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Spend a private day cruising Akrotiri’s coastline from Chania, swimming at Stavros, Katholiko, Seitan Limani and Marathi island. Expect turquoise water, limestone cliffs, and a relaxed schedule with snorkeling and a seaside lunch.
Spend a private day cruising Akrotiri’s coastline from Chania, swimming at Stavros, Katholiko, Seitan Limani and Marathi island. Expect turquoise water, limestone cliffs, and a relaxed schedule with snorkeling and a seaside lunch.
The wooden hull slips away from Chania’s old harbour and the city’s stone facades recede into a ribbon of blue. Salt lifts into the air, and the captain sets a slow, deliberate pace east along the Akrotiri peninsula, the spray daring you to step closer to the rail.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Notos Mare Marine Adventures · Chania, Crete
The wooden hull slips away from Chania’s old harbour and the city’s stone facades recede into a ribbon of blue. Salt lifts into the air, and the captain sets a slow, deliberate pace east along the Akrotiri peninsula, the spray daring you to step closer to the rail.
This full-day private cruise threads together small, sandy coves and sculpted limestone cliffs. You’ll stop first at Stavros, the sheltered bay made famous by the film Zorba the Greek, then cut around the headland to the narrow creek of Katholiko — a dramatic gorge where the sea runs a deeper blue. Seitan Limani offers turquoise shallows perfect for snorkeling; farther on, Marathi island provides a shaded cove for lunch. Fields behind Macherida beach bloom with wild gladioli in spring, a simple botanical marker of the season.
Geology here is coastal limestone, karst-cut cliffs and seabed meadows of Posidonia that sustain local marine life, including occasional loggerhead turtles and dolphins. Culturally, Akrotiri’s villages keep fishing and small-scale farming traditions; tavernas on the sand serve straightforward seafood.
Practical guidance: the tour lasts about 8 hours with multiple swim stops (20–120 minutes per stop as scheduled), so bring reef-friendly sunscreen, a compact snorkel set, and a dry bag. Wear textured water shoes for rocky landings and plan transportation back to Chania’s old harbour. Expect calm to moderate seas; guests prone to motion sickness should pre-treat. Respect marine habitat — avoid walking on seagrass beds and follow crew instructions when anchoring. With a private boat, timing is flexible; choose morning departures for smoother water and softer light for photos.
easy.
8 hours.
No special fitness required beyond basic mobility; you should be comfortable boarding from a dock and stepping onto a small beach or ladder.
Yes—snorkelling equipment is included, but many guests bring their own mask for comfort and fit.
A stop at Marathi island is scheduled for lunch; check whether a boxed lunch is provided or if you'll eat at a local taverna—bring cash if dining ashore.
Wildlife sightings are possible—loggerhead turtles and dolphins are occasional visitors—but they cannot be guaranteed.
Yes; infants must sit on laps. The tour is rated easy physically, but parents should watch children around open decks and water.
Stavros Bay gained international recognition after the 1964 film Zorba the Greek; the Akrotiri peninsula has long been a fishing and small-farming outpost of Chania.
The area’s Posidonia meadows are ecologically vital; avoid anchoring on seagrass beds and use reef-safe products to reduce impact.
Notos Mare Marine Adventures operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The wooden hull slips away from Chania’s old harbour and the city’s stone facades recede into a ribbon of blue. Salt lifts into the air, and the captain sets a slow, deliberate pace east along the Akrotiri peninsula, the spray daring you to step closer to the rail.
The wooden hull slips away from Chania’s old harbour and the city’s stone facades recede into a ribbon of blue. Salt lifts into the air, and the captain sets a slow, deliberate pace east along the Akrotiri peninsula, the spray daring you to step closer to the rail.
This full-day private cruise threads together small, sandy coves and sculpted limestone cliffs. You’ll stop first at Stavros, the sheltered bay made famous by the film Zorba the Greek, then cut around the headland to the narrow creek of Katholiko — a dramatic gorge where the sea runs a deeper blue. Seitan Limani offers turquoise shallows perfect for snorkeling; farther on, Marathi island provides a shaded cove for lunch. Fields behind Macherida beach bloom with wild gladioli in spring, a simple botanical marker of the season.
Geology here is coastal limestone, karst-cut cliffs and seabed meadows of Posidonia that sustain local marine life, including occasional loggerhead turtles and dolphins. Culturally, Akrotiri’s villages keep fishing and small-scale farming traditions; tavernas on the sand serve straightforward seafood.
Practical guidance: the tour lasts about 8 hours with multiple swim stops (20–120 minutes per stop as scheduled), so bring reef-friendly sunscreen, a compact snorkel set, and a dry bag. Wear textured water shoes for rocky landings and plan transportation back to Chania’s old harbour. Expect calm to moderate seas; guests prone to motion sickness should pre-treat. Respect marine habitat — avoid walking on seagrass beds and follow crew instructions when anchoring. With a private boat, timing is flexible; choose morning departures for smoother water and softer light for photos.