Chania: Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with Snorkeling

The best part of this four-hour boat trip is the chance to reach two spots that are awkward to visit by land. Menies Beach gives you clear water, smooth pebbles, ancient ruins, and WWII cannon remains below the surface. Chironisia Bay is smaller and quieter, with caves you can explore by snorkel.

I like the generous swimming time, especially the 105 minutes at Menies, and the simple $47 price. The boat carries plenty of gear, floats, toilets, and a small bar, so you do not need to pack a full beach kit. The main thing to consider is group size. This can be a busy outing, and the boat’s outdoor speakers are not always easy to hear.

Key points at a glance

• Two different water stops: Menies offers beach time and historical sights, while Chironisia is mainly a swim and snorkel stop.
• WWII remains underwater: Use the supplied mask and snorkel to look for the sunken base of a cannon and its carriage near Menies.
• Menies is a smooth-pebble beach: You will swim from the boat to shore, so water shoes are a smart choice.
• The trip lasts four hours: It gives you a useful half-day on the water without taking over your whole day.
• Hotel pickup is optional: Pickup is available from selected north Chania locations, but the actual collection time may be much earlier than the boat departure.
• The $47 price is strong value: Cruise time, two swim stops, equipment, and optional transfers are included, while food and drinks cost extra.

Leaving Kolymbari for the Rodopou Peninsula

The boat leaves from Kolymbari, on the northwest coast of Crete. If you are meeting the boat yourself, look for the Smile Cruises vessel in the harbor. Arrive early if you have a rental car, since parking near the port can be limited.

The cruise begins with a short safety briefing, followed by roughly 40 minutes along the Rodopou Peninsula. This is not dead time. You get open views of the coast, sea cliffs, and the rougher northern edge of Crete before reaching Menies.

The boat is described as spacious, modern, and clean, with several seating areas. That said, the group can be large. Some departures draw passengers from several coaches, and the boat may feel crowded when everyone is moving toward the water or returning aboard. It generally has enough room for the group, but do not book this expecting a private sailing trip.

The upper deck gives you the best views and breeze, but it has no shade. Bring sunscreen and consider a hat, especially on the 10:15 departure. The boat also has shaded seating, a toilet, bins, and a small refreshments bar selling drinks and simple snacks such as crisps. Eat before boarding if you want a proper meal.

Menies Beach, ancient Diktynna, and WWII relics

Menies is the main stop, with about 105 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. That is enough time to spread out your activities instead of rushing from one thing to the next.

The beach sits near ancient Diktynna, once home to an important temple dedicated to the goddess Vritomartis. You can also see remains connected with a Roman temple and the abandoned ninth-century monastery of St. George. The ancient remains are not presented as a full archaeological visit, so keep your expectations sensible. This is primarily a beach stop with historical details added to it.

The shoreline is made of smooth pebbles rather than sand. That makes it less comfortable for long barefoot walks, but the stones are not sharp. I strongly suggest packing water shoes. They help on the beach and also make the swim from the boat easier.

The boat anchors about six meters from shore. You must swim through shallow water to reach the beach, although the crew can help move belongings with baskets and paddleboards. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the staff about the available floats and assistance before heading in. A lifeguard and flotation aids have been available on departures, but you should still be comfortable entering the water from a boat.

Menies is also the place to use the provided snorkeling equipment to look for the remains of a WWII gun and carriage. The underwater history is a nice change from simply swimming in a pretty cove. Water clarity can be excellent, and some outings have produced plenty of fish and sea vegetation. Marine life is not guaranteed, though, so come for the clear water and setting rather than expecting a major reef.

You may enter the sea from the beach or jump from the boat, with a ladder available for a more careful exit. Staff are on hand to help with masks, fins, and floats. Maria is specifically noted as being quick to help with snorkeling equipment and guest concerns.

Chironisia Bay and its small sea caves

After Menies, the boat cruises for about 15 minutes before reaching Chironisia Bay. You get roughly 40 minutes here, usually focused on swimming and snorkeling from the boat rather than settling on a broad beach.

Chironisia is only accessible by sea, which gives the stop a more secluded feel. The water is deep blue and calm enough for relaxed swimming on suitable-weather days. With a mask and snorkel, you can look into small caves along the shore. The setting is more about the water and rock formations than about history or sunbathing.

This is a good second stop because it feels different from Menies. At Menies, you split your time among the beach, old remains, and WWII objects. At Chironisia, you can simply get into the water and swim. The shorter stop works well late in the outing, when you may prefer a straightforward final swim rather than another long shore visit.

The boat does not necessarily pull directly onto a beach here. You should expect to enter the water from the vessel. If you want to stay dry, you can remain aboard and enjoy the view, but this tour makes the most sense if you plan to swim at both stops.

What the boat trip feels like in practice

This is an active half-day rather than a sightseeing cruise with a few minutes in the water. The schedule includes about 145 minutes at the two stops, with the rest split among three stretches of cruising. You get enough time to swim, snorkel, and sit on shore without sacrificing a full day in Chania.

The crew is a strong part of the experience. Staff help with masks, fins, floats, boarding, and concerns in the water. They may also point out a sea cave, a goat on the cliff, or other sights along the coast. The guide speaks English and Greek.

The one weak spot is the sound system. Instructions can be hard to hear from the outdoor seating areas, particularly when the boat is underway. If the guide is speaking, move closer to the staff or briefing area rather than relying on the speakers from the upper deck.

The sea can also change the mood of the trip. In calm conditions, the ride is pleasant and the swim stops are easy. On a rough day, the ride to Menies can be choppy, and seasickness is possible. Some passengers have found the crossing uncomfortable, especially children. The crew can help, but bring any motion-sickness medication you normally use and check the forecast before you go.

Poor weather can cancel the trip. That is sensible for a route built around swimming from an anchored boat, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Hotel pickup, timing, and the practical details

You can choose to meet at Kolymbari or select hotel pickup and drop-off from locations in north Chania. The listed departure times from the port are 10:15 and 14:30. Hotel pickup may happen anywhere from one hour to ten minutes before the boat departure, depending on your location.

That timing deserves attention. A 10:15 boat may require a pickup around 8:40, especially if the bus is collecting people from several hotels. Check the email carefully, including the spam folder. Wait at the stated pickup point on the main road, not deep inside a hotel driveway, and look for a bus sign naming Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay.

Drivers wait no more than five minutes after the scheduled pickup time. At busy pickup points, more than one coach may be operating, so do not assume the first bus passing by is yours. The transfer is useful, but it can add time and the bus may feel warm while collecting the full group.

If you are staying in Kolymbari, meeting at the port is the simplest option. If you are in Platanias, Agia Marina, Chania, or another listed north-coast area, pickup can save you the trouble of driving and parking. Confirm that your hotel or nearby pickup point is included before booking.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and comfortable shoes. Add water shoes, a dry bag if you have one, and a small amount of cash or a card for the onboard bar. Food and drinks are not included, and the selection is limited to simple snacks and beverages.

Is $47 good value for this Crete cruise?

At $47 per person, the price is reasonable for a four-hour outing that includes the boat, two swim stops, snorkeling equipment, and a guide. The optional transfer makes the deal stronger if you are staying near one of the pickup areas and would otherwise need a taxi or rental car.

You are not paying for a meal, a private boat, or a long guided archaeology visit. This is a straightforward sea excursion. Its value comes from reaching Menies and Chironisia without tackling the land route, having gear supplied, and getting a generous amount of water time.

The price also works well for families. The shorter length is easier on young children than a seven or eight-hour cruise, and the boat has floats, a ladder, toilets, and several seating areas. Still, children should be comfortable with a short swim from the boat to shore, and rough water can change the experience quickly.

A larger group may reduce the sense of escape. You might wait briefly while people enter or leave the water, and the upper deck can fill. The two coves themselves often feel less crowded than the boat because large vessels do not gather there in the same numbers.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this cruise if you want clear water, relaxed snorkeling, and a half-day away from the resort beaches. It suits families, couples, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants a simple way to see a less accessible part of the Chania coast.

It is also a good match for people who like variety. You get ancient remains at Menies, WWII objects underwater, beach time, open-water swimming, and small caves at Chironisia.

I would think twice if you dislike group excursions, need a sandy beach, or are prone to seasickness. The boat may be busy, the beach is pebbly, the sound system is not perfect, and rough seas can make the outward journey unpleasant. For a quieter experience, ask about group size before booking, though the supplied tour details do not promise a small group.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The boat leaves from the port of Kolymbari. Look for the Smile Cruises boat in the harbor.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts four hours. Departure times from Kolymbari are listed as 10:15 and 14:30, subject to availability.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option, and service is limited to selected locations in north Chania. Your pickup may be up to one hour before the boat departure.

What happens at Menies Beach?

You get about 105 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and free time. You can see ancient remains near Diktynna and search underwater for WWII cannon and carriage remains.

Do I need to swim from the boat to the beach?

Yes. The boat anchors about six meters from shore, so you swim through shallow water to reach Menies Beach. The crew can assist with belongings and flotation equipment.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. You can use it at Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay to look for fish, underwater objects, and small caves.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Drinks and simple snacks are available to buy on the boat, but food and beverages are not included in the tour price.

Should you book the Menies and Chironisia cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, four-hour water outing with two genuinely different stops. The clear water, WWII remains, ancient setting, small caves, and helpful crew give the trip more substance than a simple boat ride.

Pack water shoes, arrive early at Kolymbari, check your pickup time closely, and prepare for a group setting. If the forecast is calm and you are happy to swim from a boat, this is one of the better-value ways to explore the northern Chania coast without giving up your entire day.