Do I have to swim to reach shores?

No, but some coves are easiest accessed by a short swim; the crew helps guests enter and exit the water and will get as close as safety allows.

Where do we meet and how long is the trip?

Meet at the new port in Chora Sfakion; the outing is about eight hours, adjusted for sea conditions and guest preferences.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes, basic snorkeling equipment is included, though many visitors bring their own masks for fit and clarity.

Lunch is not included; the itinerary usually stops at a taverna in Marmara or Loutro where you can buy a meal.

Is this suitable for children and older guests?

Yes, the trip accommodates ages 1–85 with assistance; brief swims and boat transfers require mobility but no technical skills.

What about seasickness and accessibility?

Bring medication if you’re prone to seasickness; boats are small and transfers can be wet — contact the operator about mobility concerns before booking.

Private Boat Trip: Crete Southwest Coast from Sfakia to Loutro | Sailing | Private

Adventure Brief

Sail Crete’s rugged southwest coast on a private, small-group boat from Chora Sfakion. Swim in crystal coves, explore marble sea caves at Marmara, visit Agia Roumeli and the postcard village of Loutro—an eight-hour day of secluded beaches and flexible, skipper-led stops.

8 hours

moderate

From €786.29

Along Crete’s southwest rim, the private boat trip from Chora Sfakion opens a day of sea-scraped cliffs, marble caves, and pocket beaches that feel reserved for a small handful of visitors. This eight-hour cruise follows the wild coast from Sfakia past Domata, Agia Roumeli, Agios Pavlos, Marmara and the honeycombed lanes of Loutro, finishing with a plunge at Sweet Water Beach where freshwater springs rise beneath the surface. Boarding in Chora Sfakion - the meeting point, you leave the ferry bustle behind and head into open blue. The first swim stop at Domata and Kalogeros rewards with transparent water and offshore rock gardens carpeted by Posidonia seagrass. The skipper times each pause for ideal snorkeling; basic equipment is provided, but many guests bring their own masks. Marmara’s marble caves are the expedition’s geological highlight. Wave-polished white stone and narrow sea-carved caverns refract light into soft mint hues; unlike many limestone coves in Greece, these formations are visibly sculpted marble, an uncommon coastal feature. Above Marmara a cliffside taverna provides an optional lunch with views of the sheltered inlet. Agia Roumeli offers a cultural counterpoint: the village sits at the Samaria Gorge mouth and carries a quiet resilience born of island life. A brief walk ashore connects the coastline to Crete’s interior, and Agios Pavlos’ tiny Byzantine chapel makes for a contemplative stop on sand that once hosted fishermen and hermits. Loutro is the trip’s postcard moment. Accessible primarily by boat or foot, its whitewashed houses and narrow alleys invite a coffee stroll before the final swim. The last stop, Sweet Water Beach, is named for the brackish springs that dilute the sea and leave a clean, buoyant sensation on skin - an uncanny reminder that ocean and freshwater can meet in surprising ways. This outing is private, flexible, and small-group focused, perfect for families, photographers, and swimmers who crave quiet coves beyond the crowded resorts. The captain, fuel, water, soft drinks and snorkeling gear are included; lunch and personal expenses are not. The route varies with weather, sea conditions and guest preference, which keeps every departure feeling like a custom exploration rather than a fixed itinerary. Practical details matter: departures leave from the new port at Chora Sfakion and the total outing lasts about eight hours, though timings shift with sea state and guest wishes. The boat carries up to eleven passengers, making advance booking essential in high season. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a light jacket for sea breezes, cash for tavern lunches, and a sense of curiosity - the captain adapts stops to tides and wind. For photographers, polarized lenses bring out the aquamarine palette; for families, shallow beaches provide safe, long swims. This is Crete’s southwest coast from sea: rugged, luminous, rewarding.

About Notosmare Marine Adventures

Notosmare Marine Adventures is a boat tour operator based in Marathi, Crete, offering a wide range of day trips, private charters and rentals. The company operates from Marathi and runs departures that also originate from Chania, Kolymvari and Sfakia, serving popular destinations such as Balos Lagoon, Gramvousa, Seitan Limani, Gavdos, Menies and Elafonisi. Boats in the fleet named in listings include Saxdor, Axopar, Marvel, RIBs and larger yachts including Bavaria and catamarans, providing options for small groups, families and private charters. Tour formats range from half‑day to full‑day nine‑hour excursions, sunset cruises and specialised routes like Chania to Santorini or Sfakia to Gavdos. Many advertised trips reference complimentary drinks, light snacks or fresh fruit, and several listings specify skipper‑included services or bareboat rental choices. Notosmare offers private boat trips, fishing trips, rentals with and without a licence requirement and a selection of high‑powered RIB and outboard models. The variety of vessel sizes and trip styles supports activities such as swimming in turquoise waters, visiting historic sites like Gramvousa castle and exploring secluded coves accessible only by sea. Booking options cover private charters, shared tours and tailored itineraries. Trip descriptions emphasize picturesque coastlines, hidden beaches and opportunities to relax while sightseeing. With a broad fleet, multiple departure points and both crewed and bareboat offerings, Notosmare Marine Adventures provides practical choices for travelers seeking marine excursions around western Crete.

Seasonal availability applies; bookings are offered for sunrise departures, sunset cruises, family outings, fishing trips and custom itineraries for varying group sizes, locally.

Private Boat Trip: Crete Southwest Coast from Sfakia to Loutro

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