Rethymno: Sailing Catamaran Cruise with Meal & Drinks

The best part of this Rethymno cruise is the generous time spent off the coast, not simply sailing past it. You head for a quiet bay, then have room to swim, snorkel, paddle a SUP, or stretch out with a drink while lunch is prepared. The spacious catamaran gives you more room than a standard excursion boat, and groups can be limited to about 20 people.

I especially like the freshly prepared Mediterranean meal and the attentive crew. Seafood, grilled meat, salads, fruit, desserts, and drinks make this feel like a full day at sea rather than a short boat ride. I also like the choice of water activities, with snorkeling gear, SUP boards, fishing gear, and inflatables included. The main drawback is shade: a catamaran has plenty of open deck, but not a lot of protection from the strong Cretan sun.

Key points at a glance

• Six and a half hours from Rethymno Marina: About 105 minutes of sailing each way gives you a full coastal outing.
• A swimming stop near Georgioupoli: Clear water, snorkeling, SUP boards, and inflatables are included.
• Lunch cooked for the boat: Expect seafood, meat, fresh vegetables, salads, bread, fruit, and dessert.
• Unlimited drinks: Soft drinks, beer, and white wine are available throughout the cruise.
• Comfortable small-group setting: The catamaran can accommodate up to about 20 people on some departures.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can cause discomfort, and the route may change or be canceled in poor conditions.

Setting Out From Rethymno Marina

You meet the crew at Rethymno Marina 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 helps if you are driving in from Rethymno or nearby resorts.

The boat begins with a short welcome at the port. You receive coffee, tea, and local snacks, followed by a safety briefing. This is a useful start because the crew explains how to move around the boat, where the life jackets are, and how to use the water equipment later.

If you select a transfer option, pickup and return service is available in Rethymno, Perivolia, Platanes, Adelianos Campos, Pigianos Campos, Sfakaki, Skaleta, Georgioupoli, Kavros, Petres, and Gerani. Without that option, transportation is your responsibility. This detail matters because the marina is not the same as hotel pickup, and a taxi or rental car adds to the total cost.

The 105-Minute Sail Along Crete’s North Coast

Once the catamaran leaves the marina, you have about 105 minutes of sailing before reaching the swimming area. The ride is part of the appeal. You see Rethymno from the water, feel the wind across the open deck, and get a long stretch of time to settle into the day.

The catamaran is designed with several places to sit or lie down. You can choose a sunny spot, move toward a more sheltered area, or stay near the seating and service area. Music plays on board, and WiFi is available if you want to send photos or keep in touch. The WiFi is a pleasant extra, though I would still treat this as time to put your phone aside for a while.

The boat usually sails smoothly in calm conditions, but the open sea can change quickly. Some departures have encountered choppy water, and a few people have felt seasick. If you know you are sensitive to motion, bring whatever seasickness remedy you normally use and choose a central seat rather than the very front or rear of the boat.

The crew’s handling of the boat is one of the strongest parts of the experience. They are Red Cross certified, and the safety setup includes life jackets and liability insurance. You should still take the briefing seriously, especially if children are joining you.

A Clear-Water Stop Near Georgioupoli

The main stop is in a scenic bay near Georgioupoli. The exact route can change with wind and sea conditions, but the stop is planned around swimming and time on the water. Some departures have visited two attractive coves, while others have spent the main water time at one particularly clear bay.

You can swim directly from the catamaran. The water is often the sort of bright, clear blue that makes the stop feel worthwhile even before you pick up a mask. The boat provides snorkeling equipment, though the amount and fit of fins can vary. If snorkeling is your main goal, bring your own mask and fins if you have them.

The bay is better suited to swimming and playing than to serious marine-life watching. The water can be beautifully clear without offering much to see below the surface, especially in a deep anchorage. That distinction is worth knowing. You get the pleasure of swimming in open sea, but this is not a dedicated reef or wildlife trip.

The SUP boards add a different kind of fun. You can paddle across the calm water, take turns with your companions, or simply use the boards for a change from swimming. Arm floaties and an inflatable flamingo are also available, which gives children and less confident swimmers another way to enjoy the stop.

Fishing gear is included as well, though the main focus remains swimming, snorkeling, and paddling. A box of toys is available for children, making the trip easier for families who need a few diversions between activities.

The stop lasts roughly two hours and 45 minutes, including lunch, swimming, snorkeling, scenic time, and drinks. That is a good balance. You get long enough to enjoy the bay without feeling stuck in one place all day.

Lunch on Board, With Plenty of Drinks

Lunch is one of the reasons the $164 price can make sense. Instead of bringing a sandwich or buying food at a beach stop, you receive a meal prepared for the group on board.

The menu can include seafood and meat, along with fresh vegetables, Greek salad, avocado salad, pasta, pita bread, fruit, and dessert. Specific dishes vary, but past meals have included prawns, mussels, grilled orange chicken, garlicky tomato pasta, cheese, and several sweet options. The portions are described as plentiful, so you are not likely to finish the swimming stop hungry.

Drinks are unlimited during the cruise. You can have soft drinks, beer, and white wine, with coffee and tea available as well. This is particularly useful on a long, warm day because you do not need to ration water or keep buying refreshments.

The crew is attentive with refills, but remember that alcohol and swimming require some judgment. I would enjoy a glass of wine with lunch, then give yourself time before heading back into the water. The boat is relaxed, not a party vessel, even though the drink package makes it easy to turn the day festive.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and special children’s meals are available if requested in advance. You should also mention allergies when booking. One seafood allergy was handled with a separate pasta dish, but you should never assume a last-minute request can be met in a small onboard kitchen.

The Return Sail and What the Six and a Half Hours Feel Like

After the bay stop, the catamaran spends another 105 minutes sailing back toward Rethymno. This is when the outing becomes less about scheduled activities and more about enjoying the boat.

You can listen to music, talk with the other people on board, take photos, or find a quiet place to rest. The return leg can feel long if you are not comfortable in the sun, so use sunscreen often and bring a towel or light cover-up. There is not much shade, especially when the day is hot.

The total duration is about six and a half hours. That makes this a substantial part of your day, not an add-on between sightseeing stops. You return to the original meeting point at Rethymno Marina, unless a selected transfer option takes you back to your accommodation area.

How the Catamaran Compares With a Standard Boat Trip

The spacious design changes the mood of the excursion. You have more room to move around, and the deck gives you several ways to spend the day. That is important on a six-hour trip because a cramped boat can become tiring long before the swimming stop.

The reported group size can be as small as about 20 people, though you should confirm the exact capacity for your date. A smaller group makes it easier to get equipment, find a comfortable seat, and speak with the crew. It also keeps the meal service more personal.

The experience is not a luxury yacht charter in the private sense. Other people share the boat, the water equipment, and the meal service. You can book a private group, but a standard reservation is a shared cruise.

Music adds atmosphere, although the volume may be higher than some people prefer, especially during lunch. If you want a quiet, silent sailing experience, this is not the best match. If you like a relaxed soundtrack and a social setting, it works well.

Is $164 a Fair Price?

At $164 per person, this is not a cheap way to reach the coast. The price becomes more reasonable when you count what is included: six and a half hours on a newer catamaran, crew service, lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, inflatables, WiFi, music, and insurance.

You are also paying for the ease of the day. There is no need to pack a full meal, rent a paddleboard, arrange snorkeling equipment, or search for a quiet swimming cove by yourself. The boat brings the meal, drinks, and activities together in one outing.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short swim or a basic scenic cruise. You could spend less on a simple boat ride, and the snorkeling may not reveal much sea life. The price is easier to justify if you want a polished full-day outing with food, drinks, room to relax, and a dependable crew.

Transfers are not included unless you choose the relevant option. Add the cost of getting to Rethymno Marina when comparing this with other cruises.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

I would choose this cruise for couples, families, and small groups who want time on the water without having to organize every detail. The children’s meal option, toys, floaties, and easy water activities make it family-friendly, though parents still need to supervise children around the open deck and sea.

It also suits anyone who places more value on comfort and hospitality than on a packed sightseeing schedule. You spend much of the day sailing, eating, swimming, and resting rather than visiting several coastal landmarks.

The trip is less suitable if you are pregnant, since the activity is specifically not recommended for pregnant women. It may also be a poor fit if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike open sun, or want serious snorkeling with abundant marine life.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy of the ID is accepted, but port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, document number, and nationality when you book. This is not optional paperwork, so have the details ready for everyone in your party.

The cruise depends on weather. Strong wind or rough seas can change the destination, reschedule the trip, or lead to cancellation. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Crete plans are still moving.

Should You Book the Rethymno Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, sociable day with a good meal, open-water swimming, and drinks already handled. The best features are the attentive crew, the clean and spacious catamaran, the long stop in clear water, and the amount of food and drink included.

Think twice if you need heavy shade, a quiet boat, or a snorkeling site packed with sea life. The $164 cost is substantial, and transportation may be extra. For the right kind of day, though, this is a strong choice: less about checking off sights and more about enjoying Crete’s north coast at an easy pace.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from 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 about 6.5 hours. The sailing legs are each about 105 minutes, with roughly 2.75 hours at the swimming and lunch stop.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price. A transfer option is available for selected areas around Rethymno and Georgioupoli if you choose it when booking.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a Mediterranean lunch with seafood, meat, vegetables, salads, bread, fruit, and dessert. Soft drinks, beer, and white wine are unlimited. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and children’s meal options are available upon request.

Can I swim and snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran stops in a bay for swimming and provides snorkeling gear, SUP boards, fishing gear, arm floaties, and inflatables.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Children can join, and the boat provides a special meal option, floaties, and a box of toys. Life jackets are included, but children must still be supervised around the boat and water.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy of the ID is accepted. You may also want a sun cover-up and your own snorkeling mask if fit is important to you.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise depends on weather conditions. It may be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather, and the route can change when sea conditions are rough. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.