Chania: Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with Snorkeling

Menies Beach gives this short cruise more substance than a simple swim stop. You can snorkel over the sunken base of a WWII gun and carriage, then look ashore for the remains of ancient Diktynna, a Roman temple, and the abandoned monastery of St. George. The mix of clear water and old stones makes the first stop unusually rewarding.

I like the two different swimming locations and the four-hour length. Menies gives you a proper beach stop, while Chironisia Bay is a boat-only cove where you can swim into small caves. At $47 per person, the cruise offers solid value, especially since snorkeling gear, a guide, and optional hotel transfers are included.

The main drawback is the size of the operation. Several coaches may feed into the boats, and the onboard speaker can be hard to hear outdoors. You also need to swim from the boat to shore, so bring water shoes and be comfortable in the water.

The parts of this cruise worth knowing

• Menies Beach has more than pretty water: Look for WWII cannon remains underwater and ancient sites on shore.
• Chironisia Bay is reached only by sea: You stop offshore for swimming, snorkeling, and small sea caves.
• The boat anchors about six meters from land: Getting to Menies Beach means a short swim in shallow water.
• Four hours is a useful length: You get two swim stops without giving up an entire day.
• Hotel pickup can save planning time: Transfers cover selected hotels in north Chania, but pickup may be much earlier than the boat departure.
• Water shoes are a smart choice: Menies has smooth stones rather than soft sand.

Setting out from Kolymbari

The cruise begins at the port of Kolymbari, west of Chania, with the Smile Cruises boat. If you are driving, arrive early. Parking around the harbor is limited, and finding a space may take longer than expected.

The listed departure times from Kolymbari are 10:15 and 14:30. If you choose hotel pickup, your bus may arrive anywhere from about an hour to ten minutes before that sailing time. Check the pickup email carefully, including the spam folder, since an early collection can be a surprise.

The transfer service covers many hotels and stops around north Chania, including areas such as Agia Marina, Platanias, Maleme, Kolymbari, and nearby resorts. Pickup instructions say to wait on the main road, not necessarily at the hotel entrance. Look for the bus sign naming Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay, and be ready because drivers wait only five minutes.

Once onboard, expect a spacious boat with several seating areas, toilets, a refreshments bar, and room for snorkeling equipment. Some departures can be busy, with passengers arriving on multiple coaches. Still, the boat has generally been described as large enough to avoid feeling cramped, though upper-deck seating has no shade.

A short safety briefing takes place in Kolymbari before the boat heads around the Rodopou Peninsula. The first cruise segment lasts about 40 minutes. It is a good time to settle in, watch the rugged coast, and choose your seat before the swimming begins.

Why Menies Beach is the main attraction

Menies Beach is the longer stop, with about 105 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. The boat anchors offshore, about six meters from the beach, so you will swim the last stretch rather than walk directly from the vessel.

That detail matters. Confident swimmers can reach shore easily, but anyone who is uneasy in open water should plan to remain near the boat or use the available flotation aids. The crew has also helped move belongings toward shore with baskets and paddleboards, so you do not need to carry every item through the water.

The beach itself is made of smooth pebbles, not fine sand. That is pleasant for walking compared with sharp stone, but water shoes will make entering and leaving the water far easier. Pack them even if you usually manage well barefoot.

The water is the star here. It is clear enough for fish, sea vegetation, and underwater objects to be visible in good conditions. The provided snorkeling equipment includes masks, tubes, and, according to the detailed onboard setup, fins. Equipment quality can vary from one item to another, so check your mask before swimming far. If it does not seal properly, ask the crew for a replacement. Maria, a staff member praised for helping with equipment and passenger concerns, has been particularly helpful to some people onboard.

The most unusual snorkeling feature is the remains of a WWII gun and carriage. You are not visiting a formal museum site, and visibility depends on water and weather, but finding military relics beneath a swimming cove gives the stop a sense of discovery. It is worth asking the guide where to look before heading into the water.

Menies also carries a much older story. The beach sits on the site of ancient Diktynna, associated with the goddess Vritomartis. You can see remains linked to a Roman temple and the abandoned ninth-century monastery of St. George. The shore is not arranged as a large archaeological park, so do not expect extensive ruins or a long guided history lesson. Instead, you get a chance to connect a quiet beach with several layers of Cretan history.

The guide speaks English and Greek, but the sound system has been a weak point. On the upper deck or outside, wind and engine noise can make explanations hard to follow. If the historical side matters to you, sit close to the guide during the briefing or ask questions directly.

Cruising the Rodopou Peninsula

After Menies, the boat spends around 15 minutes cruising toward Chironisia Bay. This is a short transfer, but the coastline is part of the pleasure. The captain may point out a sea cave, a goat perched on the cliff, or other features along the shore when conditions and timing allow.

The return route later takes about 30 minutes. If you tend to feel seasick, sit low and toward the middle of the boat, where movement is usually less noticeable than at the front or on the upper deck. One reported departure encountered high waves, and several people became unwell. The crew helped passengers and extended time at the beach after the delay, but rough water can still affect your day.

The cruise does not operate in poor weather. That is reassuring for safety, but sea conditions can change the character of the outing even when the tour goes ahead. Calm water makes snorkeling easier and lets you spend more time looking below the surface. Windy conditions may turn the boat ride into the main challenge.

Swimming at Chironisia Bay

Chironisia Bay is smaller and more enclosed than Menies. It is reached only by sea, which is the reason it feels separate from the usual beach circuit. The boat generally remains offshore rather than pulling onto a beach, giving you around 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

This stop is best understood as a water stop, not a traditional beach visit. You can jump from the boat or use the ladder, then swim in the clear water and look for small caves along the rocky edge. If you prefer a slower entry, use the ladder and stay near the boat. The crew provides gear and flotation support for less confident swimmers.

The bay can produce some of the best swimming of the day, particularly when the water is calm. You may see small fish and sea vegetation, but marine life is not guaranteed. Some outings have produced excellent snorkeling, including cuttlefish, while other people have seen less than expected. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a pleasant coastal snorkeling trip, not a dedicated wildlife expedition.

The stop is short enough to keep the cruise moving, but long enough for several swims. You will not spend hours sitting on a beach, since there may be little or no land access at this point. That makes Chironisia a good match for people who prefer jumping into the water to lying on shore.

What is included, and what costs extra

The $47 price includes the cruise, swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, and a live English or Greek guide. Selected hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you choose that option. Food and drinks are not included, though snacks and beverages are sold onboard.

The bar is useful for a drink or a small snack, but do not treat it as a meal service. The available choice has been described as mainly crisps and drinks. Eat before boarding if you need a proper breakfast or lunch, and bring water if you prefer not to rely on onboard purchases.

For the time involved, the price is fair. You receive two water stops, roughly 105 minutes at Menies, about 40 minutes at Chironisia, and the boat ride around the peninsula. A longer full-day cruise may offer more coastline, but this half-day format is easier to fit around other plans in Chania.

The value is strongest if you use the snorkeling gear and actually swim at both stops. If you want a quiet sightseeing boat ride with little time in the water, another cruise may suit you better.

Group size, comfort, and practical limits

This is not a private or small-group sailing. Some departures draw people from two or three full coaches, and boats can be busy. On the positive side, the vessel is described as modern, clean, and large, with enough seating areas for most people to find a place.

Crowding is more noticeable during boarding, equipment collection, and movement toward the water. Once the boat reaches the two swimming locations, the setting can feel more open, especially when large boats are not sharing the cove.

Families can make good use of this outing. The four-hour length is manageable for children, the swimming areas are usually calm, and the boat carries floats and safety equipment. Parents should still be comfortable with the short swim to Menies Beach and should keep close watch during jumps and cave exploration.

The tour is less suitable if you cannot swim, dislike boats, or need a sandy beach with easy wheelchair-style access. The provided details specifically require swimming from the boat to shore, and the beaches are rocky. Poor weather can also cancel the sailing.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, beachwear, comfortable shoes, and water shoes. Keep valuables simple. The sun is strong on the upper deck, and there is no shade there, so a lower shaded seat may be the better choice during the outbound and return crossings.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Those policies help if your Chania schedule is still moving around, but the key planning issue remains the pickup time. A 10:15 boat can require a hotel collection as early as 8:40 in some areas.

Who will enjoy the Menies and Chironisia cruise

I would choose this cruise if you want clear water, two swim stops, and a modest amount of history without spending a full day at sea. It is especially useful for a short stay in Chania or for a family that does not want a seven or eight-hour excursion.

It also suits confident swimmers who like jumping from a boat, snorkeling around rocky edges, and walking a smooth-pebble beach. The WWII relics and ancient remains add interest for anyone who prefers a little context with their swimming.

I would think twice if your main goal is a secluded, silent outing. The boat can carry a substantial group, the onboard announcements may be difficult to hear, and the ride can be rough in wind. I would also skip it if your idea of a beach day requires soft sand, restaurants, and direct access from land.

Should you book this cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable half-day on the water with two attractive swimming locations, usable snorkeling gear, and a crew that takes passenger safety seriously. Menies is the stronger stop because it combines the WWII underwater remains with ancient sites, while Chironisia provides a shorter but enjoyable swim among caves.

Before booking, make three checks: confirm your hotel is covered for pickup, allow extra time for an early collection, and bring water shoes. If you can accept a busy boat and a possible rough crossing, the $47 price makes this one of the better-value ways to reach this remote stretch of northern Crete.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat departs from the port of Kolymbari. Look for the Smile Cruises boat in the harbor.

How long does the activity last?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available with the selected option from many locations in north Chania. Pickup may take place up to an hour before the boat departure.

Do I need to swim to Menies Beach?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the cruise price.

Can I buy food and drinks onboard?

Yes, snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Food and beverages are not included in the tour price.

What can I see at Menies Beach?

You can see the remains of ancient Diktynna, a Roman temple, and the abandoned ninth-century monastery of St. George. Underwater, you can look for the sunken base of a WWII gun and carriage.

Is Chironisia Bay a beach stop?

Chironisia Bay is mainly a swimming and snorkeling stop reached by boat. The boat may remain offshore, allowing you to swim and explore small caves.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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