Private RIB Boat Tour to the Secret Beach from Rethymno

The best part of this private RIB trip is the access. From Rethymno’s Old Harbour, you head along Crete’s north coast to sea caves, a small beach reachable only by boat, and the natural arch of Kamarola. I like the small-group format, which lets you set the pace with skipper Kostas, and I like the chance to see Rethymno from offshore, with Fortezza and the Old Town opening up from the water.

There are two points to weigh before booking: the tour lasts about two hours, so it is a quick coastal outing rather than a full-day cruise, and the boat’s route depends on the weather. The advertised price is $634, with an extra €40 for fuel paid in cash, so this makes the most sense for a group that values privacy and can share the cost.

Key points at a glance

• Private 7-meter RIB: Your group travels with a licensed skipper and no other booking group.
• Spilies caves: You stop outside the caves and may snorkel toward them if sea conditions are safe.
• Boat-access beach: Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or step ashore at a secluded beach with sand, pebbles, and seasonal shade.
• Kamarola arch: The natural arch gives you one of the trip’s best photo stops.
• Rethymno from offshore: The return route brings views of Fortezza Castle, the lighthouse, and the Old Town coast.
• Flexible service: Kostas has adjusted timing, helped with celebrations, and contacted customers when a different date offered better weather.

Leaving Rethymno from the Old Venetian Harbour

The meeting point is at Nearchou 33, Rethymno 741 31, beside the Old Venetian Harbour. The harbor setting gives the trip a pleasant start, since you move from the historic waterfront straight into open water rather than spending time on a long road transfer.

The boat is a 7-meter RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, with a licensed skipper. You get safety equipment and a briefing before departure, along with bottled water and WiFi on board. Masks and snorkels are supplied, so you do not need to pack your own gear unless you prefer to use familiar equipment.

A private boat matters here. You are not tied to a large group’s schedule, and the skipper can respond to what your party wants from the outing. That flexibility has been used for family trips, birthday occasions, honeymoon celebrations, and sunset rides. It does not turn the tour into a fully custom charter by default, but it gives the experience a more personal feel than a standard shared cruise.

The boat ride to the first stop takes about 30 minutes. On a short tour, that travel time is a real part of the experience, not dead time. You get a moving view of Crete’s northern coast, but you should book this trip for the combination of boating and swimming, not for hours spent relaxing on a beach.

Snorkeling beside the Spilies sea caves

The first stop is Spilies Beach, an attractive stretch of coast framed by cliffs and marked by several caves. The RIB stops outside the cave area rather than pulling into a formal beach landing. From there, you may swim and snorkel toward the caves, depending on the sea.

This is one of the most appealing parts of the outing because the boat lets you approach a section of coast that is difficult to enjoy from land. You can look into the rock openings from the water, then return to the boat without dealing with a crowded public beach or a long walk.

The snorkeling time is planned at about 45 minutes, though the skipper makes the final call on conditions. That safety rule is important. Entering caves by water can become risky when waves or wind change, so you should expect the route to be adjusted if the skipper decides the water is not suitable.

Bring realistic expectations. This is not a guided marine biology session, and the tour data does not promise a particular fish count or visibility level. Still, the supplied masks and snorkels make it easy to spend time in the water, and past outings have included sightings of fish such as garfish and fire worms. Conditions will determine what you actually see.

If you do not swim, you must wear a life jacket. Anyone with mobility concerns should tell the operator before the trip, since boarding a RIB and moving around a small boat can require care.

A secluded beach, clear water, and Kamarola

The next stop is described as a secret or boat-only beach. It has fine sand mixed with pebbles, clear blue water, and rocks around the shore. Depending on the season and the sun’s position, those rocks can provide shade.

This stop gives the trip a change of rhythm. At Spilies, the main focus is the caves and snorkeling. Here, you can swim from the boat, snorkel near shore, sit on the beach, or simply enjoy time on the water. You may also jump from the boat if you are comfortable doing so and the skipper confirms that it is safe.

The beach is small, which is part of its appeal and part of its limitation. It is not a broad resort shore with rows of loungers, cafés, or changing facilities. You should think of it as a simple natural stop, with the boat serving as your base for water, gear, and drinks.

Kamarola, the natural arch, adds a clear photo moment. The arch is framed by rock and sea, and the skipper can position the boat for pictures. If you care about photography, keep your phone protected from spray and have it ready before the boat moves on. The most useful pictures often come from the water, where the arch and coastline appear together.

The beach portion is listed at about 40 minutes. That is enough time for a swim and a short rest, but not enough for a long beach day. Families should plan accordingly, especially if children need extra time to get comfortable in the water. The private format helps, but the total outing still has a set length.

Passing Geropotamos with drinks on board

After the swimming stops, the route takes in Geropotamos Beach and its turquoise water. The boat pauses for a look rather than promising a long shore visit. Snacks and drinks are served on board, giving you a chance to settle in after swimming.

This small service detail adds value to a short trip. You do not need to leave the boat hungry or bring a full picnic, and you can enjoy the coast without interrupting the ride to search for refreshments. The supplied information confirms snacks and drinks on board, while bottled water is specifically included.

Several private trips have included drinks at the end of the outing, and one sunset ride featured an aperitif while the coast changed in the evening light. Those details suggest that the operator can be attentive to special occasions, but you should not assume a sunset departure or birthday extras unless you arrange them directly.

Geropotamos works best as a scenic pause. If your main goal is long snorkeling time, the earlier stops are more important. If you prefer a relaxed boat ride with something cold to drink, this section helps round out the trip.

Returning past Fortezza and the Rethymno waterfront

The return journey takes about 30 minutes and finishes at the original meeting point. Instead of turning inland or ending at a different beach, the boat approaches Rethymno from the sea.

You get views of the Venetian Fortezza, the lighthouse, and the coastal side of Rethymno Old Town. This is a useful contrast to visiting Fortezza on foot. From land, you look outward over the sea. From the boat, you see the castle’s position above the harbor and understand how strongly the old city is tied to the coast.

Have your camera ready for the approach to the harbor. The return route provides a final chance for photos, and the lower viewpoint changes the appearance of the Old Town. You also avoid the feeling that the outing ends as soon as the swimming stops.

The full experience is advertised at approximately two hours. The stated stop and travel times do not fit neatly into a strict two-hour total, so actual timing may vary with sea conditions, swimming time, and the day’s route. I would allow flexibility around the booking rather than scheduling a tight restaurant reservation immediately afterward.

What the $634 price means for your group

At $634, plus €40 in cash for fuel, this is not a cheap way to reach the coast. The price becomes easier to justify when you divide it among a private group and compare it with what you receive: a 7-meter boat, a licensed skipper, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, bottled water, WiFi, snacks, drinks, and a private route.

The key value is privacy. If your group wants to choose its swimming pace, celebrate a birthday, or avoid a crowded excursion boat, the cost may feel reasonable. A family of four, for example, can treat it as a special half-day-style outing even though the boat time is shorter than that.

The price is harder to defend if you mainly want a low-cost swim at a beach. Crete has many public beaches that you can reach without a private charter. You are paying for access by sea, personal service, the private boat, and the view of Rethymno from offshore.

Fuel is not included in the headline price. The €40 payment is due in cash after the tour, so plan for that separately. The price information does not state the maximum number of people, so ask the operator how many your particular group can bring before you book.

Who will get the most from this boat trip

I would choose this outing for a small group that wants a private coastal experience without committing to a full-day charter. It suits families, couples celebrating a special occasion, and friends who care more about swimming and scenery than formal sightseeing.

It also works well for people who want some control over the day. Kostas has changed dates when better weather was available, adjusted trips when conditions shortened the outing, and helped make birthday and honeymoon rides feel personal. That does not remove the need to communicate your wishes, but it is a good reason to contact Blue Fin Boat Trips before departure if you have a particular plan.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the cave and boat-swimming sections. People who do not swim can still join, but they must wear life jackets. Anyone with serious mobility limitations should think carefully before booking and notify the operator in advance. The tour is not recommended for people with serious mobility issues or severe sea sickness. If you are prone to motion sickness, the operator requires motion sickness medicine before the trip.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity returns to its starting point, which keeps the logistics simple.

Weather, flexibility, and the practical trade-offs

All of the main features depend on weather and sea conditions. Strong wind or rough water can change the route, cancel cave snorkeling, shorten the trip, or stop the boat from operating. That is not a minor footnote on a RIB trip. It directly affects the experience.

If poor weather prevents the tour, you can be offered another date or a full refund. The operator may also suggest another program or timing if possible. This flexibility is useful, but you should avoid building an important dinner, flight, or ferry connection around the exact finish time.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. The cutoff uses local time.

The best practical approach is to check the forecast shortly before the trip, bring sun protection, and keep valuables secure around spray. You will want a swimsuit, towel, and footwear suitable for a pebbly shore, although the supplied details do not specify any required clothing. If you plan to use your phone for photographs, a waterproof case is sensible.

My verdict: book it for privacy, not for a cheap beach day

I would book this private RIB trip if I had a small group, wanted to swim in places reached by boat, and valued a skipper who could adapt the outing. The caves at Spilies, the boat-only beach, Kamarola, and the return past Fortezza make a pleasing mix of water time and coastal views.

I would skip it if my main goal were the lowest possible price, a long beach stay, or a guaranteed itinerary regardless of weather. The $634 cost, €40 fuel charge, short duration, and sea conditions all deserve careful thought.

For a birthday, honeymoon add-on, family outing, or polished final day in Rethymno, it has strong appeal. Contact Blue Fin Boat Trips ahead of time if you want a particular departure time, sunset feel, or celebration detail, and confirm the group capacity before paying.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Nearchou 33, Rethymno 741 31, Greece, near the Old Venetian Harbour. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience is advertised at approximately two hours. The boat ride to the coast takes about 30 minutes, and the return trip takes about 30 minutes. Stop times and the exact route can change with conditions.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €40 and must be paid in cash after the tour.

Can I snorkel inside the Spilies caves?

You can snorkel toward the caves from the boat, but entering or snorkeling near them is allowed only when the skipper considers conditions safe. Weather and sea conditions may prevent this part of the outing.

What is included on the boat?

The tour includes use of the private 7-meter RIB with a licensed skipper, masks and snorkels, safety equipment, a safety briefing, WiFi, and bottled water. Snacks and drinks are also provided on board.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather prevents the tour from operating, you can be offered another date or a full refund. An alternative program or timing may also be offered when possible.