Chania: Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with Snorkeling

The best part of this four-hour cruise is the chance to reach two quiet spots on the Rodopou Peninsula that you cannot easily visit by road. At Menies Beach, you get clear water, smooth pebbles, WWII cannon remains below the surface, and traces of ancient Diktynna. At Chironisia Bay, you can swim into small sea caves with a mask and snorkel.

I like the generous time at Menies, about 105 minutes, and the reasonable $47 price, which covers the cruise, swim stops, snorkeling equipment, and a guide. I also like the easy half-day format. You get beautiful water without giving up an entire day of your Crete holiday. The main drawback is the boat size and rough-water risk. Some departures feel busy, the upper deck has little shade, and choppy seas can make the ride uncomfortable.

Key points to know before you book

• Two very different water stops: Menies offers a beach, ancient remains, and snorkeling, while Chironisia is mainly a boat-access swimming cove.
• WWII history underwater: Snorkelers can look for the sunken base of a gun and carriage near Menies.
• A real swim to shore: The boat anchors about six meters from land, so you must swim through shallow water to reach Menies Beach.
• Four hours, not a full-day outing: The schedule leaves plenty of time for swimming but works well alongside other Chania plans.
• Pickup can be early: For a 10:15 boat departure, hotel collection may begin as early as 8:40, depending on your location.
• Bring water shoes: Both the beach and entry areas are rocky, even though the stones are generally smooth.

Why this short cruise works so well

Crete has no shortage of beach excursions, but many take seven or eight hours and spend much of the day moving between pickup points, ports, and stops. This cruise keeps the focus on the water. You leave from Kolymbari, cruise along the Rodopou Peninsula, swim at Menies, continue to Chironisia, and return to port in about four hours.

That timing is the big selling point. You can fit it into a morning or afternoon and still have time for Chania, a long lunch, or an evening at your hotel. Families with younger children also get a manageable outing rather than a whole day at sea.

The price is strong for what is included. At $47 per person, you receive the boat trip, two water stops, snorkeling equipment, and a live guide in English and Greek. Hotel transfers cost more when selected, but they remove the need to find parking and drive to Kolymbari.

This is not a private sailing trip or a quiet yacht charter. It is a shared excursion, and the boat can carry a large group. Still, the boat is described as spacious, with several seating areas, toilets, a small refreshments bar, and equipment for less confident swimmers. The value comes from the combination of access, transport, and time in the water, not from personal service or a small-group atmosphere.

Leaving Kolymbari for the Rodopou Peninsula

If you arrange your own transport, look for the Smile Cruises boat at Kolymbari harbor. Parking around the harbor is limited, so arrive early. That matters more than it might seem, since a last-minute search for a space can turn a relaxed start into a sprint down the quay.

The boat departure times from Kolymbari are 10:15 and 14:30. If you select hotel pickup, wait at the stated point on the main road. The bus carries a sign naming Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay, and drivers wait no more than five minutes after the scheduled collection time. Check your email carefully for the pickup time, including the spam folder, because collection may be much earlier than the boat departure.

Once aboard, allow about 10 minutes for the safety briefing. The cruise then takes roughly 40 minutes along the Rodopou Peninsula. The ride gives you a good look at the rugged northern coast, but it is also the part most affected by weather. On calm days, it is an easy scenic crossing. On rougher days, the motion can be hard on anyone prone to seasickness.

Sit low and near the middle of the boat if you are sensitive to movement. The upper deck offers better views but no shade, so take sunscreen and a hat. The sound system may also be difficult to hear from outside, especially when the boat is moving. The crew can still give practical help, and staff members have been especially helpful with masks, flotation aids, and questions.

Menies Beach: swimming, ruins, and WWII remains

Menies is the main stop, with about 105 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. The boat does not pull directly onto the beach. It anchors around six meters from shore, so you need to swim through shallow water to reach the pebbles.

That is simple for confident swimmers, but it changes what you should bring. A towel, dry bag, and water shoes are useful. The beach is made of pebbles rather than soft sand. The stones are generally smooth, but bare feet can still be uncomfortable when entering or leaving the water.

You do not need to swim to shore if you prefer to stay near the boat. You can use the ladder, jump from the boat where permitted, or remain in the water with the supplied flotation aids. Some crew members also help move belongings toward the beach using baskets or paddle boards.

The water is the star here. It is clear, calm enough for enjoyable swimming on suitable days, and often good for spotting small fish and sea vegetation. Snorkeling conditions vary, so do not expect a major reef or a guaranteed display of marine life. Some outings produce memorable sightings, including cuttlefish and plenty of small fish, while other swimmers see less.

The WWII remains add a small historical puzzle to the stop. With the supplied mask and snorkel, you can look for the submerged base of a gun and its carriage. Visibility, water movement, and your position all affect how easy the objects are to find. Treat this as an interesting underwater detail rather than a formal archaeological visit.

Menies also has an older story above the water. The beach lies near ancient Diktynna, once associated with the temple of the goddess Vritomartis. You can see remains connected with a Roman temple and an abandoned ninth-century monastery dedicated to St. George.

Do not expect a large preserved ruin complex with extensive signs. The appeal is the combination of history and isolation. You are swimming in a place reached by boat, then looking at traces of ancient and religious life only a short walk from the shore. It gives the stop more character than a simple beach break.

The long stay at Menies is well judged. You have time to swim from the boat, reach the beach, walk around, snorkel again, and dry off before departure. If you want a quiet patch of sand, arrive on shore promptly, since the group may spread out across the beach.

Chironisia Bay and its small sea caves

After Menies, the boat cruises for about 15 minutes to Chironisia Bay. This is a shorter stop, around 40 minutes, and the focus is swimming rather than beach time. The bay is accessible only from the sea, which gives it a more secluded feel.

The boat remains offshore, so you enter from the ladder or jump from the deck where allowed. The water is deep blue, and snorkeling lets you explore small caves near the bay. This is a good stop for confident swimmers who enjoy moving around in open water.

If you are less comfortable in the sea, ask the crew about available floats and the safest place to enter. The excursion has a lifeguard on staff and flotation equipment, but you should still judge the conditions honestly. Chironisia is not the place to discover that you dislike swimming away from land.

The shorter stay works because it comes after Menies. You have already had a full beach and snorkeling session, so Chironisia feels like a final swim and a change of scenery rather than an incomplete beach visit. Some people will prefer this cove to Menies, while others will want more time on shore. The schedule favors variety over long relaxation.

The boat, food, shade, and group size

The boat is larger than some people expect. A busy departure may include passengers from several coaches, though the available seating areas help prevent it from feeling completely cramped. The boat has toilets, a refreshments bar, and room for snorkeling equipment.

There is no included meal. You can buy drinks and simple snacks such as crisps, but the selection is limited. Eat before boarding if you need something substantial, and bring water even though drinks are available for purchase.

Shade is another practical issue. The upper deck is exposed, while other seating areas provide a better break from the sun. You should not plan to spend the entire cruise in direct sunlight, especially during the hotter months.

The crew’s attitude makes a difference on a shared boat. Staff members help with snorkeling gear, flotation aids, boarding, and questions. Maria has received particular praise for prompt assistance with equipment and customer care. The guide may explain the coastline and sites along the way, but announcements can be difficult to hear from the outside seats.

For this reason, sit where you can see the guide during explanations, then move around when the boat is underway. If you care more about swimming than commentary, the weak speaker system will not matter much. If you want a detailed historical talk, you may find the information harder to follow.

Getting the most from the snorkeling

The supplied masks, snorkels, and fins make this an easy activity to try without packing your own set. The crew also provides equipment for people who are not strong swimmers. Still, fit matters. Try the mask before entering the water and ask for a replacement immediately if it leaks.

Bring your own snorkel if hygiene is a concern. One person specifically found the shared equipment less reassuring from a cleanliness point of view. The equipment is convenient, but personal gear gives you better control over fit and comfort.

Expect the best underwater views near rocks, the caves at Chironisia, and the area around the WWII remains. Fish sightings are possible, and conditions can be excellent, but the tour is not built around a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Water clarity and sea conditions change from one departure to the next.

You will spend more time swimming than receiving instruction. Beginners can manage the activity with the available equipment and staff support, but you should be comfortable entering the sea from a boat or swimming a short distance to shore. Children have enjoyed the calm stops, though parents should keep a close eye on them during the boat-to-beach swim.

Who should book this Kolymbari cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a short, affordable water excursion with two stops and no need to organize a boat yourself. It suits couples, families, and anyone staying in north Chania who wants to see a less accessible section of the coast.

It also works well for first-time snorkelers. You can try the equipment, swim in clear water, and use floats or the boat ladder when needed. The four-hour length keeps the experience approachable.

I would think twice if you need a sandy beach, a quiet private boat, or a full meal included. You should also reconsider if rough seas affect you badly. The route is weather dependent, and the boat will not operate in poor conditions, but acceptable weather can still include enough swell to make some passengers uncomfortable.

For the best experience, bring water shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a dry bag. Arrive early if meeting at Kolymbari, confirm your pickup time if using the bus, and do not assume the refreshments bar can replace lunch.

Final verdict: good value for a half-day on the water

Yes, I would book this cruise if the price and short duration fit your plans. The strongest parts are the two unusual swimming locations, the clear water, the WWII underwater remains, and the long Menies stop. At $47, it offers a lot of time in the sea for a modest cost.

You should book it with realistic expectations. This is a shared boat trip, not a private escape. The beach is pebbly, the snacks are basic, the speaker system may be hard to hear, and conditions can make the ride rough. But if you want to swim, snorkel, visit a boat-only bay, and see a less developed side of northern Crete without spending a full day at sea, it is a smart choice.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from the port of Kolymbari. Look for the Smile Cruises boat.

What are the departure times?

The boat departs Kolymbari at 10:15 and 14:30. If you choose hotel pickup, collection can be between one hour and 10 minutes before departure, depending on your location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the selected transfer option and only from specified locations in north Chania. If you arrange your own transport, meet at Kolymbari harbor.

Do I need to swim from the boat to Menies Beach?

Yes. The boat anchors about six meters from shore, so you must swim through shallow water to reach the beach. You can also stay near the boat and use the ladder or supplied flotation equipment.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. You can use it at Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Water shoes are especially useful because Menies Beach is made of pebbles.