Sailing Trips with Cretan Sailing

The best part of this Hersonissos boat trip is simple: you get two chances to jump from a traditional wooden boat into clear Cretan water without paying for a private charter. Captain Panos, George, and Leftheris run the outing with a warm Greek welcome, and the 18-meter boat gives you room to sit, eat, and enjoy the coast.

I like the two swimming stops and the fact that lunch is prepared on board rather than handed out from a packet. I also like the easy price, about $54.22 per person, plus included masks, a grilled main course, salad, bread, and fruit. The main catch is that the boat can feel crowded, and the trip may not involve much actual sailing, especially on daily close-to-shore outings.

Key points to know before booking

• Two water stops: Swim and snorkel at St. George Bay, then stop near Stalis for another swim and fruit.
• Traditional wooden boat: The 18-meter vessel offers a more characterful setting than a basic motorboat.
• Simple BBQ lunch: Choose grilled chicken, pork steak, or a vegetarian burger with salad and bread.
• Snorkeling equipment is basic: Masks are supplied, but snorkel tubes may not be available.
• Bring your own drinks: Alcohol, soft drinks, and bottled water are not included in the stated inclusions.
• A social group outing: The boat can carry many people, so this suits sociable swimmers more than anyone seeking peace and privacy.

Leaving Hersonissos on the 18-meter wooden boat

The meeting point is Panoramic View on El. Venizelou 51 in Limenas Chersonisou, with departure at 11:30 a.m. The trip lasts about four hours and ends back where it began.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. At 18 meters, or about 61 feet, it has the feel of a proper traditional vessel rather than a small speedboat. You can settle on deck, watch Hersonissos recede, and spend the trip enjoying the coast at an easy pace.

Captain Panos, George, and Leftheris are the crew members named for this outing. The company places a strong emphasis on friendly service, and the practical side of that matters here. You need help with the water, the snorkeling equipment, or a float, and there is a crew close by.

This is not a private yacht charter. The boat is available for private bookings if your group wants to arrange a personalized outing, but the standard departure is a shared trip. The stated maximum is 97 people, while the operator says it normally uses up to 70 percent of the boat’s capacity. Even so, several reviews describe the boat as crowded during high season, so I would keep your expectations realistic.

What the first hour is really like

The first stop comes about an hour after sailing, at St. George Bay. The point is swimming, snorkeling, and time in the water rather than a guided history lesson or a shore visit.

You can stay on deck if you prefer not to swim, but the outing makes the most sense if you want to get wet. A weaker swimmer was given a float, which shows that the crew can provide some practical help. Life jackets are also provided, and most people can participate.

The water is the star here. You can jump or climb into the sea from the boat, swim around it, and use the supplied mask to look below the surface. Keep in mind that the snorkeling equipment may be limited. The company says it usually does not provide snorkel tubes because they have sometimes gone missing when people leave the boat. In practice, you may receive diving goggles or a mask without a breathing tube.

That distinction matters. If you want serious snorkeling, bring your own mask and tube if you have them. If you simply want to see a few fish while floating near the boat, the supplied equipment may be enough. One person reported seeing many fish with the goggles, while another found that the lack of a snorkel tube reduced the snorkeling value.

Grilled lunch at St. George Bay

During the first stop, the crew prepares lunch on board. You choose one of three main dishes:

• Grilled chicken fillet
• Pork steak
• Vegetarian burger

The meal also includes fresh salad and bread. It is straightforward food, not a long Greek feast, but cooking it on the boat gives the stop a pleasant sense of occasion. You swim, dry off, sit down, and eat while the boat remains at anchor.

The meal has received mixed reactions, and you should know why. Some people find it simple but tasty and filling enough after swimming. Others consider the chicken portion plain and the meal poor for the price. One practical complaint was that the chicken and bread could feel dry, with no butter available.

I would treat lunch as a useful included meal rather than a reason to book the trip. You are getting a hot main course, salad, and bread, but not a restaurant lunch. The vegetarian option is important for anyone who does not eat meat, though the available choice is a vegetarian burger rather than a wider selection of dishes.

Drinks require attention. Alcohol, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water are listed as not included, even though the general description refers to water on board. To avoid confusion, bring what you need or confirm the water arrangement before departure. Do not assume that beer or soft drinks will be available as part of the $54.22 price.

The second stop near Stalis

After lunch, the boat continues to the Stalis area for the second water stop. This is the more varied part of the outing according to the available descriptions. You have another chance to swim, snorkel, and choose how active you want to be.

The stop is useful because it breaks the trip into two separate water sessions. If the first swim is too short for you, the second gives you another hour to get comfortable. If you have had enough sun, you can remain on deck and enjoy the view instead.

The water conditions and visibility can change. Some people have seen plenty of fish, while others have found little to see. That is normal for a short coastal outing, but it means you should book this for swimming and a bit of casual snorkeling, not for a dedicated underwater tour.

A fresh fruit platter follows the second stop. It is a light finish after the grilled lunch and a welcome change from more bread and meat. The fruit is also classed as a snack in the inclusions, so it helps round out the food provided during the four-hour trip.

Is this really a sailing trip?

This is the most important point to understand before booking. The activity is sold as a sailing trip, but the available details say that sails are not operated on daily trips close to shore. One particularly unhappy customer felt the outing was not sailing at all.

That does not mean the boat is a poor choice. It means you should decide what kind of day you want. If you want a traditional boat, sea views, swimming, lunch, and a social atmosphere, the trip can work well. If you want several hours under sail with the engine off and the boat heeling in the wind, this may disappoint you.

Weather also affects the outing. The captain puts safety first, and announcements are made when windy conditions affect the trip. The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can receive another date or a full refund.

The operator also notes that it cannot control weather conditions and that port authorities may still allow boats to depart. For you, the sensible approach is to check the forecast and accept that the water may be choppy or that the sailing portion may be limited. Swimming stops can feel less enjoyable in strong wind.

How the price compares with what you receive

At about $54.22 per person, this is positioned as an economical alternative to hiring a private boat. That comparison is fair. You receive a four-hour outing, two swimming stops, a meal, fruit, and snorkeling equipment without paying the full cost of a boat and crew for your own group.

The value depends on your priorities. I think the price works best if you use both swimming stops and appreciate the traditional boat and included lunch. A private charter gives you more space and control, but it costs more. This shared trip gives you a practical way to get out on the water without organizing a full-day excursion.

The value is weaker if you expect luxury service, generous food, or advanced snorkeling gear. Lunch is simple, drinks cost extra or need to be supplied, and crowding can reduce the sense of comfort. The company says its price is around the market average and that prices had not been increased from the previous year, but the real test is whether the basic format matches your expectations.

For a family or group of friends who wants an affordable half-day at sea, the package is easy to understand. For a couple seeking quiet space, the same price may feel less attractive if the boat is busy.

Who will enjoy this boat outing most?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want a half-day on the water from Hersonissos
• Enjoy swimming from a boat
• Prefer a shared activity to an expensive private charter
• Like the idea of a simple BBQ lunch included
• Are comfortable with basic snorkeling equipment
• Want a relaxed social outing rather than a polished luxury cruise

It can also suit less confident swimmers because life jackets are provided and a float was available for at least one passenger. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

I would hesitate if you need a quiet boat, full snorkel sets, a substantial meal, or guaranteed sailing. You should also think twice if you dislike crowded group activities. The boat is large, but high-season departures can still feel busy.

Useful details for your day

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothing. These items are not listed as provided, and you will have two opportunities to swim.

Bring water or confirm the water policy before you go. The stated information is inconsistent, with water mentioned in the general description but bottled water excluded from the formal inclusions. Alcohol and soft drinks are also excluded.

You should arrive at Panoramic View, El. Venizelou 51, for the 11:30 a.m. start. The trip returns to the same meeting point, and private transportation is not included. Since the activity is near public transportation, you may be able to reach the departure point without arranging a private transfer.

Booking confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. You can cancel without a charge up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except when the company cancels because of poor weather.

My verdict on the Hersonissos sailing trip

Book this if you want two swims, a traditional boat, basic snorkeling, and lunch at a moderate price. The friendly crew, especially Captain Panos, George, and Leftheris, is one of the strongest reasons to choose it, and the trip offers an easy way to enjoy the Cretan coast without paying for a private boat.

Do not book it expecting a luxury cruise or a full sailing lesson. The boat may be crowded, the food is plain, the snorkeling gear may be only a mask, and the sails may not be used on close-to-shore daily trips. Go for the swimming and the Greek boat-day atmosphere, and you are more likely to feel you received fair value.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The trip starts at Panoramic View, El. Venizelou 51, Limenas Chersonisou 700 14, Greece.

What time does the experience begin?

The scheduled start time is 11:30 a.m.

How long does the trip last?

The outing lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the boat trip end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Hersonissos.

Are meals included?

Yes. Lunch includes a choice of grilled chicken fillet, pork steak, or vegetarian burger, along with fresh salad and bread. A fresh fruit platter is also provided.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, though the available gear may consist of masks or diving goggles without snorkel tubes.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.