South Crete Sailing & Snorkeling Tour from Agia Galini

Five to seven hours exploring South Crete's hidden beaches under sail

A small-group sailing tour from Agia Galini port along South Crete's southern coast, with stops for swimming, snorkeling and lunch at beaches like Agios Pavlos and Paximadia. The crew meets you at the port, briefs you on safety and boat handling, then sets sail to explore the region's remote coves and remains. Lunch with wine, snorkeling gear and SUP boards are included. The itinerary shifts with weather and sea conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day sailing and exploration

• Meet crew at Agia Galini port
• Receive safety and boat handling briefing
• Set sails to South Crete beaches
• Sail to Paximadia or Agios Pavlos
• Enjoy photo stop, wine, dessert, lunch
• Free time for swimming and snorkeling
• View marine life and scenic wildlife
• Sail back to Agia Galini port

The experience

The boat departs from Agia Galini port, where the crew gives you a safety briefing and walks through boat handling before setting sail. You're heading to the southern coast of Crete: a stretch of beaches and rocky outcrops that see few day-trippers. The route depends on the day's weather and sea state, so you might sail toward Paximadia or Agios Pavlos (about an hour out), then spend roughly two and a half hours at a second anchorage, swimming and snorkeling in the water while the boat stays put. The crew serves lunch with a vegetarian option, wine and soft drinks, and you can use snorkeling equipment or SUP boards if you want to get farther out. The return sail to Agia Galini takes another hour.

The itinerary is not fixed: the crew chooses stops based on wind, swell and visibility, so you might end up at Triopetra, Komos Beach, Matala or one of the smaller coves listed as possible destinations. This flexibility is built into the tour. It is not a cancellation risk but the way the day actually works. A professional certified crew handles the sailing, and the boat carries first aid certification. Pickup from your accommodation is arranged after booking (the crew will email you to confirm the time and location). Pickups beyond five kilometers from Agia Galini may incur an extra fee starting at ten euros.

Two options are available at checkout: a full-day cruise or a sunset cruise. Both run as small groups with the same inclusions: life jackets, unlimited water and soft drinks, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, and a meal with wine. Children can ride in a stroller, and service animals are allowed. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or for travelers over 275 pounds. It is also not recommended for people with poor cardiovascular health. You will need to provide full names, nationalities, passport or ID numbers, gender and age range for everyone in your group before departure.

What’s included

• Life jackets, snorkeling equipment and SUP boards.
• unlimited mineral water and soft drinks.
• lunch with a vegetarian option and wine.
• professional certified crew and first aid certification.
• pickup from your accommodation (within five kilometers of Agia Galini).

Options for this experience

2 options

Sunset cruise for a small groupGuide in English · Available from 1 May 2027Five-hour sunset cruise with a meal (vegetarian option available on request), unlimited mineral water and soft drinks, wine served with responsible consumption in mind, sailing on a yacht. Transfer is free within 5 km of Agia Galini, and pickup is included.

Full-day cruise in a small groupGuide in English · Available from 1 May 2027Seven-hour full-day cruise with a meal (vegetarian option available on request), unlimited mineral water and soft drinks, wine served with responsible consumption in mind, sailing on a yacht. Transfer is free within 5 km of Agia Galini, and pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up to4h before

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 22 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Altersail

Is this one for you?Choose the full-day cruise if you want the most time exploring multiple beaches and coves. Pick the sunset cruise if you prefer a shorter sail and want to spend the rest of your day elsewhere in South Crete. Either way, the crew's flexibility with the route means you go where conditions allow, not to a preset list of stops.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What beaches or stops might we visit on this South Crete sailing tour?

The crew chooses from Agios Pavlos, Paximadia, Triopetra, Preveli, Komos Beach, Matala, Kokkini Ammos (Red Beach), Vathi Beach and several other coves depending on weather and sea conditions. The itinerary is not planned in advance. The day unfolds based on wind and visibility.

Is snorkeling equipment included, and can I use a SUP board instead?

Snorkeling equipment and SUP boards are both included. You can choose to snorkel in the water, paddle out on a board, or simply swim and relax at the anchorage while the boat is moored.

What's included in the meal, and are there options for dietary restrictions?

Lunch is served at the second stop and includes a vegetarian option. Wine, mineral water and soft drinks are unlimited throughout the day.

How does pickup work, and is there an extra cost if I'm staying far from Agia Galini?

Pickup from your accommodation is arranged after you book. The crew will email you to confirm the time and location. Pickups more than five kilometers from Agia Galini port may incur an additional fee starting at ten euros.

Can I choose between a full-day cruise and a sunset cruise, and do they include the same things?

Yes, two options are available at checkout: a full-day cruise or a sunset cruise. Both include life jackets, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, lunch with wine, and a professional crew. The main difference is the timing and duration of your sail.

What should I know about age, health or physical requirements for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and welcomes infants (who must sit on an adult's lap) and children in strollers. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or travelers over 275 pounds, and it is not recommended for people with poor cardiovascular health. You must be 18 to drink alcohol.