Mediterranean · CRETE BOAT TRIPS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in Crete

27 tours  ·  from $20 a head

Balos and Gramvousa are the long day from Kissamos; the south coast hides beaches with no road at all. These 15 compare the crossings on hours, sea conditions and price.

Agios Nikolaos: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop - Leaving Agios Nikolaos at 12:30pm
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Agios Nikolaos: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop

1.Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,031 reviews · 4h 30m · from $29Our pick

Spend five hours cruising Mirabello Bay from Agios Nikolaos, with a 30-minute swim stop in clear Kolokitha Bay and 90 minutes on Spinalonga. An English or Dutch guide leads the island visit, while French and German audio guides are available. The boat has a bar, restaurant, lounge, and toilets. Bring €20 for island entry.

“Lovely day trip to Spinalonga! Lots of facilities on the boat, bar, restaurant, 12 toilets, lifejackets and even a lifeguard when we stopped for a swim. And how LOVELY the swim was. Stopped outside Kolokitha beach with the boat for a swim in the CLEAREST, BLUEST and SALTIEST waters! Once we arrived to Spinalonga we had an English guide explaining the history of the island. The walk around the island took 15 minutes and consists of ruins and lovely views of surrounding Cretan villages. Just note that the entrance to the island is 20€ and in retrospect we would’ve much rather stayed outside and gone for a swim. We didn’t…”

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Chania/Rethymno: Balos & Gramvousa With Pickup & Boat Ticket - Pickup from Chania and Rethymno
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Chania/Rethymno: Balos & Gramvousa With Pickup & Boat Ticket

2.Chania/Rethymno: Balos & Gramvousa With Pickup & Boat Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,703 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $50

You’ll ride an air-conditioned bus from a selected pickup point to Kissamos, then board a large boat for Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon. Expect a 20-minute castle hike, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and food for sale onboard. Guides such as Donia keep departure times clear, while the shared boat can carry more than 100 people.

“Best trip in the whole island. From beginning with the pick up , friendly guide and driver. The whole trip was amazing and I highly recommend when visiting Crete !”

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Heraklion: Sailboat Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks & Lunch - Dia Island, a swimming stop with a quiet feel
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Heraklion: Sailboat Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks & Lunch

3.Sailboat Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,405 reviews · 1 hour - 390 minutes · from $35

Sail from Heraklion to Dia Island on a shared yacht trip with lunch, local wine, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and optional fishing. You get about four to six hours on the water, with crew such as Stavroula, Dennis, or Mido. Private and one-hour coastal options are also available.

“The activity was very well organised (10/10) as well as the pick up and drop off service.”

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Chania Areas/Kalyves:Gramvousa Island & Balos,Boat Tkt Extra - Pickup from Chania, Kalyves, and the resort coast
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Chania Areas/Kalyves:Gramvousa Island & Balos,Boat Tkt Extra

4.Chania Areas/Kalyves:Gramvousa Island & Balos,Boat Tkt Extra

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 992 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $23

Travel from Chania, Kalyves, or nearby resorts to Kissamos, then sail to Gramvousa and Balos. You get time to swim, hike to the Venetian fortress, and enjoy the sea from a large ferry. Guides such as Stella keep the day moving, while food and drinks are available on board. Boat fees may cost extra, depending on your pickup option.

“Really nice guide and welcoming, was a comfy ride to the port and back. Our guide was really friendly and kept us informed and updated with the itinerary and what to expect. The Gramvousa Island was amazing, definitely recommend walking up to the Fortress first and then spending the rest of the time on the beach. Note there are no cafes or food on the island, only one small souvenir shop. Spent 2.75 hours which was a good amount of time to do both. It’s worth noting that you can’t actually go into the Balos beach due to the new conservation rules unless you swim to it from the boat.…”

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From Ag. Nikolaos: Spinalonga & Kolokytha Cruise with Lunch - The 10:00 departure from Agios Nikolaos
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From Ag. Nikolaos: Spinalonga & Kolokytha Cruise with Lunch

5.From Ag. Nikolaos: Spinalonga & Kolokytha Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 735 reviews · 5h 30m · from $35

Set out from Agios Nikolaos at 10:00 for a half-day cruise across Mirabello Bay. Explore Spinalonga independently with a map and booklet, then swim at Kolokytha Beach while the crew prepares pork, salad, bread, fruit, and wine or juice. Bring cash, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and your ID.

“Well organized. Nice big boat. The day we took the trip it was busy but not over crowded. You are given an informative book which i kept as a souvenir. The announcements on the boat were clear. The day trip itself was very nice. You were given enough time at each location. The 'BBQ' really wasn't what we expected. Whilst you were at the last stop, the swim at the beach stop, they cook a piece of meat each on the boat. You could then collect your meal which was the meat, a bit of shredded red cabbage salad and a couple of pieces of bread. A piece of fruit…”

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Rethymno Area: Gramvousa Island & Balos, Boat Ticket Extra - The early bus from Rethymno to Kissamos
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Rethymno Area: Gramvousa Island & Balos, Boat Ticket Extra

6.Rethymno Area: Gramvousa Island & Balos, Boat Ticket Extra

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 594 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $20Best value

Travel from Rethymno to Kissamos by air-conditioned bus, then cruise to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. You get beach time, swimming, and the option to climb the 16th-century Venetian fortress. Guides may speak English, German, or French, with names such as George, Anastasia, and Georgios noted for this route. The boat ticket costs extra.

“The most beautiful beach I've ever seen... The program is well-organized, it takes 12 hours as it is indicated. You can spend around 3 hours on Balos beach and 1,5 hours in Gramvousa island. We didn't go up to the ruins, we chose a beach as well in Gramvousa, because it would be very hard, the temperature was ~35°. The day is fully suggested, you must be there and see yourself.”

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Rethymno: Sunset Cruise on a Wooden Pirate Boat - Out past the fortress and Venetian Port
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Rethymno: Sunset Cruise on a Wooden Pirate Boat

7.Sunset Cruise on a Wooden Pirate Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 581 reviews · 1 hour · from $29

Sail from Rethymno port aboard the wooden pirate boat Captain Hook for a one-hour sunset trip. You’ll see Fortezza Castle, the Venetian Port, the lighthouse, city lights, and the Cretan mountains while enjoying one beer or soft drink. German, English, and French assistance is available.

“A very nice evening boat trip out past the Fortezza and then back into the harbour to see the lighthouse.”

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Heraklion: Private Half-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island - Snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboards
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Heraklion: Private Half-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island

8.Private Half-Day Sailing Trip to Dia Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 466 reviews · 4.5 hours

You’ll sail from Heraklion with a two-person English or Greek-speaking crew to Dia Island’s Gulf of Saint George, once explored by Jacques Yves Cousteau. Expect a private boat for up to eight, clear water for swimming and snorkeling, fishing gear, paddleboards, fruit, wine, soft drinks, and about 2.5 hours at anchor. Hotel transfers and full meals cost extra.

“Sailing trip was great, guides gave a lot of explanation concerning the boat, island and history.”

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Chania: Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with Snorkeling - Leaving Kolymbari and crossing the Rodopou Peninsula
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Chania: Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with Snorkeling

9.Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 429 reviews · 4 hours · from $47

From Kolymbari, cruise along the Rodopou Peninsula to Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay. You get snorkeling gear, swim time, a guide in English or Greek, and optional hotel pickup. Expect smooth pebbles, a short swim from the boat to shore, WWII remnants underwater, and a small onboard bar.

“The tour guide was incredibly nice and informative! Great experience and the guide did more then we could ask for.”

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Chania: Boat Trip with Guided Snorkeling & Stand-Up Paddling - A calm start for first-time snorkelers
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Chania: Boat Trip with Guided Snorkeling & Stand-Up Paddling

10.Boat Trip with Guided Snorkeling & Stand-Up Paddling

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 363 reviews · 3 hours · from $100

Travel from Chania to Almyrida for a 3-hour boat trip with guided snorkeling, SUP instruction, fresh fruit, and free photos. Guides such as Adriana, Simone, and Lucca help beginners feel safe, while optional Yamaha sea scooters add speed for ages 12 and up. Pickup is available from selected points around Chania.

“Amazing activity! Professional offer, equipment and staff (very friendly as well). Strongly recommend!”

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Crete: Spinalonga, Elounda, & Agios Nikolaos Boat Tour & BBQ - Elounda and the first boat ride
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Crete: Spinalonga, Elounda, & Agios Nikolaos Boat Tour & BBQ

11.Spinalonga, Elounda, & Agios Nikolaos Boat Tour & BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 327 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $37

Spend a full day along Crete’s Mirabello Bay, with a guided visit to Spinalonga, swimming at Kolokytha Beach, a boat BBQ, olive oil tasting, and free time in Agios Nikolaos. Guides may speak English, German, Russian, Italian, French, or Polish, with guides such as Mary, Olga, and Pavlos praised for clear storytelling.

“Super boot trip to the eiland with fort and with swimming activity and bbq lunch. Only the location of departure was wrong, we had to ask around the port for the departure boot etc. Next time please name the boot (name of the boot) to board, will make it much easier for all!!!”

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Rethymno: Pirate Boat Cruise with Swimming Stop - Kefalas Bay, the reason to bring your swimsuit
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Rethymno: Pirate Boat Cruise with Swimming Stop

12.Pirate Boat Cruise with Swimming Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 293 reviews · 5 hours · from $64

Sail west from Rethymno Marina aboard a pirate-themed boat, pass Fortezza and Gerani Bay, then stop at Kefalas Bay for swimming and snorkeling. You get masks, swimming tubes, Greek salad, and one glass of wine or soft drink. The cruise lasts five hours, with English, French, and German assistance.

“The swimming / snorkeling was wonderful, we saw tons of fish, the water was clear and beautiful, really an amazing experience. The ship crew were courteous and helpful. There are some inaccuracies in the description on this website: the ship sailed at 10am, not 9am; there was only one swimming stop (about an hour long), not two; the description did not mention that in addition to the free lunch, there was also food and drink for sale (it would've been helpful to know this, when traveling with children); the instructions on where to exchange the voucher for the ticket were not clear (I ended up having to go all the…”

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From Rethymno: Full-Day Trip to Santorini by Boat - Finding your bus at Athinios Port
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From Rethymno: Full-Day Trip to Santorini by Boat

13.Full-Day Trip to Santorini by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 279 reviews · 13 hours · from $243

Take a high-speed ferry from Rethymno to Santorini, then explore Oia and Fira by air-conditioned bus with a multilingual guide. You get about 105 minutes in Oia and two hours in Fira, plus an optional €20 caldera boat trip. Hotel pickup is available from selected resorts.

“Here's what you should know: 1) PRINT your email confirmation & take photo screenshots. YOU WILL NEED to give info at dock & need to know bus number on arrival in Santorini. 2) Arrive at dock BEFORE 7:30am, at 7:30am were nearly last to arrive. 3) Seats are NOT assigned on boat, ignore ticket seat. Get on boat fast (don't stay on deck)--grab a seat. Otherwise your party (even of 2) may be separated. (4) They sell snacks/drinks on boat & there are restrooms. 5) Boat took longer than 2.5 hours. Ride was a lot choppier than expected--A LOT of people used motion sickness bags in AM. PM was better…”

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From Kissamos: Balos Gramvousa Sailing Cruise with Lunch - Balos Lagoon: famous water, plenty of time to swim
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From Kissamos: Balos Gramvousa Sailing Cruise with Lunch

14.Balos Gramvousa Sailing Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 257 reviews · 7.5 hours · from $229

Sail from Kissamos to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island aboard a small shared or private boat with an experienced skipper. Swim, snorkel, hike to Gramvousa Castle, and enjoy a fresh Cretan lunch with drinks, fruit, and shaded deck seating. Guides such as Vasilis, Katarina, Jo, and Luis help make the day personal and relaxed.

“Vasilis and Katarina were amazing and we loved it! Delicious lunch and gorgeous views. We felt safe and enjoyed the ride. Definitely would recommend.”

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Crete: Balos and Gramvousa Cruise - The long road from eastern Crete to Kissamos
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Crete: Balos and Gramvousa Cruise

15.Balos and Gramvousa Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 214 reviews · 13 - 15 hours · from $56

Travel by air-conditioned coach from eastern Crete to Kissamos, then cruise to Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon. You get time to swim, snorkel, explore the pirate island, and enjoy sweeping sea views. English and French guides accompany the trip. Expect a very long day, extra boat fees, and a steep, slippery path at Balos.

“The area was breath taking , but the area is very dangerous on the path to the beach area is all volcanic rock and very slippery , I fell very badly had to be taken to the Chaina Hospital for stitches on my head and i fractured ankle this area should be advise of being a dangerous area !!! also the tour guide of this group did nothing to help me so I don't recommend it”

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New in Crete Boat Trips

★ 4.8Balos and Gramvousa Private Sailing Trip with Meal41 reviews
★ 4.2Heraklion, Malia & Agia Pelagi:Boat Trip to Koufonisi IslandFrom $4435 reviews
★ 4.9From Kissamos Port: Balos and Gramvousa Private RIB Cruise35 reviews
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★ 4.3Mirabello Bay Cruise with Onboard CocktailFrom $4472 reviews
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