7 Amazing Boat Trips from Crete (with photos)- Balos, Santorini, Spinalonga…

When traveling to the biggest Greek island, you can enjoy many amazing boat trips from Crete: 
From short ones to an islet such as Spinalonga, to long ones taking you to neighboring island Santorini. 
Below is my selection of the best Crete boat tours and excursions to consider during your holidays.

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• Where it goes -
  This first tour takes you to the wild peninsula at the North-West end of Crete.
  The first stop is Gramvousa island also referred to as the pirate island, and then the boat continues to the famous Balos Lagoon
• My rating -
  For the scenery: 5 stars!

• Why is it worth it?
  The area is wild and colorful.
  The island of Gramvousa has steep cliff, emerald waters and a fortification at the top! What more would you want?
  And Balos Lagoon is one of the most famous places in Crete. The area at the foot of mountains offers shallow warm turquoise waters protected by the island of Tigani.
  And you can even find some pink sand!
  Want to see more photos and a video? Check out my article about the Balos Lagoon Cruise.

• Departure from - 
  The boats depart from the port of Kissamos.
  Busses can take you to Kissamos from Chania or Rethymno
  Private yachts can depart from Chania
• How long it takes - 
  This is a full-day tour.
  The boats leave between 10 am and 12pm and you come back at the end of the afternoon.
• Type of Boat -
  The boats are quite big and stable, with easy embarkation and disembarkation.
  There are seats inside and outside, toilets and a food service.
• How to Book -
  Check out the tour options with or without bus on Getyourguide

• Where it goes -
  This Crete Boat tour takes you to the famous Spinalonga island.
  It is located on the North Coast of Crete, just North of Agios Nikolaos (East from Heraklion)
• My rating - 
  I would give it 4 stars because of the overtourism.

• Why is it worth it?
  This tour combines Stunning scenery, Venetian architecture and a tumultuous history. 
  The islet is located in a bay that is almost enclosed. Therefore there is always something to look at around the vibrant blue water.
  Spinalonga is completely protected with fortifications around and at the top.
  It used to be a Venetian and then an Ottoman fortress. And, during its most recent history, it was a leper colony.

• Departure from & Types of Boats - 
  You can depart from different locations:
  - the village of Plaka, with small boats - the ride takes only 10 minutes
  - the resort town of Elounda - boats are a little bigger and you stay within the quiet bay - the ride takes 25 minutes
  - Agios Nikolaos - day excursions leave from the bigger town of A.N. This tour has to sail around the peninsula to reach the islet.
• How long it takes - 
  From Plaka and Elounda, you can just take the boat, visit on your own and take one of the later return boats.
  Or you can take organized tours with a guide to better understand the history of the island.
• How to Book -
  Check some tour options on Getyourguide

• Where it goes -
  Santorini is probably the most famous of the Greek islands. It is located in the Cycladic island archipelago, in the middle of the Aegean see.
  It is the one closest to Crete.
• My rating - 
  I would say 5 stars if you take a 2 day trip, and only 4stars for a day trip, because your time on Santorini will be very limited (but still worth it if you are short in time!)

• Why is it worth it?
  Santorini is quite a unique place to see.
  The island was destroyed by a giant earthquake and the current towns are built at the edge of the caldera!!!
  It combines the magnificent landscapes of a volcano, the sea and the traditional white houses.
  It is very very very touristic (you sure will not be alone) but the geology is fascinating.
  I recommend admiring it from the sea rather than on land if you can choose your activity.
  Learn more on my article about visiting Santorini from Crete

• Departure from - 
  Heraklion (coaches can take you from other towns)
• How long it takes - 
  It is at least a full-day trip. But if you can, I recommend booking an overnight boat tour from Crete.
  The fast ferry between Heraklion and Santorini takes 2 hours
• Type of Boat - 
  For this type of tour, you will take the fast ferry. It is a large boat low on water, as you can see in the picture below.
  There are other bigger boats doing the connection, but they are twice as long so they don't work for a day trip.
• How to Book -
  On this page of Getyourguide, you can find tours departing from Chania, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos and Rethymno
  And here on Viator, you can find an overnight tour

• Where it goes -
  Part of the South Coast has stayed wild with only a few small villages by the sea such as Loutro or Agia Roumeli.
  The region is not accessible by car
• My rating - 
  I loved the view from the boat and the charm of Loutro. 5 stars!
  (Note: but it might not be as enchanting in the middle of Summer considering how small the village is.

• Why is it worth it?
  Your boat departs from Chora Sfakion and follows the South coast where the mountains drop straight into the sea.
  You can spot very small beaches along the way but not much else.
  The village of Loutro is really small and the scenery is stunning: white houses, orange rocks and emerald waters...
  Want to see more pictures? Check out my article about the village of Loutro

• Departure from - 
  Chora Sfakion on the South Coast, South of Rethymno
  (departure may also be possible from Sougia beach at certain times)
• How long it takes - 
  The boat trip from Chora Sfakion to Loutro is only 20min, but you can continue further along the coast to Agia Roumeli for 40more minutes (at the end of the famous Samaria Gorge (photo above))
• Type of Boat -
  It depends on the time of your ferry. At certain hours it is a large ferry which can take cars, at others it is a smaller boat. You can see them in the pictures below.
• How to Book -
  The main company is Anendyk - timetable here
  there are other companies with smaller boat operating between Chora Sfakion and Loutro.

• Where it goes -
  This boat tour in Crete departs from the resort town of Plakias on the South Coast
• Why is it worth it?
  It takes you to one of the most unique beaches in Crete: Preveli (see my full list of amazing Cretan beaches here)
  This beach is located at the end of a gorge, where a lake has formed and palm trees have taken over. 
  The typical access from the paved carpark requires you to get down 400 high stairs (and therefore to go up 400 stairs when you are ready to leave).
  This is why the boat is a great option, since it takes you directly to the beach.

• Departure from - 
  Plakias
• How long it takes - 
  40min boat ride with stunning scenery
• Type of Boat -
  Small boat (you can see one in the photo below)
• How to Book -
  For example, you can contact Plakias Boat Tours (note: I have not done this tour, I went to the beach by car)

• Where it goes -
  This boat tour in Crete, takes you 15km South of the main island, to the smaller one of Chrysi (or Chrisi)
• Why is it worth it - 
  This tour is more for people who enjoy beach time.
  The island of Chrysi is famous for its paradise-looking beaches with white sand and turquoise waters.

• Departure from - 
  The town of Ierapetra on the South Coast (South of Agios Nikolaos)
  But tours are organized from some resort town on the North shore too (bus + boat)
• How long it takes - 
  6 hours - departure are from 10am to 1pm and return from 4:40pm to 6pm
• Type of Boat -
  Quite large boats with toilets and Food service on board
• How to Book -
  Check out your options on Getyourguide

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