RENT A BOAT 5,5m-30hp LICENCE FREE MARATHI

Marathi gives you a rare kind of freedom on Crete: your own 30hp boat, no motorboat license needed, and a full day to follow the coast at your own pace. You can stop in clear coves, anchor near cliffs, and look for caves and mountain goats without being tied to a group schedule. The boat is 5.5 meters long and carries up to six people.

I like the simple setup and the useful phone map, which shows where you can and cannot go and helps the base locate you if needed. I also like the value for a group, since the price is $261.88 per boat rather than per person. The main drawback is that fuel is extra, and you must be comfortable taking responsibility for the boat after the briefing.

Key points for your Marathi boat day

• No license required: The 30hp boat is designed for people without a motorboat license.
• Up to six passengers: One boat price can work well for a family or small group.
• A shaded boat: The sunroof gives you a break from Crete’s strong summer sun.
• A useful navigation map: The phone app shows permitted areas and can help the base find you.
• Flexible coastal exploring: You choose where to stop, swim, anchor, and turn back.
• Fuel and insurance are extra: Check the final cost before leaving the marina.

Taking the wheel from Marathi at 9 a.m.

Your day starts at 9 a.m. at Notos Mare Marine Adventures in Marathi, a small coastal settlement west of Chania. The activity ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point or figure out how to return the boat elsewhere.

The first part matters more than it may sound. You receive a briefing on how to operate the boat and information about where to go. A good briefing makes the difference between feeling tense at the controls and enjoying the day. You should use this time to ask about permitted waters, safe anchoring, fuel, and what to do if you need help.

You also receive access to a phone map that shows the areas open to you. That is a practical touch. It keeps you from relying on guesswork while you are out along the coast, and it gives the rental team a way to locate you if assistance is needed.

Bring a valid passport or other accepted ID. It must be presented on the day of the rental. The confirmation is issued when you book, and the experience uses a mobile ticket, so keeping the booking details easy to reach on your phone is sensible.

What the 5.5-meter boat is like

The boat has a 30-horsepower engine and is simple to drive, even if you do not hold a motorboat license. You captain the boat yourself, so this is not a private cruise with a skipper. The staff gives you the instruction, then you take responsibility for the route and the people aboard.

The boat can carry up to six passengers. That makes the flat group price attractive, especially for six people splitting the cost. At the listed rate, six passengers would pay about $43.65 each before fuel and any optional insurance. For a couple, the same boat is a much more expensive way to spend the day, though you gain complete control of the schedule.

A sunroof provides shade during hot summer hours. That matters in Crete, where a day on open water can mean hours of direct sun. Still, the roof is not a substitute for sunscreen, water, hats, and light clothing. You will want to protect yourself even when sitting under cover.

The listing does not include a skipper, private transportation, fuel, or damage insurance. The optional insurance can be added for an extra daily fee, with the decision made on the rental day. Ask about that cost before departure so the final price is clear.

Following Crete’s coast under your own power

Once you leave Marathi, the day is yours. You are not following a guide from one scheduled stop to another. Instead, you can use the recommended route and the phone map, then decide where to slow down, anchor, or turn around.

The scenery described for the route includes clear water, cliffs, caves, and mountain views. You might also spot mountain goats along the rocky shore. These are the moments that give the rental its appeal. From a boat, you can look back at parts of the coast that are hard to reach from land, then choose a quiet place for a swim.

The freedom comes with a tradeoff. A guided boat trip gives you a captain who handles navigation and timing. Here, you need to pay attention to the map, follow the permitted zones, and keep track of the time. The briefing reduces the learning curve, but it does not remove your responsibility.

You should not expect a fully planned sightseeing route with a narration at every point. This is best understood as a self-guided coastal day. The reward is control. If one cove looks busy, you can move on. If the water near a cliff looks inviting, you can stop there, provided it is within the allowed area and safe to do so.

Swimming, anchoring, and finding quiet coves

The most appealing part of the day is the ability to make your own swim stops. The coast near Marathi offers coves and clear water, and the boat lets you reach places that are not right beside the shore road or a public beach.

You can anchor or tie off where allowed, then spend time in the water before moving on. The rocky cliffs and caves give the day more variety than simply sitting on a crowded beach. You might spend one stretch cruising, another swimming, and another eating back at Marathi.

Water temperature will depend on the season. In May, it has been described as chilly, so you may prefer a quick swim rather than a long one. Summer water should feel more inviting, but the supplied information does not promise a particular temperature. Pack your expectations around a coastal outing, not a heated pool.

Marathi itself has a swim beach and restaurants close to the boat rental point. That makes the start and finish easy. You can arrange food before or after the boat, and you have somewhere nearby to spend time if members of your group prefer not to stay on the water all day.

Why the route map is more than a convenience

A phone map showing where you can and cannot go is one of the most useful parts of the setup. It gives you a clear boundary for your self-guided trip and helps you avoid accidentally entering an area outside the rental zone.

It also adds a layer of reassurance. The rental team can use the system to find you if you need help. That does not mean you should treat the boat like a phone-guided amusement ride. Keep your phone charged, protect it from water, and pay attention to the actual coast around you.

The map is especially valuable for first-time boat renters. You do not need to arrive with detailed local boating knowledge. You still need to listen carefully and follow the instructions, but the digital guide gives you a reference once you are away from the base.

The real value of $261.88 per boat

At $261.88 for up to six people, the price works best for a full group. Split six ways, the base cost is reasonable for a full day of private access to the coast. Add fuel and possible insurance, and the final figure will be higher, so do not compare the listed price directly with an all-inclusive boat cruise.

For four people, the base price is about $65.47 each. For two, it is about $130.94 each before extras. That makes group size an important part of the booking decision.

The flat price also means you are paying for privacy and flexibility, not a fixed set of sights. You can spend longer at a cove or return early if the sea, weather, or energy level changes. If your main goal is to relax while someone else drives, a skippered cruise would suit you better, but a skipper is not included here.

It is worth checking the current direct rate with Notos Mare before booking. A price comparison mentioned a possible saving of 30 to 40 euros when booking directly, though you should confirm the amount and conditions for your dates.

Getting to Marathi and planning the day

The rental point is at Notos Mare Marine Adventures, on an unnamed road in Marathi. Private transportation is not included. You will need to arrange your own way there and back, which is important if you are staying in Chania or arriving at the cruise port.

A taxi from the cruise port can work, as one passenger successfully used that approach. Build your transport plan around the 9 a.m. start. A late arrival cuts into your time on the water and may make the briefing feel rushed.

Marathi has a beach and restaurants at the shore, so the area is practical for a full day. You can eat before or after the boat, but the supplied details do not state that food or drinks are included in the rental. Plan to buy what you need separately.

Pack:

• Water and food for the boat
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A phone with enough battery for the map
• Swimwear and a towel
• A valid passport or accepted ID
• Dry protection for your phone and other valuables

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this boat rental most

I would choose this for a group that wants time on the water without paying for a private skipper. Families, couples traveling with friends, and confident first-time boat renters can all find something to like here. The capacity of six keeps the cost under control, while the self-guided format lets each group set its own pace.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen Crete from the road and want a different view of the coast. The cliffs, caves, clear water, and possible goat sightings offer the kind of small discoveries that are easy to miss from shore.

I would think twice if nobody in your group wants to drive or make navigation decisions. The boat is easy to operate after instruction, but you are still the captain. You also need to accept that fuel costs extra and that the day depends on suitable weather.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but transportation to the starting point is not part of the price.

Practical details before you book

The experience is scheduled for approximately one day, with departure at 9 a.m. and return to Marathi. Since the exact sailing time may depend on the rental process and conditions, allow the whole day rather than trying to fit in another major activity.

The boat is insured for damage only if you choose the optional coverage. Ask what the insurance includes and what it costs before you leave. If you skip it, make sure you understand your responsibility for any damage.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded. Weather cancellations are treated differently, with a new date or full refund offered.

Should you book the Marathi boat rental?

Book it if you want freedom, clear water, and a private boat day with a small group. The strongest reasons are the no-license 30hp boat, the useful permitted-area map, the shaded seating, and the chance to stop along Crete’s coast on your own schedule.

Before paying, gather five or six people, confirm the fuel charge, ask about optional insurance, and make sure everyone is happy with a self-drive outing. If those details work for you, $261.88 is a fair starting price for a full day of coastal exploring. If you want a relaxing cruise with no driving duties, choose a skippered option instead.

FAQ

Do I need a motorboat license?

No. The 30hp boats are intended for people who do not have a motorboat license.

How many people can share one boat?

Each boat can accommodate up to six passengers.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is not included and must be paid for separately.

Is a skipper included?

No. You captain the boat yourself. A skipper is not included.

Where does the boat rental start and finish?

It starts at Notos Mare Marine Adventures in Marathi and ends back at the same meeting point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.