Saxdor 320 GTO: Private Crete Boat Charter to Elafonisi, Balos & Gavdos

The Saxdor 320 GTO is a sleek, seaworthy private charter that opens Crete's southern coastline from Marathi Bay. Meeting point and embarkation are at Marathi Bay in Marathi, Greece, where trips depart for Elafonisi, Balos, Seitan and the rugged island of Gavdos. Available as a five‑hour or nine‑hour private outing for up to seven passengers, the Saxdor balances speed with onboard comfort—a large cabin, marine toilet, and a dry ride even when seas pick up. This trip is about water forms and contrast: the powder‑pink sand and shallow turquoise flats of Elafonisi, Balos’s milky lagoon framed by sedimentary limestone, and the sea‑carved coves and vertical cliffs around Seitan. Gavdos adds a wilder, open‑sea character: gravel beaches, low maquis scrub, and exposed headlands that fall straight into the Libyan Sea. Onboard inclusions—soft drinks, light cold snacks, snorkeling gear, a stand‑up paddleboard and a Sublue ProMax sea scooter—turn a cruise into an active day of exploring reefs, meadows of Posidonia, and hidden anchorages. Choose the shorter five‑hour route to visit nearby coves and shallow beaches; take the nine‑hour day if your aim is Gavdos or a prolonged sunset run along the southern horizon. The Saxdor’s hull is built to shed spray and keep passengers dry, which matters on exposed stretches off the south coast; an enclosed cabin and toilet are practical for families and longer trips. Basic swimming ability is useful for snorkeling stops, though the crew provides safety briefings and lifejackets; mobility needs should be discussed when booking. What makes this charter special for Crete is the combination of a modern, sport‑oriented hull with small‑group flexibility: you can reach tight coves, anchor in quiet bays, then swap to paddleboarding or a submersible scooter with minimal fuss. Photographers will prize the low sun over the Libyan Sea, the pastel flats of Balos, and the contrast of vertical limestone faces against blue water. Plan for sun protection, a light wind layer for evening runs, and shoes safe for slippery rock if you step ashore at Seitan or Gavdos. Whether you want a fast coastal run, a snorkel‑heavy day, or a long sunset passage, the Saxdor 320 GTO from Marathi Bay is a hands‑on, efficient way to explore Crete's southern shore with a small group and modern gear. Book the five‑hour or nine‑hour option depending on how far you want to push out; either way you’ll return with fresh water, clear light, and a better sense of why Crete's southern coast rewards a small‑boat approach. Arrive early at Marathi Bay to meet the crew, confirm the itinerary, stow loose gear in the cabin, and ask about local regulations that protect beaches and Posidonia seagrass beds. Bring ID and any medication you need onboard today.