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Boat Rental and Yacht Charter in Chania

Crete's historical mosaic, Chania combines Venetian architecture, ancient harbors, and Mediterranean charm. Sail with an experienced captain to explore Grecian legends, Cretan gastronomy, and azure Aegean wonders.

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Frequently asked questions

What happens when I request a quote?

Once we receive your request, we will confirm the availability of the boat, as well as check for alternative ones. To ensure your experience is the best it can be, we may contact you to discuss your request in detail. Let us do the research for you - free of charge.

When can I get in touch with the captain/skipper?

The timing depends on your charter type. For crewed charters, we can provide the captain's contact details upon request. For bareboat charters with a hired skipper, you can request the contact information 1-3 weeks before departure.

What is the Charter Fee?

The Charter Fee is an additional, obligatory cost, which typically includes the end cleaning of the boat, home port fees, and linen & towels. The details of the charter fee differ depending on the boat, location and charter partner.

Are there any other costs I should be aware of?

There are marina fees and fuel costs which vary depending on the type, duration and location of your sailing holiday. Marina fees need to be paid at each marina you choose to dock overnight - the amount varies but you may be able to find this information in advance by contacting the marinas directly. Fuel costs depend on whether you’re sailing a motorboat or a sailboat. You can estimate fuel costs by double-checking your chosen boat’s engine, and the expected distance you aim to sail.

Sailing in Chania

Chania, a vibrant city in Crete with colourful houses lining the waterfront of the harbour and surrounded by beautiful mountains, is truly worth a visit when coming to Crete. Rent a boat in Chania to see the town from a different perspective and to have the flexibility to explore other parts of Crete, including some of the most beautiful beaches on the Greek islands.

Things to do and see when sailing in Chania

Chania is a colourful and vibrant town in the north-east of Crete and surrounded by the most beautiful beaches. It is a wonderful location to start your sailing adventure in Crete and other Greek Islands. The town is also home to some interesting historical architecture.

Activities in Chania

  • Explore Chania's Old Town, a picturesque neighborhood with narrow streets, Venetian and Ottoman architecture, and charming shops and taverns. Take a stroll through the lovely streets, visit the old Venetian Harbour which does resemble the famous city of Venice, and admire the iconic lighthouse located at the entrance of the port

  • Visit Firkas Fortress, a Venetian fortress dating back to the 16th century. From here you get to enjoy a beautiful view of the old town of Chania

  • Explore the Samaria Gorge: Nature enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to hike through the famous Samaria Gorge, located in the White Mountains of Crete. This impressive and designated national park offers breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife

  • Visit the historic monasteries of Agia Triada and Gouverneto

  • You could even go from Athens to Chania by boat or vice versa

  • There are plenty of boat trips available from Chania taking you the most beautiful beaches Crete and the other islands have to offer, including Gramvousa, which is also known as the ‘pirate island’

Beaches in Chania

  • Balos Lagoon is certainly one of the most beautiful and most popular beaches close to Chania. As the name suggests, you will find turquoise water and beautiful rock formations that give this place a mystical touch

  • Elafonisi Beach: Located southwest of Chania, Elafonisi is a breathtaking beach known for its pinkish sand and turquoise waters. It's a protected nature reserve and offers a unique and picturesque landscape you will be thrilled to explore

Restaurants in Chania

Casual dining in Chania:

  • Ta Meraklikia tou Boureksi: A fantastic spot to enjoy some traditional dishes for very little money. The tzatziki and lamb chops are a must!

  • Pork to Beef Wild: There is nothing better than enjoying a big portion of comfort food after a long day out on a boat! Try the grilled meats and opt for a chicken pita or beef kebab

Fine dining in Chania:

  • KARIATIS RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR: Due to its perfect location near the old port, this fabulous restaurant offers an interesting array of different cuisines. You can either opt for Italian delicacies or choose some exquisite sushi

  • Orearte Gastro Bar: Maybe a little unexpected, but you can enjoy very tasty Spanish dishes in this town in Greece - and very great ones at that!

Bars and Clubs in Chania

  • Peacock Tail Bar: Sadly, a real peacock tail won’t be served here at this time, but you get to enjoy some very delicious and very refreshing cocktails - they look really amazing too!

  • Avalon Rock Pub: Rock fans will love this bar. The music, the beers and the whiskeys - everything screams travelling back in time and enjoying all the classic rock music you could dream off

Explore historical Chania

Exploring the historical sites in Chania is a fascinating way to delve into the city's rich past. Conquered by different empires, including the Venetians and the Ottomans, it really shows in the unique blend of architectural elements in the city. Located in the heart of the Old Town, the Archaeological Museum houses a remarkable collection of artifacts from the Minoan to the Roman period. Discover ancient pottery, sculptures, jewellery and other significant archaeological finds that shed light on Crete's turbulent history.

Also head out to explore the Firkas Fortress, located at the entrance of the Venetian Harbour. Built to protect the port, it now houses the Maritime Museum of Crete, where you can learn more about the maritime history of the region.

Discover mystical Chania

The island of Crete is obviously known as the place where the most powerful of all Greek gods, Zeus, was raised in a cave high up in the mountains, so it is only natural that the city of Chania is also associated with some traditional myths and legends. Engage with the local folklore and traditions of Chania and attend a traditional Cretan music and dance performance in one of the many traditional tavernas, where the music's lively rhythms and the dancers' graceful movements transport you back in time.

Sailing conditions in Chania

A boat hire in Chania, Crete, is allowing you to experience Greece from the water and admire all the beautiful landscapes from a distance as well as from up close. However, you should also be aware of the wind and weather conditions during different seasons and times of the year - as well as the pros and cons that come with it.

The sea around Chania is typically calm and ideal for sailing. The waters are clear and also more than suitable for swimming, snorkelling, and other fun water activities. Chania is blessed with sunshine almost all year round and sailing season generally lasts from April until November with July and August being the most popular and hottest months to visit the island.

How much does it cost to rent a boat in Chania?

Although prices vary depending on the season, the type of boat you would like to rent in Chania and the amount of people travelling with you, Chania and Crete are amongst the most affordable locations for a boat holiday in the Mediterranean. A sailboat charter in Greece will cost you an average of just 53 EUR per person per day. Many hotel rooms in Chania would probably charge you more. If you are opting for a little bit more comfort, a motorboat rental in Chania might just be the right choice for you. They are a little bit pricier, so you can expect to pay around 190 EUR per person per day for a motorboat hire in Greece.

What type of boat is best for sailing in Chania?

Different types of activities require different types of boats, so it all comes down to the type of boat holiday you have envisioned in Chania. Rent a boat with a shallow draft if you want to explore the most beautiful yet secluded beaches - some beaches are even only accessible by boat. Or charter a sailboat in order to enjoy a little bit more independence.

Rent a sailboat in Chania

Pros of renting a sailboat in Chania

Charter a sailboat in Chania if you have the heart of an adventurer. Take a deep breath, feel the wind on your skin and taste the saltwater on your lips. There is no better way to feel free.

Feeling conscious of the environment? A sailboat rental in Chania allows you to sail with the power of the wind without producing additional CO2-emissions. You don’t need extra fuel in order to power your boat.

Chartering a sailboat in Chania is often the most affordable option when it comes to enjoying a boat holiday in Crete. This is great news for anyone travelling on a budget, as a sailboat charter might even be cheaper than booking a hotel room.

Sailing on a sailboat in Chania allows you to be more flexible as you don’t need to frequent any marinas in order to refuel your tank. You are more autonomous by using the wind as your fuel. After all, there is a reason why so many people who sail across the world opt to use a sailboat as their vessel.

Cons of renting a sailboat in Chania

One of the downsides of renting a sailboat in Chania is the fact that you need quite extensive knowledge and sailing skills in order to operate a sailboat. You can’t just press a button and hope that everything is going to be fine, you definitely need more than that. Setting your sail also requires excellent knowledge of the wind and weather conditions and how far or low you can go when setting your sail.

Something else you should keep in mind with a sailboat hire in Chania is the fact that sailboats solely run on wind. This means that you can’t just revert to using an engine if you feel like it. A lot of modern sailboats might be equipped with a small engine, but they are definitely not suitable for longer distances. They are generally used for mooring when the wind doesn’t blow right.

Rent a sailboat in Chania

Rent a motorboat in Chania

Pros of renting a motorboat in Chania

A motorboat rental in Chania is a great choice for those boating enthusiasts who have an extensive bucket list, but only a small amount of time on hand. As motorboats can take you quite quickly from one place to another, you don’t necessarily have to worry about not being able to see everything you want to see - unless your list is too excessive and it would be humanly impossible to see everything, of course.

A motorboat hire in Chania will provide you with all the comforts you could ask for - a kitchen to prepare and store your food, comfortable bedrooms and enough space on deck to sunbathe and enjoy your meals with your loved ones.

Cons of renting a motorboat in Chania

One of the downsides of renting a motorboat in Chania is the fact that motorboats solely run on fuel. This doesn’t just make you less independent as you have to stay close to the marinas to be able to regularly refill your tank, it also makes it more expensive. Often you have to pay extra for petrol in addition to your bareboat charter, depending on your usage throughout your trip.

Motorboat rental in Chania

What kind of boat licence do you need when renting a boat in Chania?

Before we get into the type of boat licence you need to present in Greece in order to be able to rent a boat in Chania, you should be aware that the Greek authorities are no joke and take it very seriously to check people’s certifications.

While boat licences of EU-residents are automatically valid in Greece, non-EU-citizens should check well ahead of time if their boat licences fulfill the requirements of a Greek boat licence. If they do, make sure to get your licence translated into either Greek or English if it has been issued in neither of these languages. You can also carry the International Certificate of Competency or short ICC as it is recognized by the Greek authorities.

If you don’t have a valid boat licence and don’t plan on obtaining one in the near future, you can always hire a skipper in addition to your bareboat charter. Simply lean back and enjoy your boat holiday in Chania!

Sailing routes from Chania

Chania, situated on the northern coast of Crete, offers excellent opportunities for sailing enthusiasts to explore the stunning coastline and nearby islands. You can either explore Crete, the most densely populated of the Greek islands and fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, or you set your sail and hope over to other Greek islands like Karpathos or Rhodes, not far from Turkey. Here are some popular sailing routes you can take from Chania for a nice little trip when you plan on returning to Chania in the evening or the next day:

Sail from Chania to Balos Lagoon: This route takes you to one of Crete's most famous and breathtaking destinations, the Balos Lagoon. Sail along the northwest coast of Crete, passing scenic landscapes and picturesque villages before reaching the turquoise waters and stunning beaches of Balos Lagoon. When you arrive here you will definitely understand what the hype is all about.

Sail from Chania to Gramvousa Island: Depart from Chania and set sail towards Gramvousa Island. Explore the island's rugged beauty, visit the Venetian fortress perched on the hilltop, and enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island. It is not too far from Balos Lagoon, so you might even want to combine both places in one go.

Sail from Chania to the Akrotiri Peninsula: Explore the Akrotiri Peninsula, located just east of Chania. Sail along the peninsula's coastline, stopping at secluded coves and beaches. Visit the historic monasteries of Agia Triada and Gouverneto and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Sail from Chania to the South Coast of Crete: Embark on a longer sailing journey from Chania to the south coast of Crete. Discover hidden beaches, remote fishing villages, and pristine bays along the southern coastline. This route offers a chance to experience the quieter and less touristy side of Crete.

Sail from Chania to some nearby Islands: Chania serves as a great starting point for exploring nearby islands. Sail to the beautiful island of Santorini and experience its unique volcanic landscapes and stunning sunsets. You can also venture to the picturesque island of Gavdos, located south of Crete, known for its untouched natural beauty.

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