July 9, 2026
Discover the best places to visit by boat from Marathi on Crete's Akrotiri peninsula, from its twin coves and Seitan Limania to Souda Island and the sheltered beaches across the bay.
Marathi sits on the sheltered southern shore of the Akrotiri peninsula, just 12 kilometres east of Chania town, where two small sandy coves and a working fishing harbour face out across Souda Bay. It is one of the closest and calmest launch points to Chania for a day on the water.
Because Marathi faces the wide, protected waters of Souda Bay, a short boat trip reaches a real variety of coast: the dramatic inlet of Seitan Limania around the Akrotiri headland, the fortified islet out in the bay, and the calm beaches of the Apokoronas shore opposite. Several are far easier, or far more beautiful, to reach by sea than by the winding roads above.
Here are the best places to visit by boat from Marathi in 2026, with practical notes on who each trip suits.
The trip starts before you even leave. The twin sandy coves either side of the little Marathi harbour have some of the clearest, shallowest water on the Akrotiri coast, with rocky edges that are perfect for a first snorkel. Anchoring just offshore lets you swim into water that stays warm and calm through the morning.
Around the eastern tip of Akrotiri, Seitan Limania is a narrow, fjord-like inlet where sheer cliffs drop to a channel of almost unreal turquoise. The footpath down is steep and often crowded, so arriving by boat is both easier and far more spectacular. The anchorage only works in calm seas, which is another reason to go early in the day.
Guarding the mouth of the bay, Souda Island is topped by the walls of a Venetian fortress that held out for decades after the rest of Crete had fallen. Circling it by boat is a short, scenic detour from Marathi, with deep, clear water alongside the ramparts for a swim. It is a natural add-on for anyone curious about the island's history.
On a calm day the crossing to the Apokoronas shore opens up a different mood entirely. Almyrida is a relaxed watersports village with a shallow bay and easy tavernas, ideal for a longer lunch stop before turning back. This is a full-day route rather than a quick hop, so pick settled weather and an early start.
A little further along the same shore, Kalyves and its neighbouring coves offer the calmest, most sheltered swimming on this side of the bay. Reaching them by boat from Marathi rounds out a full day that combines Akrotiri's drama with the gentle Apokoronas coast, and it suits travellers who want variety in a single trip.
Marathi's proximity to Chania makes it an easy base, but the two coves are small and fill fast in July and August, so arrive early or leave the car behind and come by boat. The best conditions run from June to September; mornings are calmest, which matters for the exposed run to Seitan Limania and the crossing to the Apokoronas coast. Carry water, shade and reef-safe sunscreen, and book private charters ahead in peak season.
The two coves are small, so they fill quickly on July and August weekends. Arrive early, or take a boat trip to reach the quieter beaches nearby along the Akrotiri and Souda Bay coast.
Marathi is about 12 kilometres from Chania by road across the Akrotiri peninsula, roughly a 20-minute drive, with parking near the beach and harbour. Many visitors combine the drive with a short boat trip.
Yes. Both coves have shallow, clear, sheltered water with rocky edges that are good for snorkelling, which makes Marathi popular with families and day-trippers from Chania.
From Marathi you can reach Souda Bay and the island of Souda, and in calm conditions continue around the Akrotiri coast toward the dramatic fjord of Seitan Limania. Private charters also cross the bay toward Almyrida and Kalyves.
Marathi sits on the Akrotiri peninsula just east of Chania town, on the shore facing Souda Bay. It has two small sandy coves and a fishing harbour, and it is one of the closest boat-trip launch points to Chania.
Emma R. – Berlin, Germany • July 25, 2026
This is such a helpful and detailed guide! I've always been fascinated by the idea of exploring the twin coves and Seitan Limania by boat. I'm planning to visit early next year and these specific suggestions give me the perfect blueprint for a relaxing itinerary.
Oliver K. – Amsterdam, Netherlands • July 13, 2026
This is such a helpful guide! I'm planning a trip to Crete and was specifically looking for boat tours that explore areas beyond just the main beaches. The mention of visiting both the twin coves and Seitan Limania sounds like an incredible day, mixing history with pristine swimming spots. It's definitely adding a new layer to my itinerary!
Sophia M. – London, UK • July 11, 2026
I absolutely love these suggestions—I've been researching Crete for months and the boat trip options sound perfect! I'm particularly excited about exploring the twin coves; I picture spending an entire afternoon just swimming and relaxing there. It's definitely going straight onto my must-do list for my summer trip next year.
Lucas T. – Paris, France • July 11, 2026
This is such a perfect guide for planning a day trip; the sections detailing the sheltered beaches and the coves near Souda sound absolutely dreamy! I'm planning a trip to Crete next year and was torn between basing myself near Chania or heading over to Akrotiri—I might take your advice and start from Marathi. Thank you for sharing these local insights; it makes booking my boat excursions feel so much less overwhelming.
Jul 11, 2026
From snorkelling and windsurfing to boat trips, sunset cruises and coastal walks, here are the top activities in Almyrida on Crete's Apokoronas coast for 2026 and who each one suits.
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Discover the best places to visit by boat from Kalyves on Crete's Apokoronas coast, from sheltered swimming coves and the Drapano sea caves to Souda Bay and the long beaches toward Georgioupoli.
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Pair a Chania boat trip with a proper tasting of Cretan wines. Here is what wine tasting on board is like in 2026, the local grapes to look for, and how to plan a relaxed sunset cruise with our wine partner Skywine.
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An overview of sailing around Crete in 2026 — the difference between the windy north coast and the wild south, where to go from Balos to Gavdos, when to sail, and how to choose between bareboat, skippered and day charters.
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A practical guide to sailing in Souda Bay, one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Where to anchor, what the wind does, the naval restrictions to respect, and the best coves to reach by boat.
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From snorkelling and windsurfing to boat trips, sunset cruises and coastal walks, here are the top activities in Almyrida on Crete's Apokoronas coast for 2026 and who each one suits.
Discover the best places to visit by boat from Georgioupoli on Crete's Apokoronas coast, from long open beaches and the Agios Nikolaos chapel to the sheltered coves toward Almyrida and Kalyves.
Discover the best places to visit by boat from Kalyves on Crete's Apokoronas coast, from sheltered swimming coves and the Drapano sea caves to Souda Bay and the long beaches toward Georgioupoli.
Jul 5, 2026
Pair a Chania boat trip with a proper tasting of Cretan wines. Here is what wine tasting on board is like in 2026, the local grapes to look for, and how to plan a relaxed sunset cruise with our wine partner Skywine.
Jul 3, 2026
An overview of sailing around Crete in 2026 — the difference between the windy north coast and the wild south, where to go from Balos to Gavdos, when to sail, and how to choose between bareboat, skippered and day charters.
Jul 2, 2026
A practical guide to sailing in Souda Bay, one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Where to anchor, what the wind does, the naval restrictions to respect, and the best coves to reach by boat.