Hersonisos: Boat Cruise with Swim Stops and Lunch

The best part of this Hersonissos boat trip is its easy rhythm: sail out, stop for a swim, eat a grilled lunch, stop again near Stalis, then coast back to port. You spend much of the day in the water or stretched out on a traditional wooden boat, not sitting through a long list of historical commentary.

I like the two swim stops, which give you a chance to snorkel in clear water and, at Stalis, swim toward the beach. I also like the friendly, low-key crew, led by Captain Panos with George and Lefteris, plus the practical four-hour length. The main drawback is that a 19-meter boat can carry up to 100 people, so this is not a quiet private sailing trip unless you book the boat for your own group.

Key points at a glance

• A 19-meter traditional wooden boat: The Eleni has room for up to 100 people, with a more classic Greek feel than a large modern ferry.
• Two swimming stops: Swim and snorkel at St. George Bay and the Stalis area, with time in the water rather than endless sailing.
• Lunch cooked onboard: The meal includes grilled food, bread, salad, and fruit for dessert. A vegetarian option is available.
• A relaxed crew: Captain Panos, George, and Lefteris provide service in English and Greek, with music during the trip.
• Four hours from Hersonissos port: You return to the same place, making this easy to fit into a day around town.
• Bring your own water: Lunch is included, but bottled water, soft drinks, and other drinks cost extra.

Setting sail from Hersonissos port

You meet the boat at the port of Hersonissos, opposite the Hersonissos Port Authority and Hellenic Coast Guard Station, at 125 Agias Paraskevis Street. Look for the Eleni Traditional Wooden Boat, operated by ELENI Boat Trip and powered by Cretan Saili.

The boat is new-built but styled as a traditional wooden vessel. At 19 meters, or about 62 feet, it is large enough for a substantial group but still has the character people hope for from a Greek coastal outing. The total capacity is 100 people, so expect a shared excursion rather than an intimate sailing lesson.

That size affects the mood. On a quieter departure, you can find a comfortable place to sit, listen to music, and watch the coast pass. On a full boat, the deck and swimming access will feel more social. If you want space, flexibility, and a route shaped around your own group, private hire is available.

The crew is named Captain Panos, George, and Lefteris. English and Greek are spoken, and a live guide is included. You should not book this expecting a full lecture about Crete. The experience leans toward swimming, food, music, and friendly service, with some commentary rather than a formal sightseeing program.

The first hour and the St. George Bay swim

After leaving Hersonissos, the boat sails for roughly an hour before the first stop. That opening stretch gives you time to settle in, take in the coast, and choose where you want to sit before the swimming begins.

St. George Bay is the first main water stop. The clear water is suited to swimming and basic snorkeling, and equipment is included. You receive a mask, but not a breathing tube, due to health restrictions. If snorkeling matters to you, bring realistic expectations: this is equipment for a quick look beneath the surface, not a guided marine-life excursion.

The water stop is the heart of the trip. You can swim around the boat, float near the vessel, or make your way toward shore when conditions and crew instructions allow. One reported schedule had a shorter first stop of about 20 minutes, while the later stop lasted around an hour and a half. Timing may shift with the day’s conditions and the captain’s plan, so do not assume both swims will be equal.

The boat’s layout also matters here. You board a vessel built for a group, not a small yacht with a private ladder for each person. Listen closely to the crew when entering and leaving the water, and keep your belongings secure while you swim.

Grilled lunch with a view

Food is served onboard rather than at a restaurant, which keeps the day moving and saves you from giving up part of your swim time. The standard meal includes a grilled main dish, bread, salad, and a fruit platter for dessert. Chicken breast, watermelon, and a vegetarian choice are specifically part of the food details provided.

The meal is simple and filling. You are paying for a half-day on the water, not a fine-dining menu, and the food fits that setting. The grilled chicken, salad, and bread provide a proper lunch after swimming, while fresh fruit makes an easy finish on a hot day.

Portions have been described as ample, which is useful if you are hungry after the first swim. The meal is prepared for a large group, so presentation and variety may be modest. If food is a major reason for booking, keep your expectations sensible. The value is the combination of lunch, swimming, boat time, and service, not the meal alone.

There is some uncertainty about the exact order of the stops and lunch. The main trip description places the grilled meal around the first swimming stop and the fruit platter with the later Stalis stop. A different account places lunch at the second stop. The practical advice is simple: ask the crew when you board so you know when to expect the main meal.

Drinks are not included. Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are sold separately, with reported prices of about 2.50 to 3 euros for drinks. Bring sunscreen and a towel, but plan to buy or carry your water rather than assuming it comes with the ticket.

The longer stop near Stalis

The second stop takes place in the Stalis area and is generally the longer swimming break. This is where the trip feels less like a quick dip and more like a proper afternoon at sea. You can swim beside the boat or, when permitted, make your way toward the beach.

The chance to swim up to shore is a useful feature if you do not want to spend the entire stop in open water. It also gives you a change of scene after the first bay. The water remains the main attraction, so pack a towel and wear swimwear under your clothes for an easier change afterward.

The fruit platter is associated with this later part of the trip. Fresh fruit works well after a grilled lunch and a swim, especially in the heat. It is a small detail, but it gives the meal a pleasant finish without turning the boat into a full restaurant.

You should check the crew’s instructions before heading away from the boat. The provided details do not promise a guided beach visit or free time ashore, so think of this as a swimming stop with the option to reach the beach, not a shore excursion in Stalis.

What the four-hour pace feels like

Four hours is a strong length for this type of outing. You get enough time for two swim stops and a meal, but you are unlikely to feel trapped on a boat all day. One account described the trip as a good break from the pool and said the duration felt just right.

That timing also makes the cruise easy to add to a Hersonissos holiday. You do not need to give up a full day, and the activity begins and ends at the same port. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself and allow time to find the boat.

The pace is relaxed rather than packed. Music plays onboard, and there is time to sunbathe between stops. If you want constant action, water sports, or a long list of coastal sights, this may feel too gentle. If you want a pleasant change from the hotel pool, the format makes sense.

The scenery is best enjoyed from the deck. You are not promised a narrated tour of every headland, and some people may want more information about Crete. The live guide can help, but the main focus is the sea, the food, and the atmosphere.

How the price compares with the experience

At about $50.82 per person, the price is reasonable for a four-hour cruise that includes the boat, two swim stops, snorkeling masks, lunch, fruit, music, and a guide. You still pay for drinks, and you must arrange your own way to the port, so include those costs when planning.

The value improves if you will use both swim stops and eat onboard. A simple lunch, a few hours on the water, and access to a boat with a traditional design can add up quickly if arranged separately. Here, the main benefit is convenience: the crew handles the sailing and meal while you enjoy the water.

The value is less clear if you dislike shared boat trips or prefer a polished meal. With capacity for 100 people, this is not the right choice for someone seeking a private, quiet deck. It is better suited to people who enjoy a social setting and want a straightforward way to get out on the Cretan coast.

A private trip is possible if your group wants more control over the timing or route. The supplied information does not give a private-hire price, so you would need to ask the operator for a quote and confirm what can be changed.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip for a couple, family, or small group that wants swimming without a full-day commitment. It also suits anyone staying near Hersonissos who wants a boat experience but does not need a serious sailing course or a major sightseeing program.

It is a good match for confident swimmers who enjoy jumping into clear water and snorkeling with a mask. The crew and the group setting make it less suitable for someone who needs a highly private outing or close individual assistance in the water.

Families should consider the children’s swimming ability and the boat’s capacity. The experience includes swim stops, but the provided details do not mention a children’s program or dedicated shallow-water supervision. Adults remain responsible for judging what is suitable for their own group.

People with mobility impairments should note that the activity is not considered suitable for them. Boarding a traditional boat, moving around the deck, and entering the water all require physical ease. Contact the operator if you have a specific concern, but do not assume the vessel is adapted.

Practical tips before you board

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You will spend meaningful time in the sun, so apply protection before leaving port and keep it handy for the return sail.

Bring or plan to buy drinking water. Bottled water and other drinks are not included, though drinks are available for purchase onboard. Lunch does include bread, salad, and fruit, so you do not need to pack a full meal unless you have special dietary needs beyond the stated vegetarian option.

Have your ticket ready in electronic or printed form. The meeting point is specific, at the port opposite the coast guard station, and the cruise ends back there. Hotel transport is not provided.

Do not forget that snorkeling gear means a mask only, not a mask and tube. If you prefer your own equipment, you may want to bring it, but the included mask covers the basic need described for the trip.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want rather than assuming a fixed departure.

Should you book the Hersonissos boat trip?

Book it if you want a friendly, uncomplicated half-day at sea with two swims, a grilled lunch, and a traditional wooden boat. The strongest reasons are the relaxed pace, the chance to swim around the boat and toward the Stalis shore, and the fact that the four-hour format leaves room for other plans.

Think twice if you want a small yacht, detailed Crete commentary, or a quiet luxury setting. The boat can carry 100 people, drinks cost extra, and the meal is practical rather than special. For most people looking for a good-value break from the pool, though, the mix of water time, food, music, and Greek hospitality makes this a sensible Hersonissos choice.

FAQ

Where does the Hersonissos boat cruise start?

The cruise starts at the 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.

How long does the boat trip last?

The activity lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Where are the swimming stops?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a grilled meal with bread, salad, and a fruit platter for dessert. A vegetarian option is available.

Are drinks included?

No. Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are not included, but drinks are available to buy onboard. Prices of about 2.50 to 3 euros have been reported for drinks.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and your electronic or printed ticket. Snorkeling masks are provided, but breathing tubes are not.