Two coves, WWII relics, and crystal-clear water. This 4-hour cruise from Kolymbari takes you to Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay, with snorkeling gear included so you can explore shallow underwater finds. I love the way Menies layers sun, sea, and history, including WWII cannon remains, and I also love the easy, fun water time, with crew help for getting in and out plus jumps or ladder access. One thing to consider first: the boat anchors about 6 meters from shore, so you’ll swim in shallow water to reach the beaches, which can feel awkward if you are not a confident swimmer.

I also like that you’re not stuck in a full-day schedule. You get a comfortable boat ride, a safety briefing, and two separate swimming windows, plus options for hotel pickup in select north Chania areas. The boat can be busy, and the beaches are rocky (usually smooth stones), so bring water shoes and be ready for lots of sun.

Key things I’d plan for

• Menies Beach snorkeling with WWII underwater remains, including a sunken cannon base
• Ancient-site context at Menies, tied to Diktynna and Vritomartis, plus Roman and St. George monastery traces
• Chironisia Bay’s boat-only access, with calm water that can include small cave spots for snorkelers
• Short, structured time at each stop, so the day stays fun instead of rushed
• Crew extras like ladders, baskets, or boards to make beach access easier
• Bring water shoes, because both stops can mean pebbly or rocky entry

Why Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay work so well in one half-day

This cruise is built for a very specific kind of Crete day: swim now, snorkel now, see something worth looking at, then do it again somewhere else. That’s why the two-stop format is so satisfying. Menies gives you underwater points of interest and a sense of place, while Chironisia feels calmer and more private, because it’s accessible only by sea.

I also like how the itinerary gives you variety without turning the trip into a logistics puzzle. You’re out at sea long enough to feel like you left the resort bubble, but you’re back soon enough that the rest of your day stays intact.

Kolymbari start: the meeting point and the timing you should actually care about

Your day begins at Kolymbari, with the Smile Cruises boat meeting at the port. If you do not use pickup, look for Smile Cruises at the harbor, then follow your group to board.

If you choose pickup, you’ll wait at your hotel’s main-road pick point and look for a bus sign naming Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay. Drivers wait no longer than 5 minutes after the scheduled time, so I recommend you stand ready a little early, not later.

The departures run at 10:15 and 14:30 from the port. Pickup timing can be from about 1 hour to 10 minutes before that departure, depending on where you’re staying, so check your email instructions and also skim your spam folder.

The short ride along Rodopou Peninsula before you hit the water

Once everyone is on board, you get a quick safety briefing, then the boat heads along the Rodopou Peninsula. This is the in-between part of the day, about 40 minutes on the water, and it matters more than you might think.

If you are even a little sensitive to waves, this stretch is when you’ll feel it first. One traveler noted choppy water on the way up and felt motion sickness, so if that’s you, pack a remedy and keep your eyes on the horizon.

A practical tip: decide where you’ll sit. The boat has seating areas, and reviews mention the upper deck can get hot with limited shade, so if sun is your enemy, you’ll likely be happier lower on the boat.

Menies Beach: snorkeling WWII relics under ancient Diktynna

Menies Beach is the main event for a lot of people, and it’s not just because the water is clear. The snorkeling focus here includes the remains of WWII equipment, like the sunken base of cannons and a carriage. That gives you something concrete to look for beyond generic fish watching.

But Menies also has a strong land history layer. The area is on the site of ancient Diktynna, connected to the most important temple of goddess Vritomartis. You can also hear about traces like remains of a Roman temple and a 9th-century abandoned monastery of St. George. Even if you don’t go searching for ruins once you’re in the sand, knowing the place matters makes the beach time feel more meaningful.

What the stop feels like

You’ll get about 105 minutes at Menies for free time, swimming, and snorkeling. This long window is the reason the tour works for both strong swimmers and first-timers. There’s time to ease in, try the gear, and still have room to relax.

In the water, you might notice the entry rhythm is different from a typical beach day. The boat anchors about 6 meters from shore, so you swim in shallow water to reach the beach. In practice, the crew may help with gear transfer using baskets or boards, which can save you from carrying everything across awkward footing.

You can often jump from the boat or use a ladder, depending on your comfort level. That’s a great moment if you like action, but if you’re more cautious, the ladder keeps it controlled.

A real-world view of snorkeling here

Snorkeling at Menies is often where people expect to see fish, sea vegetation, and underwater structure, and you can get that. Some people report lots of fish activity, while others see less. Either way, the WWII remains tend to be the visual hook.

If you care about hygiene, one traveler mentioned snorkeling equipment might not feel fully hygienic. If that’s important to you, consider bringing your own mask if you have one.

The quick cruise break: what you’re doing during the short 15 minutes

Between Menies and Chironisia, there’s a brief boat segment, about 15 minutes around the Rodopou Peninsula. It’s short, but it helps you reset.

Use this time to refuel on water and snacks from the onboard bar if you want, but keep expectations realistic. Food and drinks are not included in the price, though there is a refreshment bar onboard where you can purchase snacks and drinks. Reviews also mention toilets onboard, plus general onboard conveniences like a bin, which makes the trip easier than it sounds for such a short cruise.

Chironisia Bay: small, sea-only access, and cave-friendly snorkel spots

Chironisia Bay is the second swimming stop, and it tends to feel calmer and more private. It’s described as a small hidden bay only accessible by sea, which usually means fewer boats around and more feeling of space.

You’ll have about 40 minutes at Chironisia for free time, swimming, and snorkeling. The water can be ideal for snorkelers because the bay is suited to short swims, and the snorkel gear gives you the option to explore small caves or cut-ins along the rock.

What to watch for at this stop

This bay can be a “short in, short out” kind of experience. In at least one case, the boat didn’t dock directly at the beach, giving people a chance to jump in and snorkel rather than land fully on a dock. That means you should be ready to treat this like swimming time first, walking time second.

Also, think about comfort on the beach. Menies was described as rocky with smooth stones, and the same general “shoe up” advice applies here. If you hate pebble entry, water shoes help a lot.

Group size, sound systems, and how to make the most of a busy boat

This is a value-oriented half-day cruise, which often means it runs with a lot of passengers. One review said it involved two full busloads, and another mentioned confusion if multiple coaches arrived at once. Even so, the swimming locations themselves can feel uncrowded, because the stops are small and secluded enough that you do not feel packed in at the water.

There are also small comfort issues worth knowing. One traveler said the upper deck lacked shade and that speaker audio for instructions was hard to understand from certain angles. The fix is simple: pay attention during the safety briefing, then keep close to the crew when it’s time to get directions for reboarding. If you need to, sit where you can hear easily rather than chasing the most scenic view.

Price and value: how $47 makes sense for what you get

At $47 per person for a 4-hour cruise, the best value is not just the boat ride. It’s the combination.

You’re getting:

• A guided experience with a live tour guide (English and Greek)
• Snorkeling equipment included
• Two real water stops, Menies and Chironisia
• Swim time built into the schedule, not just quick dips
• Optional hotel pickup and drop-off in select north Chania locations

Then there are the “soft value” items that people often forget to price in. You get crew assistance for getting into the water, plus onboard conveniences like toilets. If you tried to DIY this day, you would likely spend more time figuring out transport, anchoring points, and snorkeling gear.

Is it perfect value for everyone? Not if you want a long beach day with a private setup. But for a short Crete day that mixes swimming, snorkeling, and actual sights under the surface, this price generally holds up.

What to bring so the day stays easy

The tour provides snorkeling gear, but you still need to bring the basics. Here’s what I’d pack based on how the day works.

• Swimwear you can wear comfortably for multiple swims
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear cover-up for sitting onboard
• Comfortable shoes, because entry can be rocky
• Water shoes if you are sensitive to pebbles
• Optional: a small bag for wet gear

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider medication before the ride. And if you want to hear instructions, plan where you will sit so you can actually pick up what the guide and crew are saying.

Who should book this cruise from Kolymbari

This trip is a strong fit if you want:

• A half-day plan that still feels like a real sea adventure
• Snorkeling but not a complicated day structure
• A mix of water fun and a sense of place at Menies, tied to Diktynna and Vritomartis
• A guided day where the crew handles the hard parts, like getting you in and out safely

It also works well for families, including kids, because swim stops are time-based and the waters are often calm enough for snorkelers who want a first try. One review also mentioned a life guard on staff and floats provided, which is reassuring if safety is your top priority.

Should you book the Menies Beach and Chironisia Bay cruise?

Yes, if you want the kind of Crete day that is simple, swim-first, and worth the money because it includes gear plus guided sightseeing. It’s especially smart when you’re staying in north Chania and want to avoid a full-day commitment.

I’d think twice if you hate rocky entry, you are not comfortable swimming from an anchored boat about 6 meters from shore, or you are very prone to seasickness. Also, if you expect a quiet, uncrowded beach all day with lots of onboard narration, you may feel the boat part is busy.

If that sounds like you, this cruise is an easy yes. You’ll come back with sun on your shoulders, salt in your hair, and the kind of snorkeling story that feels different because Menies includes WWII underwater remains, not just fish spotting.