Boat Trips from Hersonissos: Jet Boat, Wooden Boat or Sunset Catamaran?
Updated October 8, 2026 · 6 min read
Hersonissos is a resort strip on Crete’s north coast, about 25 km east of Heraklion, and its harbour is where several of the most-booked boats in the area leave from. They are not versions of the same trip. One lasts an hour and is mostly about speed; another takes four hours and is mostly about lunch. Picking the wrong one is the usual mistake, so this guide goes through the four in the order of how long you spend on the water.
The short answer. If you have an hour and want something lively, take the jet boat tour with snorkelling: 4.9 stars over 2,080 reviews, from €44.40, and by far the most-reviewed boat from this harbour. If you want a slow day with swims and a meal, take the traditional wooden boat trip at €45.
Check dates and prices for the Hersonissos jet boat tour
Four boats compared
| Option | Duration | From | Stars and reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet boat tour with snorkelling | 1 hour | €44.40 | 4.9 / 2,080 | Speed, spray and a short swim |
| Traditional wooden boat, swim stops and lunch | 4 hours | €45 | 4.4 / 684 | A relaxed half day with a grilled lunch |
| Luxury sunset catamaran with sushi and open bar | 3.5 – 4.5 hours | €68 | 4.7 / 551 | Couples and an evening out |
| Dia Island catamaran cruise with lunch and drinks | 6.5 – 7.5 hours | €121.80 | 4.7 / 84 | A full day on the water |
The jet boat: an hour, mostly speed
The listing promises high-speed turns, coastal views and a swim and snorkel stop in Saint George’s Bay. It is short enough to fit between breakfast and lunch, and the review count is the reason it tops the list: it is easy to say yes to an hour. What the listing does not tell you is how you will feel afterwards. High-speed turns mean spray and a lot of movement, so this is a thrill ride with a swim, not a gentle cruise. Check the minimum age and any health restrictions on the page before you bring children or anyone with back or neck problems.
The wooden boat: slow, with food
The wooden boat trip runs four hours, with swims in clear bays, views of the coast, music, drinks and a grilled lunch cooked fresh. Its rating, 4.4, is lower than the others. We cannot tell you why from the listing, but a long day on a crowded boat can disappoint where a short one cannot. Look at the most recent reviews for how many people were on board and whether there was shade, and ask the operator to confirm both.
The sunset catamaran
The evening catamaran sails to Saint George Bay with a swim, a paddle stop, sushi and local drinks while the sun goes down. At €68 it is the dearest of the short options, and most of that is food and drink, so compare what the price includes before you decide. It suits couples and adults more than small children, but check what the operator says about age.
Dia Island by catamaran
The all-day option sails to Dia, the uninhabited island off Heraklion, with lunch and unlimited drinks, and the listing says it suits adults and children alike. At €121.80 and only 84 reviews it is the dearest and the least tested. If Dia is what you want, compare it with the boats that leave from Heraklion itself: our guide to sailing to Dia from Heraklion covers listings priced well below this one. The Hersonissos boat saves you the journey into the city; that is its argument.
Wind and cancellations
Hersonissos faces north, and Crete’s north coast gets strong summer winds. A boat that cannot go out, or has to change its route, is an ordinary event here. Read the cancellation terms on the booking page, and if the sea looks rough on the morning, ask the operator before you set off. The same goes for the jet boat: rough water is the one thing that spoils it.
Which one fits whom
Families with older children. The jet boat for an hour, or the wooden boat if they can sit through four. Always check the age rules on the page.
Families with small children. Neither of the shorter boats is obviously right for them, so ask each operator about life jackets in small sizes and shade.
Couples. The sunset catamaran.
You are staying in Heraklion. Hersonissos is 25 km along the coast, so allow time to get there. The boat trips and cruises category lists 56 offers from €25, including the Dia sailing trips that leave from Heraklion.
If you would rather spend a day on land, the quad and buggy tours are the main alternative.
