Greece · PRIVATE SAILING CHARTERS IN CRETE
The 9 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”
Set out from Chania on a 38-foot boat with a small crew, sailing toward Thodorou Island, also called Kri-Kri Island. You will swim and snorkel near the coast and a World War II aircraft wreck, watch for wild goats, and enjoy fruit, drinks, and dakos. Panos and George are named crew members on the sailing described here.
“It was an incredible experience, me and my husband loved everything: the places were great and both our guides were so kind and full of suggestions and stories to tell. I suggest this tour to everyone, who loves sailing, it is also very romantic and perfect: it was the proper right experience for our honeymoon!”
Every island we sail from, and every kind of day that leaves it.
