Reviewed · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
RENT A BOAT 5,5m-30hp LICENCE FREE MARATHI
Take the wheel along Crete’s coast. This Marathi boat rental gives you a simple way to reach coves, cliffs, caves, and clear swimming water without holding a motorboat licence. You rent the whole boat for up to six people, so the price can work well for a family or small group.
I like the no-licence 30hp boats and the careful briefing before departure. I also like the phone navigation app, which shows where you can and cannot go and helps the base locate you if needed. The main consideration is that fuel costs extra, and an optional damage insurance charge can be added on the day.
The experience begins at 9:00 a.m. from Notos Mare Marine Adventures in Marathi and returns to the same place. You captain the boat yourself, so this is less polished than a guided cruise, but much more personal. You decide when to stop, swim, anchor, or tie up.
In This Review
- What Makes This Marathi Boat Rental Worth Considering
- Setting Off From Marathi At 9:00 A.M.
- The Briefing Comes Before The Fun
- Choosing The 30-Horsepower Boat
- Following The Coast Toward Coves And Cliffs
- Swimming In Clear Water, With A Few Seasonal Warnings
- The Price Makes More Sense With Six People
- Who Will Enjoy This Most
- Practical Planning For A Smoother Day
- My Take On The 4.7 Rating
- Should You Book This Boat Day?
- FAQ
- Where does the boat rental start?
- What time does the experience begin?
- Where does the experience end?
- Do I need a motorboat licence?
- How many people can use one boat?
- Is a skipper included?
- Is fuel included in the price?
- Is damage insurance included?
- What identification do I need?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
What Makes This Marathi Boat Rental Worth Considering
- No licence needed: The 30-horsepower boats are designed for people without a motorboat licence.
- Room for up to six: You pay for the boat, not six separate seats, which can make the $261.88 group price reasonable.
- A useful navigation app: The map shows permitted areas and can help the operator find you if assistance is needed.
- Shade for the Cretan sun: Each boat has a sunroof, a welcome feature during a full day on the water.
- A proper safety briefing: Staff explain how to operate the boat and make sure you understand the basics before leaving.
- Marathi is convenient: A swimming beach and shoreline restaurants are located near the rental point.
Setting Off From Marathi At 9:00 A.M.

Your day starts at Notos Mare Marine Adventures, at an unnamed road in Marathi, postal code 731 00, Greece. The meeting point is also the return point, which keeps the practical side simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup at the end of the day.
The listed start time is 9:00 a.m. That early departure matters in Crete, since it gives you more daylight and more time to enjoy the coast at your own pace. The experience lasts about one day, although the exact return time is not specified, so I would confirm the schedule directly when you book.
Marathi itself helps make the start pleasant. A swimming beach and restaurants sit right by the shore, so you have somewhere to wait, eat, or cool off before or after the rental. If you are arriving from a cruise port, a taxi can bring you to the location, though private transportation is not included.
Bring a valid ID or passport. It must be presented on the day of rental. Your booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking, and the experience is available with a mobile ticket.
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The Briefing Comes Before The Fun
The staff do not simply hand you the keys and point toward the water. You receive a detailed explanation of how to operate the boat, along with information about where to go. This is important because a boat that feels easy to drive still needs steady handling, awareness of other boats, and respect for restricted areas.
The phone app is one of the most useful parts of the setup. It provides a real-time map showing where you may and may not go. It also gives the operator a way to find you if you need help. I would make sure your phone is charged before arrival and keep it protected from spray, since the map is part of your practical safety equipment for the day.
The briefing is also your chance to ask about fuel, the permitted route, anchoring, and the return process. The supplied information does not specify the fuel arrangement or the boat’s exact fuel capacity, so ask how fuel is calculated before you leave. That avoids a surprise at the end.
Choosing The 30-Horsepower Boat

The boats have 30-horsepower engines and require no motorboat licence. That makes this rental appealing if you want to control your own outing but do not have formal boating credentials.
The boats can carry up to six passengers. Six adults will share a fairly compact space, so the boat may feel more comfortable with a smaller group, especially if you bring towels, food, bags, and snorkel gear. The information does not give the boat’s exact interior measurements, so pack lightly.
A sunroof provides shade. That small feature matters on a hot Cretan day, particularly if you plan to spend many hours on the water. It does not mean every part of the boat will stay cool, so sun protection remains important. You will want water, sunscreen, a hat, and a secure place for anything that must stay dry.
A skipper is not included, because this is a self-drive rental. If you prefer to sit back while someone else handles navigation and boat control, this may not be the right choice. If you like making your own stops and setting your own pace, the lack of a skipper is the main attraction.
Following The Coast Toward Coves And Cliffs

Once you leave Marathi, the day belongs to your group. You are given recommendations about where to go, but you are not locked into a fixed route. That freedom lets you spend more time at a place you enjoy instead of following a guide’s clock.
The coast offers the kind of scenery that makes a private boat useful: cliffs, caves, mountain views, and small coves reached from the water. The exact stops are not fixed in the supplied details, so you should not expect a formal list of named bays. Think of this as a flexible coastal outing rather than a sightseeing cruise with announced landmarks.
The map app helps here. You can check the permitted zone while moving along the coast, rather than guessing how far you may travel. Pay attention to the boundaries shown on the phone. The boat’s freedom depends on staying inside the approved area.
Some of the most appealing moments may come between major stops. You might tie up or anchor in clear water, look back at the cliffs, and enjoy a quiet swim away from the beach. The experience works best if you resist the urge to rush from one point to the next. Your group controls the pace, so leave room for unplanned pauses.
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Swimming In Clear Water, With A Few Seasonal Warnings

Swimming is a natural part of this boat day, especially when you find a calm cove or a clear patch of water near the cliffs. You can stop, anchor, and take a break from the boat, provided you follow the briefing and local instructions.
The water can be chilly in May. That is worth taking seriously if you are visiting in spring. A quick swim may be refreshing, but you should not assume the sea will feel warm simply because the air is sunny. Pack a towel and a dry layer for the ride afterward.
The supplied details do not confirm that snorkel equipment, food, drinks, or other water gear are included. Plan on bringing your own supplies if you need them, and ask the operator what is allowed aboard. Keep food and phones secured, since an open boat and sea spray are not a great combination for loose belongings.
You may also spot mountain goats around the rocky coastal areas. That is an unusual bonus, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Keep your attention on the water and the boat first, then enjoy the scenery when conditions allow.
The Price Makes More Sense With Six People

The price is $261.88 per group, with room for up to six people. That means the cost works out to about $43.65 each if six people share the boat, before fuel and any optional insurance. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, so the value depends greatly on your group size.
The price includes the rental and all fees and taxes listed for the experience. It does not include fuel, private transportation, a skipper, or optional damage insurance. Fuel is the most important extra cost to clarify before setting off.
Damage insurance can be purchased for an additional daily charge, and you decide about it on the rental day. I would ask for the exact price and coverage before accepting or declining it. The supplied details do not explain the deductible, exclusions, or claim process, so those terms matter more than the word insurance alone.
There is also a useful booking tip from the operator’s location: check the direct price with Notos Mare Marine Adventures before paying through a third-party booking channel. One customer reported saving 30 to 40 euros by booking directly. Prices can change, so treat that as a tip to compare rates, not a guaranteed discount.
Who Will Enjoy This Most
I would recommend this boat day to a small group that wants freedom rather than a set cruise. It suits friends, families, and couples who are comfortable taking responsibility for their own route and boat handling.
The boat’s six-person capacity makes it especially appealing for a group splitting the cost. The rental also works for cruise passengers who can arrange a taxi to Marathi and have enough time in port, although you should allow plenty of time for the return journey and boat handover.
This is less suitable if you want a guide explaining the coast, a skipper managing the boat, or a tightly planned sightseeing program. It may also be a poor match for anyone uneasy about driving a boat, even with the briefing. The 30hp engine is presented as simple to operate, but the captain still needs to pay attention throughout the day.
Families should consider the ages and swimming ability of everyone aboard. The activity information says most people can participate, but it does not provide specific child ages, life jacket details, or accessibility measurements. Ask the operator for those details if they affect your plans.
Practical Planning For A Smoother Day
I would arrive ready to spend most of the day outdoors. Pack sun protection, drinking water, swimwear, towels, and a dry bag or another way to protect phones and valuables. The sunroof offers shade, but it is not a substitute for sensible protection during long hours on the sea.
Wear clothing that can handle spray and bring a light extra layer, especially if you are visiting in May. The water may be cold, and the ride back can feel cooler after swimming.
Keep the navigation phone accessible but protected. Since the app shows the permitted zone and can help the operator locate you, it should not be buried in a suitcase. Ask how to contact the base before departure and make sure everyone in your group understands the basic return instructions.
Food is not listed as included. Marathi’s nearby shoreline restaurants give you an option before or after the rental, but do not assume you can stop anywhere along the coast for a meal. Ask whether you may bring food aboard and plan your day around the available facilities.
The experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.
My Take On The 4.7 Rating
The experience has a 4.7 rating from 59 reviews, with 93 percent of people recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the staff, the clear training, and the sense of freedom once you leave Marathi.
That praise makes sense. A self-drive boat rental can feel stressful if the instructions are rushed or the route is unclear. Here, the briefing and phone map address those two weak spots. The staff also help with recommendations, so you get independence without being left to figure out the whole coast alone.
The repeat rental in the supplied feedback is telling. One group enjoyed the first outing so much that it rented from the same place two weeks in a row. That suggests the format works well for people who value time on the water more than a single scripted route.
Still, the strong rating does not remove the practical tradeoffs. You pay fuel separately, the skipper is not included, and the optional insurance requires extra attention. The exact route, return time, and insurance terms also need confirming. A high rating is encouraging, but the best experience will come from knowing what responsibility stays with you.
Should You Book This Boat Day?
Book it if you want to be captain for the day, have a group of up to six, and like the idea of finding coves, cliffs, caves, and swimming spots at your own pace. The staff briefing, navigation app, sunroof, and easy access from Marathi make this a well-organized way to explore the coast without a licence.
Think twice if you want a fully guided outing or do not want to manage fuel, navigation, weather, and boat handling. Before paying, compare the direct price with Notos Mare, ask about fuel and insurance, and confirm the return time.
For a group that shares the cost and wants a day of freedom on clear Cretan water, this is a strong value. For two people seeking a low-cost activity, the extra fuel and insurance costs may make the price less attractive.
FAQ
Where does the boat rental start?
It starts at Notos Mare Marine Adventures Marathi, on Unnamed Road in Marathi 731 00, Greece.
What time does the experience begin?
The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.
Where does the experience end?
It ends back at the same meeting point in Marathi.
Do I need a motorboat licence?
No. The 30-horsepower boats are intended for people who do not have a motorboat licence.
How many people can use one boat?
Each boat can accommodate up to six passengers.
Is a skipper included?
No. You captain the boat yourself, and a skipper is not included.
Is fuel included in the price?
No. Fuel is an additional cost.
Is damage insurance included?
No. Optional damage insurance may be purchased for an additional daily cost on the day of rental.
What identification do I need?
You must present a valid ID or passport on the day of rental.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.
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