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.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Crete:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Crete: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Gramvousa island + Balos Lagoon
Fun activity: Quad excursion off the beaten path
My favorite places to stay:
- Chania: see best rated hotels – e.g. Casa Delfino
- Palaiochora: see best rated hotels – e.g. Blue Horizon Hotel
- Rethymno: see best rated hotels – e.g. Leo Hotel
About the boat trips from Crete
Accessing islets and wilder areas
Crete being a large island with lots of small islets around to which you can take short boat trips.
Plus, thanks to its mountainous geography, Crete has areas that have remained quite wild and cannot easily be reached by car.
But you can see those amazing places by boat!
The 3 unmissable Crete Boat trips
In this article, I am listing many of the boat tours available from Crete.
The 3 that I consider ‘unmissable’ are:
- Balos Lagoon
- Loutro and South Coast
- Spinalonga Island
They are all very touristic and not away from the crowds, but there is a good reason for that… the views are beautiful!
Crete Day trips to other Greek Islands
Wondering if you can to a boat excursion to another Greek island?
As you can see on the map below, Crete is the largest of the Greek islands.
However, compared to all the others, it is quite isolated. Therefore, it is not easy to do a simple day trip to a neighboring island.
The 2 closest ones are Santorini and Karpathos.
But if you want to visit any other, you would have to plan a multi-day tour.
1 – The best Crete boat trip – Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island
- 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
2 – The most historical boat tour from Crete – Spinalonga Island
- 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
3 – The most dreamt about – Boat trip from Crete to Santorini
- 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
Need to rent a car in Crete?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
4 – The wild South – Ferry from Chora Skafion to Loutro and Agia Roumeli
- 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.
I don’t drink coffee 
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…
5 – The small boat to facilitate access – Plakias to Preveli
- 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)
6 – The most beachy boat transfer from Crete – Chrysi island
- 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
Where to stay in Crete?
My favorites:
- Chania, a charming town: See best rated accommodations
- Rethymno, history, beach and central location: See best rated options
- Heraklion, main city: See best rated options
- Palaiochora, for stunning scenery, away from crowds – See best rated options
- Mochlos, for a very quiet area: see best rated options
- For a sandy beach and some nightlife: Malia or Bali
7 – Pirate sailing experiences in Crete
Because of its central location and tumultuous history, Crete has been the home of many pirates attacking the merchant ships going to Europe or Africa.
Today, you can learn more about their history and techniques on boat tours dedicated to the lives of pirates!
Check out this one from Heraklion
Or check out this option from Chania or Rethymno
Best boat tours from main towns – Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion
Boat tours from Chania
If you are staying in Chania – the best boat tours to consider are:
- Balos Lagoon is easy to do from Chania. You just take a bus to Kissamos
- You can also go to Santorini, but know that the drive to Heraklion will make the day even longer
- You can go snorkeling in the region – Check out the program and book
- You can also enjoy a boat tour from Chania on a sailboat, admiring the scenery and stopping at beaches and caves. It goes all around the peninsula to Marathi beach before sailing back – Check out the program and book
- For something a little different that will fascinate the whole family, you can also consider a 40min ride on a semi-submarine – Check out concept and book
Boat tours from Rethymno
Rethymno is very centrally located in Crete, so most of the Boat tours can be started in Rethymno either directly on water or but bus transfer first.
- There are direct tours to Santorini – check out options and availability
- You can head to Balos by bus and then boat – see details and availability
- You can have fun on the Pirate boat – see details and availability
Boat tours from Heraklion
Heraklion being the main town, it offers most of the boat excursions with a bus to reach departure or not:
- Direct tours to Santorini – check out options and availability
- Head to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa island – see details & availability
- Climb on board the Black Rose pirate ship – see details & availability
- Go explore Spinalonga island – see options
- Head South to Chrisi island for a day at the beach – see options
Need help deciding where to go? Check out my article Chania or Heraklion or Rethymno? Where to go?
FAQs
Boat trip to Elafonisi – Is it possible?
The pink beach of Elafonisi is worth a visit. But it is at one end of the island.
There is no boat tour from Chania, Rethymno or Heraklion – you have to book a bus tour (see details)
However, you can book a private boat tour from Palaiochora, the nearby town on the South Coast, if you are staying there.
Learn more about the beach in my article.
Boat tour South of Crete
The main boat tour along the South coast of Crete are:
- The ferry from Chora Sfakion to Loutro or Agia Roumeli (#4)
- The boat transfer to Chrisi island – Check out your options (#6)
- The short boat trip from Plakias to Preveli beach to avoid the steep path to access it (#5)
Diving in Crete – are there good options?
Crete has some great options for beginner and advanced divers from Chania or Heraklion or the Malia area – see some options
Sunset cruises around Crete
In most towns with a large enough port, you can find companies offering private or group sunset cruises or sailing adventures.
For example:
- Sunset cruise from Chania – see details and availability
- Sunset on pirate boat from Rethymno – see details and availability
Want to see more of the best Crete has to offer?
- 40 best landscapes in Crete (in pictures) – read article
- 20 best things to do in Crete – read article
- The 27 best beaches in Crete – read article
- The most beautiful archaeological sites – read article
- The most beautiful churches and monasteries in Crete – read article
- The best destinations in Crete, where to stay – read article
- Advice for planning your road trip in Crete and your itinerary – read article
- Tips for driving around Crete – read article
Planning a trip to Crete?
Check out my travel guide eBook to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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