Greece · BOAT TOURS IN CRETE

15 Boat Tours in Crete That Are Worth the Day

33 tours  ·  from $19

Every trip is one free day short. These 15 boat tours in Crete earn the slot, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes rather than an evening.

From Kissamos Port: Boat Cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa - Leaving Kissamos Port for the Gramvousa Peninsula
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

From Kissamos Port: Boat Cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa

1.From Kissamos Port: Boat Cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 6,755 reviews · 7 hours · from $47Our pick

Set sail from Kissamos on a large, comfortable ferry to Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon. Swim from rocky beaches, hike to Gramvousa’s Venetian castle, and enjoy about two hours at each stop. Food, drinks, toilets, and an audio guide are available onboard, but expect a busy shared boat.

“visited 2 amazing g spots, Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island, some of the most beautiful scenery and crystal clear blue water I have ever seen. our package included lunch which consisted of a main meal (pasta or chicken), salad and a bottle of water, meal was ok but I'd suggest bringing your own lunch. Weather was perfect and the 1 hour trip out from Kissamos was calm, staff at the Kissamos Port were so friendly. The only down side to the whole trip was the amount of time it took to get off the boat, at Balos we waited for 20 minutes, not a big issue for us as we're…”

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Agios Nikolaos: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop - Mirabello Bay and the stories along the coast
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Agios Nikolaos: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop

2.Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop

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

Sail from Agios Nikolaos through Mirabello Bay to Spinalonga, with a 30-minute swim from the boat at Kolokitha Bay. A live English or Dutch guide leads the island visit, while French and German audio guides are available. Expect a bar, restaurant, toilets, and about an hour to explore alone.

“The swim stop, the boat itself, the food and drinks were all good. We didn’t stay at the destination as long it has listed in the guide and is a little tough to hear the description through the intercom, but overall we recommend. People were polite and we enjoyed the trip.”

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Heraklion: Dia Island Sailboat Cruise with Swimming and Meal - Why 14 passengers changes the day
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dia Island Cruises, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Heraklion: Dia Island Sailboat Cruise with Swimming and Meal

3.Dia Island Sailboat Cruise with Swimming and Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,579 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $95

Sail from Heraklion’s Old Venetian Harbour to Dia Island aboard a yacht limited to 14 people. Swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and enjoy shrimp linguini, Greek salad, Cretan appetizers, and unlimited drinks. English-speaking crew members may include Mariana, Manos, Sofia, Giannis, or Captain Petros.

“Superb day out on the boat! The views are breathtaking A must do whilst in Crete and will do it again”

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Hersonissos: Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling - What the 360-degree turns feel like
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Snorkeling, Snorkeling Trips in Crete, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hersonissos: Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling

4.Hersonissos: Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,385 reviews · 1 hour · from $53Top rated

Join Jet Boat Hersonissos Crete for a one-hour coastal ride from Hersonissos Port. Expect speeds up to 90 km/h, optional 360-degree turns, a 30-minute swim and snorkel stop at Saint George’s Bay, and friendly guides such as Kostas or Lucas, depending on your departure.

“Everything was excellent !!! I would definitely recommend. We absolutely loved it !!! Thank you xx”

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Heraklion: Sailboat Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks & Lunch - Arriving at Dia Island’s Saint George Bay
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dia Island Cruises, Lunch Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Heraklion: Sailboat Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks & Lunch

5.Sailboat Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,287 reviews · from $90

Sail from Heraklion to Dia Island on a shared or private yacht with an English-speaking crew. Swim and snorkel in Saint George Bay, try fishing, enjoy lunch, fruit, wine, soft drinks, and plenty of deck time. Crew members may include Marcos, Vasilis, Alexandra, or Dimitri.

“This activity was amazing, great communication from the get-go, staff were lovely and very knowledgeable, the transport shuttle was on time and quick, the boat and Dia Island were stunning and the food and drinks were great - especially if you like a sweeter white wine!”

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From Ierapetra: Cruise to Chrissi Island with Swimming - Seeing Chrissi from the Libyan Sea
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From Ierapetra: Cruise to Chrissi Island with Swimming

6.From Ierapetra: Cruise to Chrissi Island with Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,040 reviews · 6 hours · from $47

Cruise from Ierapetra to Chrissi Island aboard the ARISTOVOULOS. After about 70 minutes at sea, swim toward the beach, snorkel, and enjoy 3.5 hours near the island. Drinks, snacks, masks, fins, boards, and life jackets are available, but food costs extra.

“Fantastic,except the food,that was horrible…we were hungry in the whole trip because that menu wasn’t eatable.”

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Chania Areas/Kalyves:Gramvousa Island & Balos,Boat Tkt Extra - The coach ride from Chania to Kissamos
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Chania Areas/Kalyves:Gramvousa Island & Balos,Boat Tkt Extra

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

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

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Chania, Kalyves, or nearby resorts to Kissamos, then sail to Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon. You get time to swim, climb the Venetian fortress, and enjoy the ferry facilities, but the boat ticket is usually extra for Chania departures.

“Balos and Gramvousa are the most amazing place on earth! The sea is full of color and fish and the water was really clear and perfect! The day was well organized but I would have liked to stay one more hour on Gramvousa Island. The boat was really big and there was a seat for almost everyone! The guide and the autist were nice and informed us well”

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Chania: Balos Gramvousa Cruise with Transfer and Boat Ticket - The Kissamos cruise is part of the attraction
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Chania: Balos Gramvousa Cruise with Transfer and Boat Ticket

8.Balos Gramvousa Cruise with Transfer and Boat Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 925 reviews · from $47

Travel from Chania to Kissamos Port by air-conditioned bus, then cruise to Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon. You get time to swim, snorkel, hike to a Venetian castle, and use the boat’s bar-restaurant. Pickup is from a nearby meeting point, with Greek and English guidance.

“The trip to Balos is absolutely a must when in Chania! The beach is gorgeous and I would visit again any day! While I think making the trip to Balos is worth while, the only real value that buying it here is the arranged transportation by bus from a stop near your hotel. But otherwise, it’s entirely possible to organize the trip yourself given that the tour guide does not join for the trip to the beaches. The tour guide only stayed with us until we got to the ferry and then wasn’t there for the return. Chania has a great bus system with buses leaving to Balos from Chania…”

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Heraklion: Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks and Meal - Free time in Dia’s clear water
Boat Tours in Crete, Catamaran & Sailing Cruises, Catamaran Cruises in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dia Island Cruises, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Heraklion: Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks and Meal

9.Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks and Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 778 reviews · 6 hours · from $106

Spend six hours sailing from Heraklion to uninhabited Dia Island, with snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing, swimming, and a Mediterranean meal included. The English and Greek-speaking crew, including captains such as Stelios or Nick, keeps the day relaxed and social. Hotel pickup is optional.

“We had an amazing trip to Dia island with Stelios and Celia! We decided to try the full day trip over the half day and are so glad we did. Definitely pay the bit more if you can! The pickup from our hotel was right from the door and on time, we were welcomed on board at the harbour and at the island had a chance to try snorkelling and SUP for the first time. Lunch was prepared while we swam and we had plenty of chance to sunbathe without feeling under pressure to do anything to a schedule. The whole experience was so relaxing, we felt like welcomed guests…”

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Heraklion: Dia Island Sailing Cruise with Snorkeling - Arriving at Dia Island’s clear bays
Boat Tours in Crete, Catamaran & Sailing Cruises, Catamaran Cruises in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dia Island Cruises, Sailing, Snorkeling, Snorkeling Trips in Crete, Tour Reviews

Heraklion: Dia Island Sailing Cruise with Snorkeling

10.Dia Island Sailing Cruise with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 742 reviews · 4.5 - 7 hours · from $82

Set sail from Heraklion with a small crew, usually 10 to 18 people, for Dia Island’s clear bays. Ernesto and George may guide your trip, sharing Crete stories while you swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and eat a simple Greek meal onboard.

“The team,the activities snd spots with clear water”

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From Ag. Nikolaos: Spinalonga & Kolokytha Cruise with Lunch - Cruising across Mirabello Bay
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews

From Ag. Nikolaos: Spinalonga & Kolokytha Cruise with Lunch

11.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 5.5-hour cruise to Spinalonga and Kolokytha Bay. You get 90 minutes to explore the former leper colony, 90 minutes for swimming, and a simple onboard lunch with pork, salad, bread, fruit, and wine or juice. Bring sturdy shoes and cash.

“We really enjoyed all of the trip. The little beach we got dropped off at to swim was really lovely too. And the food was great”

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Agios Nikolaos: Semi-Submarine Cruise - Boarding at Agios Nikolaos port
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Agios Nikolaos: Semi-Submarine Cruise

12.Semi-Submarine Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 670 reviews · from $18Best value

Board an air-conditioned semi-submarine at Agios Nikolaos port for a close look at fish around Agioi Pantes Island. A multilingual audio guide explains the sea life, while the crew feeds the fish. Later, move to the open deck for bay views. Turtles, dolphins, and seals are possible but not guaranteed.

“It was great! Some of fish are "trained" to follow the boat!”

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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

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

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

Travel from Rethymno to Kissamos by air-conditioned bus, then cruise to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. You get swimming time at both stops, plus the option to climb the Venetian Fortress. Guides may be English, French, or German, and pickup is included in listed Rethymno-area zones.

“Gramavousa, difficult to travel at the end of the day, I suggest changing the order of the objectives. Attentive guide, very interesting route, Balos is wow, worth it, the Crete is fabulous!”

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Chania/Almyrida: Balos Gramvousa Day Trip with Boat Ticket - Boarding the ferry at Kissamos Port
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Chania/Almyrida: Balos Gramvousa Day Trip with Boat Ticket

14.Chania/Almyrida: Balos Gramvousa Day Trip with Boat Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 590 reviews · 12 hours · from $64

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Chania to Kissamos, then cruise to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. Swim in clear water, see the Dimitrios P shipwreck, and climb to the Venetian fortress. Guides including Eva, Irene, Vicky, and Eirini are praised for clear instructions and friendly care.

“Everything was perfect! The guide was exceptional and went above and beyond her duties!”

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Rethymno: Sunset Cruise on a Wooden Pirate Boat - The outward run past the Fortezza
Boat Tours in Crete, Crete Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sunset Cruises, Tour Reviews

Rethymno: Sunset Cruise on a Wooden Pirate Boat

15.Sunset Cruise on a Wooden Pirate Boat

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

Board the wooden pirate boat Captain Hook at Rethymno port for a one-hour cruise past the Venetian Port and Fortezza Castle. You’ll watch the Cretan mountains fade into twilight, enjoy one beer or soft drink, and return as the town lights come on. German, English, and French assistance is available.

“Brilliant, well worth the money. Would definitely recommend, the sunset was amazing.”

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New in Boat Tours in Crete

★ 4.9Golden Hour Sailboat Tour with Wine & SnacksFrom $11235 reviews
★ 4.9Spinalonga AM Catamaran Cruise with LunchFrom $13483 reviews
★ 4.8Spinalonga PM Catamaran Cruise with DinnerFrom $13488 reviews
★ 4.6Agia Galini: South Crete Sailing Trip with Optional LunchFrom $10692 reviews
★ 3.7Elounda, Kolokitha, and Spinalonga Boat TripFrom $2856 reviews
★ 5.0Dia Island Catamaran – Premium Lunch, Open Bar, Small GroupFrom $181126 reviews
★ 4.9Dia Catamaran Tour – Lunch, Open Bar & SnorkelingFrom $141161 reviews
★ 4.6Snorkeling Boat Trip with Lunch and TransferFrom $81345 reviews
★ 4.7Boat Trip with Guided Snorkeling & Stand-Up PaddlingFrom $100363 reviews
★ 4.7Kolimvari: Sailing Cruise with Meal & Water ActivitiesFrom $129390 reviews
★ 4.8Sailing Trip to Dia Island with Lunch & SwimmingFrom $67414 reviews
★ 4.4Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with SnorkelingFrom $47429 reviews

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