Chania: Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with Snorkeling

At Crete’s northern tip, the best part of this four-hour cruise is simple: you reach two quiet swimming spots that are difficult to visit without a boat. Menies Beach gives you clear water, smooth pebbles, ancient ruins, and the chance to snorkel around a sunken WWII gun and carriage. Chironisia Bay is smaller and more enclosed, with caves to explore from the water.

I like the generous swimming time, especially the 105 minutes at Menies, and the fact that snorkeling equipment, floats, and onboard toilets are provided. I also like the fair $47 price, which covers the cruise, both swim stops, a guide, and optional hotel transfers from north Chania. The main consideration is group size: the boat can carry a large crowd, and sound from the speakers may be hard to follow outside.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different swim stops: Menies offers beach time and ancient sites, while Chironisia is a small sea-access-only bay.
• A real snorkeling target: Look for the sunken WWII gun and carriage near Menies, along with fish and sea vegetation.
• You swim from the boat to shore: The boat anchors about six meters from the beach, so bring water shoes and be ready for a short swim.
• Four hours is the sweet spot: You get a proper outing without giving up a full day in western Crete.
• Hotel pickup is useful but early: Pickup can begin up to an hour before the boat leaves Kolymbari, depending on your hotel.
• Weather matters: Choppy water can make the outward cruise uncomfortable, and the trip is canceled in poor conditions.

Why this short cruise works so well

This is a swimming trip first, with a little archaeology and WWII history added along the way. You leave from Kolymbari and head toward the Rodopou Peninsula, a rugged stretch of northwestern Crete where roads do not reach the two main stops in the same easy way.

The cruise lasts about four hours, which makes it easier to fit into a short stay around Chania. You are not committing an entire day to a large boat excursion, yet you still get two separate places to swim and snorkel. That balance is one of the tour’s strongest points.

The price is also sensible. At $47 per person, you receive the boat trip, swim stops, snorkeling gear, a guide, and hotel pickup if you choose the transfer option. Food and drinks cost extra, but there is a small bar onboard with snacks and beverages. Think crisps and drinks rather than a full meal, so eat before departure if you need something substantial.

The boat is described as spacious, clean, and modern, with several seating areas. It also has toilets and equipment for less confident swimmers. The upper deck offers better views, but it has no shade, so I would bring sunscreen and a hat rather than plan to sit there all trip.

Leaving Kolymbari and crossing the Rodopou Peninsula

The meeting point is the Smile Cruises boat at Kolymbari harbor. If you drive yourself, arrive early because parking near the harbor is limited. This is one of those small practical details that can save you a hurried start.

The boat departure times from the port are listed as 10:15 and 14:30. If you select hotel pickup, your bus may arrive much earlier. Pickup can be anywhere from ten minutes to an hour before departure, depending on where you stay, and the exact time is sent by email. Check your spam folder if the message does not appear.

The first cruise section takes around 40 minutes. You travel along the Rodopou Peninsula, with the boat moving out toward Menies. A safety briefing takes about ten minutes at Kolymbari before the boat gets underway.

The boat can be busy. Some departures have included several coach groups, although the vessel still had enough room for people to sit and move around. If you want a particular seat, arrive early. The larger group is the tradeoff for the low price and included equipment.

The onboard sound system is not perfect. Instructions may be difficult to hear from the upper deck or outside seating areas, especially if the sea is noisy. Staff are available to help, and Maria has been especially helpful with snorkeling equipment, but you should still pay attention during the safety briefing.

Menies Beach: swimming, ruins, and WWII remains

Menies is the main stop, with about 105 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. That is enough time to do all three without treating the beach as a quick photo stop.

The boat does not pull directly onto the beach. It anchors about six meters from shore, meaning you swim through shallow water to reach the pebbles. The beach is rocky rather than sandy, but the stones are smooth. Water shoes will make the entry easier, especially if you want to walk around rather than stay in the water.

You can also remain near the boat and enter the sea from the ladder or jump from the boat, depending on your comfort level. Floats are available, and the crew can help swimmers who are less confident. Families with children have found the calm swim areas manageable, but every child should be comfortable with the short swim between the boat and beach.

Menies is not Crete’s classic broad, sandy beach. Its appeal is the combination of clear water, seclusion, and history. The bay sits on the site of ancient Diktynna, where the temple of the goddess Vritomartis once held importance. You can see remains linked to an ancient Roman temple, as well as an abandoned ninth-century monastery dedicated to St. George.

Do not expect a large archaeological site with extensive signs or reconstructed buildings. The ruins are part of the setting rather than a full museum visit. Still, they give your time on the beach more meaning. You can swim, walk over the pebbles, and look at traces of the past without leaving the water for long.

The underwater WWII remains are the most unusual feature. With the supplied mask and snorkel, you can search for the sunken base of a gun and its carriage. The exact visibility and amount of sea life will depend on the day. Some outings have produced plenty of fish and sea vegetation, while others have found less marine life. Treat the gun remains as an interesting target, not a guaranteed underwater display.

The water is usually the star here. It is clear enough for snorkeling, and the protected stop can be comfortable for beginners when conditions are calm. You have enough time to swim out, look around, return to the boat, and still spend a little time on the beach.

Cruising to Chironisia Bay

After Menies, the boat spends about 15 minutes moving along the peninsula toward Chironisia Bay. This is a shorter stop, with around 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

Chironisia feels different from Menies because it is a small bay reached only by sea. The boat generally remains offshore rather than landing at a beach, so you enter the water from the boat. You can use the ladder, jump from the deck, or take advantage of floats.

The main attraction is the water and the small caves along the shore. With your snorkel gear, you can swim toward the caves and look into them from the sea. The bay is a good place for a second swim because you do not need to repeat the same beach routine from Menies.

Forty minutes goes quickly, but it is enough for a focused swim. If you spend most of the first stop on the pebbles, use Chironisia to stay in the water. The boat’s position also gives you a good view of the cliffs and coastline.

Sea conditions can change the character of this part of the trip. On a calm day, jumping from the boat and swimming toward the caves is easy fun. On a rough day, the ride may be uncomfortable and the water less inviting. If you are prone to seasickness, sit near the center of the boat, watch the horizon, and consider choosing the departure with the calmer forecast.

How good is the snorkeling?

The equipment is included, which keeps the cost down and saves you from carrying your own mask and fins. Flippers, masks, and snorkels are available, and the boat also carries floats and paddleboards for getting equipment toward the shore.

The underwater sights are modest but worthwhile. Menies offers the WWII gun and carriage, while both stops can have fish and sea vegetation. Some people have spotted cuttlefish, and clear conditions can make even ordinary rocks and fish enjoyable to watch.

This is not a specialist snorkeling trip. You are not heading to a protected marine park or a famous reef. The appeal is the combination of two hard-to-reach swimming places, easy access to gear, and enough time to explore at your own pace.

One practical concern is hygiene. If you are particular about shared snorkeling equipment, bring your own mask and snorkel. Otherwise, check the fit before leaving the boat and ask the crew for another mask if needed. Staff have been willing to replace equipment when the fit was poor.

Boat comfort, food, and group size

The boat has several seating areas, a refreshments bar, toilets, and room for swimming gear. It is larger than some people expect from a coastal excursion, which helps it handle the sea and a sizable group.

That group size is the biggest compromise. You may share the boat with multiple coach groups, and the experience is not a private or small-group cruise. At the same time, the swimming locations can feel much quieter than the boat because large vessels do not necessarily gather at both stops.

The crew is another strong part of the outing. They help with masks, floats, ladders, and swimmers, and they keep an eye on people in the water. The staff are friendly and attentive, though the guide’s commentary can get lost in the wind or engine noise. If the archaeological information matters to you, stay close during the briefing or ask questions directly.

Food is limited to snacks and drinks for purchase. Bring your own water if you prefer a particular brand or want to avoid paying onboard. You should also eat before the trip if you are expecting lunch.

Hotel pickup from north Chania

Pickup is available from selected hotels and locations around north Chania. The long list includes places around Agia Marina, Platanias, Maleme, Kolymbari, and parts of Chania, but availability depends on the option you choose.

The bus can be convenient, especially if you do not have a rental car. Pickup and drop-off may be close to your accommodation, sometimes within a short walk. The bus itself has been described as modern, though it can feel hot, and collecting people from many hotels adds time.

Read the pickup details carefully. A 10:15 boat departure does not mean a 10:15 hotel pickup. You may be collected at 8:40 or another early time. Drivers wait no longer than five minutes, and the bus displays the destination names Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay. Wait at the stated pickup point on the main road, not inside your hotel.

If you stay in Kolymbari, meeting at the harbor is easier and avoids the transfer loop. If you are farther east, the pickup option may be worth the extra time because it removes the need to find parking and drive back after a swim.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this outing if you want clear water, a short boat ride, and two swimming locations without spending seven or eight hours at sea. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone staying around north Chania who wants to reach a quieter part of Crete.

It also works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can jump from the boat and snorkel toward the caves, while less confident swimmers can use the ladder and floats. Children should be comfortable entering the water, since the boat does not land directly on the beach.

I would think twice if you want a quiet private cruise, a sandy beach, a full meal, or highly detailed guiding. The group can be large, the beach is made of pebbles, and the speaker system may not carry well. Poor weather can also change the experience quickly, and rough seas have caused motion sickness on some outings.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, beachwear, and water shoes. I would also bring a dry bag for your phone and a little extra water. The boat can help move belongings toward Menies, but you should expect to get wet during the swim to shore.

Should you book Menies and Chironisia?

For $47, this is a strong-value half-day on the water. You get two attractive swim stops, snorkeling equipment, a helpful crew, and enough time at Menies to enjoy both the beach and the underwater sights. The WWII remains and ancient ruins give the trip more substance than a simple swim cruise.

Book it if you care most about swimming in clear water and reaching places that are awkward to visit by land. Choose the harbor meeting point if you have a car and want a simpler start. Choose hotel pickup if convenience matters more than a potentially early bus collection.

Skip it if you dislike shared boat trips or feel unwell in choppy seas. Otherwise, pack water shoes, arrive early, and treat the cruise as an active coastal outing rather than a luxury sailing day. That is where the experience delivers its best value.

FAQ

How long is the Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. The schedule includes about 105 minutes at Menies Beach, 40 minutes at Chironisia Bay, and travel time along the Rodopou Peninsula.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from the port of Kolymbari. Look for the Smile Cruises boat in the harbor.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available with the appropriate booking option and from selected locations in north Chania. Pickup can begin up to an hour before the boat departure.

Do I need to swim from the boat to Menies Beach?

Yes. The boat anchors about six meters from shore, so you must swim through shallow water to reach the beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with floats and other equipment for swimmers. You may bring your own mask and snorkel if you prefer.

What can I see while snorkeling?

At Menies, you can look for the remains of a sunken WWII gun and carriage. Depending on sea conditions, you may also see fish, sea vegetation, and possibly cuttlefish. Chironisia has small caves that you can explore from the water.

Is food included?

No. Snacks and drinks are available to purchase onboard, but a full meal is not included.