Crete · Rethymno

Excursions to Skaleta

Golden-hour catamaran sailings along the coast to Skaleta, just east of Rethymno, calm water, swim stops and one of the prettiest sunsets on the north shore.

Browse excursions Ask an expert
2Excursions
RethymnoEast of Rethymno
★ 4.8Guest rating
Skaleta, Crete ★ Loved by 50k+ travellers
Find your excursion

All excursions to Skaleta.

40 excursions
Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island Crete

Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €80 View
Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay Crete

Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port

from €85 View
Legends of Crete Crete

Legends of Crete

6+ hours

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €69 View
From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch Crete

From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch

6 hours · Outdoor

Please arrive at the port of Hersonissos 30 minutes…

from €59 View
Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making Crete

Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €129 View
Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island Crete

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €67 View
Crete: WaterCity Waterpark Crete

Crete: WaterCity Waterpark

6 hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €42.5 View
Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night Crete

Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night

3+ hours · Historical

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €50 View
Book with the operator

Booking Skaleta direct.

The Skaleta sunset cruise is on the platforms too. Booking straight with us is a little different.

The local team, not a reseller

You book with the Rethymno team that runs the Skaleta sunset catamaran itself, not a reseller.

Real people, quick to answer

A local team on the phone, WhatsApp and Viber daily from 08:00 to 22:00, before you travel and on the day itself.

Flexible hotel pick-up

Pick-up is arranged around your hotel across Skaleta, Rethymno and the coast-road resorts.

Clear prices, no mark-up

The from-price you see is ours, with no third-party booking fee added over the top.

If the wind or the light is wrong for the sunset run, you move to another date or take a full refund.

About the area

The coast & the sunset sail.

Skaleta is a low-key stretch of coast just east of Rethymno, with sandy-and-pebble beaches and calm, clear water. It’s best known as the turnaround point for relaxed catamaran cruises that time the return for sunset.

The sailing itself is the experience, an easy afternoon on the water with swim stops, drinks on board and the north-coast light softening as you head back to Rethymno. It sits within easy reach of Rethymno and Georgioupoli, with more to explore across the rest of Crete.

SettingCalm north-coast beaches
Best timeMay to October
Getting thereSunset catamaran from Rethymno
Weather

When to visit Skaleta.

Skaleta is a summer beach, warmest and calmest from June to September, with a quiet shoulder season.

MonthAir (day)SeaHow busy
May24°C20°CQuiet
June28°C22°CBuilding
July31°C24°CBusy
August31°C26°CBusy
September28°C25°CEasing
October24°C24°CQuiet
Fewest crowdsMay and October, when the beach is at its calmest.
Warmest seaAugust into September for long swims.
Family calmLight-wind days, gentle for children.
Getting here

Getting to Skaleta.

Skaleta is a quiet beach village just east of Rethymno, a short drive along the coast.

By road

Skaleta is about ten minutes east of Rethymno by car, right on the coastal road with parking nearby.

On a day trip

Excursions from the Rethymno area include Skaleta with hotel pick-up and time on the sand.

Where to stay

Where to stay for Skaleta.

Skaleta sits just east of Rethymno, an easy base close to the old town and the coast.

Browse hotels nearby
Skaleta

Right on the long beach, quieter than the town and family-friendly.

Rethymno

The Venetian old town ten minutes west, for atmosphere and dining.

Panormo

A pretty seaside village to the east built around small coves.

Bali

A resort of little bays further east, scenic and calm.

Nearby sights

What’s near Skaleta.

Rethymno’s old town and the monastery of Arkadi are all a short drive from Skaleta.

Rethymno Fortezza

The huge Venetian fortress crowning the old town nearby.

Arkadi Monastery

The fortified monastery at the heart of Crete’s fight for freedom in 1866.

Panormo & Bali

Seaside villages of pretty coves along the coast to the east.

Rimondi Fountain

The 1626 Venetian lion fountain in the lanes of Rethymno.

Food & drink

Taste of Skaleta.

This stretch of coast cooks simply with local olive oil, greens, cheese and honey, and the day’s fish.

Try dakos and graviera, fresh fish by the sea and the sweet pastry xerotigana, with a glass of raki to finish.

Local specialties to try
Fresh fishDakosXerotiganaGraviera cheeseRakiCretan honey
One trusted partner

Plan your whole Skaleta trip.

Book every part of your trip with one local team: flights, ferries, transfers, a car and your hotel.

FlightsFind flights to Crete FerriesFerry tickets to Crete TransfersAirport & port pick-up Car rentalRent a car in Crete HotelsStays across Crete
Before you go

Good to know for Skaleta.

BeachA long sandy beach, quieter than the town
What to bringWater, sunscreen and a beach towel
VibeRelaxed and family-friendly
Close toRethymno old town, ten minutes away
Good forA calm swim away from the crowds
FacilitiesSunbeds and tavernas along the front
Across Crete

More of Crete near Skaleta.

Other stand-out spots worth adding to your Crete trip.

Plan your visit

How long for Skaleta?

The Skaleta cruise is a relaxed half-day out of Rethymno.

½Half a day
  • A three-and-a-half hour evening sail with a swim stop and the sunset.
+Add more
Before you book

Your Skaleta questions

Where does the Skaleta cruise leave from?

The sunset catamaran sails from Rethymno east along the coast to Skaleta, with hotel pick-up from the Rethymno area included.

What's included on the sunset cruise?

Typically drinks and a light snack on board, with swim stops in calm bays and the return timed for sunset. Details are shown on each cruise.

Is it suitable for families?

Yes, the catamaran is stable and roomy and the water is calm. Tell us your group's ages for the best fit.

How long does it last?

The sunset sailing runs around 3.5 hours; a shorter daytime swim cruise is also available. Exact times are confirmed after booking.

What if the weather turns?

If we cancel a sailing for weather or safety, you're offered another date or a full refund, always explained up front.

Does the Skaleta cruise stop to swim?

Yes. The three-and-a-half hour sunset sail includes a swim stop in a quiet bay before drinks on deck as the light fades.

Is the Skaleta cruise good for a sunset?

That is its whole point; the timing is built around the evening light, so it is a relaxed, scenic end to the day rather than a beach outing.

A Time 4 Vacation guide with travellers in Greece
Simple & secure

Booking Skaleta, step by step.

1

Search & compare

Compare Skaleta excursions by type, date and budget, and pick the day that suits you.

2

Book securely

Reserve your Skaleta day out online in minutes, with instant confirmation and a voucher by email.

3

Meet your guide

On the day a licensed local guide meets you and takes care of the rest, so you can just enjoy Skaleta.

Ready to explore Skaleta?

Tell us your dates and what you have in mind. A local expert will put together the excursions, transfers and stays that fit, usually within a day.