Rethymno: Private Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this private catamaran cruise is the generous mix of comfort and water time. You get a spacious sailing boat, a freshly cooked Cretan lunch, unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, music, and a long swimming stop rather than a quick dip squeezed between photo stops. I especially like the welcome of coffee, tea, and Greek pies, plus the choice of seafood, meat, and vegetable dishes at lunch.

I also like that the boat carries more than the usual mask and snorkel kit. You can use fishing gear, a stand-up paddleboard, life jackets, and inflatable floats, including a flamingo. The main consideration is the price: at $2,239 for a private group of up to 10, this is a splurge, though it becomes more reasonable when shared by a family or group of friends. Pregnant women cannot join, and the cruise depends on good weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Six and a half hours on the water: You spend about 105 minutes sailing out, 2 hours and 15 minutes at the swimming stop, and another 105 minutes returning.
• A genuinely private outing: The listed rate covers a group of up to 10, so you are not sharing the catamaran with strangers.
• Lunch is cooked aboard: Expect Mediterranean food using local ingredients, with seafood, meat, vegetables, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert.
• Ombros Gialos Bay is the main attraction: The stop is planned for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, SUP, and time on the inflatable floats.
• Drinks are included: Soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are available without extra charges during the cruise.
• Bring official identification: Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, birth date, identification or passport number, and nationality before departure.

Setting sail from Rethymno Marina

Your day starts at the Marina of Rethymno, where a crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you 15 minutes before departure. Parking is available in the marina’s municipal car park, which is useful if you are driving in from your hotel or holiday rental.

There is no standard hotel pickup or drop-off in the price. You can request a transfer for an added fee, but you should arrange that in advance rather than assume it is part of the booking.

The first 15 minutes are an easy introduction to the boat. You receive a safety briefing, settle in with coffee, tea, soft drinks, and traditional Greek pies, and meet the English-speaking crew. The crew has Red Cross certification, a reassuring detail for a private outing that includes children, swimming, and water sports.

I like this gentle start. You are not rushed straight into the sea, and the refreshments give you time to get comfortable with the boat. Still, remember that the full cruise lasts 6.5 hours, so this is a substantial part of your day rather than a short harbor excursion.

The first 105 minutes along Crete’s coast

Once the catamaran leaves Rethymno, the outward trip takes about 105 minutes. This is when you get the broadest views of the Cretan coast, open water, bright skies, and the rugged shoreline.

A catamaran gives you more room to spread out than a small motorboat. You can sit on deck, find a sunny spot, or look for shade while the boat moves toward the swimming area. The pace is part of the point. You are not racing from one stop to the next.

The boat has onboard Wi-Fi, so you can share photos or messages during the cruise. You can also listen to the supplied music selection or connect your own music, giving your group some control over the mood. That is a nice touch for a birthday, family day, or small celebration, though you may want to agree on the playlist before the boat leaves the marina.

Drinks are available throughout the trip. The included selection covers soft drinks, local white wine, and cold beer. Coffee and tea are offered as well, while the welcome snacks provide something light before lunch. Since the trip is private, you can enjoy the day at your own pace without worrying about a larger group’s schedule.

Two names for the swimming stop

The main water stop is described as Ombros Gialos Bay, known for clear turquoise water and a quiet setting. The schedule also labels the stop Georgioupoli. Because both names appear in the trip information, I would confirm the exact anchorage with the operator before departure, especially if the location matters to your plans.

At the stop, the catamaran anchors for around 2 hours and 15 minutes. That is enough time to do more than take a quick swim. You can alternate between the water and the deck, enjoy lunch, use the equipment, and still have time to sit quietly with a drink.

The water activities include:

• Swimming from the anchored catamaran
• Snorkeling equipment
• Fishing gear
• Stand-up paddleboards
• Arm floaties and inflatable toys
• Life jackets for safety
• A playful inflatable flamingo

The equipment makes this a good fit for mixed groups. An active teenager can try the SUP board, a cautious swimmer can stay close to the boat with a float, and someone who does not want to get wet can remain on deck with lunch and a drink.

The description does not promise a guided marine-life tour or a formal fishing lesson. I would treat the snorkeling and fishing as casual activities you can try during the stop, not as a specialist excursion. Water clarity, sea conditions, and the day’s weather will affect what you see.

Lunch with seafood, meat, and Cretan touches

The lunch is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. Food is cooked onboard and uses local ingredients, rather than relying only on packaged snacks or a basic sandwich spread.

The meal includes seafood, meat, vegetable dishes, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available if requested in advance, and there is a special meal option for children.

That range matters on a private cruise. A group of 10 can easily include people with different tastes, and the menu gives the cook more room to accommodate them. You should still provide dietary details when booking. Do not wait until you step aboard.

The Cretan cheese and regional dishes give the lunch a stronger local character than a generic Mediterranean buffet. You also have the setting of the open sea, with the catamaran anchored in a quiet bay. The meal is not just a practical break from swimming. It is one of the central parts of the experience.

A dessert is included, and wine and beer are available with the meal. Families should note that children have their own meal option, while the box of toys onboard gives younger passengers something to do between swimming and eating.

What the return sail feels like

After lunch and water activities, the catamaran makes the 105-minute return trip to Rethymno. This is usually the quieter half of the day. You have already swum, eaten, and seen the coast from the water, so the return gives you time to sit back and enjoy the breeze.

The open deck is the place to take final photos, listen to music, and use the remaining Wi-Fi. The unlimited drinks continue to be useful here, particularly if you have spent much of the stop in the sun.

I would plan your sun protection carefully. The supplied information asks you to bring sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. The Cretan sun can be strong, and six and a half hours on the water means you need to reapply sunscreen rather than treat it as a one-time task.

You return to the Marina of Rethymno after the sailing portion. Since there is no included hotel transfer, arrange your own ride or use the marina parking area.

How much value do you get for $2,239?

The listed price is $2,239 for a private group of up to 10. That works out to about $224 per person if you fill all 10 places. For four people, the cost is about $560 each, which changes the value calculation considerably.

The price includes a premium-class sailing catamaran, crew, safety equipment, lunch, unlimited selected drinks, Wi-Fi, music, snorkeling and fishing equipment, SUP boards, inflatables, and a private schedule. You are paying for privacy and space as much as for the food and activities.

For a couple, this is a luxury purchase. For a large family or group of friends marking a special occasion, the same price can look more sensible because everyone shares one private boat and one crew. The strongest value comes when you have enough people to approach the 10-person capacity.

The private format also removes some common frustrations. You do not have to match another group’s music, meal preferences, swimming pace, or social mood. If your group wants a quiet day, you can keep it quiet. If children want the SUP boards and floats, the group does not need to wait for strangers.

The main limitation is that the price does not include transportation to the marina. That is not a major issue if you are staying in Rethymno or driving, but it adds another cost if you need a transfer.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this outing for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration where privacy matters. The combination of lunch, drinks, water equipment, and a long stop gives each person several ways to enjoy the day.

It also suits groups with mixed energy levels. You can swim, snorkel, fish, paddle, or simply sit on deck. The boat’s Wi-Fi and music options add comfort, while the children’s meal and toy box help make the six-and-a-half-hour schedule easier for families.

This is less suitable if you want a fast-paced sightseeing tour with several shore visits. The route centers on sailing, one main swimming stop, lunch, and relaxation. You will see the coast from the water, but you are not visiting multiple villages or archaeological sites.

It is also not suitable for pregnant women, according to the activity restrictions. Since the cruise can be rescheduled or canceled in poor weather, keep some flexibility in your Crete plans.

Practical details that affect your day

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You should also carry a passport or ID card, or a copy, because the port authorities require passenger details.

When booking, you must provide each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID card number, and nationality. This is not optional paperwork. It is required to secure permission for the cruise, so gather the information before you book.

The cruise is offered in English, and an English-speaking host or greeter meets you at the marina. If you have dietary needs, request the correct meal in advance. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, along with a children’s meal.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Crete schedule. Weather remains the important unknown. The operator can reschedule or cancel in bad conditions, so avoid booking this on the final day of your trip if a change would cause trouble.

What the praise tells you about the experience

The strongest praise centers on the full-day service, the food, and the overall quality of the boat trip. One July 2024 booking from the United Kingdom described a group of 17 having a brilliant day and singled out the service and food. The listed private capacity is up to 10, so I would not assume a group of 17 fits the standard booking without checking directly with DanEri Yachts.

Another verified booking from Denmark described the trip as very beautiful and specifically liked the staff, food, and wine. Those comments match the structure of the day: the cruise is not built around one dramatic attraction. Its appeal comes from how the pieces work together, from the welcome snacks and attentive crew to the lunch, swimming stop, and relaxed return.

The published score is 5 out of 5 from three reviews. That is encouraging, but it is also a small sample. I would give the most weight to the specific details that repeat: friendly service, good food, wine, and a strong overall day on the water.

Should you book this Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a private, comfortable day at sea and can fill much of the 10-person capacity. The freshly cooked lunch, unlimited selected drinks, useful water equipment, private setting, and long stop at the bay make it a strong splurge for families and groups.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, or if you want several land-based sightseeing stops. Before paying, confirm the exact swimming location, send all passenger identification details, request dietary meals, and check the weather forecast. For the right group, this is less about checking off sights and more about giving yourself a well-fed, easy day on the Cretan coast.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from the Marina of Rethymno. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you there 15 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The total duration is 6.5 hours. The outward sailing takes about 105 minutes, the main stop lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the return sailing takes another 105 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a private premium-class sailing catamaran, an experienced Red Cross-certified crew, lunch, unlimited soft drinks, local white wine and beer, snorkeling and fishing gear, SUP boards, inflatables, life jackets, music, Wi-Fi, and a box of toys for children.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Transfer services can be requested for an additional fee.

Are dietary meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available upon request. A special meal option is also available for children.

What identification do passengers need?

Each passenger must provide a full name, date of birth, passport or ID card number, and nationality. You should bring a passport or ID card, or a copy, on the day of the cruise.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The cruise depends on weather conditions and may be rescheduled or canceled if the weather is unsuitable. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.