6 Best Cruises in Heraklion

Heraklion is a port city on the Greek island of Crete. It is home to a wealth of cultural and historical heritage, including museums, fortresses, palaces and archaeological sites. In addition, there are beautiful beaches and natural areas, which are a major tourist attraction.

As this large islet is surrounded by the Libyan Sea and the Aegean Sea, during your stay you will find a number of cruises in these waters, which you can add to the list of the best things to do in Heraklion. For example, you can sail around the island of Dia, take a boat trip around the Gulf of Elounda, discover the beauty of Chrissi Island, and much more.

Joining a cruise around Dia Island will be an unforgettable adventure during your stay in Heraklion. You will leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and immerse yourself in a peaceful natural environment. You can admire the blue waters of northern Crete and enjoy water sports.

This guided experience usually starts at the port of Heraklion. There, you will board a boat and sail for approximately 90 minutes to Dia Island. During this time, you will enjoy a panoramic tour, where the sky and the Mediterranean waters, bathed by the warm rays of the sun, are the stars of the show.

Once you arrive at Dia Island , you will have several options for fun, including the following:

• Relax on deck while enjoying the sea breeze and peaceful surroundings.
• Try paddle surfing with the help of a guide who will provide you with basic equipment and some safety tips.
• Go snorkelling and get up close and personal with the underwater world of this place. You will be accompanied by a guide who will teach you the basic techniques of this sport.

During this catamaran cruise to Dia Island from Heraklion, you can swim freely and relax in the warm blue waters. You will also delight your palate, as this type of activity usually includes snacks prepared on board, accompanied by a drink or other beverage.

Details of interest

• Price: the activity can cost around £60 per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 to 7 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.

There are many activities you can do during your trip, but without a doubt, one of the most attractive is to take one of the best boat tours in Heraklion around the Gulf of Elounda. You will enjoy amazing natural scenery and learn about the historical heritage of this picturesque place.

This type of boat trip usually starts in the small port of Elounda, located about 58 minutes from the centre of Heraklion. There, you will set sail with a guide who will tell you about the history and interesting facts of each of the places you visit.

You will arrive at the islet of Spinalonga, where you will find the 16th-century Spinalonga Fortress. You will see the ruins of the leper colony, the leper cemetery and other attractions. Afterwards, you will continue sailing to Kolokytha beach, where you will have time to swim in the turquoise waters and lie on the fine sand.

Then you will return to Heraklion. In fact, if you plan to spend several days in Heraklion, you could continue the adventure and also join an excursion to Agios Nikolaos and the island of Spinalonga in Crete by land, discovering the coast from a different perspective.

Useful information

• Price: the cost of this tour starts at approximately £25 per person.
• Duration: the tour usually lasts around 8 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.

Sailing around Chrissi Island is another unmissable cruise to enjoy during your stay in Heraklion. You will discover the natural beauty hidden in this coastal paradise as you sail around its bays. You can admire the Libyan Sea and stop for a swim.

This activity, considered one of the best day trips from Heraklion, usually starts with a drive along the east coast to Lerapetra from the city centre (about 74 minutes). This is a picturesque place with unspoilt beaches, which you can explore on your own before boarding the boat and setting sail for Chrissi Island.

Once in the waters of this uninhabited Greek island, you will sail for a few hours and discover exotic places such as:

• Belegrina Beach or Golden Beach, on the north side of the island. Here, you can enjoy beautiful turquoise waters where you can take a dip.
• Vougiou Mati beach, located at the southern tip of the island. There, you will make another stop to swim freely before returning to Lerapetra.

After this adventure on Chrissi Island, you can continue with your itinerary of activities in Heraklion. Perhaps you would like to purchase tickets for the CRETAquarium in Heraklion and discover hundreds of marine species, or take a stroll through the streets of the city, among other activities.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of this cruise is around £50 per person.
• Duration: the duration of the experience is approximately 10 hours.
• Means of transport: car and boat.

To the west of Heraklion lies Gramvousa Island, with several historical sites of interest, and Balos Lagoon, with its crystal-clear waters and stunning natural beauty. You can visit both places on a guided day trip by sea and land. You will have the opportunity to explore one of the least known regions of the island.

On this type of excursion, you will travel with a guide by bus to the port of Kastelli in the city of Chania, approximately 4 hours away. There, you will set sail on the Aegean Sea and enjoy an amazing panoramic tour.

Among the stops that are usually made, the following stand out:

• Gramvousa Island: this is a protected natural area. You can climb up to the hill and visit the Venetian castle of Gramvousa, built during the 16th century to defend the island from pirate invasions.
• Balos Lagoon, with its peaceful setting surrounded by cliffs. You will have time to lie on the golden sand, enjoy the sun, dive into the blue waters of this paradise and observe the local wildlife. This includes the loggerhead turtle, which is a protected species.

For this adventure, you can choose between two options, depending on your location. You can depart from the centre of Heraklion to Kastelli, a town in Chania. And if you are in Chania, a city in Crete two hours from Heraklion, you have the option of connecting there with the day trip to Gramvousa and Balos Chania (the boat ticket is included!).

Important details

• Price: this type of excursion has an average price of £56 per person.
• Duration: the excursion can last between 12 and 15 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: bus and boat.

Make the most of your stay in Heraklion by exploring part of the north-eastern coast of this port city. On board a boat, you will watch a stunning sunset from the sea and have the opportunity to learn how to fish. You will also visit a nearby beach for a swim.

You will need to head to the fishing village of Milatos, specifically to Milatos Marina. This is located about 50 minutes away from the centre of Heraklion by car. You can go on your own or request a pick-up service from the tour operator for this maritime adventure.

Whichever option you choose, upon arrival at the port, you will board a boat and, accompanied by an experienced local fisherman, you will set sail. After a few minutes, you will stop in the open sea to fish. But first, you will learn everything you need to know about this sport: the necessary fishing equipment, techniques and tips.

After this experience, you can sail to Milatos Beach. This natural area is characterised by its tranquillity and lack of crowds. You will have free time to dive into the blue waters and swim freely. And to end the adventure, on the way back to the port, you will watch the sun set on the horizon, creating a magical and unforgettable atmosphere.

Details of interest

• Price: the approximate price per person for this experience is £110.
• Duration: this sunset cruise lasts approximately 5 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.

Visiting Santorini from Heraklion is another unmissable trip that you should add to your itinerary. You will experience an unforgettable adventure by sea and land, discovering a Cycladic island in the Aegean Sea and two of its main towns, Oia and Fira.

The excursion usually begins with pick-up in the city centre and transfer to the port of Heraklion. From there, you will sail to Santorini, approximately 90 minutes away, enjoying a panoramic trip on the open sea, where you will see beautiful landscapes. You can take amazing photographs and learn a little about the places you pass by, thanks to the guide who accompanies you.

You will arrive at the port of Santorini and immediately begin to explore this town, but this time by bus. You will visit the village of Oía, built on a cliff and notable for its blue and white houses. From this town, you will have a privileged view of the volcanic caldera and the sea.

Next, the guide will take you to the capital city of Santorini, Fira. This is about 30 minutes away by road from Oía. Here, you will have the opportunity to take a cruise on the Aegean Sea to the volcanic area. You will then return to the mainland and have a few minutes to explore the town on foot before returning to Heraklion by boat.

Details of interest

• Price: this visit to Santorini from Heraklion by sea and land costs approximately £130 per person.
• Duration: the time required for this excursion is around 12 hours.
• Means of transport: bus and boat.

Taking a cruise in Heraklion is an unmissable activity during your stay in this port city. You can escape the hustle and bustle of the city, explore the entire coastline and enjoy a different perspective of this magical place from the waters of the Libyan Sea and the Aegean Sea.

You will discover the nearby islets and some of the best beaches in Heraklion, the popular island of Dia, Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon, and the Gulf of Elounda, with its rich historical heritage. You will also discover Chrissie Island with its Golden Beach, Vougiou Mati Beach and other idyllic destinations.

Embarking on a cruise in Heraklion is not complicated. There is a wide range of tours and sea excursions that provide you with everything you need for an unforgettable experience. However, if you want to get the most out of this activity, you should take some basic tips into consideration .

For example:

• Wear comfortable shoes. Remember that most cruises stop at islands or beaches so that you can explore them. Therefore, you will have to walk on uneven ground.
• Take some snacks with you, especially if you are visiting Heraklion with children. Some cruises do not include lunch or special snacks for the little ones.
• Don't forget your cash and cards. You may need them at some of the stops to tip, buy drinks, food or a souvenir of your trip.
• A swimsuit is essential so you can swim in your free time. And if you want to go snorkelling or do other water sports, remember to check in advance whether the wetsuit and necessary equipment are included in the experience.