Best months
Spring & autumn
· October still fishing well
Suits
Families to keen anglers
Difficulty
Easy options up
Top catch
Amberjack · dentex
Typical
Half-day, mornings
From
€120 pp
Licence
Included
FIND YOUR TRIP
Which trip is right for you?
Tell us who is coming, and we will point you at the right boat.
Easy morning on calm water
You want a relaxed trip that works for kids and first-timers.
You will likely catch: Sargos, bream and pandora
● In season nowSee trips →
A real fight
You have fished before and want the rod to bend.
You will likely catch: Amberjack and dentex
● In season nowSee trips →
Chasing the summer run
You are happy heading out at dawn to troll offshore.
You will likely catch: Bonito and albacore
● In season nowSee trips →
Only here
A day with a local fisherman
You care about the experience and the lunch more than the catch count.
You will likely catch: A wooden caïque, and your catch on the table
● In season nowSee trips →
BOOK A TRIP
The 2 fishing trips in Heraklion
Real boats with local operators. Every trip includes the gear, and the operator's licence covers everyone aboard.
Trips are ordered by our recommendation. Ranking is never paid placement.
Heraklion, Greece
Fishing & Swimming Boat Tour in Crete — 4-Hour Sea Adventure
Board a traditional fishing boat from a Cretan fishing village, learn hands-on fishing techniques from a local fisherman, swim in a sheltered bay, and finish with an onboard meal of your fresh catch. Two daily sessions run from April to November along the Heraklion coastline.
Small group · max 8
5.0from 50+ reviews
Free cancellation up to 24h before
4h
From €120 / person
View Activity
Heraklion, Greece
Sunset BBQ on the Water: A Crete Boat Escape– 6-Hour Private Tour
A 6-hour private boat cruise departing at 15:00 from the Heraklion area, stopping at Spinalonga Island and Kolokytha Beach for swimming and snorkeling. The trip includes fishing with crew guidance and a full BBQ dinner with wine or beer served at sunset.
Small group · max 8
Free cancellation up to 24h before
6h
From €450 / group
View ActivityWHEN TO GO
Fishing Heraklion month by month
Heraklion fishes all year. Here is how the season actually moves, and what that means for the month you are looking at.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Sea calm
Inshore reef
Drop-offs / sport
Offshore pelagics
Quiet Building Prime Windy (the meltemi)
Right now, in October
The shoulder season. The big offshore fish thin out and the focus moves back to the reefs and the shallows.
DentexAmberjackWhite seabreamGilthead breamBonitoSquid
THE CATCH
What you will catch
● In season
Dentex
Συναγρίδα (synagrida)
Best: Spring to autumn
Where: Reefs and drop-offs
● In season
Amberjack
Μαγιάτικο (magiatiko)
Best: May to autumn
Where: Deeper structure
● In season
White seabream
Σαργός (sargos)
Best: All year
Where: Rocky inshore ground
● In season
Gilthead bream
Τσιπούρα (tsipoura)
Best: All year
Where: Inshore reefs
● In season
Bonito
Παλαμίδα (palamida)
Best: Summer to autumn
Where: Open water, trolling
● In season
Squid
Καλαμάρι (kalamari)
Best: Late summer to winter
Where: Reef edges, evenings
Grouper
Ροφός (rofos)
Best: Late spring to summer
Where: Rocky reefs and bottom
Common pandora
Λυθρίνι (lithrini)
Best: Spring
Where: Mixed and reef bottom
Albacore tuna
Τόνος (tonos)
Best: Summer
Where: Offshore
Spearfishing is open this month (it is closed only in May, while the groupers spawn).
Large tuna are protected and commercial-only. A good operator will not promise one, and neither will we.
PLAN YOUR DAY
The full guide
Everything worth knowing before you book, in a few seconds of skimming.
Types of trip
Bottom fishing
First-timers & familiesThe easiest way to land your first Cretan fish, over the reefs in the Gulf of Heraklion.
Trolling for pelagics
Bonito, albacore, mahi mahiLures towed offshore for fast surface fish. Best at first light and at dusk.
Jigging & deep fishing
Amberjack & dentexMetal lures worked over structure for powerful fish. Active and physical.
Spearfishing & freediving
Confident swimmersOn a single breath, with no scuba. Closed for the whole of May while groupers spawn.
Traditional caïque & fishing tourism
Culture & the lunchFish the way Cretans have for generations, with a local fisherman. The experience over the catch count.
“A wooden caïque with a local fisherman is the one trip an aggregator cannot put in a catalogue.”
On the day
Mornings are calmest. The summer meltemi north wind builds through the afternoon, so boats leave early.
No personal licence needed. The operator holds the licence that covers everyone aboard.
Calm-water bottom fishing suits children and complete beginners.
Cook your catch is common, but it depends on the operator, so check when you book.
Good to know
- On a guided trip you do not need your own fishing licence.
- Spearfishing is closed for the whole of May, while the groupers spawn.
- Large tuna are protected from recreational fishing. A good operator will not promise one, and neither will we.
- There is always a calm-water, family-friendly option.
The grounds
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Most trips run from the Venetian harbour. On windier days, boats favour sheltered Agia Pelagia.
More often than not, the day ends with your own catch on the table, over a long Cretan lunch.
See the tripsQUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a fishing licence?
No. On a guided trip the operator holds the fishing licence that covers everyone aboard, so you can simply turn up and fish.
When is the best time to go fishing in Heraklion?
Spring and autumn give the calmest seas and the most variety, while summer is peak season for bonito and tuna offshore. The fishing holds up all year, and mornings are usually the calmest time on the water.
Is a fishing trip suitable for families and beginners?
Yes. Calm-water bottom fishing in particular suits children and complete first-timers, and crews are used to teaching everything from baiting a hook to landing the catch.
What fish will I catch?
It depends on the season. The reefs hold grouper, dentex, sea bream and pandora through much of the year, while bonito and tuna run offshore in summer. Large tuna are protected and cannot be kept.
Can I keep and eat my catch?
Often yes, and many trips will cook your catch on board or at a harbour taverna. This varies from operator to operator, so check when you book. Some species, such as large tuna, are protected from recreational fishing.
Where do the trips depart from?
Most trips leave from the harbours around Heraklion, including the Venetian harbour, and reach the grounds of the Gulf of Heraklion, Agia Pelagia and the island of Dia within a short run.
Guide last updated on