Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

The best part of this Rethymno cruise is the mix of good food and easygoing time at sea. You sail the northern coast of Crete, stop near Georgioupoli Bay, and spend the day with a plate of fresh Cretan food in one hand and a view of clear blue water in the other.

I like the small maximum group of 25 and the thoughtful food plan, which includes a nutritionist-designed brunch and lunch made with organic ingredients from a local farm. The crew also provides SUP boards, quality snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and plenty of shaded and sunny seating.

The main trade-off is time. The cruise lasts about six and a half hours, but part of that is spent sailing to the swimming stop. If your priority is nonstop water activity, you may find the anchored portion shorter than expected.

Key points at a glance

• A 9:30 am departure from Rethymno Port gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water.
• Georgioupoli Bay is the main swimming stop, with calm water, SUP boards, snorkeling gear, noodles, and an inflatable flamingo.
• Food is a major part of the experience, from the light breakfast bowl to gourmet bites and a full Cretan lunch.
• The open bar includes water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine, but cocktails cost extra.
• The catamaran carries no more than 25 people, giving you more room than a large day boat.
• A professional English-speaking crew manages the equipment, meals, drinks, and safety details.

Setting out from Rethymno at 9:30 am

You meet the crew at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, at Rethymno Port. The cruise ends at the same place, which keeps the day simple. Hotel transfers are not included, though they can be arranged on request.

The welcome is more considered than a basic boat departure. You can start with espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein shake, followed by a light breakfast bowl prepared with guidance from a certified nutritionist. That is useful if you are heading straight from your hotel and do not want a heavy meal before sailing.

The catamaran has sunbeds, shaded lounges, an onboard toilet, an outdoor shower, music, and free Wi-Fi. You can settle into the sun, find shade, or move around as the boat leaves the port. The boat is described as modern and spacious, and the group limit of 25 matters here. You are not packed shoulder to shoulder with a large crowd.

The crew speaks English and includes a captain and deck staff. The strongest praise is directed at the team’s care and attentiveness. You can expect help with equipment, regular drink service, safety instructions, and a relaxed tone rather than a formal sightseeing lecture.

Sailing along Crete’s northern coast

The first part of the cruise is about the pleasure of being on the water. There is no long list of shore attractions to tick off. Instead, you watch the northern coast from the deck while the catamaran makes its way toward Georgioupoli Bay.

That sailing time can be a benefit if you want a quiet morning. Stretch out on a sunbed, listen to the music, or sit in the shade with a drink. The catamaran gives you space to change positions, which makes a difference on a six-and-a-half-hour outing.

Still, keep your expectations in check. One clear criticism is that the trip to the anchorage can feel long, especially if you are mainly interested in swimming and paddleboarding. The cruise is not designed as a nonstop sports session. It is a day at sea with food, conversation, rest, and water activities folded into the schedule.

The boat carries life jackets and swimming jackets, and liability insurance is included. You should still bring the items not supplied: a towel, sunscreen, and any personal care products you need.

Georgioupoli Bay and the water activities

The boat anchors at Georgioupoli Bay, where the water is described as calm and crystal clear. This is the most active part of the day. The crew sets up SUP boards and snorkeling equipment, and fishing gear is available on request.

You can paddle across the bay, swim with a mask and fins, or simply float with an inflatable noodle. The pink flamingo is a lighthearted extra, especially for families or anyone who wants a silly photo rather than a serious water workout.

The snorkeling equipment includes masks and fins, and swimming jackets are available. The information does not promise a particular marine-life site, so you should treat snorkeling as a pleasant way to see the water rather than a specialized reef excursion.

Fishing is also presented as a gentle activity, with a complete set supplied. That makes it suitable for a low-key try rather than a dedicated fishing trip. Children can use the box of toys by request, another useful detail for families who want more than swimming to fill the afternoon.

The timing at anchor is important. The stated schedule allows roughly two hours for swimming and lunch, although the overall balance can vary. Some people will find that ample time for a swim, a paddle, and a meal. If you want long stretches in the water, the sailing time may leave you wishing for a longer stop.

A healthy Cretan meal instead of standard boat food

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. The morning begins with a light bowl, then gourmet bites are served near the bay, followed by a freshly prepared Cretan lunch.

The lunch is designed by a nutritionist and made with fresh organic ingredients from a local farm. That does not mean a sparse plate of diet food. The meal is described as generous, with Mediterranean flavors and enough variety to feel like a proper lunch rather than a snack between swims.

This approach suits you if you want to eat well without spending the day on fried food and packaged sandwiches. The menu details are not provided, so you should not book expecting a fixed list of dishes. The important point is the emphasis on fresh Cretan ingredients and a meal prepared onboard or for the boat rather than a basic packed lunch.

Dessert is also included in the meal service. The crew serves appetizers, lunch, and dessert, so you can take your time instead of rushing through a single buffet line. Meals are part of the rhythm of the cruise: eat, swim, rest, and return to the water if you feel like it.

What the open bar really includes

The open bar is generous by day-cruise standards, but it has clear limits. Unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also available during the day.

Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside that selection are not included. If you are comparing this cruise with a cheaper sailing trip, factor in the value of drinks, brunch, lunch, and equipment. You are paying for a package rather than only a seat on a boat.

Service is a strong part of the experience. The crew regularly checks whether you need anything and brings drinks to you. One practical point from the feedback is that the open-bar service may not begin at exactly the moment you step aboard. You may need to get settled first, so do not assume the first drink arrives before you have found your place.

The white wine is Cretan, which gives the meal a local touch. If you prefer a cocktail or a wider spirits menu, you will need to pay extra or choose another type of cruise.

Comfort, music, and the size of the boat

A six-and-a-half-hour boat outing can become tiring if seating is tight. This catamaran offers sunbeds and shaded lounges, with room to move around. The maximum capacity of 25 helps keep the boat from feeling like a floating crowd.

Music plays during the trip, and free Wi-Fi is included. The music level may vary. The atmosphere is intended to be relaxed and social, not silent. One point to note is that the music may not be loud enough for everyone once the boat is anchored. If you want a party cruise with constant high-volume music, this is probably not the right match.

The mood is better suited to a small group of friends, couples, families, or solo visitors who enjoy meeting people without being surrounded by a large tour party. You can swim and paddle, but you can also spend most of the day reading, talking, eating, and watching the sea.

A private cabin may be available on request, but it is not guaranteed and is not included. Do not book this expecting a private room. The main comfort comes from the open deck, sunbeds, shaded areas, and manageable group size.

Is $174.98 a fair price?

At $174.98 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The value depends on how much of the package you will use.

The price includes a modern catamaran, an English-speaking crew, brunch, gourmet bites, a full lunch, unlimited water and selected drinks, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, fishing gear, safety equipment, music, Wi-Fi, and onboard facilities. If you would otherwise pay separately for meals, drinks, and water equipment, the cost becomes easier to justify.

I see the best value for people who want a polished full-day outing without having to organize each part themselves. You do not need to rent a paddleboard, find snorkeling gear, buy lunch, or carry drinks onto the boat. The crew handles the practical work.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, have little interest in the meals, or want only a short swim. The sailing time is part of the experience, but it also means you are not spending all six and a half hours at anchor.

The average booking lead time is about 28 days, so this is worth planning ahead during a busy Crete holiday. The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. It requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who should choose this Rethymno cruise?

I would point this cruise toward you if you want a comfortable day on the water with food and drinks included. It is especially suitable for:

• Couples looking for a relaxed day away from the beach
• Families who want swimming, floating, SUP, and fishing options
• Friends who enjoy a small-group boat setting
• People who care about fresh Mediterranean food
• Anyone who prefers a managed experience over arranging separate rentals
• Visitors who like a balance of sun, shade, swimming, and conversation

It is less suitable if you want a fast route to a swimming cove, a serious snorkeling excursion, or an all-night-style party atmosphere. The bay stop is the active center of the day, but the cruise itself is just as much about resting on deck.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Personal care products are not supplied, though feminine hygiene products are available onboard. Hotel pickup is not part of the standard package, so plan your route to the Rethymno port or request a transfer in advance.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a comfortable, food-focused day at sea and value attentive service, a small group, and included equipment. The strongest features are the crew, the generous meal service, the clean modern boat, and the calm-water stop at Georgioupoli Bay.

Think twice if you need hours of uninterrupted swimming or want a lower-cost boat trip. The sailing time is noticeable, and the water-activity window may feel brief to an active swimmer.

For most people, the $174.98 price makes sense when you use the full package: brunch, lunch, drinks, SUP, snorkeling, fishing, shaded seating, and a well-run day on the northern coast of Crete.

FAQ

Where does the Rethymno catamaran cruise begin?

It begins at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Rethymno.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the catamaran cruise?

The maximum group size is 25 people.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. A professional English-speaking crew operates the experience.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also provided.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a light healthy brunch, gourmet bites, and a freshly prepared Cretan lunch made with fresh organic ingredients from a local farm.

What water equipment is available?

SUP boards, high-quality masks and fins, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, an inflatable flamingo, and fishing equipment are available. Fishing equipment is provided on request.

Are towels and hotel transfers included?

No. You need to bring your own towel, and hotel transfers are not included in the standard price. Transfers can be arranged upon request.