Small-Group Sail, Meal Included

Small-Group Sail, Meal Included, 5 hours, rated 4.8 across 566 traveller reviews.

Overview

This sailing cruise from Kolymvari puts a cap of 14 guests on a proper sailing yacht and heads for Agioi Theodoroi, a protected natural reserve. The whole outing runs about five hours, most of it spent anchored in a quiet bay where passengers swim, snorkel, or take out the standup paddleboards the crew carries on board. It is built for people who want space and calm rather than a packed party boat.

The day starts with a safety briefing at Kolymvari port, then roughly an hour of sailing along the coast before the boat anchors at the island. Reviewers repeatedly single out the food: a freshly prepared Mediterranean meal of shrimp linguini and mushroom risotto, Greek salad, tzatziki, olive paste, and fruit, with unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks served throughout. Several travellers said the food was excellent and plentiful, and that the small group made the day feel calm and relaxing.

Equipment for snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding is included, along with lifejackets and music. Towels are not provided, so bring your own. If you do not select a hotel pickup option, you meet at the bus stop at Kolimvari port, arriving about 15 minutes before departure, and parking is available at the dock.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Kolimvari portGather at the bus stop at Kolimvari port, at the dock where parking is available, at least 15 minutes before the cruise.
2. Safety briefingA 15-minute safety briefing at Kolymvari before boarding.
3. Sail along the coast (1 hour)About an hour of sailing and scenic views across the Cretan Sea toward the island.
4. Agioi Theodoroi (3 hours)Three hours anchored in a bay on the protected reserve, with time to swim, snorkel, view marine life, paddleboard, and relax on board while the crew prepares the meal.
5. Sail back (1 hour)Around an hour of return sailing with coastal views back toward Kolymvari.
6. Drop-offTwo drop-off locations are offered: Platanias and the KTEL Kolymbari bus stop with connections to Chania.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan the day, from what to pack to how the boat is set up.

• What to bring. Pack a towel, since towels are the one item not provided. Bring a passport or ID card; a copy is accepted, and every passenger must supply full name, ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender at booking for Port Authority requirements.
• Food and drink. The crew prepares a fresh Mediterranean meal on the cruise: shrimp linguini, mushroom risotto with truffle oil and parmesan, Greek salad, a green salad, tzatziki, olive paste, and fruit. Drinks are unlimited: local wine, beer, soft drinks, iced tea, and water. Reviewers across the board call the food excellent and plentiful, even when the boat is full.
• Group feel. With a maximum of 14 guests, the atmosphere is relaxed rather than crowded. Several travellers said there was space for everyone even on a fully booked trip, and that the small group made the day feel calm.
• Onboard facilities. The boat is clean, with two separate toilets and cabins for changing, according to one reviewer. Shoes come off indoors, and there is music on board. Snorkeling gear, fishing gear, and paddleboards are supplied.
• Weather dependence. The cruise depends on weather. If conditions are unfavorable, the route may shift to sheltered bays or the trip may be canceled, with rescheduling or a full refund of the ticket offered.
• Timing and pace. Plan for about five hours total plus your own travel to Kolymvari. Around three hours are spent at anchor, so there is plenty of unstructured time for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply stretching out on deck.

Common issues. The main limitations come straight from the listing. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if that option is selected, so check the booking page for what applies to your choice. Towels are not provided. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on board, nor are mobility scooters, non-folding wheelchairs, or non-folding strollers, so travellers with limited mobility should consider this carefully. Some reviewers mention the trip would be better with more time under sail instead of motoring, and weather can force route changes or cancellation. One reviewer noted the crew helped rebook and looked after a passenger who felt unwell, which suggests flexibility, but that is a single account.

Common Questions