Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

The best part of this Rethymno catamaran cruise is the long, unhurried stop at Georgioupoli Bay. You get calm, clear water, time for swimming and snorkeling, and a proper Cretan lunch instead of a rushed sandwich between activities. The three-person crew, including a captain, assistant, and deckhand, keeps the day friendly and well organized.

I like the nutritionist-designed meals and the fact that the open bar includes local beer and Cretan white wine, not just soft drinks. I also like the roomy catamaran, with sunbeds, shaded lounges, an outdoor shower, and enough equipment for a relaxed afternoon on the water.

The main thing to consider is the sailing time before anchoring. One recent rating praised the calm pace but found the trip out a little long and the swimming period shorter than expected. If you want nonstop water sports, this may feel leisurely rather than action-packed.

Key Points at a Glance

• A six-and-a-half-hour sailing day: Leave Rethymno at 9:30 am and return to the same port.
• A generous food plan: Start with coffee, tea, detox water, or a protein shake, then enjoy brunch, gourmet snacks, lunch, and dessert.
• A calm-water stop at Georgioupoli Bay: Swim, snorkel, use a SUP board, fish, or float on the inflatable flamingo.
• An open bar with local flavor: Unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included.
• Room for up to 25 people: The catamaran offers sunbeds and shaded seating, without the feel of a large excursion boat.
• A polished, attentive crew: The captain, assistant, and deckhand handle the equipment, food, drinks, and safety details.

Setting Sail from Rethymno at 9:30 am

Your day begins at DanEri Yachts, at Sofokli Venizelou 37 in Rethymno Port. The cruise starts at 9:30 am and ends back at the same point, which keeps the logistics simple if you are staying in Rethymno or can reach the waterfront by public transportation.

The welcome is more thoughtful than a quick safety briefing and a scramble for deck space. You can begin with espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein cocktail. A light breakfast bowl prepared with input from a certified nutritionist gives you something to eat before the main meal later in the day.

That early food matters. A six-and-a-half-hour outing is long enough for hunger to become a nuisance, especially if you plan to swim. Here, you are not expected to wait until lunchtime for your first proper bite. The morning offering is light rather than heavy, so it should suit the easy pace of a day on the sea.

The crew speaks English and handles the practical work from the start. Safety equipment includes life jackets, and the boat has an onboard WC and outdoor shower. You can settle into a sunbed, choose a shaded lounge, or find a sunny place on deck as the catamaran leaves the port.

Cruising Along Crete’s Northern Coast

The first part of the outing is about the sea itself. You sail along Crete’s northern coast toward Georgioupoli Bay, with time to watch the shoreline and settle into the rhythm of the boat.

This is not a short transfer to a beach. The catamaran ride is a major part of the experience, and the schedule gives you room to relax before the water activities begin. Music and free Wi-Fi are available, though the stronger reason to book is the open deck and sea view.

The boat is described as modern and luxurious, but the useful question is what that means for you. It means you have several ways to spend the hours: stretch out on a sunbed, sit in shade, eat, talk, listen to music, or simply watch the water. One rating described the vessel as spacious enough for everyone to move around comfortably, while another praised its cleanliness and organization.

The maximum group size is 25 people. That is not a private charter, but it is much more manageable than a large day boat. The small-group feel also helps explain the repeated praise for the crew’s attention. The captain, assistant, and deckhand can check on drinks, equipment, meals, and comfort without turning the outing into a crowded buffet line.

Georgioupoli Bay: Swim, Paddle, Snorkel, or Fish

The boat heads toward Georgioupoli Bay, where the crew sets up the water equipment. You can use a stand-up paddleboard, snorkeling gear, inflatable noodles, or the inflatable flamingo. Fishing equipment is also available on request for a gentle fishing session.

The bay is the activity center of the day. You can swim in calm, clear water, paddle across the bay, or use the high-quality masks and fins to look below the surface. Swimming jackets are included, which gives less confident swimmers another option besides staying on deck.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is not presented as a specialist snorkeling expedition, and the available information does not promise a reef, unusual marine life, or a guided underwater tour. The appeal is easy access to pleasant water and several simple ways to enjoy it.

One rating described roughly two hours for the swim, lunch, and water activities, while another found the activity time a little short. That difference points to the most important practical detail: the outing has a relaxed schedule, but not every minute at anchor will be spent paddling or snorkeling. Lunch, serving drinks, changing, and moving between activities all take time.

If you want to fit in everything, get in the water early. Start with the activity you care about most, then move to the others. SUP boards and snorkeling gear are supplied, so you do not need to pack your own equipment. Towels are not included, however, so bring one.

The inflatable flamingo adds a playful touch, especially for families and groups. A box of toys for children is available by request. The boat also carries life jackets, noodles, and fishing gear, making this a flexible stop rather than a single-purpose swim break.

A Nutritionist-Planned Cretan Lunch

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a basic boat trip. The main lunch is prepared with fresh, organic ingredients from a local farm and designed by a nutritionist. The cooking follows a Mediterranean and Cretan style, with local flavors rather than generic excursion food.

Before lunch, the crew serves gourmet bites. The day also includes the light breakfast bowl and a healthy brunch, so the meals are spread through the outing rather than stacked into one large serving. The exact menu is not specified, so you should not book based on one particular dish. The promise is fresh, local, health-conscious food, not a fixed menu you can select in advance.

The food received unusually strong praise. The main themes were quality, generous portions, good selection, appetizers, lunch, and dessert. For you, that means the price is not simply paying for a boat seat and a swim stop. A substantial meal plan is built into the day.

The healthy focus may also suit you if you want a break from heavier holiday meals. At the same time, the cruise does not remove the pleasure of eating. Cretan white wine, Greek beer, soft drinks, and water are available without an extra charge, and the food is presented as gourmet Mediterranean cooking rather than a strict diet menu.

If you have allergies or specific dietary needs, ask before booking. The supplied details do not confirm special-diet arrangements, and the menu can change.

Open Bar, Cretan Wine, and Time to Slow Down

The open bar includes unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. You can also have espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein shake during the day.

This selection is generous for a half-day cruise. You are covered for hydration, coffee, lunch drinks, and a relaxed glass of wine on the ride back. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks beyond the listed selection cost extra or are not included, so do not assume the bar includes a full cocktail menu.

The crew’s attentiveness is part of the appeal. Several ratings highlighted the way the staff checked whether people needed food or drinks and kept the service moving without being intrusive. There was one practical criticism: one person felt drinks were not offered quickly enough after boarding. That is a minor issue, but it is useful to know. If you are thirsty when you arrive, ask rather than waiting.

After lunch, you can return to the water or stay on deck. This second free period helps the cruise feel less rigid. You are not pushed from one scheduled activity to the next. You can choose a sunbed, sit in the shade, listen to music, use the Wi-Fi, or take another swim.

What the Price of $174.98 Really Covers

At $174.98 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Crete. It is also not a simple sightseeing sail. The cost includes the catamaran, crew, food from morning through lunch, unlimited drinks from the listed selection, water equipment, safety gear, Wi-Fi, insurance, and onboard facilities.

I would judge the value by how much of the day you will use. If you plan to eat the included meals, have drinks, spend time on the SUP or with snorkeling gear, and enjoy several hours on deck, the package makes more sense. Buying those elements separately would add up, especially when a full meal and open bar are part of the fare.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick swim and a short boat ride. The sailing to the bay takes time, and the cruise is designed as a complete day on board. You are paying for comfort, food, service, and a slower pace as much as for the destination.

The 4.7 rating from 79 ratings, with 91 percent recommending the experience, suggests that the overall package works well for most people. The consistent strengths are the crew, meals, clean catamaran, calm swimming water, and manageable group size. The main caution is that expectations about activity time should match the relaxed schedule.

Who Will Enjoy This Rethymno Catamaran Cruise?

This cruise suits couples, families, and small groups who want a polished day at sea without arranging every detail themselves. You get food, drinks, equipment, shade, sunbeds, and a crew that takes care of the practical work.

It is also a good choice for people who want water activities without committing to an intense sports program. You can try a SUP board, swim with a mask and fins, fish, or simply float. Swimming jackets and noodles make the water easier to enjoy if you are not a strong swimmer.

Families have useful extras, including children’s toys by request and the inflatable flamingo. The boat has an onboard WC and an outdoor shower, which makes a long day easier with children.

This is less suited to you if you want a private yacht. Private cabins may be requested, but they are not guaranteed, and the cruise carries up to 25 people. It is also not ideal for anyone seeking a packed itinerary with constant movement. The appeal is comfort and time, not a checklist of attractions.

The experience is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the available information does not give detailed accessibility specifications. If you have mobility needs, ask DanEri Yachts before booking.

Practical Details Before You Book

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and personal care items. Towels and sunscreen are not included, although personal feminine hygiene products are available on board.

Hotel transfers are not included, but they can be arranged on request. Otherwise, plan to reach DanEri Yachts at Sofokli Venizelou 37 in Rethymno. The cruise returns to this same meeting point.

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:30 am start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Because the cruise is often booked about four weeks ahead, reserve early if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour runs with a maximum of 25 people.

Should You Book It?

Book this Rethymno catamaran cruise if you want a comfortable, food-focused day on the sea, with a friendly crew, calm-water activities, and drinks already covered. The strongest reasons are the spacious catamaran, well-regarded service, thoughtful meals, and the chance to enjoy Cretan ingredients without giving up a relaxed holiday pace.

Think twice if you want a private boat, a fixed cocktail menu, or hours of nonstop snorkeling and paddleboarding. The sailing time is part of the experience, and the stop at Georgioupoli Bay may feel short if you try to do every activity.

For most people, the best approach is to treat this as a slow day on the water with good food and optional swimming, not as a high-energy sports trip. Bring a towel, get in the water early, and leave room to enjoy the boat itself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin and end?

The cruise begins and ends at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise start?

The start time is 9:30 am. The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

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 available. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside the listed selection are not included.

Is lunch included?

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

What water equipment is available?

You can use stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling masks and fins, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, an inflatable flamingo, and fishing equipment on request. Life jackets are also provided.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If bad weather cancels the cruise, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.