Greece · PRIVATE SAILING CHARTERS IN CRETE
The 15 best private sailing charters in Crete you can book right now, with the price of a seat, how long the boat is out and who each one suits. Start at the top.
Sail privately from Heraklion to Dia Island with a two-person crew, then spend 2.5 hours at Saint George Bay swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and using a paddleboard. Water, soft drinks, wine, fruit, and equipment are included. Add hotel transfers or an onboard meal for extra convenience.
“Sailing trip was great, guides gave a lot of explanation concerning the boat, island and history.”
Sail privately from Heraklion to Dia Island with a two-person crew, stopping at Saint George Bay and another swimming spot. You can snorkel, fish, use a paddleboard, and relax with fruit, soft drinks, water, and local white wine. Boats range by group size and budget, with optional hotel transfers and onboard meals.
“We told the guides we were more interested in sailing than the excursions and they accommodated our request. The Elan 37 is a fun boat and she sailed well even in light winds. The lunch was delicious and we enjoyed it in an idyllic bay on Dia island. The captain and first mate were vey kind and helpful with our two kids. I highly recommend this excursion and will book again if we return to Crete.”
Captain Mike leads a private seven-hour yacht cruise for up to eight people from Agios Nikolaos. You will visit Spinalonga, Kolokytha Beach, Voulisma, Agii Pantes, Kanali, and other coastal stops, with time to swim and enjoy a highly praised homemade lunch. An underwater scooter may also be available aboard.
“We had a great day out exploring the Agios Nikolaos coast and beaches with Capt. Mike. The beaches and lunch recommendation was fantastic. Highly recommended day out.”
Spend eight hours aboard the private sailboat Izabela with your own group and crew. Sail from Kissamos to Balos Lagoon and Imeri Gramvousa, swim and snorkel, hike to a Venetian fortress, and enjoy Cretan dishes, fruit, wine, beer, and soft drinks onboard. The boat has a grey bimini, covered seating, a cabin, and a bathroom with shower.
“Highly recommend for a small group of friends! We debated driving to Balos vs boating and we were so grateful we chose this experience. We stopped at Gramvousa island first and hiked to the top for beautiful views and photo opportunities of Balos. Then had a delicious lunch and swim. Short trip over to Balos where we spent a couple hours enjoying the beach. We walked to the main shore and greeted the goats. It felt like perfect amounts of time allotted to each stop, we never felt rushed and we enjoyed the experience to the fullest. One tip- take a Gravol before you set sail, the way there was…”
Spend about eight hours aboard Izabela, sailing from Kissamos to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa. Your skipper chooses safe swim spots, serves a light Cretan lunch with beer, wine, and soft drinks, and points out the Venetian fortress. You also get snorkeling gear, a beach umbrella, a covered cabin, restroom, and shower.
“We all thoroughly enjoyed the day, an amazing experience. Beautiful sailing boat with plenty of opportunities to swim from the boat. George also provided a truly delicious lunch, catering for a vegetarian and also gluten free.”
Set sail from Souda at 9:30 am with Captain Nikos and his crew for a private day on Crete’s water. You’ll visit quiet coves near Kalami, Karga, Drapano, and Marathi, help handle the sails and wheel, swim and snorkel, then enjoy a freshly cooked Cretan lunch with wine or beer aboard a 43-foot sailboat.
“What an amazing experience! Nikos and his nephew were so great! Nikos pointed things out along our sail, swimming was amazing and lunch was delicious! Highly recommend this experience!”
Spend six hours aboard the private Beneteau Flyer 850 with Captain Mike, Michalis, or their family crew. From Agios Nikolaos, you can visit caves, small islands, Spinalonga, and the underwater city, then swim, snorkel, and try the sea scooter. Local food, fruit, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included.
Spend about six hours on a private skippered sailboat from Heraklion to Dia Island. After roughly an hour under sail, anchor at St. George’s Bay for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, fruit, soft drinks, water, and white wine. Captain Mario may be part of your crew, and hotel transfers, lunch, champagne, and cake cost extra.
“It was a wonderful and relaxing boat trip with friendly staff. Truly a delightful experience on the sea”
Spend about six hours sailing privately from Heraklion to uninhabited Dia Island with Captain Greg and Demetrius. Swim in clear water, snorkel, paddleboard, explore a Minoan harbor site, and enjoy fruit, drinks, snacks, or lunch aboard a comfortable boat. The cruise is designed for groups of up to 10.
“This was amazing. Greg and Dimitrius were professional, kind, fun, and polite. The boat was immaculate and everything was perfect!!!”
Join Magda, Captain Nikos, and the crew for a private five-hour sail from Heraklion toward Dia Island, Zeus’s protected island. Swim in calm Agios Georgios Bay, use the provided snorkel gear, enjoy lunch aboard, and watch for dolphins. The boat takes up to 10 people, with hotel pickup available.
“Writing this review on the sunbed day after the trip reflecting. Magda arranged prompt on time pick up from our hotel really nice transport called to to check we were in the transport. Got greeted at the port with a hug and welcome infectious smile. The sailing boat was pristine clean and luxurious. Captain nickos and first mate helen were so professional welcoming and catered for our every need advised of safety and couldnt do enough for us. Felt so safe in their hands. Drinks were served and sailing away to dia island, anchored up enjoyed a swim in the Crystal clear water snorkels and floats provided. Then the most…”
Set sail from Souda with skipper Nikos and crew for a seven-hour private cruise along Crete’s coast. Swim at Ai Giannis, pass old forts and seaside villages, snorkel in clear coves, and enjoy a fresh three-course Cretan meal with wine, beer, and local ingredients. Hotel transfers are available on request.
“Our guide Nikkos was very friendly and informative. Food was excellent!!!”
Set sail from Heraklion at 9:30 a.m. on a private catamaran for up to 15 people. You’ll spend about four hours at Dia Island swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding, while the crew prepares lunch with shrimp pasta, mussels, salads, chicken, dessert, and local wine. The trip returns to the marina after roughly 6.5 hours.
“Boat, captain and chef were amazing. The operators assisted from pick up to drop-off. We had an amazing day, followed by even better food homemade on board by the chef. We loved it so much that we booked another day during our stay. We would highly recommend. The boat was also beautiful and well equipped.”
Meet DanEri Yachts in Rethymno at 9:30 am for a private 6.5-hour catamaran cruise to a bay near Georgioupoli. Swim, snorkel, fish, use SUP boards, float on an inflatable flamingo, and enjoy a freshly cooked Mediterranean lunch with beer, wine, soft drinks, WiFi, and a friendly crew including Rena.
“We had a really great trip with an extremely friendly crew. Everything was taken care of. The food was delicious and extremely freshly prepared. We were all very satisfied!!!Auto-translated”
Set out from Agios Nikolaos with a private crew of up to eight. Depending on the day’s captain, Mike, Marina, Alex, Harris, or Michalis may guide you toward the sunken city of Olous and Kolokithia Beach. Swim, snorkel, use provided equipment, try sea scooters, and enjoy Cretan snacks, fruit, drinks, and possibly a homemade meal.
Set sail from Kolymvari at 8:30 am aboard a private catamaran for about five hours. Anchor near Agioi Theodoroi, swim, snorkel, fish, paddle a SUP, and enjoy a crew-prepared Mediterranean meal with beer, wine, soft drinks, and WiFi. The boat is reserved for your group of up to 15.
“We did this trip as a special treat for my family and it did not disappoint. The boat and the crew were amazing. Having done plenty of group boat trips this was a first time having the boat to ourselves. Not sure I could ever go back now to a shared boat!”
Every island we sail from, and every kind of day that leaves it.
