Hersonisos: Boat Cruise with Swim Stops and Lunch

The best part of this four-hour wooden-boat cruise is simple: you get two proper swim stops without giving up a full day. The boat leaves Hersonissos, reaches clear water at St. George Bay and Stalis, and gives you time to swim, snorkel, eat lunch, and sit in the sun.

I like the easy pace and the friendly crew, especially Captain Panos, George, and Lefteris. I also like that lunch is more than a token snack: expect grilled food, bread, salad, and fresh fruit. The main thing to consider is the boat’s capacity of up to 100 people, so this is a shared excursion rather than a quiet private sail.

I also appreciate the practical value. At about $50.82 per person, the price covers the cruise, two swimming stops, a meal, fruit, music, a live guide, and a mask for snorkelling. Drinks are extra, and hotel transport is not included, so you will need to reach the port yourself.

Key points to know before booking

• Two swim stops: Spend time in the water at St. George Bay and around Stalis, with the second stop allowing a swim toward shore.
• A traditional 19-meter boat: The vessel is newly built, wooden, and designed for up to 100 people.
• Lunch on board: The standard meal includes grilled food, bread, salad, and a fresh-fruit dessert.
• A relaxed crew: Captain Panos, George, and Lefteris handle the trip in English and Greek.
• Drinks cost extra: Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are not part of the ticket.
• Bring the basics: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and your electronic or printed ticket.

Setting out from Hersonissos Port

You meet the boat at Eleni Traditional Wooden Boat, moored at the Port of Hersonissos opposite the Hersonissos Port Authority and Hellenic Coast Guard Station, at 125 Agias Paraskevis Street. The cruise ends at the same place, which keeps the day straightforward if you are staying in or near Hersonissos.

There is no hotel pick-up or drop-off. I would allow enough time to find the port and locate the boat without rushing. You need to show an electronic or hard-copy ticket before boarding.

The boat is 19 meters long, or about 62 feet. Its traditional wooden design gives the trip a more local feel than a basic motorboat transfer, while the size provides room for a large shared group. The advertised capacity is 100 people, so the mood will depend partly on how full the sailing is.

This is best viewed as a social day on the water. You can sunbathe, listen to music, chat with the crew, and join the swimming stops. If you want silence, lots of personal space, or a highly private route, ask about booking the boat privately. Private trips can be arranged and adjusted for your group.

The first hour on the water

The cruise begins with a period of sailing before the first swim stop, which is described as arriving about an hour after departure. That opening stretch gives you time to settle in, find a comfortable place on deck, and watch Hersonissos recede.

The boat is designed for a relaxed outing rather than a fast ride between ports. You are not simply being transported to one swimming spot and back. The sailing itself is part of the experience, with music and time to sit in the sun.

The crew’s approach is friendly and informal. Captain Panos, George, and Lefteris provide the welcome and live guidance in English and Greek. Do not expect a long lecture about Cretan history. The focus is on the practical flow of the day, the swimming areas, the food, and keeping the trip pleasant.

One useful detail comes from the trip’s feedback: some people would have liked more commentary about Crete. If you want a narrated sightseeing cruise, this may feel light on explanation. If you prefer a low-pressure outing that leaves you alone to swim and relax, that same quality works in its favor.

St. George Bay and the first swim

St. George Bay is the first main stop in the standard route. The water is described as clear, making it the right place to use the provided snorkelling mask and look below the surface.

The advertised plan allows two stops for swimming and snorkelling. One description places the first stop about an hour after sailing and gives the crew time to prepare the grilled lunch. The exact order can vary in practice, so I would not book this trip based on one precise meal timing. The important point is that the meal is prepared during the swimming portion of the cruise, not offered as a separate restaurant stop.

The swimming itself is the strongest reason to choose this trip. You can jump from the boat, swim around it, and, depending on the stop, make your way toward shore. One account describes a shorter first swim followed by a much longer second stop, so the day is not built around a quick photo opportunity and an immediate departure.

You receive snorkelling gear, but the provided equipment is a mask only. A snorkel tube is not supplied because of Covid restrictions. If you want to spend serious time looking underwater, bring your own snorkel if you have one. Otherwise, the mask is enough for a quick look beneath the surface.

The boat may suit confident swimmers best. The supplied information does not describe a ramp, lift, or other special boarding equipment, and the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should be comfortable getting on and off a boat and entering the water from the vessel.

Grilled lunch with a sea view

Food is included, which gives this cruise better value than a trip that only provides transport and swimming. The meal consists of grilled food, bread, salad, and a fresh-fruit platter for dessert. Chicken is specifically described in the trip feedback, with a vegetarian option available.

The meal is practical rather than fancy. Think of a filling boat lunch served to a large group, not a carefully plated seaside restaurant meal. One useful detail is that the portions have been described as ample, which matters after swimming.

The timing of lunch may be during the first or second swimming stop, depending on how the day is run. One account places marinated chicken breast, salad, and bread at the longer stop, followed by watermelon. The standard description places the grilled meal at the first stop and fruit at Stalis. Either way, you can expect the crew to combine eating with the time anchored in the water.

I like this arrangement because it keeps the four-hour schedule efficient. You do not lose time going ashore for lunch, and you can eat without leaving the boat behind. The trade-off is that food service for a group of up to 100 people will not feel intimate or custom-made.

Drinks are not included. Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are sold separately, with prices of about 2.50 to 3 euros reported for drinks. Bring money for refreshments, and do not assume that water is part of the ticket. Sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear are also your responsibility.

The longer stop near Stalis

The second swimming area is around Stalis, where you can swim in clear water and, according to the route description, make your way toward the beach. This stop is useful because it breaks up the outing. You are not confined to a single patch of sea for the whole cruise.

The stop can be the longer swimming period, with one account describing about an hour and a half there. That gives you time to swim at an unhurried pace, use the mask, climb back aboard for food, or simply sit on deck while the crew prepares the meal and fruit.

Stalis adds a different feel from an open-water swim. You get a closer look at the coast and a chance to swim toward land rather than only around the boat. Still, the supplied information does not promise a shore excursion, beach facilities, or free time in the town. Treat it as a swimming stop, not a visit to Stalis itself.

After the swimming and meal, the boat sails for a while before returning to Hersonissos. The four-hour length is one of the trip’s strongest features. It is long enough to feel like a real outing, but short enough to leave room in your day for the pool, dinner, or another activity.

What the boat day feels like

This is a slow afternoon on the water, not an action-packed sailing program. The main activities are swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, eating, listening to music, and enjoying the coast from the deck.

The family-boat setting helps shape the mood. The crew aims to offer Greek hospitality, but the large capacity means the experience cannot be as personal as a small six-person sailing trip. On a busy departure, deck space and quiet corners may be limited.

The music adds energy without changing the basic character of the outing. If you want a party boat with loud entertainment, the description does not promise that. If you want some atmosphere during the sailing and meal, music is part of the plan.

The strongest praise is reserved for the water time and the easy mood. The trip works well as a break from a hotel pool, particularly if you have spent several days in Hersonissos and want to see the coast from a different angle. The crew is described as kind, helpful, welcoming, and not overly pushy.

The main weakness is limited interpretation. You may see more of Crete, but you will not necessarily learn a great deal about the island’s history or coastline. I would pair this cruise with a separate archaeological or cultural outing if sightseeing information matters to you.

Is $50.82 a fair price?

At $50.82 per person, the value is solid if you plan to use the swimming stops and eat on board. The ticket includes four hours on the boat, two stops, a grilled meal, salad, bread, fruit, a mask, a guide, and music. Comparable value depends on how much time you actually spend in the water.

The price is less attractive if you are mainly looking for a scenic sail and do not swim. You will still get the cruise and meal, but swimming is the heart of the program. Extra drinks and your own transport to the port add a little to the final cost.

The meal also affects how you judge the price. I would not choose this trip for gourmet food. I would choose it because the food is included, filling, and served during a well-timed break in the cruise.

The four-hour schedule helps the value. Some boat outings take most of a day and can feel repetitive. This one gives you a clear beginning, two water stops, lunch, fruit, and a return to the same port without taking over your entire holiday.

Who should book this Hersonissos cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want a simple half-day boat outing from Hersonissos
• Enjoy swimming from a boat in clear water
• Like a relaxed shared atmosphere
• Want lunch included rather than arranging food separately
• Are happy to buy drinks separately
• Can manage boarding and swimming without mobility assistance
• Prefer a four-hour activity to a full-day cruise

I would think twice if you want a small, silent sailing boat, detailed coastal commentary, or a fully private meal. Families, couples, solo visitors, and groups can all fit the format, but the large capacity means the atmosphere may feel busier at full load.

The optional private booking is worth asking about if your group wants a more personal day. The route and schedule can be adjusted around your needs, though the supplied details do not list private-trip prices or exact custom options.

Practical details before you go

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and your ticket in electronic or printed form. I would also bring money for drinks, since bottled water and soft drinks are not included.

The boat operates from Hersonissos Port and returns there. The hosts speak English and Greek, and the standard trip lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Crete plans are still shifting.

The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The information does not provide special access arrangements, so contact the operator before booking if boarding or moving around the boat may be difficult.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want good swimming time, a filling lunch, and an easy half-day at sea. The friendly crew, two stops, wooden boat, and short schedule make it a practical choice for a relaxed break from Hersonissos.

Skip it if you want a quiet private sail or a detailed cultural tour. For most able swimmers who like shared boat outings, $50.82 is a reasonable price for four hours of swimming, food, fruit, and time on the Cretan coast.

FAQ

Where does the boat cruise depart from?

It departs from Eleni Traditional Wooden Boat at the Port of Hersonissos, opposite the Hersonissos Port Authority and Hellenic Coast Guard Station, at 125 Agias Paraskevis Street.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Hersonissos Port.

How long does the boat trip last?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the departure options.

Which swimming spots are included?

The standard route includes two swimming and snorkelling stops at St. George Bay and the Stalis area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included meal consists of grilled food with bread, salad, and a fresh-fruit platter for dessert. A vegetarian option is available.

Are drinks included?

No. Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are not included and must be purchased separately.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and an electronic or hard-copy ticket. Snorkelling masks are provided, but snorkel tubes are not supplied.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.