Experiencing a Malia Boat Party
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has earned itself a reputation as one of the best party destinations in the Mediterranean Sea, with the vibrant resort of Malia at its forefront.
The town’s main strip is packed with cool cocktail bars and wild nightclubs boasting foam parties and world-class DJs pumping out the latest hits. But for a fun-filled afternoon of partying before you hit the offerings on dry land, take to the high seas and dance the deck away on an infamous Malia boat party.
When to go
The tourist season in Crete starts as early as April and runs through to mid-October.
However if a Malia boat party is high on your to-do list, you’ll need to plan your visit between June and September when you’ll find several sailings a week.
As early as June, sea temperatures are an inviting 22°C with average daytime temperatures between 24°C and 28°C offering around 11 hours of uninterrupted sunshine every day. You’ll find less crowds than the latter summer months of July and August but with the same wealth of activities on offer.
What to bring
With drinks, food and music supplied by your party-time crew, packing for your boat party will be very similar to a day spent at the beach. Besides swimwear and towels, the most important thing to remember is sun protection from sunglasses and hats to plenty of suntan lotion.
If you’re prone to burning, ensure you use a higher factor UV protection and remember to reapply often, especially after a dip in the refreshing Mediterranean Sea. The cool sea breeze can be deceiving and returning to shore lobster red is not only bad for your skin, it’ll put a definite dampener on the rest of your break.
What to expect
Departing from Malia Beach mid-afternoon, a daytime voyage offers over four hours of non-stop partying at sea as you journey across the Mediterranean with incredible views of Crete’s famous Spinalonga Island.
Your team will keep you entertained with an array of outrageous drinking games while the resident DJ will keep you dancing to the hottest dance tunes in between regular stops for a refreshing dip in the sea.
Perks vary from company to company but you can expect discounted drinks and lunch included as standard, with many offering a free bar for an hour of the trip. As you return to the beach, just in time for the evening on dry land to kick off, you’ll have made plenty of new friends to continue the night with.
The official Malia Booze Cruise also includes a cameraman on board ready to capture those holiday moments, with photos available to access online once you’re back on land. If you’re taking your own phone or camera, make sure to pack a waterproof case so you can get Instagram-worthy shots at swimming stops as well as on board.
How to book
As one of the most popular things to do in Malia these parties sell out quickly so it’s well worth booking your boat party before departure.
The largest companies can easily be found online and ask for a small deposit with the full amount payable upon arrival. Most four-hour boat trips sit around the £50 mark, with the cost of drinks on board charged separately.
If you haven’t booked in advance, visit one of the ticket offices found on the main strip in Malia on the first day of your holiday to enquire about upcoming cruises so as not to miss out on this memorable experience.