Menies Bay Cruise, Snorkeling

Menies Bay Cruise, Snorkeling, 4 hours, rated 4.5 across 712 traveller reviews.

Overview

This cruise leaves from the port of Kolymbari and spends four hours on the water around the Rodopou Peninsula. The boat runs to Menies Beach and then on to Chironisia Bay, a spot only accessible by sea. Both stops are for swimming and snorkeling, with gear supplied on board.

The trip has a strong historical thread. Menies sits at the site of ancient Diktynna, home to the most important temple of the goddess Vritomartis, and you can see remains of a Roman temple and a 9th century abandoned monastery of St. George from the area. Underwater, snorkelers can look for the sunken base of a WWII cannon and carriage. The crew gives a safety briefing before departure and a guide travels with the group.

Two versions exist: one where you meet the Smile Cruises boat at Kolymbari harbour, and one that adds hotel pickup and drop-off from selected locations in north Chania. Travellers without confident swimming skills should note the boat anchors offshore and you wade or swim the last stretch in shallow water. Reviewers frequently praise the crew and the clarity of the water. It suits anyone staying in the Chania area who wants a half day on the sea rather than a full-day excursion.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Pickup or meetingDepending on the option booked, you either board directly at Kolymbari harbour or are collected from selected north Chania hotels. Hotel pickup can start up to an hour before departure.
2. Safety briefingA 10 minute safety briefing at Kolymvari before the boat leaves the port.
3. Cruise to MeniesA 40 minute cruise along the Rodopou Peninsula to reach the first stop.
4. Menies Beach105 minutes of free time for swimming and snorkeling. The boat anchors offshore, so expect a short wade through shallow water to reach the beach itself.
5. Cruise to ChironisiaA 15 minute boat transfer along the peninsula to the second bay.
6. Chironisia Bay40 minutes of free time, swimming and snorkeling. This small bay is only accessible by sea, and you can venture into small caves with the snorkel gear.
7. Return cruiseRoughly 30 minutes back along the Rodopou Peninsula to Kolymbari, followed by drop-off at one of the listed locations if that option was selected.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical details will shape the day, from what the boat does and does not provide to how the timing works at each stop.

• Bring your own lunch. Food and drinks are not included, though the listing says they can be purchased on board. One reviewer suggests asking your hotel for a packed lunch, since the trip runs about four hours and you will get hungry.
• Swim access. The boat anchors offshore at the stops, and you swim or wade through shallow water to get to the beach. The listing states the gap at Menies in metres, so anyone uneasy in water should plan for this. Snorkeling gear is provided, and reviewers mention pool noodles and kickboards are also on hand for less confident swimmers.
• Pace at stops. You get 105 minutes at Menies and 40 minutes at Chironisia. One reviewer wished for more time at the second stop, where the snorkeling was good, so treat it as a shorter dip than the first.
• Group feel. The boat is large, with an uncovered upstairs area and a covered downstairs section for shade, as one reviewer describes. Reviews generally describe a relaxed atmosphere and helpful crew.
• Timing and pickup. Departures from Kolymbari are listed at 10:15 and 14:30. If you choose hotel pickup, the collection window runs from an hour before departure to 10 minutes before, depending on your area, and you are told your exact time by email. One reviewer noted the bus can take a while because of the number of pickups along the route.
• Weather dependence. The tour does not run in poor weather conditions, per the listing. Build some flexibility into your plans if you are booking near the start or end of your trip.

Common issues. The honest gripes are mostly about time and transport. One reviewer wanted longer at the second swimming stop, which gets 40 minutes, and one found the hotel pickup slow because of the many stops along the way. The listing's own review summary notes some travellers felt the boat was crowded and suggested limiting capacity. The tour is also cancelled when weather conditions are poor, and swimmers should expect to get wet reaching the beach, since the boat anchors offshore rather than docking.

Common Questions