Best Cruises in Heraklion

Heraklion is a port city on the Greek island of Crete. It is home to a rich cultural and historical heritage: museums, fortresses, palaces and archaeological sites. In addition, there are its beautiful beaches and natural spaces, which represent a great tourist attraction.

Because this large island is bathed by the Libyan Sea and the Aegean Sea, during your stay you will find a series of cruises in these waters, which you can incorporate among the best things to do in Heraklion. For example, sail around the island of Dia, take a boat trip in the gulf of Elounda, discover the beauty of the island of Chrissi, among others.

Joining a cruise on the island of Dia will be an unforgettable adventure during your stay in Heraklion. You will leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and immerse yourself in a tranquil natural environment. You will be able to see the blue waters of northern Crete and enjoy water sports.

This guided experience usually starts at the Port of Heraklion. There, you will board a boat and sail for approximately 90 minutes to the island of Dia. During this time you will enjoy a panoramic ride, where the protagonists are the sky and the waters of the Mediterranean, bathed by the warm rays of the sun.

Once you arrive at Dia Island you will have several alternatives to have fun, some of them being the following:

• Relaxing on deck while enjoying the sea breeze and the peaceful surroundings.
• Paddle surfing, with the help of the guide who will provide you with the basic equipment and some safety tips.
• Snorkel and, thus, be in direct contact with the underwater world of this place. You will be accompanied by a guide who will teach you the basic techniques of this sport.

During this catamaran cruise to Dia Island from Heraklion you can swim freely and relax in the warm blue waters. You will also delight your palate, as this type of activity usually incorporates snacks prepared on the boat, accompanied by a drink or other beverage.

Details of interest

• Price: the activity can cost around 70€ per person.
• Duration: from 4 to 7 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will sail to the tranquil island of Dia where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some water activities.
• Disadvantages of this option: the cruise usually does not include pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.

There are many activities you can do during your trip, but one of the most appealing is to embark on one of the best Heraklion boat tours in the Gulf of Elounda. You will enjoy the stunning natural scenery and learn about some of the historical heritage of this picturesque place.

This type of boat tour usually starts at the small port of Elounda, located about 58 minutes from the centre of Heraklion. There, you will set sail with a guide, who will tell you the history and curiosities of each of the places visited.

You will arrive at the islet of Spinalonga, where you will find the Spinalonga Fort, dating back to the 16th century. You will see the ruins of the leper hill, the leper cemetery, among other destinations. Afterwards, you will continue sailing to Kolokytha beach and have time to swim in the turquoise waters and lie on the fine sand.

Afterwards, you will return to Heraklion. In fact, if you plan to stay several days in Heraklion, you could continue the adventure and also join an excursion to Agios Nikolaos and the island of Spinalonga in Crete by land and discover the coast from a different perspective.

Interesting details

• Price: the cost of this tour starts at around €25 per person.
• Duration: The tour usually lasts around 8 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know a place with a great historical heritage and beautiful landscapes.
• Disadvantages of this option: the drinks and meals offered on board are not usually included in the price of the tour, so you will have to buy them separately.

Sailing around the island of Chrissi is another must-do cruise during your stay in Heraklion. You will discover the natural beauty of this coastal paradise as you cruise around its bays. You can gaze out over the Libyan Sea and stop for a swim.

This activity, considered one of the best day trips from Heraklion, usually starts with a drive along the east coast to Lerapetra from the city centre (about 74 minutes). This is a picturesque place with unspoilt beaches, which you can explore on your own before boarding the boat and sailing to the island of Chrissi.

Already in the waters of this uninhabited Greek island, you will sail for a few hours and discover exotic places along the way such as:

• Belegrina beach or Golden beach, on the north side of the island. Here, you will enjoy beautiful turquoise waters in which you can dive.
• Vougiou Mati beach, located on the southern end of the island. There, you will make another stop for a free swim before returning to Lerapetra.

After this adventure on the island of Chrissi, you can continue with your itinerary of activities in Heraklion. Perhaps purchase tickets for the CRETAquarium in Heraklion to see hundreds of marine species, or take a walk through the streets of the city, among other activities.

Interesting details

• Price: the price of this cruise is around 58€ per person.
• Duration: the duration of the experience is approximately 10 hours.
• Means of transport: car and boat.
• Advantages of this option: You will sail through the Libyan Sea and enjoy some of the beaches of the Greek island of Chrissi.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity does not usually include food and drink, so you will have to pay for it yourself.

In the western part of Heraklion is the island of Gramvousa, with some interesting historical destinations and the lagoon of Balos, with its crystal clear waters and great natural beauty. Both places can be visited on a guided day trip by sea and land. You will have the opportunity to explore one of the lesser known regions of the island.

On this type of excursion, you will travel with a guide by bus to the port of Kastelli in the city of Chania or Chania, approximately 4 hours away. There, you will set sail across the Aegean Sea and enjoy an amazing scenic drive.

Among the stops that are usually made, the following stand out:

• Gramvousa Island: this is a protected natural area. You can climb up to its hill and visit the Venetian castle of Gramvousa, built during the 16th century to defend the island from pirate invasions.
• The Balos lagoon with its tranquil setting of cliffs. You will have time to lie on the golden sand, enjoy the sun, dive into the blue waters of this paradisiacal place and watch the local fauna. Such is the case of the loggerhead turtle, which is a protected species.

For this adventure you can choose between two options, according to your location. You can start from the centre of Heraklion to Kastelli, in the village of Chania. And, if you are in Chania, a town in Crete two hours away from Heraklion, you have the option to connect there with the day trip to Gramvousa and Balos Chania (boat ticket included!).

Interesting details

• Price: these types of excursions have an average price of €63 per person.
• Duration: The excursion can last between 12 and 15 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: bus and boat.
• Advantages of this option: you only have to worry about enjoying the experience, as the tour includes transport, guide and entrance to the attractions.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will have to buy meals and drinks on board during the stops on this excursion, as this type of activity does not usually include these benefits.

Take advantage of your stay in Heraklion to explore a part of the north-eastern coast of this port city. On board a boat, you will watch a dazzling sunset from the sea and have the opportunity to learn how to fish. You will also visit a nearby beach for a swim.

You will head to the fishing village of Milatos, specifically to the Milatos Marina. It is located about 50 minutes away from the centre of Heraklion by car. You can either go on your own or request the pick-up service of the tour you have booked for this sea adventure.

Whichever option you choose, when you arrive at the harbour you will board a boat and, together with an experienced local fisherman, you will start sailing. After a few minutes, you' ll stop in the open sea to fish. But first, you will learn everything you need to know about this sport: fishing equipment, techniques and tips.

After this experience, you will sail to Milatos beach. This natural area is characterised by being a quiet and uncrowded place. You will have free time to dive into its blue waters and swim freely. And to end the adventure, on the way back to the harbour you will watch the sun set over the horizon, creating a magical and unforgettable atmosphere.

Details of interest

• Price: the approximate price per person for this experience is 110€.
• Duration: the duration of this sunset cruise is approximately 5 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will see a different perspective of the island from the open sea and learn how to fish.
• Disadvantages of this option: Generally, this activity does not include snacks and drinks.

Visiting Santorini from Heraklion is another must-do on your itinerary. You'll experience an unforgettable land and sea adventure, where you'll get to know a Cycladic island in the Aegean Sea and two of its main cities, Oia and Fira.

The tour usually starts with a pick-up from the city centre to the port of Heraklion. From there you will sail to Santorini, approximately 90 minutes away, enjoying a panoramic trip on the open sea, where you will see beautiful scenery. You will be able to take amazing pictures and learn a little bit about the places along the way, thanks to the guide that accompanies you.

You will arrive at the port of Santorini and immediately start exploring this town, but this time, in a bus. You will visit the village of Oia, which is perched on a cliff and stands out for its blue and white houses. From this town, you will have a privileged view of the volcanic caldera and the sea.

Your guide will then take you to the capital city of Santorini, Fira. Fira is about 30 minutes' drive from Oia. Here you will have the opportunity to cruise along the Aegean Sea to the volcanic area. You will then return to the mainland and have a few minutes to explore the town on foot before returning to Heraklion by boat.

Details of interest

• Price: this tour of Santorini from Heraklion by land and sea is approximately €150 per person.
• Duration: the time required for this tour is around 12 hours.
• Means of transport: bus and boat.
• Advantages of this option: You will see an important island in the Aegean Sea, which was destroyed in the 16th century BC.
• Disadvantages of this option: personal expenses (food, drink) are not usually included in this experience.

Taking a cruise in Heraklion is an activity not to be missed during your stay in this port city. You can escape the hustle and bustle of the city, cruise along the coastline and enjoy a different perspective of this magical place from the waters of the Libyan and Aegean Seas.

You will discover the nearby islets and some of the best beaches in Heraklion, the popular island of Dia, the island of Gramvousa and the lagoon of Balos, the gulf of Elounda, with a rich historical heritage. Also, the island of Chrissie with its Golden beach, the beach of Vougiou Mati, among other paradisiacal destinations.

Embarking on a cruise in Heraklion is not a complicated task. There is a wide range of tours and maritime excursions that provide you with all the resources you need for an unforgettable experience. However, if you want to make the most of this activity you should take into consideration some basic tips.

For example:

• Wear comfortable shoes. Remember that most cruise ships stop at islands or beaches so that you can explore them. Therefore, you will have to walk on uneven terrain.
• Take snacks with you, especially if you are visiting Heraklion with children. Some cruises do not incorporate lunch or special snacks for the little ones.
• Don't forget your cash and cards. You may need it at some of the stops to tip, buy drinks, food or a souvenir of the trip.
• Swimming trunks are essential, so you can swim at your leisure. And if you want to snorkel or do another water sport, remember to check beforehand if the experience includes the necessary wetsuit and equipment.