Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

A good day at sea needs room. This Rethymno catamaran cruise pairs a polished boat with fresh Cretan food and a calm stop in Georgioupoli Bay. I like the thoughtful breakfast and nutritionist-designed lunch, and I like the small-group feel, with a maximum of 25 people. The main consideration is that the boat spends a fair amount of time reaching the swimming area, so this suits relaxed sailors more than anyone chasing nonstop water sports.

You start with espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein shake, then sail north along Crete’s coast. The crew handles the SUP boards, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, and drinks, leaving you free to enjoy the sun or shade. Still, bring your own towel and sunscreen, and remember that cocktails and hotel transfers cost extra.

Five details that shape the day

• A 9:30 am departure from Rethymno Port gives you a full half-day on the water, with the cruise ending back at the same point.
• A roughly two-hour bay stop allows time for swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, floating, and lunch without a hurried turnaround.
• A nutritionist-designed menu includes a light breakfast bowl, gourmet Mediterranean snacks, and a fresh Cretan lunch made with organic local-farm ingredients.
• The open bar covers the basics well: water, soft drinks, Greek beer, Cretan white wine, tea, espresso, detox water, and protein drinks.
• The maximum group size is 25, though some departures may feel much smaller. One highly praised sailing had only eight people aboard.

Setting Out From Rethymno Port at 9:30

The meeting point is DanEri Yachts at Sofokli Venizelou 37, right by Rethymno Port. The cruise leaves at 9:30 am and returns to this same location after about six and a half hours.

That early start works well in Crete. You get the cooler part of the morning for sailing, then reach the swimming area around the middle of the day. It also leaves your evening free for Rethymno’s old town, a meal, or a slow walk along the waterfront.

Once aboard, the crew offers espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein cocktail. A light breakfast bowl, prepared with input from a certified nutritionist, gives you something more substantial than a biscuit and coffee. I appreciate this small touch because a day on the water can feel long when the only food arrives at lunchtime.

The catamaran has sunbeds, shaded lounges, music, free Wi-Fi, an onboard toilet, and an outdoor shower. You can claim a sunny place or settle under cover. If you tend to get cold after swimming, the shaded area will be useful. If you want a prime sunbed, arriving on time matters.

The crew speaks English. Safety equipment includes life jackets and swimming jackets, and liability insurance is included. The crew is also active throughout the trip, rather than simply pointing out the facilities and leaving you to manage everything yourself.

Sailing Along Crete’s Northern Coast

The first part of the cruise is about the ride itself. You travel along the northern coast toward Georgioupoli Bay, with open sea views and time to settle into the boat’s rhythm.

This is where the tour’s relaxed character becomes clear. You can stretch out, listen to the music, sip a drink, and watch the coast pass by. The catamaran’s size gives people room to move around, and the group limit helps prevent the crowded feeling found on some large excursion boats.

There is a tradeoff. One piece of direct feedback described the journey to the anchorage as a little long. That is fair. The cruise is not built around a series of quick coastal stops. It is a single destination-focused sailing day, with a longer ride followed by a longer period at anchor.

If you enjoy being on a boat, this is a feature. If you mainly want to swim and paddle, it may feel like too much travel time before the activities begin. I would choose this trip for the full sailing experience, not just for access to the water toys.

Georgioupoli Bay and the Main Water Stop

The boat heads toward Georgioupoli Bay, where the crew sets up the water equipment. This is the active center of the day, but you decide how much activity you want.

The included equipment covers:

• Stand-up paddleboards
• Snorkeling masks and fins
• Swimming jackets
• Inflatable noodles
• An inflatable pink flamingo
• Fishing equipment for a gentle fishing session

The bay is described as calm and crystal clear, making it suitable for swimming and easy floating. The SUP boards give you a way to move across the water without needing a motorized activity. Snorkeling gear lets you look below the surface, although the provided information does not promise a particular marine site or amount of sea life.

The crew sets up the equipment, which matters when several people want different activities at once. You can ask for fishing gear, use a noodle for simple floating, or paddle out on a board. Families can request a box of toys for children, though this must be arranged in advance.

One point deserves careful attention: the stop appears to last about two hours, but the exact division between swimming, equipment use, and lunch can vary. A French-speaking passenger found the activity period a little short, while other feedback praised the ample time for swimming and snorkeling. If you want to try every piece of equipment, you may need to choose carefully rather than doing everything.

The pink flamingo is a playful extra, not a serious activity. That is part of the charm. This is a social day with room for a little silliness, not a demanding sports outing.

Snacks, Cretan Lunch, and the Open Bar

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. The day includes a light breakfast bowl, gourmet bites at the bay, and a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch.

The menu is designed by a nutritionist and made with fresh, organic ingredients from a local farm. The aim is lighter and more balanced than the usual boat excursion meal. You still get enough food for a full day, but the emphasis is on fresh Cretan flavors rather than heavy fast-food portions.

The exact dishes are not listed, so you should not book this expecting a particular menu item. What is clear is the progression: breakfast early, small savory bites after reaching the bay, then a more complete lunch once you are back aboard.

Drinks are included throughout the cruise. The open bar covers unlimited water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. You can also have tea, espresso, detox water, or a protein smoothie. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside this selection are not included.

A small practical point came up in the feedback: one person felt the drinks were not offered quickly enough after anchoring. The crew is generally attentive, but service may feel more active once everyone is settled. If you want something right away, simply ask.

The food and drink package adds real value to the $174.98 price. You are not paying only for transport on a boat. You are also covering breakfast, snacks, lunch, unlimited selected drinks, equipment, crew service, safety gear, and the use of a modern catamaran for about six and a half hours.

That price is still substantial. At roughly $27 per hour, before considering the meals and drinks, it makes the most sense if you expect to spend most of the day aboard and will use the included services. If you plan to skip lunch, avoid alcohol, and spend little time in the water, a simpler boat trip could be better value.

What the Crew Adds to the Experience

The crew receives the most consistent praise. The team includes a captain, an assistant, and a deckhand, and one sailing was especially appreciated for its friendly three-woman crew. Their work goes beyond steering the boat.

You can expect help with the water equipment, regular drink service, safety instructions, and a generally attentive approach. The captain explains the plan and helps create an easy mood aboard. The crew also keeps the boat clean and organized, which matters when wet equipment, food, and sunbeds all share the same space.

The strong service is especially valuable for first-time sailors. You do not need to know how to use a SUP board, prepare snorkeling gear, or find the fishing equipment. You can ask for help and then get on with the fun.

Music plays on board, and free Wi-Fi is available. One piece of feedback found the music too quiet while anchored. That may suit you if you want a peaceful sea day, but it is worth noting if you expect a lively party atmosphere.

This is not a loud club cruise. It has music and a social mood, but the most repeated impression is calm, friendly, and well organized.

Space, Comfort, and Practical Things to Pack

The boat is described as clean, attractive, and large enough to avoid crowding. The maximum capacity is 25 people, which is modest for a public sailing. Some departures may be much smaller, and a group of eight enjoyed especially generous space.

Sunbeds are provided, along with shaded seating. Private cabins may be available on request, but use is not guaranteed. Treat the cabin option as a possible extra, not a promised part of the package.

The onboard WC and outdoor shower make the long day easier. After swimming, you can rinse off salt water before lunch or settling back onto the deck. Personal feminine hygiene products are also available, an unusually considerate detail for a day at sea.

You need to bring:

• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Any personal care items you prefer

Towels and sunscreen are not included. This is easy to overlook, especially when the rest of the equipment is supplied. Pack both before leaving your hotel.

Hotel transfers are not included either, though they can be arranged on request. The meeting point is near public transportation, so check the route from your accommodation before departure day. Confirmation arrives at booking, and most people can take part, but the cruise requires good weather.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this sailing to couples, friends, families, and solo visitors who want a polished day on the sea without organizing every detail themselves.

It suits you especially well if you value:

• A comfortable boat with room to stretch out
• Good food rather than a basic packed lunch
• Unlimited selected drinks
• A balance of swimming and rest
• Friendly crew service
• A smaller group instead of a packed excursion vessel

Families have useful extras, including swimming jackets, noodles, the flamingo, and a toy box by request. Still, the long sailing period may test very young children who want constant activity.

Active swimmers will enjoy the SUP boards, snorkeling gear, and fishing equipment, but this is not a dedicated water-sports session. The schedule gives you one main swimming stop, and the time there may feel limited if you want to try every activity.

It also suits visitors who prefer a healthy menu. The nutritionist-designed meals and protein drinks are unusual on a standard catamaran outing. If you want a large party, many cocktail choices, or several coastal stops, this may not be your best match.

Price, Booking Timing, and Weather

The cost is $174.98 per person, and the cruise is often reserved about 28 days ahead. That booking pattern suggests you should not leave it until the last minute during a busy Crete holiday.

For the price, you receive a long boat outing, several food services, unlimited selected drinks, water equipment, safety equipment, Wi-Fi, and a professional crew. I see the value most clearly when you use the lunch, open bar, swimming stop, and comfort facilities. The package is less compelling if you only want a short scenic sail.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:30 am start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. The cruise depends on good weather, and if poor conditions force cancellation, you can receive a full refund or move to another date.

The experience is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not describe specific wheelchair access or detailed mobility arrangements, so ask the operator before booking if that matters for you.

Should You Book the Rethymno Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, food-focused day at sea with attentive service, a calm bay stop, and enough room to avoid feeling packed in. The strongest features are the crew, the quality of the food, the clean catamaran, and the broad drink selection.

Think twice if your priority is maximum swimming time, fast access to the water, or a full cocktail menu. The sailing to Georgioupoli Bay can feel long, and the main activity stop is not unlimited.

My practical call: this is a good-value splurge for a special day in Crete, especially if you appreciate careful food and a relaxed pace. Pack a towel and sunscreen, arrive ready for a long sail, and use the included equipment rather than treating the boat as a simple sightseeing ride.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

It starts at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece, at Rethymno Port.

What time does the cruise leave?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes and ends back at the meeting point.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also offered. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and fins, SUP boards, swimming jackets, noodles, an inflatable flamingo, and fishing equipment are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund.