Hersonisos: Boat Cruise with Swim Stops and Lunch

The best part of this Hersonissos boat trip is simple: you spend less time rushing between sights and more time in the water. The 19-meter Eleni carries up to 100 people, yet its wooden design gives the cruise a friendly, family-boat feel. After sailing from Hersonissos, you stop at St. George Bay and the Stalis area for swimming, snorkeling, and sun time.

I like the two swim stops, especially the longer pause near Stalis, where you can swim toward the beach. I also like the practical lunch: grilled chicken, salad, bread, and fresh fruit, with a vegetarian option available. The main consideration is that this is a shared boat with a capacity of 100, so you should not expect a quiet private sail or a small-group yacht outing.

Key details of the Hersonissos boat cruise

• Two swimming stops: Visit St. George Bay and Stalis, with time to swim and snorkel in clear water.
• Traditional wooden boat: The 19-meter Eleni offers open-deck sunbathing and a classic Greek sailing feel.
• Lunch at sea: Enjoy grilled food, salad, bread, and a fresh fruit platter, with a vegetarian meal available.
• Relaxed four-hour schedule: The trip gives you a useful half-day away from the pool without taking over your entire day.
• Friendly named crew: Captain Panos, George, and Leftheris handle the boat and welcome you aboard in English or Greek.
• Bring your own water: Lunch is included, but bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages cost extra.

Setting sail from Hersonissos Port

You meet the boat at Eleni Traditional Wooden Boat, moored at 125 Agias Paraskevis Street in the Port of Hersonissos. It is opposite the Hersonissos Port Authority and Hellenic Coast Guard Station. The cruise returns to this same point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The port meeting point keeps the start easy if you are staying in Hersonissos. You need to present your electronic or printed ticket before boarding, so keep it ready rather than searching through your phone at the last minute.

The Eleni measures 19 meters, or about 62 feet, and has total capacity for 100 people. That figure matters. This is not a tiny sailing boat where every person gets a private corner. It is a social cruise with room for sunbathing, lunch, music, and swimming access.

The traditional wooden construction gives the trip more character than a basic motorboat transfer. I like that the boat itself is part of the setting. You are not simply being delivered to a swimming spot. You are spending several hours on a working-style Greek boat with the sea around you and the crew moving between sailing, food, and swim stops.

The first hour and St. George Bay

The route heads out from Hersonissos and reaches the first swimming area at St. George Bay after roughly an hour of sailing. The exact timing can depend on the day and conditions, but you should expect a proper cruise before the first swim rather than an immediate stop just outside the harbor.

St. George Bay is the first chance to get into the clear water. Snorkeling equipment is provided, with masks available. The supplied information notes that snorkel pipes are not provided because of Covid restrictions, so bring your own if you want to snorkel with one.

This first stop may be shorter than the later Stalis stop. A practical version of the schedule gives you around 20 minutes here, although the full timing can vary. That makes St. George Bay a quick first swim rather than a long beach session. Use it to cool off, test the water, and enjoy a short snorkel from the boat.

You can jump or climb into the water, then return to the boat for the next part of the trip. If you prefer to remain dry, the deck gives you space to sit in the sun and watch the coast. Pack sunscreen and apply it before boarding, since the open deck offers plenty of exposure.

Grilled lunch served on the boat

After the first stop, the crew prepares lunch onboard. The meal includes grilled food, bread, salad, and a fruit platter for dessert. The supplied meal details and direct trip information identify grilled chicken as the main dish, and a vegetarian option is available.

This is a useful meal rather than a formal dining event. You eat on a boat, with music playing and the water around you. The menu suits a long swim day because it is familiar, filling, and easy to serve to a large group.

The food may not be the main reason to book this trip. With up to 100 people aboard, lunch is designed for volume and convenience, not for a restaurant-style presentation. Still, the portions are described as ample, and the combination of chicken, salad, bread, and watermelon or other fresh fruit gives you a complete midday break.

Drinks are not included. Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are available separately, with drink prices reported around 2.50 to 3 euros. I would budget for at least one drink and bring a reusable bottle if permitted, since the activity specifically excludes bottled water.

The longer swim at Stalis

The second stop is in the Stalis area, and this is likely to be the highlight for anyone booking mainly for swimming. The stop can last around 1.5 hours, giving you time to swim without watching the clock every few minutes.

You can swim near the boat or head toward the beach. That choice gives the stop more variety than a simple anchored swim. The water is described as clear, which makes it a good place to use the supplied mask and look below the surface.

Stalis is also where the fruit platter follows lunch in the standard plan. Fresh fruit is a welcome finish after grilled food and time in the sun. The meal and second swim stop work well together: you can eat, wait for the food to settle, then spend a long stretch in the water.

Keep in mind that conditions at sea can affect how the stop feels. The cruise is built around swimming from the boat and reaching the beach by water, not around a guided visit ashore. If you need a full beach day with a chair, shade, and dry-land facilities, this is not the right format.

Music, sunbathing, and the pace onboard

Music plays onboard during the cruise, adding a holiday feel without turning the trip into a full party boat. The tone is described as relaxed and chilled out, with a crew that is friendly without being constantly in your space.

I see that as a strong match for people who want a simple break from a hotel pool. You can swim when the boat stops, eat lunch, sit in the sun, and watch the coast pass by. There is no long list of monuments or tightly timed activities to follow.

The tradeoff is limited commentary. The crew speaks English and Greek, and there is a live guide, but the trip is more about the sea than detailed information about Crete. If you want continuous storytelling about local history, geology, or coastal villages, you might find the commentary light.

Captain Panos, George, and Leftheris are named as the team welcoming you aboard. Their role is central to the feel of the trip, since a relaxed boat day depends as much on a helpful crew as on the route itself.

Is the four-hour cruise good value at $50.82?

At $50.82 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the main inclusions: the boat ride, two swim stops, snorkeling mask, lunch, fruit, music, and a four-hour block of entertainment.

You are not paying only for transport to the water. The trip includes a meal and organized swim access, which can make the cost compare well with a separate beach day involving food and drinks. It also uses only half a day, leaving time for dinner, a hotel pool, or another activity.

The value is weaker if you do not plan to swim. Much of the appeal is built around getting into the sea twice, with the longest stop at Stalis. If you prefer sightseeing from a boat, the limited commentary and swim-centered route may not justify the price.

The boat’s capacity also affects the value calculation. You get a social outing with music and shared facilities, not personal service. If you want privacy, the company offers private trips that can be tailored to your group, but that is a different booking and price arrangement.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Those are not optional extras for this trip. The boat provides swim access, but you need to bring the basics that make time on deck and in the water comfortable.

Also bring a ticket in electronic or printed form. Since bottled water and drinks are not included, plan for beverage costs. You should also bring a snorkel pipe if you want one, because only masks are supplied under the current equipment rules.

A simple packing list:

• Swimwear and towel
• High-factor sunscreen
• Electronic or printed ticket
• Money or payment method for drinks
• Snorkel pipe, if you want one
• A light cover-up for the boat ride back

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around a wooden boat, and entering the sea require enough mobility to manage the vessel safely.

Who will enjoy this Hersonissos boat trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and friends who want a low-pressure day on the water. It works particularly well if your holiday has been spent around a hotel pool and you want a change without committing to a full-day excursion.

It also suits swimmers who care more about clear water and time in the sea than a packed sightseeing schedule. The longer Stalis stop gives you room to swim, snorkel, or make your way toward the beach.

Families should consider the shared-boat format and the swimming focus. The activity information does not give a child age minimum, so check the booking details if you are traveling with young children. Anyone who is not confident in the water should be careful, since the main stops are designed for swimming from the boat.

This is less suitable for anyone seeking a quiet luxury cruise, detailed guided sightseeing, or guaranteed privacy. The boat can carry 100 people, music plays onboard, and the lunch is practical rather than refined.

Booking advice and final verdict

I would book this cruise if you want a relaxed four-hour escape from Hersonissos, with two chances to swim and a meal already arranged. The strongest reasons are the long Stalis stop, the traditional wooden boat, the included grilled lunch, and the friendly crew led by Captain Panos, George, and Leftheris.

I would skip it if you dislike shared boats, need extensive commentary, or want a full beach day on land. The first swim may be brief, drinks cost extra, and the group size can reach 100 people.

For most visitors who want an easy half-day on the Cretan sea, the balance is good. Bring sunscreen, water money, and realistic expectations about the group size. If you do that, this boat trip offers a pleasant mix of swimming, food, music, and open-water time without consuming your whole day.

FAQ

Where does the boat cruise start?

It starts at Eleni Traditional Wooden Boat in Hersonissos Port, opposite the Hersonissos Port Authority and Hellenic Coast Guard Station, at 125 Agias Paraskevis Street.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where are the swimming stops?

The standard route includes swimming and snorkeling stops at St. George Bay and in the Stalis area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a grilled meal, bread, salad, and a fresh fruit platter for dessert. A vegetarian option is available.

Are drinks included?

No. Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are not included. Drinks can be purchased separately onboard.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

A snorkeling mask is provided. A snorkel pipe is not provided because of Covid restrictions, so bring your own if you want to use one.