Rethymno: Private Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this private catamaran cruise is its easy rhythm: sail from Rethymno, reach a clear-water bay near Georgioupoli, then spend the main part of the day swimming, paddling, fishing, eating, and resting on deck. You get a full six and a half hours on the water, not a quick boat ride with a rushed swim.

I like the fresh onboard lunch, especially the shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels in turmeric sauce and ouzo, and chicken with oranges. I also like the small extras that make the day work well: snorkeling gear, SUP boards, fishing equipment, WiFi, unlimited soft drinks, and beer and local dry white wine for adults. The main drawback is that the published plan centers on one swimming location, so you may prefer another cruise if seeing several bays matters more than having time to relax.

Key points to know

• Private for up to 15 people: Your group has the catamaran to itself, which makes the price easier to judge for families and larger groups.
• One long swimming stop near Georgioupoli: Expect time for snorkeling, fishing, SUP boarding, and floating rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.
• Fresh Mediterranean lunch onboard: Cheese, salads, seafood, chicken, children’s food, dessert, and welcome snacks are included.
• Drinks are covered: Water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, and local dry white wine are provided, with alcohol limited to people aged 18 and older.
• Helpful crew touches: Rena has taken family photos in the water, and the crew prepares food while you enjoy the bay.
• Plan your own transport: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You start and finish at DanEri Yachts on Sofokli Venizelou 37 in Rethymno.

Leaving Rethymno at 9:30 am

Your day begins at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno. The cruise starts at 9:30 am and returns to the same meeting point after about six and a half hours, so plan your morning around reaching the marina on your own.

That missing hotel transfer is worth noting. If you are staying in Rethymno, you will need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. The tour is near public transportation, but the exact transfer method is not specified, so allow enough time to arrive without cutting it close.

This is a private activity, not a shared boat tour. That matters most when your group has different ideas about the day. Some people can swim while others sit with a drink. Children can use the kid-friendly meal choices, while adults enjoy wine or beer. You are not trying to match the pace of another group.

The price is $2,643.35 for up to 15 people. That sounds steep for a couple, but it works out differently for a full group. At 15 people, the cost is about $176 per person before considering the included meal, drinks, equipment, and six and a half hours of private use. For a small group, the same fixed price becomes much harder to justify.

The clear-water bay near Georgioupoli

The main sailing target is a bay near Georgioupoli, where the water is described as crystal clear. The plan does not list several separate stops, and that is important when setting expectations. This is not a shore-hopping cruise with a new view every hour. It gives you one attractive place and enough time to enjoy it properly.

Once the catamaran reaches the bay, you can swim, snorkel, fish, or use one of the SUP boards. You can also simply stay on deck and take in the scenery. The equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own snorkeling kit, paddleboard, or fishing gear.

The SUP boards are presented as suitable for beginners, which makes them a useful option for a first try. You can have a go without turning the day into a serious watersports session. If balancing on a board is not your thing, the inflatable flamingo offers a more relaxed way to float and makes an easy photo prop.

The single-location plan has two sides. You avoid the constant packing, climbing, and moving that can make a boat day feel hurried. On the other hand, the view and water conditions do not change much during the cruise. One family specifically wished for a second location, so keep that in mind if variety is high on your list.

Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and SUP time

The activity choices are broad enough to suit a mixed group. A keen swimmer can spend time in the water, while someone who prefers a slower day can remain on the spacious deck. The snorkeling equipment lets you look beneath the surface, though no specific marine life or underwater site is promised.

Fishing equipment is also provided. The information does not describe a formal fishing lesson or guarantee a catch, so treat it as a casual extra rather than the main purpose of the trip. It can be a good way to keep children or less confident swimmers occupied between swims.

The SUP boards offer another change of pace. You can paddle around the bay at your own level, then return to the boat when you want a break. Because the tour is private, your group can spend more or less time with each option without being tied to a public schedule.

Bring the normal basics for a day around the water, such as swimwear, sun protection, and anything you personally need after swimming. The supplied information confirms equipment and refreshments, but it does not specify towels, so you should not assume one will be provided.

A fresh lunch served on the catamaran

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a simple sailing trip. The crew prepares lunch onboard while you enjoy the swimming stop, so the meal is part of the experience rather than a box brought from shore.

The listed spread includes a cheese platter, green salad, Greek salad, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels in turmeric sauce and ouzo, chicken breast with oranges, and dessert with seasonal fruit. The mix gives you seafood, meat, salads, and familiar Mediterranean flavors. It is more substantial than the usual small snacks served on a short cruise.

Children have separate choices: chicken nuggets or pasta. That can make the day easier for families, though the information does not provide details about allergies, vegetarian substitutions, or other dietary needs. If anyone in your group has a strict dietary requirement, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on the standard menu.

You also receive welcome drinks with traditional cheese pies and biscuits. Coffee and tea are included, along with water, Fanta, Cola, Sprite, and Cola Zero. Beer and local dry white wine are unlimited for people aged 18 and older. The alcohol rule is clear, and under-18s can use the broad range of nonalcoholic drinks.

The food has received particularly warm praise, with the fresh preparation and welcome snack singled out as highlights. That fits the structure of the day: you are not just paying for transport across the water, but for a prepared meal served in a memorable setting.

Life on deck between swims

The spacious deck gives you room to spread out, take photos, and rest between activities. Soft music is part of the atmosphere, so this is not meant to be a silent sailing lesson. It is a social, easygoing day with food and drinks built into the experience.

The inflatable flamingo adds a playful touch. It is useful for floating and for photos, especially if your group wants something more fun than the usual deck snapshots. The crew can also help capture moments in the water. Rena has taken family photos from the water, a thoughtful service if you want everyone in the picture.

WiFi is included, which is handy for sending photos or checking messages while offshore. Still, I would treat it as a convenience rather than the main reason to book. The best value comes from being present at the bay, not from spending the day online.

The private format also changes the mood. With only your own group aboard, you can enjoy family time, a birthday, or a relaxed day with friends without sharing the space with strangers. That privacy is a real part of the price, especially for groups close to the 15-person limit.

Who gets the best value from this cruise

This cruise makes the most sense for a family group, a group of friends, or a celebration where the fixed private price can be shared. A full group gets much better per-person value than a couple. You also get a meal, drinks, equipment, and a long stretch on the water without having to arrange separate activities.

It suits people who want a slow, flexible boat day. You can choose between swimming, snorkeling, fishing, SUP boarding, floating, eating, and sitting in the sun. The wide menu and children’s meal choices make it practical for mixed ages.

It is less suitable if you want a busy sightseeing route or several swimming bays. The schedule focuses on one bay near Georgioupoli, and the main attraction is time there. You should also look elsewhere if hotel pickup is essential, since transport to and from the meeting point is not included.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information does not list specific accessibility features on the catamaran, so anyone with mobility concerns should confirm the boarding arrangements directly before booking.

Weather, cancellation, and booking timing

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is useful protection for a sea-based activity, especially if you are arranging the cruise early in your Crete trip.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

The activity is often booked about 43 days ahead. That is a useful planning clue, particularly if you want a specific date for a large group. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not treat the reservation as final until that confirmation arrives.

The 4.8 rating from 16 reviews and 94 percent recommendation rate point to a strong experience, but the sample is small. The most consistent praise centers on the friendly crew, freshly prepared food, careful service, and the way the captain, first mate, and chef work together. Those details matter more than a long list of equipment because they shape how comfortable the day feels.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $2,643.35 cost and want a private day built around one clear-water bay, a proper lunch, and plenty of time to relax. The combination of SUP boards, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, a floating flamingo, drinks, and onboard cooking gives different people something to do without splitting up.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple, need hotel transfers, or want to visit several locations. The main tradeoff is simple: you pay for privacy, space, food, and an unhurried swimming stop rather than a packed route.

For a family or group of friends, I would consider it a strong Crete splurge. The best reason to book is not one particular activity. It is the chance to let the crew handle the meal and drinks while your group enjoys a full day on the water at its own pace.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

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

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the cruise finish?

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

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The price covers one private group of up to 15 people.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What activities are available at the swimming stop?

You can swim, snorkel, fish, use the SUP boards, or relax on the catamaran.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a cheese platter, green and Greek salads, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels in turmeric sauce and ouzo, chicken breast with oranges, children’s meal choices, and dessert with seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, and local dry white wine. Alcohol is only available to people aged 18 and older.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.