A Crete sailing tour puts travellers aboard a sailing yacht, with a crew and sails set, and shows the coast of Crete from the water. Among the Greek tours on this site, it is the one that follows the wind.
This post covers how the day works on board, the north and south coasts, the wind, the season and who can join. What is included, what to bring and common questions follow.
What is a Crete sailing tour?
A Crete sailing tour is one day aboard a sailing yacht or sailboat that leaves a Cretan harbour. The sails supply the main power, and an auxiliary engine adds to them. Listings describe a small group, a local crew, swim stops, snorkel gear and lunch.
One account places the invention of sailing in at least two regions, and the Mediterranean is one of them. Today the bulk of sailing in modern boats is recreation or sport. Cretan listings describe a small group that boards at a harbour with a local crew. The day adds swim stops, snorkel gear and a meal on deck.
- Craft: Sailing yacht
- Crew: Local crew
- Group: Small group
- Start: Harbour
A Crete sailing tour joins wind power, a local crew and a small group on one day at sea.
How does a Crete sailing tour work?
A Crete sailing tour works by wind on sails: a local crew trims every sail for the wind, and an engine takes over when the wind dies. Listings add an option to relax on deck, join the sailing or help manage the route.
A sailboat cannot sail straight into the wind, so its course stays at an angle to it. Running with the wind behind, a sailboat moves slower than the wind itself. On every course, the crew trims the sails to suit the angle of the wind. One listing includes a cabin and a bathroom with a shower on board.
- Push: Wind, sails
- Backup: Auxiliary engine
- Crew: Trims sails
- Guests: Relax, help
On a Crete sailing tour, the wind drives the boat while the crew handles the sails and the passengers watch.
Where does a Crete sailing tour sail?
A Crete sailing tour along the northern coast sails the Sea of Crete. One along the southern coast sails the Libyan Sea. Listings start from north-coast ports such as Heraklion, Kissamos, Souda and Agios Nikolaos. Agia Galini is a south-coast village.
Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion are port towns on the Sea of Crete. A Crete sailing tour from any of these towns begins on that sea. Travellers who want one harbour in detail can turn to the Heraklion sailing tour. Agia Galini lies in the far south-east of Rethymno regional unit, beside the Libyan Sea.
- North: Cretan Sea
- South: Libyan Sea
- Ports: Heraklion, Kissamos
- Village: Agia Galini
A Crete sailing tour covers the Cretan Sea on the northern side or the Libyan Sea on the southern side.
What wind carries a Crete sailing tour?
A Crete sailing tour rides the Meltemi, the dry northerly wind that returns to the Aegean Sea every summer under clear skies. Around Crete it turns northwesterly, and how hard it blows on the day decides whether the sails stay up for the tour.
The Beaufort scale of 1805 first rated wind by what it did to the sails of a frigate. Its first classes ran from wind just enough to steer by to wind too strong for any canvas sail. Forecasts for shipping still use it. One Kissamos listing for a Crete sailing tour promises sailing whenever the wind is enough.
- Wind: Summer Meltemi
- Direction: Northwest
- Scale: Wind force
- Devised: 1805
The sails of a Crete sailing tour stay up whenever the Meltemi or any other wind is strong enough.
What coast does a Crete sailing tour pass?
A Crete sailing tour passes one of two coasts of the island. The north coast borders the Sea of Crete, with ports at Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos. The south coast borders the Libyan Sea and has the village of Agia Galini, in Rethymno regional unit.
Crete is narrow from north to south, which puts its coasts on two seas. On the south coast, Agia Galini lies by the Libyan Sea, and one belief traces its name to a phrase meaning ever peace, because the harbour is always calm. The Paximadia islands nearby have isolated sand beaches that boats reach from the village.
- North: Cretan Sea
- South: Libyan Sea
- Village: Agia Galini
- Islets: Paximadia
A Crete sailing tour sails the Cretan Sea off Heraklion and the Libyan Sea off Agia Galini.
Which season suits a Crete sailing tour?
A Crete sailing tour suits summer, when the Meltemi provides a steady sailing breeze, through to mid-September. On average, the south coast is warmer through the year and has more sunny days. Winter is fairly mild across the island.
The climate of Crete is primarily of the hot-summer Mediterranean type, with humidity that depends on distance from the sea. Mountain snow falls from November to April, but rarely reaches low ground. Rain is heavier in western Crete than in the east. The Meltemi has no matching wind in winter, so its steady breeze belongs to summer.
- Winter: Fairly mild
- Snow: On mountains
- Sun: South coast
- Rain: West Crete
A Crete sailing tour pairs the summer Meltemi with sunnier days and warmer air on the south coast.
Who can join a Crete sailing tour?
A Crete sailing tour takes solo travellers, couples, friends and families. One listing says experienced sailors and rookies are both welcome. Passengers can relax on deck or help with sailing tasks. Group sizes differ between listings, and private options exist for one party.
Listings describe the guests as solo travellers, couples, friends and families. One listing site also filters Crete trips for kids and for couples. Shared trips run in small groups. Private options are listed too, and one sail covers a whole group of up to twelve. Boarding happens at a harbour or a marina.
- Guests: Solo, couples
- Private: Option listed
- Sailors: Rookies welcome
- Boarding: At harbour
A Crete sailing tour suits solo travellers, couples, friends and families, with group size set by each listing.
What does a Crete sailing tour include?
A Crete sailing tour includes snorkel gear, swim stops and a crew on a yacht or catamaran. The all-inclusive listings add a freshly prepared Cretan lunch and unlimited drinks. Listings differ on paddleboards, fishing gear and hotel pickup, so every listing needs a read before payment.
One sailboat listing serves a light Cretan lunch with water, soft drinks, beer and wine. A catamaran listing adds onboard Wi-Fi. One yacht lets guests use its paddleboards at no extra charge, and another provides fishing gear. Another trip adds light snacks. Another lunch has pasta, a Greek salad and a fruit salad. Listings differ on the rest.
- Gear: Snorkel set
- Food: Lunch, snacks
- Drinks: Water, wine
- Extras: Paddleboards, fishing
Snorkel gear, swim stops and crew come with a Crete sailing tour, while meals depend on the listing.
How do travellers book a Crete sailing tour?
A Crete sailing tour is reserved on an online listing page. One listing site marks every trip in its Crete sailing list with free cancellation. Each listing names its start, such as a harbour or a marina, and offers a check on availability.
Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos rank among the main ports of Crete, next to Heraklion and Souda. Listings include a start at Hersonissos port, and one trip says guests can meet at Heraklion Port. Hotel pickup is available on certain listings, and one trip adds transfers. Travellers who start near Chania can read the Chania sailing tour page.
- Booking: Online listing
- Cancellation: Free label
- Meeting point: Harbour
- Pickup: Hotel option
Travellers book a Crete sailing tour online, check the port and pickup, and read the cancellation label.
What do travellers bring on a Crete sailing tour?
A Crete sailing tour needs swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a towel. A light layer helps when the breeze rises. Shoes with a flat, gripping sole suit the deck, and travellers prone to seasickness bring medicine with them.
A sun hat has a brim that shades the face, neck and shoulders, and sunscreen protects against sunburn. Sunscreen comes as a lotion, spray, gel or stick, so the choice suits any bag.
- Sun: hat, sunglasses
- Swim: swimwear, towel
- Deck: flat shoes
- Wind: light layer
A light bag with a hat, swim gear and flat shoes is enough for a Crete sailing tour.
How does a Crete sailing tour fit a day in Crete?
A Crete sailing tour takes up part of a day, since listings run from short sails to full days. Travellers pair the sail with a beach stop, a museum or a walk through town. The departure port sets the coast.
A north-coast sail pairs with a town visit. Heraklion holds the Archaeological Museum, and Chania has a Venetian old city. For evenings, read the Crete sunset cruise post.
- North: town walk
- Museum: Heraklion
- South: beach time
- Evening: sunset cruise
A Crete sailing tour pairs with one shore plan, and the evening stays free.
What do travellers ask about a Crete sailing tour?
A Crete sailing tour prompts five main questions. Passengers ask whether sailing experience is needed, whether the boat leans and whether children are welcome. They also ask about swim stops and booking ahead. Each answer rests on listing facts and sailing basics.
Is sailing experience needed on a Crete sailing tour?
Sailing experience is not needed, because listings describe a local crew on board. Passengers sunbathe on deck, swim or snorkel, or enjoy the view. The crew trims the sails, which means adjusting the lines that set each sail’s angle to the wind.
Does the boat lean on a Crete sailing tour?
Yes, a sailing yacht leans, or heels, as a normal reaction to wind on the sails. Ballast in the keel works against the lean. The crew can also reef the mainsail, which cuts the area of sail and keeps the boat more upright.
Are children welcome on a Crete sailing tour?
One Crete listing calls its snorkelling trip an activity the whole family will enjoy. A pirate-boat listing adds face painting for children. Another sailing listing limits its group to ten guests for a relaxed atmosphere. Travellers check the age notes too.
Is a swim stop included on a Crete sailing tour?
Swim stops feature in Crete sailing listings. Dia Island trips list swimming and snorkelling. A Hersonissos trip visits two snorkel spots, with a swim at each. Two listings supply snorkelling gear for passengers. Inclusions differ, so travellers check each included list.
Does a Crete sailing tour need booking ahead?
Travellers with fixed dates book ahead through a listing. One Dia Island listing has a sell-out tag, and sailing relies on the wind. Crete sailing listings show a free-cancellation label, which leaves room to change plans if the forecast turns.