Crete · SNORKELING
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 14 snorkelling days worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
From Hersonissos Port, Captain Kostas or another experienced skipper takes you on a fast, family-friendly jet boat ride with optional 360-degree turns. After about 30 minutes, stop at Saint George’s Bay for swimming, snorkeling, and a look inside its cave-like shore setting.
“It was a really nice ride, and the captain was really friendly”
Sail from Heraklion with a professional crew, often including Ernesto and George, to uninhabited Dia Island. Swim in clear bays, snorkel, paddleboard, and enjoy Greek salad, tzatziki, seafood pasta, fruit, wine, and soft drinks. Choose a half-day or full-day trip, with small groups of up to 18.
“A really enjoyable and relaxing day. The group was small and everyone chatted with eachother and also with the two crew who were great. It was my first time on a sailing boat which I really enjoyed as well. Would highly recommend!”
Cruise from Kolymbari to two remote Cretan swimming spots with an English- and Greek-speaking guide. At Menies, you can snorkel over WWII cannon remains and see ancient ruins. Chironisia adds a quiet bay, small sea caves, and about 40 minutes in the water.
“Everything was perfect. We have been with young kids and everyone had really great time!”
Travel from Chania to Almyrida for a three-hour boat trip with guided snorkeling, stand-up paddling, and optional Yamaha sea scooters. A small group, patient instructors, flotation gear, fresh fruit, water, and free photos make this a friendly choice for first-time snorkelers.
“We loved our guide (Meli) and our boat captain. Really nice and helpful. Gave us a great dinner suggestion too and picked lovely places to snorkel with toms of fish. Thank you!”
Cruise from Malia past Stalis and Hersonissos to Saint George Bay on a small motor yacht. You’ll get hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, two swim stops, lunch, fruit, dessert, wine, soft drinks, and an English, Greek, or German-speaking guide. The family-run crew keeps the outing friendly and relaxed.
“Enjoyed every minute. The food was good but the red wine wasn’t really to my taste. The crew were really helpful as I have a walking disability. I wished it was longer.”
Travel from Chania along the Akrotiri Peninsula with guides such as Basil, Dimitra, George, and Andreas. Swim in calm bays, snorkel around rock formations, enter the Blue Cave, and stop near Marathi. Pickup is offered from Chania-area hotels, villas, and homes.
“This family run business is simply amazing! They picked us up from our cruise ship and got us back in a timely manner. This was the highlight of our excursions, beautiful waters in the sea of Crete snorkeling at in the caves jumping from the rocks, Marine life starfish, large, minnows swimming. It was an amazing experience.. The crew was very accommodating and careful to make sure we were safe and the beautiful waters. Special thanks to Dimitrakopoulou, Jared and Papa Basil!”
Salty Descents takes you from Chania, Souda, Kalyves, Platanias, or Georgioupoli to two Cretan snorkeling sites. Guides including Ioanna, Giorgos, Giannis, and Iannis fit your gear, explain local sea life, and stay close in the water. Expect about 90 minutes of snorkeling, fruit, water, and a small group of up to 10.
“Fantastic time, with great guides!! everything was well organised and easy from the start!! would definitely recommend!!”
Sail from Heraklion to uninhabited Dia Island with a small crew, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, food, wine, and raki. Depending on the boat and departure, you may meet crew members such as Alex, Kostas, Emanuel, Constantine, Thanos, or Eleanor. Choose a shared or private catamaran and a half-day or full-day outing.
“This experience was the cherry on the cake for our trip here. For a cheap price a 4 hour boat-trip with food, amazing view on the sea and sunset, snorkling and swimming. The guides/captains were all very kind. 10/10 would recommend.”
Join DanEri Yachts for a five-hour catamaran cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island. Expect coffee, pies, a seafood and meat lunch, open bar, snorkeling, SUP boarding, fishing gear, Wi-Fi, and a friendly crew that may include Captain Giannis, Gianna, Konstantinos, or Joana.
“Everything was perfect, the boat is beautiful and very well equipped, the team members are very nice and friendly The food was very good, and the sunset on the way back to Heraklion is just stunning I had a great time thank you !”
Sail from Heraklion to Dia Island aboard a 45-foot yacht with a small group of up to 10 people. Swim and snorkel in St. George’s Bay, enjoy a generous onboard meal with drinks, and choose a sunset return. Crew members such as Markos, Alexandra, Magda, and Georges provide warm, attentive service.
“This was a truly fantastic experience that my wife and I enjoyed thoroughly! First, we appreciated all the communication before the day of our trip, with all the practical information regarding the trip, which made the preparations and planning simple and easy. We felt the duration of 4.5 hours worked very well. The trip itself is awesome in all respects and definitely something one should do if they visit the area of Heraklio. The sailing experience is exciting, the water at Dia is marvelous, the meal is delicious, and the staff is amazing! Our captain and co-captain were Markos and Magda and each of them was the perfect combination of…”
Spend about three hours aboard a boat from the Chania region, visiting calm swimming and snorkeling spots around Souda Bay. PADI-trained guides such as Emma, Adriana, Noah, and Minka help beginners with gear and safety. SUP depends on weather, and hotel pickup, fruit, water, and photos are included.
“The trip was great. Easy pick up, Simone was a great guide and took pictures of us in the water. Unfortunately there are not many fish in the waters but if you enjoy the swim/boat generally then I would recommend this trip.”
Meet Cretan Yachts at Heraklion’s Old Port and sail with a local captain toward Dia Island. You’ll have about three and a half hours for swimming, snorkeling, snacks, fruit, music, and photos, with names such as Nickolas, Dimitris, and Alexandros appearing among the friendly crew.
“An absolutely fantastic trip, it was so intimate and exclusive only 2 families on the boat 8 of us and two crew. The crew were amazing nothing was too much trouble for them, we set sail for Dia Island on the yacht, there was only us and another sml boat snorkeling equipment was provided, saw lots of fish , an eal type of fish, caterpillar type of creatures and an octopus which was the highlight of the day. drinks and lunch were perfect. Would definitely recommend this trip.”
From Chania, you’ll take a boat to the Blue Cave and a second open-water site. Certified guides such as Basil, Jared, Andreas, and Nikolas lead first-time scuba guests to 9 to 10 meters, while snorkelers enjoy the same trip. Equipment, insurance, snacks, and underwater photos are included.
“Dimitri and Kostas were excellent guides. They were really fun and made sure we were safe and had the right sized equipment for our snorkeling and scuba diving. The company communicated very well with us before on where to be picked up and dropped off at. We came in on a cruise ship and had no issues with finding them. We had a great time!”
From Ierapetra, you’ll make a short yacht crossing to Chrissi Island, walk its white-sand shore, then swim and snorkel in a quiet bay. The crew provides gear, fishing equipment, drinks, and a lunch made with local ingredients. Expect a relaxed sea day, but limited room aboard the yacht.
“Really nice day, lunch and atmosphere at the top! Magnificent landscapes, to do again 👌👌👌👌👌”
Pick a coast, a gorge or a kitchen.
