Rethymno: Sailing Catamaran Cruise with Meal & Drinks

The best part of this Rethymno cruise is the long stop in a clear-water bay, where you can swim, paddle a SUP, snorkel, or simply stretch out on deck with a cold drink. It is less about checking off sights and more about giving you a full half-day on the Cretan sea. I especially like the freshly cooked Mediterranean lunch and the small-group feel, with space to move around instead of being packed onto a standard excursion boat.

You also get unusually generous extras for a sailing trip: unlimited beer, white wine, and soft drinks, plus snorkeling gear, inflatables, WiFi, and music. The main caution is shade. A catamaran offers more room than a small boat, but one sailing had little cover in the hot summer sun. Seas can also turn rough, so bring motion-sickness medication if you need it.

Key points before you book

• A full 6.5 hours on the water: You spend about 105 minutes sailing each way, with roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes at the swimming stop.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Expect seafood and meat, salads, vegetables, fruit, bread, desserts, and special meals by request.
• The swimming bay is scenic but deep: The water can be crystal clear and turquoise, yet snorkeling may reveal limited sea life.
• Drinks are included throughout: Beer, white wine, and soft drinks are available without paying separately for each one.
• Rethymno Marina is the meeting point: Optional transfers cover several nearby areas, but hotel pickup is not automatic.
• Weather matters: The route can change, and rough seas may lead to rescheduling or cancellation.

Setting sail from Rethymno Marina

Plan to arrive at Rethymno Marina 15 minutes before departure. The catamaran is called Karina, and the crew wears DanEri T-shirts, so finding the right boat should be straightforward. A municipal parking lot is available at the marina if you are driving.

The welcome is pleasant and practical. You receive tea, coffee, and local snacks before a short safety briefing. The crew has Red Cross certification, and life jackets are provided. That matters on a day when people are swimming, paddling, and moving around a wet deck.

The boat is described as one of Crete’s newer luxury catamarans, with enough room for several sitting and lounging areas. The maximum group size is listed as up to 20 people, though the exact number depends on the departure. That is a useful middle ground: more social than a private charter, but not the crowded feel of a large sightseeing vessel.

Music plays during the trip, and WiFi is available. These are small extras, but they help set the mood on the long sailing sections. You can share photos as you go, though I would still treat the day as a chance to put your phone down for a while.

The 105-minute sail along Crete’s north coast

Once the boat leaves the marina, the first sailing leg lasts about 105 minutes. This is when the cruise earns its name. You are not simply being ferried to a beach. You are traveling under sail when conditions allow, with open views of the northern Cretan coast.

The catamaran gives you several ways to spend this time. Sit in the sun, listen to music, chat with people at the bar area, or find a quieter corner. The broad layout is a real benefit for couples and families who do not all want to sit in the same place.

The ride can be smooth on a calm day. It can also be choppy. A few people have become seasick in rough conditions, while the crew has offered anti-sickness tablets on at least one departure. Do not rely on that. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring your usual remedy and take it before the boat gets moving.

Pregnant women are not considered suitable for this activity. The cruise can also be changed or canceled because of bad weather. That is normal for a sailing trip, but it is worth leaving some flexibility in your Crete plans.

The swimming stop near Georgioupoli

The main stop is listed near Georgioupoli, with the boat anchoring in a scenic bay. The exact route can change with sea conditions. Some departures have visited Ombros Gialos or other coves, while rough water has led to a change of destination.

The stop lasts about 2 hours and 45 minutes, which gives you time to do more than one activity. You can swim directly from the catamaran, use the snorkeling equipment, paddle a SUP, or relax on an inflatable flamingo. Arm floaties and other inflatables are available, and families have access to a box of toys for children.

The water is the star. In good weather, it can be strikingly clear and turquoise. You get the kind of swimming stop that makes sense from a boat because the cove is not simply a crowded beach with rows of umbrellas.

There is a small catch. The swimming area can be quite deep, and the snorkeling is not guaranteed to offer much marine life. Some people found the water better for swimming and paddling than for underwater sightseeing. Bring realistic expectations: this is a beautiful sea stop, not a dedicated reef tour.

The equipment includes masks, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, SUP boards, and life jackets. A few pieces of equipment may not have matching pairs of fins, so if snorkeling is your main goal, you may want to ask about sizes when you board. The crew remains available while you use the equipment, which helps first-time paddlers and families feel more at ease.

Lunch with seafood, salads, and unlimited drinks

While you swim, the crew prepares lunch on board. The meal is one of the stronger reasons to consider this cruise instead of a basic sailing trip. The menu can include seafood and meat, fresh vegetables, Greek salad, avocado salad, pasta, prawns, grilled chicken, pita bread, fruit, cheese, and desserts.

One detailed meal included a cheese plate, Greek salad, avocado salad, garlicky tomato pasta with prawns, orange chicken, pita, and assorted sweets. Another departure served mussels and prawn paella. Menus can vary, but the pattern is clear: this is more than a packet of snacks and a sandwich.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available if requested in advance. There is also a special meal option for children. If you have a shellfish allergy or another serious dietary concern, provide the details when booking and confirm them with the crew before departure. A separate pasta dish was prepared for one passenger with a shellfish allergy, but advance notice is still the sensible approach.

Drinks are included from the welcome until the return sail. You can have unlimited soft drinks, white wine, and beer. Tea and coffee are also provided, along with local snacks at the start. The selection is not designed for cocktail lovers, and one person wished for more variety, but the included quantity is generous.

The free-flowing drinks make this feel more like a relaxed boat party than a strict sightseeing tour. Music helps with that atmosphere. It can become loud during lunch, so anyone seeking a quiet meal should keep that in mind.

A crew that pays attention

The crew is a major part of the day. Their work includes safety, food preparation, drink service, equipment setup, and watching swimmers. Reports of the service repeatedly point to friendly, attentive handling, including care for people who became seasick.

Crew members named on individual departures have included Captain Adonis, sailor Manolis, chef Kiril, and Orpheus, who was praised for taking care of an unwell passenger. Driver Andrey was also named when a route change required transfers. Staffing can vary, so do not assume every name will be on your boat, but the operation clearly depends on a hands-on team rather than a distant captain and a self-service buffet.

That attention is especially useful when the sea turns rough. On one day, the planned destination changed because of conditions, and the crew arranged free transport to and from the alternative location. Weather decisions are made for safety, even if they mean your route is not exactly the one you imagined.

Birthday touches have also been part of the experience. The crew has sung happy birthday and even prepared a cake for a passenger. That is not a guaranteed feature, but if you are marking a special occasion, it is worth mentioning your plans when you book.

What the six-and-a-half-hour timing means

The total duration is about 6.5 hours. A typical structure looks like this:

• About 15 minutes for welcome refreshments and the safety briefing
• About 105 minutes sailing toward the swimming area
• About 2 hours and 45 minutes anchored near a bay or cove
• About 105 minutes sailing back to Rethymno

The schedule gives you a proper sea day without taking over your entire day. You will still have an evening in Rethymno for dinner or a walk through the old town.

The long sailing periods are important when you compare this with shorter boat trips. If you mainly want 20 minutes of swimming, this is too long and too expensive. If you want the pleasure of being on a boat, with lunch and drinks folded into the price, the length feels more worthwhile.

The end point is the original meeting point at Rethymno Marina. Optional pickup and drop-off can be arranged from Rethymno, Perivolia, Platanes, Adelianos Campos, Pigianos Campos, Sfakaki, Skaleta, Georgioupoli, Kavros, Petres, and Gerani. Check that option carefully when booking because hotel transport is not included by default.

Is $164 a fair price?

At $164 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. You are paying for a newer, spacious catamaran, a long sailing time, a cooked lunch, unlimited selected drinks, water equipment, crew service, and insurance.

I would judge the price against what you plan to do that day. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and transport, the package becomes easier to justify. The food is plentiful, and the unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks can add real value for people who will use them.

It is less convincing if you do not drink alcohol, do not care about lunch, or prefer spending the day at a beach. One person considered it expensive for the overall offering, even while having a great time. That is a fair warning. The value comes from the whole day and the relaxed service, not from a single landmark or rare wildlife sighting.

A private group is available, which may change the price and setup. For most couples, families, and small groups, the shared catamaran offers a better balance than a private charter.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a comfortable, social day at sea with food included. It suits couples looking for an easy special outing, families who need swimming equipment and child-friendly options, and friends who want music, drinks, and room to lounge.

It is also a good choice if you like variety. You can swim for a while, try the SUP, eat lunch, take photos, and then return to the deck. You do not need to be an experienced sailor or a strong swimmer, since life jackets and flotation gear are available.

You may want a different excursion if your priority is serious snorkeling. The bay can be beautiful, but underwater wildlife is limited in some spots. You should also think twice if you dislike sun exposure, get motion sick easily, or need a quiet boat with a fixed route.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy of your identification is accepted. Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, identification number, and nationality when booking, so have those details ready.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a polished, full-day-feeling outing rather than a quick ride to a swimming spot. The best features are the attentive crew, spacious boat, generous meal, clear water, and drinks included from start to finish.

Skip it if you are counting every euro, need guaranteed shade, or want a snorkeling trip built around marine life. For most people who value comfort and a complete day on the water, $164 is defensible, especially when the sea is calm and you use the swimming gear, lunch, and drinks. Just check the forecast, pack sun protection, and keep your plans flexible.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts about 6.5 hours. This includes the welcome and safety briefing, approximately 105 minutes sailing each way, and about 2 hours and 45 minutes at the swimming stop.

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at Rethymno Marina. Arrive 15 minutes before departure and look for the sailing catamaran Karina and crew members wearing DanEri T-shirts.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included by default. An optional transfer service is available from selected areas around Rethymno, including Platanes, Adelianos Campos, Sfakaki, Skaleta, Georgioupoli, Kavros, Petres, and Gerani.

What food is served on board?

Lunch includes Mediterranean-style seafood and meat, vegetables, salads, fruit, and desserts. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and children’s meal options are available when requested.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited soft drinks, white wine, and beer are included. Tea, coffee, and welcome refreshments are also provided.

Can I swim and use water equipment?

Yes. The cruise provides snorkeling and fishing gear, SUP boards, life jackets, arm floaties, and inflatables. You can swim from the anchored catamaran in the bay.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy of your identification is accepted.

Can the cruise be canceled or changed because of weather?

Yes. The cruise depends on sea and weather conditions. The route may change, or the activity may be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.