Plakias Boat Tours – The Best Boat Trip in South Crete

5 min readBy Crete Travel Guide

We adore Crete from the land — but the island shows a different face from the water. We joined Plakias Boat Tours for their Speed Boat Lux Tour, and it became one of our favourite days in Crete.

Boat anchored beneath the cliffs of Crete's southern coast

Our friends at Plakias Boat Tours

Based in the coastal village of Plakias on Crete's southern shore, Tassos and Frank run private yacht charters and boat rentals straight from the harbour. They know every cove, cave and current along this coastline — and it shows.

Speed boat off the south coast of Crete
Heading out from Plakias harbour

White Beach

The tour often begins at this so-called secret beach, famous for turquoise water and natural white clay. You can treat yourself to a clay “spa” right on the spot — good for the skin, great for the photos, and blissfully quiet.

White Beach with turquoise water, South Crete
The “secret” White Beach

Marmara Beach & the sea caves

Along the way the captains slow down — and sometimes steer straight inside — the sea caves that line the coast. Sunlight bounces off the water onto the sculpted rock in shifting blue reflections. If you love nature or photography, this alone is worth the trip.

Boat entering a sea cave in South Crete
Ready to go inside?
Open sea cave with blue water
One of the open caves along the route

Loutro Village

Loutro is one of Crete's most picturesque villages — whitewashed houses, blue shutters, and no road in: you arrive by boat or on foot, which keeps it wonderfully calm. There's time for lunch in a taverna and a slow wander through the lanes. (Lunch isn't included in the tour price.)

Whitewashed houses of Loutro village by the sea
Loutro — reachable only by boat or on foot

A hidden taverna: Vrachokipos

Just before Loutro you can ask to stop at Vrachokipos, a seaside taverna built along the E4 hiking trail. The owner will even fetch you from Loutro in his small boat if you want to eat there. Fresh, local food and a view you won't forget — just ask your captains, Tassos or Frank, and they'll happily work it into the day.

Vrachokipos seaside taverna on the E4 trail
Vrachokipos taverna
Once you see Crete from the water, you fall in love with it all over again.

Why we love it

We've explored a lot of this island, and this tour genuinely stands out — stunning beaches, playful swim stops, and two captains who are professional, warm, and clearly in love with their coastline.

Special offer: mention our code CTG when booking and you'll receive 10% off your tour.

Book with Plakias Boat Tours

Partner — code CTG for 10% off

Live it yourself

Ready to be on this boat?