Chania: Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with Snorkeling

At the northern end of Crete’s Rodopou Peninsula, the best sights are reached by water. This four-hour cruise takes you to Menies Beach, where ancient ruins meet clear swimming water, then to Chironisia Bay, a small cove you can reach only by boat.

I like the generous swim stops and the easy price of $47. You get about 105 minutes at Menies and another 40 minutes at Chironisia, plus snorkeling gear, a roomy boat, toilets, and optional hotel pickup. I also like the small touches, such as the WWII cannon remains underwater and the chance to swim into little sea caves.

The main caution is the sea. The boat anchors about 6 meters from shore, so you must swim through shallow water to reach Menies Beach. On choppy days, the ride can be rough, and the large group setup may feel less personal than a small sailing trip.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different swim stops: Menies gives you beach time and ancient sites, while Chironisia is mainly a boat-based swim in a narrow, secluded bay.
• A 105-minute Menies stop: You have time to snorkel, swim, sit on the smooth stones, and look for the remains of a WWII gun and carriage.
• Ancient Diktynna nearby: Menies is linked with the ancient site of Diktynna, including remains of a Roman temple and the abandoned monastery of St. George.
• Snorkeling gear is included: Masks, tubes, and fins are provided, with floats available for less-confident swimmers.
• Good value at four hours: The trip fits neatly into a morning or afternoon and costs less than many full-day boat outings.
• Plan for a busy boat: The vessel is spacious, but some departures carry large groups, and the upper deck has little or no shade.

Why this short cruise works so well

This is a practical way to see a wilder side of Chania without giving up a full day. The cruise leaves from Kolymbari, west of Chania, and heads along the Rodopou Peninsula. You spend roughly 40 minutes on the first boat ride, 15 minutes moving between the two swimming areas, and 30 minutes returning toward Kolymbari.

That timing matters. Four hours is long enough to make the boat ride worthwhile, but short enough to fit around a beach day, a dinner reservation, or another Chania activity. If you are staying in north Chania and want an outing that does not swallow the entire day, this schedule is one of the strongest features.

At $47 per person, the price covers the cruise, the swim stops, snorkeling equipment, and a guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the appropriate option and only from selected locations. Food and drinks are extra, though you can buy snacks and beverages at the onboard bar.

I would view this as a swimming and scenery trip first, with history added along the way. It is not an archaeological tour with a long guided visit on land. The ancient remains at Menies add character, but most of your time goes to water, sun, and the coast.

Leaving Kolymbari for the Rodopou Peninsula

At the harbor, look for the Smile Cruises boat. The departure options from Kolymbari are listed as 10:15 and 14:30, so check your exact start time when booking.

The first step is a short safety briefing of about 10 minutes. This is where you should pay attention to the instructions for getting into the water, using the equipment, and returning to the boat. The vessel has a ladder, and some people choose to jump from the upper deck. You do not need to jump, but the ladder gives you an easier choice.

The boat is described as comfortable, spacious, and modern. It has several seating areas, an upper deck, toilets, a snack and drinks bar, and storage for swimming equipment. Some departures can be busy, with large groups arriving by coach, but the boat has generally been roomy enough for people to spread out.

I would board early if you want a preferred seat. The upper deck gives you the best open views, but it has no shade. If you are sensitive to the sun, stay on the lower deck or bring strong sunscreen and a cover-up.

The ride along the peninsula is part of the experience. You get views of steep coastal rock, clear water, and small inlets that are difficult or impossible to reach by road. On calmer days, this is an easy, breezy cruise. On windy days, the same open-water ride can bring seasickness, so sit in a stable area and consider taking your usual precautions before departure.

Menies Beach: ancient ruins beside clear water

Menies is the main stop and the place where the cruise spends the most time. You get about 105 minutes here, enough for a proper swim rather than a quick photo stop.

The beach is made of smooth pebbles, not soft sand. That makes water shoes a smart addition to your packing list. The stones are generally easy on the feet, but they can still be uncomfortable when you are carrying a towel, mask, and personal items from the boat to shore.

The boat anchors about 6 meters from the beach. You then swim through shallow water to reach the shoreline. The crew may provide baskets or paddle boards to help move belongings, but you should still pack light and use a waterproof bag for anything that cannot get wet.

Menies is attractive because it combines three things in one stop: swimming, snorkeling, and history. The water is often very clear, with fish and sea vegetation visible around the rocky areas. The amount of sea life varies, so do not book this expecting a major reef experience. You might see plenty of small fish, and some people have spotted cuttlefish, but conditions and luck play a part.

The WWII remains give the snorkeling a clear purpose. You can look underwater for the sunken base of a gun and its carriage. These are not presented as a large museum site, and visibility may affect what you see, but searching for the remains adds interest to an otherwise simple swim.

Menies also sits on the site of ancient Diktynna. The area was linked to a major temple dedicated to Vritomartis, and you can see remains associated with an ancient Roman temple. There is also an abandoned ninth-century monastery dedicated to St. George.

You should keep your expectations in check here. The ruins are part of the setting rather than a fully developed archaeological visit. You will not spend the entire stop with a formal site guide. Instead, you can listen to the guide when possible, take a look around, and then return to the water.

This balance suits me. You get a sense that Menies is more than a pretty cove, but you are not asked to trade away your swim time for a long history lecture.

Snorkeling at Menies

Snorkeling gear is included, with masks, tubes, and fins available. The crew also provides floats for people who are not strong swimmers, and a lifeguard is reported to be onboard on some departures.

This makes the trip friendly for families and first-time snorkelers. The swimming areas are described as calm when conditions are good, and the crew helps people get in and out of the water. Young children can enjoy the outing, but you still need to supervise them closely around the boat, ladder, and shore swim.

The mask fit deserves a little attention. Try your equipment before leaving the harbor or as soon as it is handed out. If it does not seal properly, ask the crew for another one. Maria, a staff member mentioned by name in connection with the cruise, has helped with mask changes and guest questions.

Bring your own snorkel mouthpiece if hygiene is a major concern. The equipment is supplied, but not everyone will feel comfortable sharing gear. The cruise does not advertise a private set of equipment for each person.

Do not expect a silent snorkeling session. The boat can carry a large group, and the water may have many people in it at once. Still, the long stop gives you time to move away from the first busy patch and search along the rocks.

Chironisia Bay: a swim reached only by sea

After Menies, the boat continues for about 15 minutes to Chironisia Bay. This stop lasts around 40 minutes, so it is shorter and more focused.

Chironisia is a small, sheltered-looking bay that can only be reached by sea. The boat does not necessarily pull up to a beach here. Instead, you swim from the boat, making this stop better for confident swimmers and people who are happy using a ladder or jumping from the side.

The main reward is the setting. The bay feels more enclosed than Menies, and you can snorkel around the clear water and small caves. These sea caves are one of the most memorable details of the trip, especially if you enjoy exploring with a mask and fins.

You may find fish and underwater plants here, though the amount of marine life changes from day to day. Some outings produce excellent snorkeling, while others offer attractive water but fewer fish. I would treat the caves, cliffs, and quiet bay as equal attractions rather than judging the stop only by the number of fish.

Forty minutes goes quickly. Get your mask and fins ready before the boat reaches the bay, and listen for the crew’s instructions about where you may swim. If you need more time to adjust your equipment, do that at Menies so you can use the shorter stop well.

What the boat setup is really like

This is not a private charter or a quiet, small-group sailing trip. The number of people varies, and some departures have several coachloads arriving at the harbor. That can mean a crowded boarding period, shared equipment, and more noise than you might expect from the word secluded.

The size of the boat is also a benefit. A larger vessel gives you more seating, several areas to choose from, toilets, and room to move between swimming turns. Even when busy, the boat has generally offered enough space for the outing to remain comfortable.

One weak point is the sound system. Announcements and guide commentary can be hard to hear from the outside or on the upper deck. If the history and safety instructions matter to you, sit close to the guide or crew when they speak. The staff are described as helpful, but the speaker quality may limit how much you hear while the boat is underway.

The onboard bar sells snacks and drinks. Think crisps and refreshments rather than a full meal. Eat before departure if you need something substantial, and bring water if you prefer not to rely on onboard purchases.

Hotel pickup, parking, and timing

You can choose to meet the boat at Kolymbari or select an option with hotel pickup and drop-off from listed locations in north Chania. Pickup points include hotels and public meeting places around areas such as Platanias, Agia Marina, Maleme, and Chania.

With hotel transfer, your pickup can be as early as one hour before the boat leaves. A 10:15 cruise may therefore require you to be ready well before 9:00, depending on your location. Check the email with your assigned pickup time, including the spam folder.

Wait in front of the pickup point on the main road. The bus carries a sign naming Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay, and drivers wait no longer than five minutes after the scheduled time. If several coaches are working that day, watch carefully. A bus may pass while another arrives shortly afterward.

If you drive to Kolymbari, arrive early. Parking near the harbor is limited. This is a small but useful tip, since arriving at the last minute can turn a relaxed cruise into a parking hunt.

Who will enjoy this Crete boat trip?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want:

• A half-day outing rather than a seven- or eight-hour boat day
• Two clear-water swimming stops
• A chance to try snorkeling without renting equipment
• A family-friendly boat with floats and a ladder
• A taste of northern Crete’s coast beyond the main resort beaches
• A reasonable price with optional transport from your hotel

It is also a good fit for first-time snorkelers. You can start in shallow water at Menies, use the provided floats, and ask the crew for help with your mask. The short duration helps keep children from tiring out, though the beach swim and boat transfers still require adult supervision.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, private trip or a soft sandy beach. Menies is pebble-covered, Chironisia is mainly a boat swim, and the group can be large. You should also reconsider on a day with a strong wind forecast, since rough water has caused seasickness and made swimming less comfortable.

Is $47 a fair price?

At $47, this is strong value if you use the water time. The cruise gives you two stops, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and four hours on the coast. Add hotel transfers where available, and the price becomes even more useful if you do not have a rental car.

The value is less compelling if you dislike group excursions or will spend most of the trip sitting on the boat. The cruise includes no meal, and the snacks for sale are limited. You should also budget for water shoes if you do not already own them.

Compared with a full-day cruise, the shorter schedule is the key advantage. You pay for a focused outing, not hours of extra sailing and a meal stop you may not want. For a family, couple, or small group looking for a simple swim day, the cost is easy to justify.

Practical packing advice

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and comfortable shoes. Add water shoes for the smooth-pebble beach, especially if you dislike walking barefoot over stones.

I would also pack a waterproof pouch, a light cover-up, and a small amount of cash or payment method for snacks and drinks. Keep valuables to a minimum because you must swim the short distance from the boat to Menies.

If you are prone to seasickness, prepare before the first ride. The return journey can also feel rough when the sea turns. Weather controls the operation, and the cruise does not run in poor conditions.

The boat provides the main snorkeling items, but you may prefer to bring your own mask or mouthpiece for comfort. Check the fit early, since a leaking mask wastes valuable time at both coves.

Should you book the Menies and Chironisia cruise?

Book it if you want clear water, long swim stops, and a four-hour schedule at a modest price. The combination of Menies Beach, ancient remains, WWII underwater relics, and Chironisia’s sea caves gives the trip more variety than a standard beach transfer.

Skip it if you need a sandy beach, a private boat, or guaranteed calm water. For the best experience, choose a calm-weather day, arrive early at Kolymbari, bring water shoes, and check your pickup time carefully.

For most people staying in north Chania, this is an efficient way to reach two coastal spots that are awkward to visit by land. It is simple, active, and fairly priced, with just enough history to make the swimming stops feel special.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

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

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts four hours. Departure times from Kolymbari are listed as 10:15 and 14:30, subject to availability.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available with the appropriate option from selected locations in north Chania.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Greek.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the cruise price.

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

Yes. The boat anchors about 6 meters from shore, so you must swim through shallow water to reach the beach.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Water shoes are especially useful because Menies Beach has smooth pebbles.

Can I buy food and drinks onboard?

You can buy snacks and drinks onboard. Food and beverages are not included in the tour price, and the available food options are limited.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise does not operate when weather conditions are poor. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund under the stated cancellation terms.