Hersonisos: Boat Cruise with Swim Stops and Lunch

The best part of this Hersonissos boat trip is simple: you spend the day jumping from a wooden boat into clear Cretan water, rather than sitting through a long sightseeing cruise. The route includes swim stops at St. George Bay and near Stalis, with time to sunbathe, snorkel, and eat lunch onboard.

I like the small-trip feel of a family-run boat, even though the vessel can carry up to 100 people. I also like the sensible four-hour length, enough time to swim and relax without turning the day into an all-day commitment. The main consideration is that drinks cost extra, hotel transport is not included, and the boat is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points at a glance

• A traditional 19-meter wooden boat: The Eleni carries up to 100 people but is designed to feel cozy and welcoming.
• Two swim stops: St. George Bay comes first on the standard route, followed by a longer stop near Stalis.
• Lunch cooked onboard: Expect grilled food with bread, salad, and fresh fruit for dessert.
• A relaxed four-hour schedule: This is a half-day outing, not a full-day sea expedition.
• Friendly named crew: Captain Panos, George, and Leftheris host the trip in English and Greek.
• Bring your own water: Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are sold separately.

Setting sail from Hersonissos Port

You meet the boat at the Eleni Traditional Wooden Boat, moored at 125 Agias Paraskevis Street in the Port of Hersonissos. It is opposite the Hersonissos Port Authority and Hellenic Coast Guard Station, so allow a little time to find the correct berth rather than arriving at the last minute.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You make your own way to the port and return there after the cruise. That arrangement keeps the price down, but it matters if you are staying outside central Hersonissos or are relying on resort transport.

The boat itself is a new-built, 19-meter traditional wooden vessel. It has room for 100 people, yet the design aims for a more personal feel than a large modern excursion ship. I would still expect a busy boat on a popular departure, especially in high season. If you want more control over the route or a quieter setting, the company also offers private trips that can be tailored to your group.

Captain Panos, George, and Leftheris look after the trip. The atmosphere is meant to be friendly rather than formal, with music playing onboard and the crew serving food during the outing. The available languages are English and Greek.

The first hour and the swim at St. George Bay

The boat generally sails for about an hour before reaching the first swimming area at St. George Bay. This gives you time to settle in, find a sunny spot, and watch the coast from the water.

St. George Bay is used for swimming and snorkelling in clear water. The boat provides masks, although the snorkel tube is not included because of Covid-related restrictions. If you want to spend serious time looking underwater, bring your own snorkel tube. Otherwise, the supplied mask still lets you look below the surface while swimming.

The first stop is not necessarily a long beach visit. One reported schedule allowed about 20 minutes at the initial stop, while the standard description places the first swimming break roughly one hour after sailing. Think of it as a chance to get into the water, cool off, and snorkel close to the boat, not as a full beach afternoon.

This is also where the cruise feels most active. You can swim around the vessel, climb back aboard, or simply stay on deck with a towel and let the crew handle lunch preparations. If you dislike crowded beach clubs, the water stop offers a pleasant change: your base remains the boat, and you avoid searching for a sunbed or carrying beach gear across town.

Grilled lunch with a view

Food is included in the $50.82 price. The listed meal consists of grilled food, bread, salad, and a fresh fruit platter for dessert. The meal described most specifically is marinated chicken breast, served with salad and bread, followed by watermelon. A vegetarian option is available.

The grill meal is a useful part of the experience because you do not need to leave the water, find a restaurant, or cut the cruise short when you get hungry. The crew prepares food onboard, adding a pleasant Greek taverna touch to the trip.

You should keep expectations sensible. This is a casual boat lunch for a large group, not a carefully plated restaurant meal. One practical account found the quantity ample but thought the food could have been better. That is a fair way to view it: the meal is filling, convenient, and part of the price, but the swimming and relaxed setting are the real reasons to book.

The lunch timing may vary. The standard plan places the grilled meal around the first swimming stop, while a described running order served lunch during the longer stop near Stalis. Sea conditions, sailing time, and the crew’s schedule can affect the exact order. If the meal matters to you, ask the crew when you board.

Drinks are not included. Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are available to buy, with prices previously reported at about €2.50 to €3 for drinks. Bring a little cash or confirm the boat’s payment arrangements before departure. Most important, bring water with you if you prefer to avoid buying drinks onboard.

The longer stop near Stalis

The second swimming stop takes place in the Stalis area. This is usually the longer break, with one described schedule allowing about an hour and a half. You may be able to swim toward the beach, depending on the exact anchorage and conditions.

That longer stop gives the outing its best rhythm. After the short first swim, you have time to get comfortable in the water, snorkel, return to the boat for lunch, and stretch out in the sun. A fresh fruit platter follows the main meal, adding a light finish before the return sailing.

The Stalis stop also gives you more choice. Strong swimmers can spend longer in the water, while you can stay aboard if you would rather sunbathe and listen to music. There is no pressure to fill every minute with activity. This is a good fit if your ideal boat trip includes plenty of unstructured time.

The stop is not presented as a guided visit to Stalis itself. You are primarily there for swimming, not for town sightseeing or a beach tour. If you want historical information about Crete or detailed commentary on the coast, this may feel light. The live guide is present, but the focus is on the water, food, and easygoing company rather than a running history lesson.

Why the four-hour length works

Many boat trips ask you to give up most of a day, even when the main activity is a couple of swimming stops. This one lasts about four hours, which I see as a strong point. You can enjoy the sea in the morning or afternoon and still have time for another plan in Hersonissos.

The shorter schedule is especially useful for a family holiday or a beach-based break. You get a change of scenery without packing a full day around one excursion. It also suits anyone who finds long cruises tiring or repetitive.

The tradeoff is that the route is limited. You should not expect a wide tour of the Cretan coast, several remote coves, or a full day of sailing. The value comes from two well-spaced water stops, an included meal, and a pleasant boat setting, not from covering a huge distance.

Music plays onboard, adding to the holiday mood. The trip is described as chilled out, with a crew that is friendly and welcoming without being overly forceful. That makes it a good choice if you want company and atmosphere but do not want constant games, announcements, or sales pitches.

How the price compares with the experience

At $50.82 per person, the trip sits in the reasonable midrange for a four-hour boat outing. The fare covers the cruise, two swim stops, the grilled meal, fruit dessert, snorkelling mask, guide, and music. You are paying for a complete half-day activity rather than only a seat on a boat.

The included lunch improves the value. Even if the meal is basic, a separate lunch near the coast would add to your day’s spending. The two swimming stops also give the trip more substance than a short harbor cruise.

You should budget extra for drinks. Water is not included, and bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages must be purchased separately. Hotel transport is also outside the price, so your real cost depends partly on where you are staying and how you reach the port.

The boat can take 100 people, so the price should not be judged as a private sailing experience. You are buying a shared cruise with a family-boat atmosphere. For a private group, ask about booking the vessel separately and setting a route around your own needs.

What to pack for a comfortable half-day

Keep your packing simple, but do not forget the basics:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Your own snorkel tube if you want one
• Drinking water or money for onboard drinks
• Electronic or printed tickets

Sunscreen matters because the open deck gives you plenty of sun exposure, including while the boat is moving. A towel is essential after both swim stops, especially if you plan to stay on deck for lunch.

All people in your party must present an electronic or hard copy of the ticket. The boat is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so consider the boarding process and movement around the vessel before booking.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a relaxed sea outing with clear water, a cooked lunch, and enough free time to make the day your own. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want a break from hotel pools and organized land tours.

It is also a good match if you prefer a short activity. Four hours is long enough to feel like a real excursion but short enough to fit around other plans. The two swim stops are the main attraction, so confident swimmers and people who enjoy being in the water will get the most from it.

You may want another type of boat trip if you are looking for extensive commentary about Crete, a quiet sailing boat with very few people, or a highly polished gourmet meal. The crew provides a live guide, but the tone is casual and the food is prepared for a sizable group.

It is less suitable if you do not swim, dislike shared excursions, need hotel transportation, or require accessible facilities. You can sunbathe onboard, but the trip is built around the swim stops.

Booking details worth checking before you go

The cruise lasts four hours, but starting times depend on availability. Check the departure time carefully and leave enough time to reach the port independently.

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

Because the cruise returns to its starting point, you do not need to arrange a separate ride from another harbor. You simply leave the boat at Hersonissos Port when the outing ends.

The exact balance between swimming, lunch, and sailing can shift. The published plan mentions a first stop at St. George Bay and a second stop near Stalis, but the meal may be served at a different point depending on the day. Ask Captain Panos or the crew for the expected order when you board.

Should you book the Eleni boat cruise?

Book it if you want a friendly, uncomplicated half-day on the water. The strongest features are the two swim stops, the chance to jump and snorkel from the boat, the included grilled lunch, and the relaxed crew. The four-hour length also keeps the outing from taking over your holiday.

Think twice if you expect a small luxury yacht, detailed coastal storytelling, or restaurant-quality food. With capacity for 100 people, it is a shared trip, and drinks cost extra. Still, at $50.82, the combination of swimming, food, music, and a traditional wooden boat makes this a fair-value choice for a sunny break from Hersonissos.

FAQ

Where does the boat cruise depart?

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

Where does the cruise finish?

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

How long is the boat trip?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What swimming stops are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes grilled food with bread and salad, followed by a fresh fruit platter. A vegetarian option is available.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Bottled water, soft drinks, and other beverages are not included, but they can be purchased onboard.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

A snorkelling mask is provided. A snorkel tube is not provided because of Covid-related restrictions.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point at Hersonissos Port, and hotel drop-off is not included.

Is the boat suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.