Boat Trips & Boat Hire
A private boat trip in Crete, either with or without a skipper, offers a personalized and exclusive experience, allowing you to explore the island's stunning coastline and hidden gems at your own pace. Enjoy secluded beaches, hidden coves, magical sea caves, and cool off whilst swimming and snorkelling in sublime azure waters.
Create lasting memories with friends and family as you escape the crowds and explore the stunning coastline of Crete from a unique vantage point.
Private Motor Boat Hire
Enjoy boat trips & boat hire with Villas Crete Holiday—the perfect addition to your Chania Crete holidays and unforgettable Crete holidays!
Having your own motor boat will give you the freedom to explore at your own pace, stopping for swimming and sightseeing when you want to, and going to quiet beaches that are only accessible by boat, in addition to more popular locations.
We offer you a choice of hiring a private motor boat from either Almyrida, Kalives, Marathi, or Kolymbari harbours on the North Coast, or from Sfakia on the South Coast (about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from the Almyrida area).
Much more information about the vast variety of stunning places to go to on the north and south coastlines can be seen in the different sections below for Private Cruises with a Skipper.
There are many types of boat available, and booking in advance is necessary, particularly in high season. The first category of boat has a smaller 30hp engine, accommodating up to 4 or 6 persons, and you do not require a license to rent it. Other boats available have larger engines and can only be rented either by a person who holds a motor boat license, or with a Skipper included. All boats have safety equipment, and insurance, and you will be given instructions and a safety briefing before departing.
Below are some photos which show some of the boats that are available to rent, and some of the gorgeous places that you can visit by boat. Many more photos can be seen in the different sections below for Private Cruises with a Skipper.
For further information and to book a boat please go to: www.creteboattrips.com
Private Cruises Sail Boat Cruises With A Skipper from Chania, Almyrida, or Sfakia.
If you are looking for a very special day out we can offer relaxing private cruises to different locations, on a choice of sail boats, including a 40ft Jeanneau Sun Odyssey for up to 10 persons, a 32ft Jeanneau Sun Odyssey for smaller groups and romantic couples, and a sleek catamaran on the north coast, and a luxury catamaran for between 12 and 22 persons, or a sailing boat for up to 8 persons on the south coast.
Different Full Day Itineraries are available including destinations of your choosing (though this can vary depending upon the weather, and your experienced skipper will advise you on the day). A small number of Half Day Itineraries are also available.
The most popular day out on the north coast is the Chania Bay Full Day Cruise. Starting in the old harbour of Chania the boat will spend the entire day in the Chania Bay area - Macherida Beach, Theodorou Island, and/or Menies Beach. During the day there are stops at secluded inlets that are only accessible by boat and many stops for swimming, and snorkelling in the crystal-clear turquoise sea, including one at a sunken World War 2 Nazi plane.
For romantic couples and special occasions, a 3 - 4 hour Sunset Cruise with champagne and fruits is available from most locations.
On the south coast the catamaran is ideal for large groups and is available for full day or half day cruises. A smaller sailing boat with cruises for up to 8 persons is also available, but which ever sailing boat you choose, you are sure to have an unforgettable south coast adventure with stops at places including Marmara, Loutro, Agios Pavlos, and Sweetwater Beach.
The price of every day trip includes: an experienced skipper, fuel, drinks, light lunch/snacks, snorkelling gear (a limited amount), a baby cot/bed for tiny passengers (not on all boats), life jackets, VAT and insurance. All you will need to bring along is your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and camera!
For more information, and to book your private sailboat cruise, please go to: www.creteboattrips.com
Private Cruises Motor Boat Cruises With A Skipper from Almyrida or Chania.
For those who would like to experience the joy and exhilaration of being out on the water with absolutely no stress, the ideal solution is a motorboat cruise with an experienced skipper who can guide you to a myriad of incredible places, many of which are only accessible by boat.
Relax and breath in the fresh sea air, whilst marvelling at the sights, and taking regular refreshing stops for swimming and snorkelling in the glass-like aquamarine waters.
There are a variety of set itineraries, with for either full day or half day cruises, depending upon whether you set out from Almyrida or Chania, that encompass stops at favourite locations, including the photogenic Seitan Limani Beach, on the edge of the Akrotiri Peninsula, which has pristine white sand and is nestled between steep cliffs, Koutalas Beach with its dramatic limestone formations and sea caves, Lazareta Island Beach which features calm, shallow waters, and vibrant marine life which attracts visitors who enjoy underwater exploration, Menies Beach which is a remote and unspoiled paradise, or Thodorou Islet which is a protected nature reserve with the ruins of a Venetian fortress, and is home to the rare Cretan wild goat, the Kri-Kri.
Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, a private cruise with a skipper promises to be a magical and unforgettable experience in the heart of the Mediterranean.
For more information and to book your private motorboat cruise go to: www.creteboattrips.com
Private Motor Boat Cruises with a Skipper On The South Coast Of Crete
The magnificent south coast has stunning sea caves, crystal clear water that ranges in colour from deep blue to bright turquoise, and many quiet beaches which are only accessible by boat or a long hike. Discover your own private beach and stop off at the glorious Marmara Beach (at the bottom of the Aradena Gorge), Agios Pavlos beach which has black sand and a beautiful chapel (legend has it this is the location where Saint Paul was shipwrecked and brought Christianity to Crete), Sweetwater Beach (popular with nudists), Agia Roumeli (the village at the bottom of the Samaria Gorge), and the absolutely gorgeous harbour village of Loutro.
Loutro has been built in traditional Greek style with all of the buildings being white with blue doors and shutters, and the village has rooms for rent, excellent tavernas, and gift shops. Further west you can visit Elafonissi beach which is famed for it's pink sand, Agia Roumeli at the bottom end of the Samaria Gorge, and Paleohora.
Food and drinks are available from tavernas/kantinas at many of the places mentioned above, or you can take a cool box with you for picnicking on a secluded beach of your own.
Different Full Day Itineraries are available including, Gavdos Island, a- the most southerly point in Europe, a day with stops at Elafonissi beach, Paleohora, Loutro etc., or a Southwest paradise day with stops at Marmara, Sweetwater beach, Agios Pavlos and others.
For more information, and to book a cruise, go to: www.creteboattrips.com
Gramvousa Island And Balos Lagoon
This delightful excursion takes you by coach to the port of Kissamos-Kastelli where you board a boat which takes about 1 hour to cross the bay of Kissamos, passing the ancient shipyards of Tarsanas, to Gramvousa Island and the incomparable Balos Lagoon.
The boat is very comfortable with a choice of seating either inside the boat or on the decks for those of you wishing to be in the sun. There is a self-service bar/restaurant that is well stocked with meals, snacks, drinks and ice creams.
Once at Balos the boat drops anchor just off the shore and you are ferried in a small boat to the pristine beach, where you are free to spend the next 3 hours relaxing. There is no shade on Balos beach except for a some umbrellas (but these are limited) so you might want to bring your own beach umbrella with you. The crystal clear jade waters and pale white sand at Balos even enticed Prince Charles and Princess Diana to swim here whilst on their honeymoon aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia. Balos today is part of a nature reserve and is an important habitat for birds, sea turtles, and the Mediterranean seal.
The boat sails to the fabled pirate island of Gramvousa. In the 19th Century Gramvousa was home to 3000 revolutionaries who were forced to make a living from piracy during troubled times and food shortages. Gramvousa Island is dominated by a mighty Venetian fortress that is 137m above sea level. When the boat docks you have the opportunity to embark on a 15 minute walk up to this impressive castle which has breathtaking views across the bay to Balos Lagoon. For the less energetic amongst us, you can chill out on either the boat, or the beach where you can swim, in time that we stay at Gramvousa Island.
At the end of an incredibly relaxing day the boat sails back to port where the coach is waiting to bring you back to your accommodation.
*** The order of the itinerary is subject to change dependent upon the weather, and how busy the lagoon or island are.
For the excursion with the coach and boat book online in advance at: https://iotours.gr/
Guests with a rental car who would prefer to drive themselves to Kastelli –Kissamos harbour can purchase reduced price boat tickets at the office on the harbour for any day of the week, but do get there at least 30 minutes before the boat is due to leave.
For advance boat tickets only (no coach transfer), book online at: https://www.cretandailycruises.com/explorecruises/gramvousabalos/tour/onedaycruise.en.html
Pirate Ship Cruise
An exceptionally fun day out which offers something for every member of the family. This daily cruise (from 10:00 to 16:45) allows the adults to sit back, relax and enjoy a wonderful sightseeing experience of the waters and coastline of Souda Bay, whilst the children laugh and play under the watchful eye of the friendly crew who are expert at triggering the imagination and creativity of the children, and are all dressed as pirates. The “BLACK PEARL” pirate ship sets sail most mornings during the summer season from the port of Souda for an adventurous trip. The pirate crew will welcome you on board and the animator will encourage your children to search for the pirate flag hidden somewhere on the ship.
Whilst doing this they will explore and get to know the ship, become part of a team, and participate in countless activities organised especially for them throughout the day. The children will be transformed into pirates, make drawings, play games such as swordplay and sack races, try to balance while wearing life-jackets and much, much more. The winners will be rewarded with special piratethemed gifts!
In the meantime, the adults can enjoy the cruise, catch some rays, have a drink from the on-board self-service bar, listen to relaxing music, and admire the view of the rugged coastline and beautiful beaches. Lunch is available and there are a number of stops during the day when the ship will anchor so that everyone who wants to can have a swim in the crystal blue waters of Souda Bay. Tired and happy children and chilled out adults will disembark from the ship at the end of this unforgettable family adventure.
For more information and to book please go to: https://www.cretandailycruises.com/destinations.en.html
