Hersonissos advances plans for new breakwater with marina and mega yacht berths

Plans for a new breakwater in Hersonissos envisage a marina with at least 120 boat berths, space for large vessels including mega yachts, and a multi-use public area with recreation, culture and dining facilities, according to Cretalive. The project is moving from initial concept into the detailed study phase.

A new “island” across from the existing port

The design calls for a new maritime structure facing the current harbor breakwater. The new windward pier is intended to serve a dual role as both port infrastructure and a public multi-use space for residents, visitors and port users.

According to the plan’s color-coded legend, the proposed facilities include cultural spaces, dining areas, playgrounds, green areas, tourist-oriented uses and boat-service infrastructure. Specific elements listed include administrative, sanitary and safety facilities, a mini-market, storage units and laundry services, a boat repair unit, and parking areas. Several of these recreational and tourism-related uses would complement Crete’s broader experiences offering for visitors to the area.

The intervention is also linked to plans for highlighting the historic Roman mole and reorganizing the coastal front, aiming to give the port a different function and a stronger connection to the town.

Marina with at least 120 berths, room for mega yachts

One of the most significant elements of the design is the creation of new berthing positions. The plan provides for at least 120 berths, with the capacity to accommodate large vessels, including mega yachts.

The project also envisages expanding the land-based port zone by approximately 10,000 square meters to create the facilities needed to operate the new port infrastructure. The overall plan additionally includes new piers, a boat launch ramp, seaplane base facilities, and administrative and service infrastructure.

Studies at a critical stage

Despite the scale of the plans, the project remains in the study-maturation phase. Marine surveys have already been carried out, including bathymetric, geological and coastal engineering studies, as well as drillings.

The architectural pre-study for the new breakwater has been presented, and individual design parameters are now under review. According to the project’s schedule, the study is expected to be completed by late 2026 or early 2027, at which point a clearer estimate of the project’s final cost will be available.

Funding remains the key hurdle

Once the studies are completed, the next and decisive step will be securing funding. Available financing tools under consideration include the ESPA program and sectoral programs run by the Ministry of Shipping.

This funding stage is expected to determine in practice whether the plan for Hersonissos’s new “island” moves from drawings and models into actual construction.

Part of a wider port upgrade

The new breakwater forms part of a broader plan to upgrade the Port of Hersonissos and its adjacent land zone. If the project proceeds, Hersonissos would gain new port infrastructure serving harbor protection and vessel berthing, alongside additional space for tourism, recreation, culture and business activity.

The remaining steps are completing the studies and securing funding, which would determine whether the breakwater project is ultimately built. If realized, the development could reshape not only the port but also Hersonissos’s entire coastal front.