A Chania sunset cruise leaves the old Venetian harbour in the late afternoon and sails the bay for the last hour of daylight. Plan the rest of the trip with Greece Tours.
Where does a Chania sunset cruise leave from?
From the Old Venetian Harbour of Chania on the north-west coast of Crete, with other sunset cruises leaving from Kolymvari, Souda and Kissamos in the wider Chania region.
One operator lists five ports across the Chania region.
The Old Port departures suit visitors staying in the city.
Kolymvari suits visitors staying west of Chania.
Kissamos serves the Balos sunset cruises.
Chania Boat Trips sits on Kountouriotou Street on the harbour.
The city page sits at Chania Old Town.
How long does a Chania sunset cruise take?
One hour for the short sunset trips to Lazaretta, two hours for the glass-bottom sunset trip and the private Old Port sunset boat, three and a half hours for the sunset catamaran to Agioi Theodoroi, and four to five hours for the Kolymvari and Balos sunset catamarans.
Chania Boat Trips runs trips from one to four hours.
The last trip of the day catches the sunset.
Short trips suit a stop before dinner.
Longer catamarans include dinner.
Return comes after sunset.
Times follow the season.
What does a Chania sunset cruise include?
A sail past the Venetian lighthouse along the coast, swim and snorkel stops on the longer trips, fruit, snacks and drinks on the glass-bottom boats, and wine, prosecco, snacks or dinner on the catamarans.
Snorkelling gear is free on one operator’s trips.
Fruit salad and a soft drink come on the glass-bottom boats.
Extra drinks are sold on board.
Old Port catamarans serve wine with snacks.
The Kolymvari catamaran serves dinner.
Crews share the history of Chania.
What is Lazaretta island?
A small island off Chania with a history that starts in 1952, when it was used as a quarantine place for leprosy patients, and the destination of the one-hour sunset trips and glass-bottom boats from the Old Port.
Snorkellers see shoals of fish around it.
Crews feed the fish for guests to watch.
It lies close to the harbour.
Short trips circle it at sunset.
Longer trips stop for a swim.
Its quarantine history dates from 1952.
What is Theodorou island?
A small island off Chania known as Kri-Kri Island, home to protected kri-kri, the wild goats of Crete, and the destination of the longer catamaran cruises, called Agioi Theodoroi on the operators’ routes.
The kri-kri lives only in Greece.
It is found on Crete and on small islands off its coast.
Dia, Thodorou and Agii Pantes are those islands.
Visitors see the goats from the boat.
The kri-kri is a protected animal.
Swim stops come in its bays.
What boats run sunset cruises from Chania?
Glass-bottom boats such as the Alexandros and Erofili, catamarans such as the Evagelos and Evagelos II, luxury sailing catamarans, the motor yacht Irini, and private boats for groups.
Chania Boat Trips runs three boats.
It was founded in 1987 as the first boat trip company in the Old Harbour.
Glass-bottom boats show the sea floor.
Luxury catamarans offer comfort and VIP decks.
Motor yachts suit dining cruises.
Private boats suit couples and groups.
What is the glass-bottom sunset trip?
Guides dive to show guests sea life.
One guide caught and later released an octopus.
Spider crabs are brought up to show.
Fruit and a soft drink are included.
Families favour these trips.
Groups stay small on some boats.
What is the sunset catamaran from the Old Port?
The operator runs 11 cruises across the Chania region.
Shared cruises offer free cancellation up to 48 hours.
Private charters cancel free up to 72 hours ahead.
The operator reports 1,200 verified reviews.
Drinks and snacks are included.
The catamaran side sits at Chania catamaran cruise.
What is the Balos sunset cruise?
Balos lies at the tip of the Gramvousa peninsula.
The day crowds have left by sunset.
Transfers help from Chania.
The Balos boats sit at Balos boat trip.
What is the Chania Old Harbour?
The Venetian harbour of Chania with its lighthouse, waterfront promenade, tavernas and cafes, reflecting the city’s Venetian and Ottoman past, and the most popular sight in Chania and the start of the sunset cruises.
Chania lies about 70 kilometres west of Rethymno.
It lies 145 kilometres west of Heraklion.
The municipality has 111,375 residents.
The lighthouse frames the harbour mouth.
Boat operators wait along the quay.
The walking side sits at Chania walking tour.
What is a private sunset cruise in Chania?
Chania Boat Trips runs private and school trips.
Weddings and filming are catered for.
Private routes are set with the crew.
Private charters cancel free 72 hours ahead with one operator.
Crews plan the route with the group.
Is a Chania sunset cruise good for families?
Snorkelling suits children who swim.
One-hour trips suit young children.
Guides explain sea life to children.
Families book the private boats.
Evening trips end before late dinner.
What do you wear and bring?
Comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes and layers for changing weather, a swimsuit for the snorkelling trips, a camera for the sunset, and cash for extra drinks on board.
One operator advises comfortable attire and sturdy footwear.
Evenings at sea turn cool.
Towels help after the swim.
A dry bag protects phones.
Sunscreen helps on the early part of the trip.
Phones capture the lighthouse at sunset.
How do you book a Chania sunset cruise?
Book at the kiosks on the Old Harbour, directly with the operators online, or on the booking platforms with free cancellation, choosing a short trip, a catamaran or a private boat.
Shared cruises cancel free 48 hours ahead with one operator.
Platform listings show instant confirmation.
Operators sell tickets on the harbour.
Private trips are booked in advance.
Confirmation gives the meeting point.
The food side of the city sits at Chania food tour.
What does a Chania sunset cruise pass?
The lighthouse at the harbour mouth, the Firkas bastion, the coast west towards Agia Marina and the islet of Agioi Theodoroi with its cave.
The islet is a reserve for the Cretan wild goat and landing is not allowed.
The White Mountains stand behind the town for the whole trip.
The bay is open to the north, which gives a clear horizon for the sunset.
Where does a Chania sunset cruise anchor?
In the sheltered bays west of the town and along the Akrotiri coast, where the water is calm enough to swim before the light goes.
Anchorages change with the wind direction on the day.
Swimming stops last about half an hour.
Ladders and towels are carried on board.
What does a Chania sunset cruise include?
The crossing, a swimming stop, shade on deck and drinks, with the boat returning to the same quay after dark.
Boats range from small caiques to sailing catamarans.
The crew sets the route by the wind that evening.
The harbour is lit when the boat comes back in.
When does the sun set in Chania?
Around half past eight in midsummer and around five in midwinter, which moves the departure time through the season.
Cruises run from spring to autumn.
Blue hour follows the sunset for about half an hour.
The sun drops into the sea on the western side of the bay.
What do you take on a Chania sunset cruise?
Swimwear, a towel, a light layer for after dark and flat shoes for the deck.
Evenings cool quickly once the sun goes.
Decks stay wet after the swimming stop.
A soft bag is easier to stow than a case.
Does a Chania sunset cruise suit families?
Yes. The bay is sheltered, the swimming stop is in shallow water and the trip is short enough for young children.
Boats carry life jackets in children’s sizes.
Shade on deck matters in the first hour.
The return after dark is calm inside the bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a sunset cruise in Chania?
Where do Chania sunset cruises leave from?
From the Old Venetian Harbour of Chania, with other sunset cruises from Kolymvari, Souda and Kissamos.
Can children join?
Yes.