Chania: Menies Beach & Chironisia Bay Cruise with Snorkeling

Menies Beach is the star of this short cruise, with clear water, smooth pebbles, ancient ruins, and a sunken WWII gun carriage waiting below the surface. You get a good mix of swimming and sightseeing without giving up a whole day.

I like the generous 105-minute stop at Menies and the chance to reach a beach that is difficult to access by land. I also like the second stop at Chironisia Bay, where you can swim near small sea caves. The main drawback is that this can be a large-group boat trip, and rough seas may make the ride uncomfortable.

Key points at a glance

• Menies Beach gives you the longest stop, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and a look at ancient remains.
• WWII relics lie underwater near Menies, including the base of a cannon and its carriage.
• Chironisia Bay is reached only by sea, offering another swim stop and small caves to explore with a mask and snorkel.
• The four-hour schedule works well if you want a half-day on the water rather than a full-day cruise.
• The boat has toilets, seating areas, snorkeling gear, floats, and a small refreshment bar, though food choices are limited.
• Water shoes are a smart addition, since Menies is a smooth-pebble beach and the boat anchors about six meters from shore.

Why this northern Crete cruise is worth your time

This excursion takes you away from the organized beaches near Chania and into the wilder Rodopou Peninsula. The reward is not a polished resort beach, but clear water, bare cliffs, quiet coves, and a feeling that you have reached a less accessible corner of Crete.

At $47 per person, the price is strong for a four-hour boat trip that includes two swim stops, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and optional hotel transportation. You are not paying for a gourmet meal or a small private boat. You are paying for access to two coastal locations that would otherwise require a longer drive, a rough road, or a boat of your own.

I see this as a particularly good choice if you want a half-day water outing. It fits neatly into a morning or afternoon and leaves time for Chania, Kolymbari, or another activity. Families also get a manageable schedule, since four hours on a boat is easier than committing to a seven or eight-hour cruise.

The tradeoff is group size. Depending on the departure, the boat may carry several coach groups. The vessel is described as spacious, with multiple seating areas, but it can still feel busy when everyone prepares to swim or collects snorkeling gear.

Starting at Kolymbari harbor

If you make your own way to the port, look for the Smile Cruises boat at Kolymbari harbor. Parking is limited, so I would arrive early if you are driving. The boat departure times from the port are listed as 10:15 and 14:30, though you should confirm the time attached to your booking.

The trip begins with a short safety briefing of about 10 minutes. This is when you should listen for instructions about entering the water, using the ladder, and swimming between the boat and shore. The boat anchors roughly six meters from the beach, so reaching Menies means swimming through shallow water rather than stepping directly onto land.

That detail matters. You can use the boat ladder, jump from the deck if permitted, or swim in with your belongings kept secure. The crew also has floats and baskets to help move items toward the beach. Still, you should be comfortable in the water, or ask the crew for assistance before leaving the boat.

If you choose hotel pickup, the bus serves selected hotels and stops in north Chania. Pickup can be anywhere from about one hour to 10 minutes before the boat departure, depending on where you stay. Wait on the main road at the stated pickup point, and look for the sign naming Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay. Drivers wait no longer than five minutes, so this is not the time to wander into a hotel lobby.

Forty minutes along the Rodopou Peninsula

The outward cruise takes about 40 minutes. This is not just dead time between stops. You get views of the rugged Rodopou Peninsula and the northern coastline, with the boat giving you a different angle on cliffs and small coves that are hard to reach from shore.

The sea can be calm and pleasant, but conditions are not guaranteed. One summer outing had choppy, high waves that made some passengers feel sick, including a child. The crew helped as much as possible, but rough water can affect both the ride and the time you feel able to swim.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a central part of the boat rather than at the highest or farthest point, and consider bringing whatever remedy you normally use. The tour does not operate when weather conditions are poor, but a day that is safe for sailing can still be uncomfortable for sensitive passengers.

The upper deck offers open-air views, but there is no shade there. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a cover-up, and move downstairs if the sun becomes too strong. Some passengers also found the onboard speakers hard to hear, especially outside, so do not depend on every spoken detail to enjoy the outing.

Menies Beach: ruins, pebbles, and WWII history

The first stop lasts about 105 minutes, giving you the most useful stretch of free time on the trip. Menies is not a broad, powdery beach. It is a rocky, smooth-pebble shore backed by a remote setting, and water shoes will make walking and entering the sea much easier.

The water is the main attraction. It is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling, and the calm conditions often make it suitable for children and first-time snorkelers. You can use the supplied mask, snorkel, and fins, then explore close to the boat or swim toward the beach.

Look for the underwater remains of a WWII cannon base and carriage. This is not a large museum-style display. It is a submerged piece of wartime history that you locate with a mask and snorkel, so visibility and sea conditions affect how much you see. It adds a real sense of purpose to the snorkeling, beyond simply watching fish.

Marine life can vary. You might see small fish and sea plants, and some outings have produced excellent snorkeling, including sightings of cuttlefish. On other days, the water may be clear but the fish less numerous. I would book this for the combination of swimming, scenery, and the underwater relic, not as a dedicated marine-life expedition.

Menies also carries an older story. The beach sits near ancient Diktynna, where the temple of the goddess Vritomartis once held importance. You can see remains connected with an ancient Roman temple, along with the abandoned ninth-century monastery of St. George.

The historical remains are part of the setting rather than a full guided archaeological visit. Your guide can point out what you are seeing, but the main rhythm here is swim, snorkel, walk, and relax. Keep your expectations realistic: Menies is a remote natural stop with historical traces, not a fully preserved ancient site with extensive interpretation.

You have enough time to combine all those pieces. Start with a swim while the water is inviting, snorkel near the boat for the WWII remains, then walk the pebbled shore or look toward the old ruins. If you want a quieter beach experience, stay near the edges of the main group when possible.

Cruising onward to Chironisia Bay

After Menies, the boat spends about 15 minutes moving along the peninsula to Chironisia Bay. This shorter ride breaks up the swimming and gives you another look at the coast.

Chironisia is a small bay accessible only from the sea. You do not get the same beach time here. Instead, the boat anchors offshore for roughly 40 minutes, and you swim directly from the boat. That makes this stop feel different from Menies: Menies combines shore time and history, while Chironisia is focused on water access and the shape of the coast.

Small sea caves are one of the highlights. With the snorkeling gear, you can swim toward the openings and look around the shallow areas, provided the sea is calm and the crew’s instructions allow it. The clear water and sheltered feel make this a pleasant second swim, especially after the longer first stop.

The boat’s ladder helps you get back aboard, and less confident swimmers can use floats supplied by the crew. A lifeguard has been present on some trips, and the staff generally keeps an eye on people in the water. You should still swim within your ability and follow the instructions before heading toward the caves.

Life onboard: space, gear, and refreshments

The boat is larger than some people expect, with several seating areas, a lower interior section, toilets, and a small bar. Snorkeling gear is provided, including masks, snorkels, and fins, and floats are available for swimmers who want extra support.

The equipment is convenient, but hygiene standards may not match what you expect from your own gear. If you are particular about sharing masks and snorkels, bring your own set. At minimum, check the fit before leaving the boat and ask the crew for a replacement if the mask leaks.

Snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Think crisps and refreshments rather than a meal. Bring extra water if you know you drink a lot in the sun, and eat beforehand if you need something more substantial.

Shade is limited on the upper deck, while the lower areas provide a break from direct sun. Seating can become competitive on a busy sailing, so arrive early if you want a preferred place. The boat can feel crowded during boarding and the return from the swim stops, but the open-water stops usually spread people out.

The crew is one of the stronger parts of the operation. Staff help with masks, floats, boarding, and questions. Maria has been singled out for prompt assistance when equipment needed changing and for helpful customer care. That practical attention matters when a child needs a float, a mask does not seal, or someone feels uneasy about entering the water.

Is this suitable for children and cautious swimmers?

The short duration, calm swim areas, and flotation equipment make this a sensible choice for families. Children who are happy in the water can enjoy jumping from the boat, using the ladder, or swimming with support. The stops are long enough that you do not feel rushed.

There are limits. Menies requires a swim from the anchored boat to the shore, and the beach is made of pebbles rather than sand. Anyone who dislikes water entry, uneven footing, or open-water swimming may prefer a beach reached directly by land.

Parents should bring towels, sunscreen, swimwear, beach clothing, and water shoes. Keep an eye on children around the boat ladder and near the caves, and listen closely during the safety briefing. The guides are helpful, but the sea remains the sea.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear comfortable shoes for the transfer across the pebbles and use water shoes at Menies if you have them. Pack a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and a dry cover-up. A waterproof pouch can help protect small items during the swim to shore, though you should avoid bringing anything you do not need.

If you are driving to Kolymbari, allow time to find parking. If you are using hotel pickup, read the pickup message carefully, including your exact meeting point and time. Pickup can be much earlier than the boat departure, especially if the bus collects people from several resort areas.

The cruise is offered with English and Greek guidance. Audio quality can be weak on the upper deck, so stay near the guide during key instructions. The tour runs only in suitable weather, and the operator allows cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Crete plans are still moving around.

Should you book the Menies and Chironisia cruise?

Book it if you want clear-water swimming, simple snorkeling, and a remote coastline in a compact four-hour outing. The price is reasonable for the boat, equipment, two stops, and optional transfers, especially if you do not have a car or do not want to tackle remote coastal roads.

Choose another experience if you want a quiet private cruise, a serious archaeological tour, a full meal onboard, or guaranteed calm seas. The boat may be busy, the speaker system is not perfect, and the water can turn rough.

For most visitors staying around north Chania, I would consider this a good-value half-day trip. Bring water shoes, arrive early, pack patience for the transfer, and treat the snorkeling as a pleasant bonus rather than a promise of abundant sea life. The combination of Menies history, clear water, WWII remains, and the sea-only access to Chironisia gives the outing more character than a basic swim cruise.

FAQ

Where does the Menies and Chironisia cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Kolymbari harbor. Look for the Smile Cruises boat at the port.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about four hours, including the boat rides and the two swim stops.

What are the departure times from Kolymbari?

The listed departure times from the port are 10:15 and 14:30. Check your booking for the correct time.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available with the selected option from specific locations and hotels in north Chania. Pickup may be between one hour and 10 minutes before the boat departure.

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

Yes. The boat anchors about six meters from shore, so you swim through shallow water to reach the beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included. Floats are also available, and the boat has a ladder for getting back onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Water shoes are especially useful because Menies Beach has smooth pebbles.