Rethymno: Sailing Catamaran Cruise with Meal & Drinks

A full day at sea, without the yacht price. This Rethymno catamaran cruise combines handsome views, a friendly crew, and a long stop in clear water. I especially like the freshly cooked Mediterranean lunch and the attentive service, including help for passengers who feel unwell. The main caution is simple: shade is limited, and the snorkeling may be more about swimming in beautiful water than seeing lots of fish.

For $164 per person, you get 6.5 hours aboard a spacious catamaran, with lunch, beer, white wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, and inflatables included. That is not a cheap outing, but the long sailing time and open bar make it fair value if you want a relaxed day on the water rather than a quick boat ride.

What makes this Rethymno cruise worth considering

• A long 2.75-hour swim stop: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, SUP, lunch, and relaxing instead of rushing through each activity.
• A new, spacious catamaran: There are different areas for sitting, sunbathing, and enjoying the views.
• Fresh food prepared on board: Seafood, meat, salads, pasta, fruit, pita, and desserts form a generous Mediterranean meal.
• A crew that pays attention: Red Cross-certified staff help with sea sickness, allergies, special meals, and general comfort.
• Unlimited drinks: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included throughout the cruise.
• Good family flexibility: Children’s meals, toys, life jackets, arm floaties, and inflatables are available.

Setting off from Rethymno Marina

The cruise begins at Rethymno Marina, where you should arrive 15 minutes before departure. Look for the sailing catamaran Karina and crew members wearing DanEri T-shirts. A municipal parking lot is available at the marina, which is useful if you are driving yourself.

The opening is low-key and pleasant. The crew offers coffee, tea, and local snacks while handling the safety briefing. This gives you a chance to get settled before the boat leaves, and it also helps you understand where the equipment is kept.

Hotel pickup is not included in the standard option. You can select a transfer option from Rethymno, Perivolia, Platanes, Adelianos Campos, Pigianos Campos, Sfakaki, Skaleta, Georgioupoli, Kavros, Petres, or Gerani. Check the option carefully when booking, since a ride to the marina can make the day easier if you are not staying near the port.

The cruise is offered in English and Greek. Private groups are also available, though the standard experience is designed as a shared sailing trip.

The 105-minute sail along Crete’s north coast

Once out of the marina, the boat spends about 105 minutes sailing toward the swimming area. This is not simply transportation between two points. The time on the water is a major part of the experience.

You can settle into one of the catamaran’s seating areas, listen to music, and watch the coast slide by. On a calm day, the wide twin-hulled boat should feel smooth and steady. The catamaran is clean, well maintained, and spacious enough to offer a choice between sitting with others, finding a quieter corner, or lying in the sun.

The crew may raise the sails when conditions allow. That adds real sailing character to what could otherwise feel like a motorboat excursion. The boat also has WiFi, so you can share photos during the trip, although I would treat that as a small extra rather than a reason to book.

Sea conditions matter. A few departures have had rougher water, and some people felt seasick. The crew has supplied anti-sickness tablets when needed and has been praised for caring for people who became ill. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring your usual remedy and take the weather seriously.

The boat can carry up to about 20 people, according to the experience details. That is a useful middle ground. It is more social than a private yacht but less crowded than a large excursion boat.

The Georgioupoli bay stop and its clear water

The main stop is near Georgioupoli, where the catamaran anchors in a scenic bay for about 2.75 hours. This is where the day becomes active or stays wonderfully lazy, depending on your mood.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the setting provides the classic Crete-at-sea photographs. You can swim directly from the catamaran, use the snorkeling equipment, paddle a SUP board, or float on the inflatable flamingo. Fishing gear is also available.

The long stop is one of the strongest parts of the trip. You do not need to choose between lunch and the water in a hurry. There is enough time to swim first, eat, return to the water, and still sit back with a drink.

Do keep your expectations sensible about snorkeling. The water can be beautiful while offering limited marine life. Several accounts describe clear, deep water but not much to see below the surface. If your main goal is serious snorkeling, this may disappoint. If you want a pleasant swim with a mask and fins in a lovely bay, it fits the bill.

The stop can also change if the sea is rough. One departure had to alter its destination because conditions near Rethymno were poor, with the operator arranging complimentary transfers in that case. The crew’s flexibility is reassuring, but the exact bay cannot be guaranteed.

Lunch on board, with seafood, meat, and local flavors

Lunch is more substantial than the usual sandwich-and-fruit boat meal. The advertised spread includes seafood and meat, fresh vegetables, fruit, and regional food. Specific meals have included a cheese tray, Greek salad, avocado salad, pasta with tomato sauce and prawns, grilled orange chicken, pita bread, and assorted desserts.

The food is prepared fresh on board, and this is one area where the cruise earns part of its price. The meal is not an afterthought. You are served a proper selection, and portions have been described as plentiful.

The crew can provide vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals if you request them in advance. There is also a special meal for children. One passenger with a shellfish allergy received a separate pasta dish, which shows a useful level of kitchen flexibility, though you should still state allergies clearly when booking and again to the crew.

Drinks are included without a strict count. You can have unlimited soft drinks, white wine, and beer, along with coffee and tea. This works well for a long day at sea, especially if you are sitting in the sun for several hours. Some people have found the snack selection a little limited, so eat breakfast before boarding if you tend to get hungry early.

Music plays during the cruise and helps create a holiday mood. It has occasionally been too loud during lunch, so this is not the quietest possible sailing experience. The atmosphere is social, and the crew may allow passengers to play their own music later in the day.

How the crew handles the human side of the trip

A good boat matters, but the crew can make or break a full-day cruise. Here, the service is one of the most consistently praised features.

The crew is described as friendly, attentive, and quick to refill drinks or help with equipment. They have also supported people who felt seasick, and individual staff members such as Orpheus, Adonis, Manolis, Kiril, and driver Andrey have received warm personal praise in feedback about different departures.

The crew holds Red Cross certification, and life jackets are provided. That does not remove the need to follow the safety briefing, but it adds confidence when swimming from an anchored boat.

The staff also help mark special occasions. Birthday cakes and birthday songs have been arranged, turning an ordinary day into a personal celebration. If you are booking for a birthday, mention it ahead of time rather than hoping the crew notices.

The service is generous without feeling formal. You are not signing up for a luxury yacht charter with a private attendant. You are joining a friendly shared cruise where the crew keeps the food, drinks, equipment, and general rhythm moving.

Catamaran comfort, shade, and what to pack

The catamaran is new, clean, and spacious, with several places to sit or lie down. That makes a difference during the 105-minute sail in each direction. You can change position, stretch out, and avoid feeling trapped in one seat.

There is not much shade. In July and August, the sun can become the day’s biggest nuisance, especially during lunch or while waiting for a turn on the SUP. Bring high-factor sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and a hat if you have one. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, since the combination of sun and reflected light from the water is strong.

Bring a passport or ID card, or a copy. Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, identification number, and nationality before the cruise. This is not optional paperwork, so provide the details accurately when booking.

The boat supplies snorkeling and fishing gear, SUP boards, life jackets, arm floaties, and inflatables. There is also a box of toys for children. Equipment availability can vary at busy moments, and one account noted that matching pairs of fins were limited. If snorkeling is important to you, ask early for the size you need.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women. It is also subject to weather conditions and may be rescheduled or canceled in rough weather.

Is $164 a fair price for six and a half hours?

At $164, this is a premium excursion. You are paying more than you would for a basic short boat trip, but you are also receiving a full half-day-plus experience with food, drinks, water activities, and a relatively small group.

The value improves if you will make good use of the inclusions. Someone who drinks beer or wine, eats the full lunch, uses the SUP and snorkeling gear, and wants several hours in a quiet bay may find the price reasonable. Someone who only wants a quick swim and a few photographs may find it expensive.

The catamaran itself matters here. A clean, spacious boat with room to move is more comfortable than a crowded day boat, particularly on the return sail. The crew’s care and the fresh lunch add further value.

Still, this is not a bargain outing. One fair criticism is that the price is high for a trip with limited shade and snorkeling that may reveal little marine life. I would book it for the overall day on the sea, not for wildlife watching alone.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and small groups who want a comfortable day with a mix of sailing, swimming, food, and drinks. It suits people who like a sociable atmosphere but do not want a very large boat.

Families benefit from the child’s meal, toys, floaties, and life jackets. The crew’s attentive manner is another plus if your children are nervous about swimming from a boat.

It also works well for birthdays and relaxed celebrations. The staff have shown a willingness to prepare birthday surprises, and the included drinks make the day feel festive without requiring constant extra purchases.

I would hesitate if you dislike sun exposure, get seasick easily, or want a quiet, private sailing experience. I would also choose another type of excursion if your top priority is abundant fish and serious snorkeling.

The overall rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 285 ratings, which matches the main strengths: kind staff, good food, a handsome boat, and a pleasant bay stop. The most useful criticism is also clear: weather can roughen the ride, shade is limited, and the underwater scenery may be modest.

Practical details before you book

The cruise lasts 6.5 hours and returns to the marina. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

The normal meeting point is Rethymno Marina. Optional transfers cover several nearby resort areas, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included unless you select the transfer option.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and identification. Give the operator every passenger’s required identification detail, and request vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, children’s, or allergy-friendly meals in advance.

Should you book the DanEri Yachts catamaran cruise?

Yes, if you want a comfortable, food-focused day at sea with generous drinks and a crew that takes care of people. The best reason to book is the combination of a spacious catamaran, a long swim stop, and a fresh lunch, not just the promise of snorkeling.

I would choose it on a day with a favorable marine forecast, arrive early, and bring extra sun protection. If $164 fits your budget and you enjoy relaxed group outings, this is one of the stronger full-day choices from Rethymno. If you need lots of shade, quiet sailing, or rich underwater life, save your money for another activity.

FAQ

Where does the Rethymno catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Rethymno Marina. Arrive 15 minutes before departure and look for the catamaran Karina and crew members wearing DanEri T-shirts.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts 6.5 hours. The listed schedule includes about 105 minutes sailing to the bay, around 2.75 hours at the swimming stop, and about 105 minutes sailing back.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard option. An optional transfer service is available from Rethymno and several nearby areas, including Platanes, Adelianos Campos, Sfakaki, Skaleta, Georgioupoli, Kavros, Petres, and Gerani.

What food is included?

A Mediterranean lunch with seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit, and regional food is included. Meals for children, vegetarians, vegans, and people requiring gluten-free food are available upon request.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited soft drinks, white wine, and beer are included, along with coffee and tea.

Can I swim and use water equipment?

Yes. The cruise provides snorkeling and fishing gear, SUP boards, life jackets, arm floaties, and inflatables. You can swim at the anchored bay near Georgioupoli.

Is snorkeling good on this cruise?

The water is clear and suitable for snorkeling, but marine life can be limited. This cruise is better for swimming and enjoying the bay than for dedicated underwater wildlife viewing.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy of your identification document is accepted.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

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