Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

Sea time with good food is the main appeal of this Rethymno catamaran cruise. You sail from Rethymno Port toward Georgioupoli Bay, spend time swimming and using the onboard gear, and eat a fresh Cretan lunch with drinks included. I especially like the generous 6.5-hour schedule and the small maximum group of 25, which should keep the boat from feeling crowded.

The crew earns strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and safety-minded, while the food gets equal attention. The main consideration is the long sailing period before anchoring, which means you may spend less time in the water than you expect.

Key points to know

• A full morning-to-afternoon cruise: The boat leaves at 9:30 am and returns to Rethymno Port after about 6.5 hours.
• Nutrition-focused meals: You receive a light breakfast bowl, gourmet Mediterranean bites, and a fresh Cretan lunch made with organic local-farm ingredients.
• A proper open bar: Water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are unlimited. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• Water gear is included: SUP boards, quality masks and fins, swimming jackets, noodles, fishing equipment, and an inflatable flamingo are available.
• Comfortable boat setup: Expect sunbeds, shaded lounges, an onboard WC, an outdoor shower, Wi-Fi, music, and space for up to 25 people.
• One timing issue to note: The trip to the swimming area can feel long, and one detailed review found the water-activity period shorter than expected.

Starting at Rethymno Port With Breakfast

Your morning begins at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, at 9:30 am. The boat returns to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. Hotel pickup is not included, although it can be arranged on request.

The welcome is more thoughtful than a simple coffee on the dock. You can start with espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein shake, followed by a light breakfast bowl prepared with help from a certified nutritionist. This is useful if you want something in your stomach before a day in the sun, but do not want to begin with a heavy meal.

I like that the food plan gives the cruise a clear identity. This is not only a boat ride with a few snacks tossed onto a table. The emphasis is on fresh Mediterranean ingredients, lighter choices, and Cretan produce. You still get a substantial lunch later, so the morning bowl functions as a sensible start rather than the main meal.

The crew speaks English, and confirmation is provided at booking. The cruise is offered in English, which makes it a straightforward choice if you want instructions for the water equipment and an explanation of the route in one language.

Sailing North Toward Georgioupoli Bay

Once you settle aboard, you can choose between an open sunbed and a shaded lounge. That flexibility matters in Crete, where a pleasant morning can turn into strong heat by midday. Bring sunscreen and personal-care items, since those are not supplied, and remember that towels are also excluded.

The catamaran follows the northern coast toward Georgioupoli Bay. The route gives you time to watch the shoreline from the water, stretch out, listen to music, or simply sit with a drink. The catamaran is described as modern and spacious, and the maximum group size is 25 people. Several published comments describe plenty of room to move around, with one particularly small departure carrying only eight people.

That is a real advantage over a crowded party boat. You can take a sunbed without feeling packed in, and you have a better chance of finding a quiet corner when you want one. The music remains part of the atmosphere, though one person felt it was too soft after anchoring.

The sailing time is also the trip’s biggest weakness. One detailed account found the journey to the anchorage a little long. If your priority is constant swimming and paddleboarding, keep that in mind. If you enjoy the sailing itself, the time feels more worthwhile.

Gourmet Bites Before the Main Swim Stop

As the boat approaches Georgioupoli Bay, the crew prepares gourmet bites using local flavors. This pause gives you something savory before the main meal and helps break up the morning sailing.

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this cruise. Descriptions include excellent appetizers, a generous lunch, and dessert. Another account praised the quality and variety of the food, while the service team repeatedly checked that people had what they needed.

The dining style appears to be relaxed rather than formal. You can eat, take in the bay, and move between the shaded seating and the open deck. The food is prepared fresh, with the lunch designed by a nutritionist and made with organic ingredients from a local farm. That combination will appeal to you if meals are an important part of choosing a boat trip, not just fuel between swims.

There is enough substance here for a proper lunch, but the cruise still keeps the food fairly light and Mediterranean. You are not signing up for a basic sandwich and a packet of crisps.

Swimming, SUP, Snorkeling, and Fishing

At the anchorage, the crew sets up the water equipment. You can use the stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and the large pink flamingo. Fishing equipment is also available on request for a gentle fishing session.

The bay is described as calm and crystal clear, making it the natural highlight for anyone who wants to get in the water. The snorkeling equipment includes masks and fins, and the crew handles the setup rather than leaving you to hunt through a storage locker. An outdoor shower is available afterward, along with an onboard WC.

The swimming stop is meant to be unhurried, with roughly two hours described in one account. Still, another detailed comment felt that the active-water period was shorter than expected once the time for eating and getting organized was counted. I would treat the water session as a substantial part of the day, but not as two nonstop hours of paddleboarding or snorkeling.

This distinction matters. You will have access to plenty of gear, but the group shares it. If the boat is near its 25-person limit, you may need to take turns with the SUP boards. The equipment list is generous, but the available time and group size determine how much you personally use it.

Children can be accommodated with swimming jackets and a box of toys by request. Most people can take part, although anyone with particular mobility or swimming concerns should ask the operator before booking. Life jackets are included, and the crew is described as attentive and reassuring about safety.

A Cretan Lunch With Drinks Included

After the water activities, the main Cretan lunch is served. This is the point when the healthy-food promise becomes most useful. You get fresh Mediterranean dishes made with organic local-farm ingredients, plus unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine.

The open bar adds real value to the price because you are not constantly calculating the cost of each bottle or glass. It covers the everyday drinks you are most likely to want on a sunny boat day. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the listed beer and white wine selection are not included, so do not book this expecting a full cocktail service.

I also like that the alcohol is not the whole point of the cruise. The breakfast bowl, protein drink, detox water, local food, and fresh lunch give the day a more balanced feel. You can enjoy a beer or glass of wine without the boat turning into an all-day drinking party.

The crew continues serving after lunch, and you can either return to the water or stay on deck. Several strong comments focus on the team’s attention, with frequent offers of food and drinks and a clear effort to make people comfortable. The small team of three is repeatedly described as friendly, professional, and helpful.

Returning Across the Blue Water

The final part of the cruise is a slower sail back toward Rethymno. By this point, you can use the sunbeds, relax in the shade, listen to music, or enjoy one last drink from the bar.

The return is not packed with another major stop. That is good news if you want a calm finish, but less appealing if you want an action-heavy schedule from start to finish. The cruise works best when you treat the sailing as part of the outing, not merely transportation between activities.

Wi-Fi is available onboard, and music is included. The boat also carries liability insurance, life jackets, feminine hygiene products, and a branded gift for special occasions. Those are small touches, but they can be useful, especially on a long day at sea or during a birthday or anniversary outing.

The trip finishes back at the Rethymno meeting point. Since transfers are not part of the standard price, plan your route to the port in advance or request a transfer when arranging the booking.

What the $174.98 Price Really Covers

At $174.98 per person, this is not a budget boat outing. The value depends on how many parts of the package you will use.

You are paying for about 6.5 hours aboard a modern catamaran, crew service, breakfast, gourmet bites, a full lunch, an open bar, swimming equipment, SUP boards, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, Wi-Fi, and the comfort of shaded and sunny seating. If you would otherwise buy meals, drinks, and water activities separately, the package becomes easier to justify.

The price also buys space. The 25-person limit is important because a day on a boat feels very different when you have room to sit, move, and dry off. Some departures may be smaller, and one account described a particularly pleasant group of eight.

The value is weaker if you care only about swimming time. The route to the anchorage takes a while, and the water stop includes time for lunch and equipment setup. You are paying for the whole sailing day, not a short transfer to a beach with unlimited water access.

For a special occasion, the included branded gift and attentive service may help justify the cost. For families, couples, and anyone who wants food and drinks handled in advance, the all-in-one format is practical.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a polished day at sea without having to organize each detail yourself. The crew handles the food, drinks, equipment, and safety setup, leaving you free to choose your pace.

It is especially well suited to:

• Couples looking for a comfortable day with good food and quiet sea time
• Families who appreciate swimming jackets, noodles, toys by request, and a controlled group size
• Food-focused visitors who care about fresh Cretan ingredients
• People who want beer and wine included rather than paying for every drink
• First-time sailors who prefer an English-speaking crew and organized activities
• Small groups celebrating a special occasion

I would think twice if your only goal is long snorkeling sessions or nonstop water sports. You may also want a different type of outing if you dislike scheduled meal times, shared equipment, or a fairly long sail before anchoring.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should You Book the Rethymno Catamaran Cruise?

I would book this if you want a comfortable, food-centered sailing day with swimming added in, rather than a dedicated snorkeling expedition. The strongest reasons are the friendly three-person crew, fresh Cretan meals, generous drinks package, clean boat, and plenty of places to sit.

The 4.7 rating from 79 published ratings, with 91 percent recommending it, fits the overall picture: the service and food are the safest reasons to choose it. Just set your expectations correctly. The boat must sail to the bay, and the active-water time is limited by the schedule.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and any personal-care items you need. Arrive at DanEri Yachts in Rethymno by 9:30 am, and request a hotel transfer or private cabin ahead of time if either matters to you. For an easy, sociable day with Cretan food and open-water views, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise depart?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Rethymno.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, but they can be arranged on request.

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 provided.

Are cocktails included?

No. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the listed beer and white wine selection are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, including masks and fins, is provided. SUP boards, swimming jackets, noodles, an inflatable flamingo, and fishing equipment are also available.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.