Agios Nikolaos: Sailing Trip Catamaran Lunch and Water Toys

The best part of this Crete sailing trip is the long stop at Kolokitha Bay, where the boat becomes a floating water park. You can swim, snorkel, paddle a transparent canoe, ride the inflatable slide, or simply stretch out on deck with a drink. I like the generous lunch and all-day drinks, and I like that the route combines Spinalonga sightseeing with real time in the sea.

The main thing to consider is the sea itself. A calm day can be blissful, but a choppy crossing may be uncomfortable if you suffer from seasickness. Also, one recent sailing had fewer water features than pictured, so I would confirm which toys are aboard before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Kolokitha Bay is the main event: Plan on swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and using the inflatable slide during the two-hour stop.
• The Lagoon 450F gives you room to spread out: Use the flybridge, bow sun deck, bimini, indoor seating, kitchen, and bathing platform.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the day: Mediterranean food, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are included in the standard package.
• Spinalonga adds a cultural stop: You sail around the island and have time for photos and sightseeing rather than spending the entire day only in the water.
• This suits confident swimmers and active families: Children are allowed, but non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness should choose carefully.
• You get strong value at $165: The price covers a full day on a large catamaran, food, drinks, crew, snorkeling gear, and several water toys.

Setting sail from Agios Nikolaos on the Lagoon 450F

You meet the crew in front of the entrance to the main marina in Agios Nikolaos. A crew member escorts you to the catamaran, so you do not need to search the harbor for the right boat. Arrive on time. A sailing departure works best when everyone is aboard before the lines come off.

The boat is a Lagoon 450F, a broad catamaran with two hulls and several places to sit. I like this setup for a full-day outing because you are not confined to one narrow deck. You can sit under the bimini for shade, claim a place on the bow sun deck, use the flybridge for a higher view, or retreat indoors if the sun gets strong.

The equipment list is unusually generous for a recreational sailing trip. You have a bathing platform, inflatable platform, inflatable slide, stand-up paddleboard, transparent canoe, sea scooter, snorkeling equipment, swim fins, and fishing equipment. The exact mix of toys can vary, so ask the crew what is available on your sailing date.

Safety equipment includes life jackets, GPS, a chart plotter, depth finder, sonar, VHF radio, autopilot, anchor, and wheel steering. That matters less as a sightseeing detail than as reassurance: this is a properly equipped yacht, not a basic open boat.

The crew speaks English, and private groups are available. The activity is also marked as wheelchair accessible, although the practical ease of boarding and moving around a catamaran can depend on the person’s mobility and the marina conditions. If accessibility is important for your party, confirm the details before paying.

The first hour: Agios Nikolaos to Elounda

The day begins with a safety briefing in Agios Nikolaos. Breakfast, coffee, tea, wine, beer, and other drinks are listed during this opening period, giving you a chance to settle in before the boat heads along the coast.

The first sailing section takes about an hour toward Elounda. This is the time to enjoy the breeze and get used to the movement of the boat. A catamaran usually feels steadier than a small single-hull boat, but it still moves with the sea. Sit near the center if you are sensitive to motion, and keep sunscreen, a hat, and water close at hand.

Elounda is a useful first stretch because the route starts with scenery rather than rushing straight to the swimming stop. You see the coast from water level, with the boat providing a changing view that you cannot get from a road or beach. The crew may serve an aperitif, beer, cocktail, coffee, tea, wine, or spirits during this part of the trip.

I would treat this hour as a gentle warm-up, not as a formal narrated tour. The main value is the sailing itself and the chance to enjoy the open deck before the more active part of the day.

Spinalonga: a short stop with a strong sense of place

The catamaran continues toward Spinalonga for sightseeing, photographs, and a look around the island from the water. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, and the boat circles the island. That gives you a clear view of its walls and position at the entrance to Elounda Bay.

Spinalonga is one of Crete’s most recognizable historic sites. This outing does not appear to include a long shore visit or a full archaeological tour, so keep your expectations in check. You are getting a boat-based look and a concise guide-style explanation, not several hours among the ruins.

That shorter format works well for a mixed group. Children and teenagers get a change of scenery without being asked to spend a long time walking through a historic site, while adults still get a meaningful glimpse of an important place. Bring a camera, since this is one of the clearest photo opportunities of the day.

The crew can serve drinks during the stop, including wine, beer, cocktails, coffee, tea, and spirits. If you want to understand the site in greater detail, you may need a separate land visit on another day. Here, Spinalonga is an attractive and worthwhile part of a wider sea outing.

Kolokitha Bay and two hours of water time

The catamaran’s longest stop is at Kolokitha Bay, where you have about two hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and water sports. This is the portion that gives the trip its strongest appeal.

The water is described as turquoise and clear, and the sheltered bay can be calmer than the open crossing. You can enter from the bathing platform, use the inflatable platform, or take the slide into the sea. The transparent canoe is a good choice if you want to look down into the water without committing to a full snorkeling session.

The SUP offers a quieter way to move around the bay. The sea scooter adds a playful option for confident swimmers, while masks, fins, and snorkeling equipment let you look below the surface. Fishing equipment is also available, though the main focus here is swimming and play rather than a dedicated fishing trip.

I like the variety because it allows people in the same group to enjoy the stop at different speeds. Teenagers can spend their time on the slide and sea scooter. Adults can paddle or snorkel. Someone who prefers not to get wet can stay on the deck, take photographs, and watch the activity from the flybridge or shaded seating.

There is one practical caution. The description presents a strong collection of water toys, but one sailing in August did not have the slide or swim platform shown in the photographs. This may have been a particular equipment issue, yet I would still ask for confirmation if those features are the reason you are booking.

The bay stop is also weather dependent. If the sea is choppy, the crew may adjust the exact activity or anchorage. Swimming areas can remain pleasant even when the crossing is rough, but anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

Lunch, drinks, and the value of staying aboard

Lunch is included and centers on Mediterranean cuisine. The catamaran has a kitchen, grill, refrigerator, ice box, and indoor and outdoor speakers. The captain has cooked lunch on some sailings, and the food has been described as fresh and plentiful.

The meal is not a minor snack between activities. It is a proper part of the day, which matters because a 5 to 10-hour boat trip can become tiring if you must bring or buy every meal yourself. Wine, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea are available as part of the package. That makes the price easier to understand, especially for a family or group that would otherwise spend extra money at a beach restaurant.

The boat also has air conditioning and WiFi, though the best reason to be aboard is the outdoor space. Use the bimini when the sun is intense, and move to the flybridge for a breeze and a wider view. The bow sun deck is appealing for relaxing, but it offers less shade, so bring a hat and apply sunscreen often.

A private chef is available for an extra €500 on a private trip. A private photographer costs from €300, and wine tasting has a separate price based on the wine selected. These extras are not needed for a good day out, but they may suit a celebration or a group marking a special occasion.

What $165 buys you

At $165 per person, this is not a cheap transport option, and it should not be judged like a ferry ride. You are paying for a full sailing day on a large catamaran, an English-speaking crew, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, fins, several water toys, and the use of shaded and open deck areas.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the equipment. A person who swims, snorkels, paddles, and enjoys the slide will get much more from the fare than someone who intends to sit quietly for the whole day. The same is true for families. Paying once for the meal, drinks, and activities can be simpler than arranging separate beach time, lunch, and equipment rental.

A private group option changes the calculation. For a family or group of friends, privacy may justify the extra cost, especially if you want a more relaxed schedule. The supplied information does not state the private charter price, so you would need to request it before comparing options.

The duration is listed as 5 to 10 hours, with the exact starting time depending on availability and the selected option. That is a wide range. Check the departure and return time carefully, particularly if you have an evening reservation, airport transfer, or another tour planned.

Drop-off points include Agios Nikolaos Marina, Vathi, and Schisma Eloundas. Confirm your return point when booking, since the most convenient option may not be the same as your starting location.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this trip to confident swimmers, families with older children, couples who want a full day on the water, and groups of friends who will make good use of the toys. Teenagers and young adults are especially well matched to the slide, sea scooter, canoe, and SUP.

It also works for people who want a relaxed day rather than a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. You get one scenic sailing section, a short Spinalonga stop, and a long period for swimming and lunch. The rhythm leaves room to talk, eat, sunbathe, and choose your own pace.

Children are allowed, and the wide catamaran layout gives families several places to sit. Still, children need to be comfortable around open water and supervised near the platform and slide. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

I would be cautious if you are prone to seasickness. The catamaran may feel stable, but no boat can remove wind and wave movement. Choose a calm-weather forecast when possible, sit in a central area, and tell the crew early if you feel unwell.

Alcohol is allowed, and glass bottles are allowed onboard. Smoking is also permitted. Those policies may suit some groups but not others, so consider the makeup of your party before booking a private or shared sailing.

Practical packing advice for a comfortable day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera. Towels are not included, and forgetting one can make the ride home less pleasant after a full afternoon in the sea.

Wear something easy to move in and bring a light cover-up for the sailing sections. The boat provides shade, but you will still spend much of the day around bright water and open sky. Sunscreen matters even when a breeze makes the air feel cool.

Keep your personal items compact. The catamaran has plenty of space compared with a small boat, but a wet deck is not the place for loose valuables. Use the indoor areas or designated storage if the crew provides it.

If you want the slide and platform, ask about their availability before departure. That simple question can prevent disappointment, especially since those features are a major reason many people choose this sailing.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Crete plans are still shifting, but it does not remove the need to check the weather and the exact sailing time.

My verdict: book it for the sea day, not just the sightseeing

I would book this catamaran if I wanted one generous day of swimming, food, sailing, and easy entertainment from Agios Nikolaos. The combination of Spinalonga, Kolokitha Bay, a Lagoon 450F, lunch, drinks, and water toys gives the day more range than a simple coastal cruise.

I would not choose it for a serious historical tour of Spinalonga or for a quiet, boat-free day in Crete. I would also think twice if I were a non-swimmer or prone to seasickness.

For the best match, go with people who enjoy being on the water and ask two questions before paying: what is the exact duration, and which inflatable toys will be onboard? If the answer suits your group, $165 is a fair price for a full-service sailing day with plenty to do.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip meet?

The meeting point is in front of the entrance to the main Marina of Agios Nikolaos. A crew member will meet you and escort you to the catamaran.

How long does the activity last?

The duration is listed as 5 to 10 hours. The exact starting time and length depend on availability and the option selected.

What boat is used?

The trip operates aboard a Lagoon 450F catamaran based in Agios Nikolaos.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is described as Mediterranean cuisine. The boat also has a kitchen and grill.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The included drinks list covers wine, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea.

What water equipment is available?

The included equipment includes a transparent canoe, stand-up paddleboard, sea scooter, snorkeling equipment, swim fins, inflatable platform, inflatable slide, and bathing platform. Confirm the exact equipment before departure because availability can vary.

Is Spinalonga part of the route?

Yes. The route includes sailing around Spinalonga, a photo stop, and sightseeing for about 30 minutes.

Can children join?

Yes, children are allowed. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Is the trip wheelchair accessible?

The activity is marked as wheelchair accessible. For specific boarding or mobility needs, confirm the practical arrangements before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen. Towels are not included.