Filled with ancient sites dating back to Venetian times, the picturesque seaside town of Rethymno is a dream to explore. Many boat tours in Rethymno offer travelers the chance to explore neighboring villages, bays and beaches.

Spend hours pretending to be Nemo wallowing underwater with rich marine life, and taking underwater photos of rainbows of coral. Anchor off for swim time and cave exploring, or work on your summer tan on deck.

Here's everything you need to know about boat tours, one of the most exciting outdoor activities in Rethymno.

Most popular boat tours in Rethymno

Georgioupolis Snorkeling Boat Trips

Spend four hours cruising the Mediterranean Sea, venturing around the waters in Georgioupolis, just 21 kilometers from Rethymno. Splitting your time into two, spend as much time underwater as on deck, visiting special snorkeling sites like Platanos and Empros Yialos.

Our pick: Georgioupolis Speedboat Tour with Snorkeling

Includes: Roundtrip transfers, snorkeling gear, snacks, drinks
Price: €65 for adults, €50 for children (6-12)
Duration: 4 hours

Private Boat Trips in Rethymno

Take to the seas in your own private boat and sail around the waters of Rethymno at your leisure. With a licensed skipper at the helm taking you to hidden gems along the Cretan coastline, you can kick back and enjoy the cruise, sunbathing or diving into the endless blue of the Aegean Sea.

Our pick: Rethymno Boat Cruise

Includes: Licensed skipper, snorkeling gear, light snacks and drinks
Price: €540 per group (up to 6 travelers)
Duration: 3 hours

Rethymno Bus and Boat Trips to Gramvousa and Balos

Set sail on an exhilarating boat trip from Rethymno to the stunning shores of Balos and Gramvousa, where crystal-clear waters and pristine beaches await. Start your day with a bus ride to the western edge of Crete and then experience the thrill of cruising to the legendary pirate island of Gramvousa with its imposing Venetian fortress.

Our pick: Gramvousa & Balos Day Trip

Includes: Roundtrip bus transfers, multilingual guide, optional boat ride (€30 for adults, €15 for children)
Price: €17 for adults, €10 for children (5-12),
Duration: 12 hours

Boat cruise to Santorini Island from Rethymno

If you’re staying Crete-side in Rethymno but want to get a glimpse of the romantic Santorini island, an oceanic cruise is the perfect adventure. Cruise on a high-speed catamaran to Oia village, then spend the day exploring the island and its capital, Fira. Make sure to go for a swim at one of Santorini's unique beaches, before taking in the sunset and setting sail back to Rethymno.

Our pick: Day Trip to Santorini by Boat

Includes: Roundtrip boat transfers, multilingual guide, optional hotel pickup (€10), optional volcano boat tour (€20)
Price: €207 for adults, €125 for children (3-10)
Duration: 13 hours

Pirate Boat Cruises in Rethymno

Excellent fun for families, choose between spending a few hours aboard a wooden pirate boat! Leaving Rethymno port, sail around the bay and cruise past the city’s attractions on the waters. Pass the Fortezza, anchoring at Kefalas to explore its bays and caves, and enjoy swimming and snorkeling here too. If you prefer, board the pirate boat in the late afternoon for a romantic sunset cruise.

Our pick: Rethymno Pirate Boat Cruise

Includes: Multilingual host, swimming stops, swimming tubes, salad lunch & drink
Price: €55 for adults, €27.50 for children (5-12)
Duration: 5 hours

Prices of boat tours in Rethymno

Pirate boat cruises are the most budget-friendly option, costing €25 to €50 per person, depending on the duration.

Day trips to Balos and Gramvousa typically cost about €45 per person, which includes the €30 ticket for a lagoon boat trip.

Snorkeling boat tours to Georgioupolis are priced at roughly €65 per traveler.

Boat tours to Santorini from Rethymno cost about €200 per person.

Prices for private Rethymno boat tours range from €550 to €2,000 per group, depending on the type and size of vessel and itinerary. The cost of fuel is not always included.

Highlights on Rethymno boat tours

The Fortezza

Set sail passing by the 16th-century fortress that was built to protect the city back then. It’s also known as the Fortezza Castle because of its stone walls, high walls and arched entryways.

Snorkeling spots

Depending on the tour you’ve booked, discover different snorkel and dive locations around the waters of Crete’s coastline. Some popular spots include Empros Yialos, Platanos and around Georgioupolis.

Apokoronas

Many boat trips from Rethymno anchor in this region, near Chania. Lined with towns built along the hilly coastal route, this part of Crete is known for its evergreen landscapes. Located at the start of the White Mountains range, it’s a glorious amalgamation of mountain and oceanic feels.

During winter and often until late spring, the limestone White Mountains are capped in snow. Georgioupolis, a popular village to stop at, is in this area.

Agios Nikolaos Chapel

Located in Georgioupolis village, the tiny Agios Nikolaos Chapel in the middle of the ocean is reachable by crossing a rockery pathway. Typical of Grecian architecture, its whitewashed exterior against the ocean’s blue backdrop is such a beautiful sight!

Drapanos

Also within the Apokoronas region, this tiny traditional village shows off desert terrains and although people do live here, the area surrounding you feels quite sparse. Check out the Drapanos Lighthouse on the edge of a cliff, and walk across the famous stone De Bosset Bridge. Built in 1813, it links Argostoli and Drapanos villages.

Duration

Boat tours from Rethymno can last as little as a 1.5 to 4 hours, to as much as 12 hours for full-day tours and cruises to Santorini.

Departure points

Tours may include pickup and drop-off transfers from your accommodation in Rethymno. For tours that have a central meeting point before the boat trip begins, departure points usually are from Rethymno Port.

Best time for a boat trip in Rethymno

Take a boat tour in Rethymno in late spring, summer or early autumn for the best weather. Full day trips begin in the morning to make the most out of your day, but if you prefer to set sail later on in the afternoon, a sunset cruise is an idyllic time to cruise across Rethymno’s waters.

Other outdoor activities in Rethymno

Travel tips

Bring your swimming suit, a towel and snorkel gear (if not provided).
Wear strong sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses.
Bring extra spending money for souvenir shopping in local villages.
Pack additional drinking water.
If you haven’t pre-booked a hotel pickup, meet at the designated point at least 30 minutes before the tour begins.

Boat Tours in Rethymno