you best if you care about photographs as part of your trip rather than as an afterthought. It is a strong match for:

  • Couples marking an anniversary
  • Newlyweds seeking after-wedding images
  • Families or friends wanting one shared aerial portrait
  • People who feel nervous about traditional photography but want gentle direction
  • Visitors who prefer a private activity over a large group excursion

It may be less suitable if you want a full sightseeing tour, a long beach day, or a detailed visit to several parts of Crete. The session lasts about one hour and stays centered on photography.

It is also not the right choice if you need a guaranteed sunset shoot. The listed start time is 7:00 am, and no alternate start time is stated. If morning light does not fit your plans, ask Axel before booking rather than assuming the appointment can be moved.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation. No special physical requirements are listed, but the experience takes place at a beach, so ask the operator directly about any personal mobility concerns not covered in the booking information.

Simple planning tips before you book

Unique drone images of Crete and you from the air - Simple planning tips before you book

Wear something that looks good from above. Aerial photos can make patterns, colors, and the shape of your clothing more important than small details on your face. If you are planning anniversary or after-wedding photos, discuss clothing and the mood you want before the session.

Arrive ready at the meeting point. The session is only about an hour, and a late start cuts into the time available for different poses and video shots. The listed start point is specific, so use La Playa Taverna Beach Bar as your reference rather than relying on a general Petres Beach location.

Bring a clear idea of who should appear in the images. A couple may want mostly two-person portraits, while a family may need time for full-group and smaller combinations. Sharing that plan with Axel helps use the short session well.

Ask four direct questions before paying:

  • How many edited photos are included?
  • Are videos included as finished files?
  • How and when are the files delivered?
  • What extra cost applies to a different beach?

These details are not supplied, and they affect the value more than small differences in the booking price.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Since weather can cancel the activity, keep a little space in your schedule if the photos are important to you.

Should you book this aerial photo session?

Unique drone images of Crete and you from the air - Should you book this aerial photo session?

Book it if you want a private, special-occasion photo experience with a genuinely different viewpoint. Petres Beach gives Axel room to show you against a long sweep of sand, and the combination of still photos and video makes the hour more useful than a single posed portrait.

I would especially consider it for an anniversary or after-wedding session. The private setting, personal direction, and aerial framing suit images meant to be kept for years. The early start is the main lifestyle tradeoff, while the unclear delivery details are the main booking question.

Skip it if you are looking for a standard Crete tour, a full-day coastal trip, or a low-cost activity with no planning. At $180.19 per person, the price makes sense when the finished images have real personal value. Before booking, confirm the files you will receive and any extra charge for a different beach. If those terms suit you, this is a focused way to leave Crete with photographs that do more than show where you stood.

FAQ

Where does the drone photo session begin?

It begins at La Playa Taverna Beach Bar, Petres Beach, Episkopi, Rethymno 741 50, Greece.

What time does the activity start?

The stated start time is 7:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The session lasts approximately one hour.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Can the session take place at another beach?

Other beaches in northwest Crete may be possible on request. Other places in Crete can also be arranged for an extra charge.

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