Agios Nikolaos: Sailing Trip Catamaran Lunch and Water Toys

The best Crete days happen offshore. This catamaran trip pairs easy sailing across Mirabello Gulf with a stop at Spinalonga, a generous Mediterranean lunch, and a full kit of water toys at Kolokitha Bay. I especially like the clear turquoise swimming water and the relaxed mix of sightseeing, food, and play. I also like that beer, wine, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, a transparent canoe, paddleboard, sea scooter, and inflatable slide are included. The main consideration is that the advertised water platform and slide may not always be available, and rough weather can make the ride choppy.

This is a good choice if you want a full day on the water without arranging every detail yourself. The Lagoon 450F has air-conditioning, a kitchen, flybridge, shaded seating, bow sun deck, Wi-Fi, and a sound system. Just remember to bring your own towel, and think twice if you are prone to seasickness or cannot swim.

Key points to know before booking

• Kolokitha Bay is the main event: You get about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and trying the water toys.
• Spinalonga adds a cultural stop: The boat circles the island and pauses for photographs and sightseeing.
• The price includes a lot: At $165 per person, lunch, drinks, wine, beer, equipment, and use of the catamaran are included.
• The Lagoon 450F is built for comfort: You have a flybridge, bow sun deck, bimini shade, kitchen, refrigerator, and air-conditioning.
• The trip can suit families and adults: Children are allowed, and the mix of calm swimming and active toys works well for teenagers and young adults.
• Weather matters: A choppy day can affect the sailing portion, even when the swimming stops remain calm.

Setting sail from Agios Nikolaos

Your day begins near the entrance to the main marina in Agios Nikolaos. A crew member meets you there and walks you to the catamaran, so arrive on time. Depending on the option you choose, the full outing lasts between five and ten hours, with the exact schedule and departure time varying.

The boat is a Lagoon 450F, a broad, stable-style catamaran with room for several ways to sit. You can settle under the bimini, stretch out on the bow sun deck, or head up to the flybridge for a higher view across the gulf. An indoor kitchen, refrigerator, ice box, speakers, and air-conditioning make the boat better suited to a long day than a basic open motorboat.

Before departure, the crew gives a safety briefing. The catamaran carries life jackets, GPS, VHF radio, depth finder, sonar, chart plotter, autopilot, anchor, and wheel steering. These are practical details, but they matter when you are spending most of a day away from shore.

The route begins around Agios Nikolaos and heads toward Elounda. The setting is especially pleasant when the wind is light enough for a smooth sail. You can enjoy the movement of the boat, listen to music, and take in the coast without the rush of a tight sightseeing schedule.

Elounda gives the morning a gentle start

The Elounda portion lasts about an hour and combines sailing with time for drinks. Beer, wine, coffee, tea, spirits, cocktails, and soft drinks are listed among the available choices, with drinks included in the trip. The exact service may depend on the selected option and the day’s schedule, but you should expect a relaxed onboard start rather than a formal tasting.

This is a useful part of the outing because it gives you time to settle in before the swimming stop. If you are traveling with family, the range of nonalcoholic drinks helps. Adults can enjoy wine or beer, but pacing yourself is wise when the day also includes sun, swimming, and boat movement.

The catamaran has inside and outside speakers, so music forms part of the atmosphere. You can sit outside for the sea air or move indoors if the heat becomes tiring. The flybridge is likely to be the favorite place for views, while the bow offers a more open position for sunbathing.

Spinalonga adds more than a photo stop

The boat continues to Spinalonga for about half an hour. You get a photo stop, sightseeing, and time to circle the island from the water. This is not a long land visit, so you should not book this excursion expecting a detailed walk through the fortress.

Still, seeing Spinalonga from the sea gives the route a useful sense of place. The island is one of the best-known sights in the Elounda area, and the boat allows you to view it without giving up the main swimming and sailing part of the day. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches the island, since the stop is relatively short.

The crew’s handling of this part can make a difference. Peter from Slovakia described the Spinalonga visit as a quick but effective tour, with the boat circling the island. Jody from the United Kingdom also appreciated the guide’s explanation and the relaxed ride around it. Those comments suggest you can expect helpful commentary, but the amount of detail may vary with the crew and timing.

Kolokitha Bay is where the day comes alive

After Spinalonga, the catamaran heads to Kolokitha Bay for roughly two hours. This is the heart of the trip. You have time to swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, try the transparent canoe, ride the sea scooter, and play on the inflatable equipment when available.

The water is described as exceptionally clear and turquoise, making the bay well suited to a swim. Snorkeling equipment, fins, and fishing equipment are included. You should bring your own towel, however, since towels are specifically excluded.

The transparent canoe is a clever touch for families and anyone who wants to look into the water without committing to a long snorkel session. The paddleboard gives you a quieter way to move around the bay, while the sea scooter adds a more playful option. The inflatable slide is aimed at pure fun, especially for children, teenagers, and young adults.

There is one important caveat. On a choppy day, the open-water portion can feel rough, although one guest found the swimming stops calm even when the ride itself was uncomfortable. Another guest noted that the slide and swimming platform shown in the pictures were not available on that outing. I would treat the water toys as a strong bonus, not a guarantee that every item will be deployed every time.

The bay stop also works well for people who prefer not to be constantly active. You can swim for a while, dry off on the bathing platform, eat lunch, and return to the water when you feel like it. That freedom is one of the better reasons to choose a private group option if it fits your budget and party size.

Lunch is a real part of the value

Lunch is included and features Mediterranean cuisine. The crew has a kitchen and grill onboard, and the captain cooked lunch on one particularly praised outing. Guests described the food as fresh, tasty, and plentiful, with wine, beer, cola, mineral water, and other drinks available throughout the day.

The meal is more than a small snack between activities. It turns the Kolokitha Bay stop into a proper midday break, which matters when you are swimming in the sun. Diane from the United Kingdom found there was so much food that not all of it was eaten, while Peter singled out the captain’s cooking and good wine.

You can also purchase optional services for a private trip, including a private chef from 500 euros, a photographer from 300 euros, or a wine tasting at a price based on the wine selected. These extras are not needed for the standard experience, and the included meal already appears to be one of the strongest parts of the day.

If you drink alcohol, remember that sun and sea can catch up with you quickly. The boat allows alcohol and glass bottles, but a sensible balance of water, food, and shade will make the afternoon more comfortable.

What the boat feels like for a full day

The Lagoon 450F is not simply transport between swimming spots. Its layout gives you several ways to spend the day. The flybridge provides a higher perch, the bow sun deck is suited to lying out, and the bimini gives welcome shade. The air-conditioning and indoor seating are useful if you need a break from the heat.

The onboard safety equipment is extensive. You have life jackets, GPS, radio, sonar, a depth finder, chart plotter, autopilot, and other standard sailing equipment. The boat also carries fishing gear and rod holders, although fishing is not the central focus of this particular route.

Wi-Fi and a sound system add comfort, but the main pleasure is still being outside. Bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, and a camera. A dry bag or waterproof phone case would also be sensible for personal items, though it is not listed as a supplied item.

The trip is wheelchair accessible according to the activity information. You should still confirm the exact boarding arrangements for your needs before booking, since marina access and movement around a catamaran can vary.

How the $165 price holds up

At $165 per person, this is not a cheap short boat ride. The value becomes clearer when you count what is bundled into the day: catamaran sailing, crew, lunch, drinks, wine, beer, snorkeling gear, fins, paddleboard, sea scooter, transparent canoe, inflatable equipment, and access to a well-equipped Lagoon 450F.

A similar day planned independently would require arranging a boat, food, drinks, equipment, and transport between several points. Here, those pieces are handled together. You are paying for convenience as well as time on the water.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the equipment and stay for the full outing. If you only want a short sail and a quiet view of the coast, a shorter cruise may suit you better. If you want swimming, lunch, Spinalonga, and active water time in one day, the price is easier to justify.

A private group is available, which may make the cost more attractive for families or friends who want more control over the pace. The information provided does not state the private-group price, so you should compare the total cost rather than assuming it will be cheaper per person.

Who will enjoy it most

I would recommend this trip to families with confident swimmers, couples who want a relaxed day at sea, and groups of friends who enjoy a mix of food, sightseeing, and water sports. Teenagers and young adults are especially likely to enjoy the slide, paddleboard, sea scooter, and canoe.

It also suits people who want to see Spinalonga without spending the entire day on a land excursion. You get a short sightseeing element, then plenty of time to swim and relax.

Non-swimmers should not book this activity. The main stop centers on swimming and water access, and the operator specifically lists non-swimmers as unsuitable. People prone to seasickness should also think carefully, particularly if the forecast suggests rough conditions.

The experience is available in English. Children are allowed, smoking is allowed, and a liveaboard stay is possible according to the activity details. Those points may matter if you are planning a longer private arrangement, but confirm the exact setup before relying on them.

Practical details that will improve your day

Meet the crew in front of the entrance to the main marina in Agios Nikolaos. Arrive on time so the boat can leave without a scramble.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, and camera. The towel is the easy item to forget because it is not supplied. Wear something comfortable for sitting on deck, and keep valuables secure around the swimming platform.

Check the weather before you go. Calm conditions will make the sailing more pleasant and may improve the chance that the water toys are used. Even when the sea is choppy on the route, the swimming bay may remain calm, but this cannot be promised.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies give you some flexibility, especially when your Crete schedule depends on weather.

Should you book this catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a full, easygoing day that combines Mirabello Gulf sailing, Spinalonga views, lunch, and water play. The strongest points are the friendly crew, tasty and plentiful food, all-day drinks, beautiful swimming water, and the large collection of included equipment.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boat movement, cannot swim, or mainly want a quiet sunset cruise. Also, keep expectations realistic about the slide and platform, since one outing did not have those items available.

For most active families, couples, and friend groups staying around Agios Nikolaos or Elounda, this is a strong-value way to spend a day on Crete’s coast. The combination of a proper catamaran, a cooked lunch, and time at Kolokitha Bay gives you much more than a simple sightseeing sail.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

The meeting point is in front of the entrance to the main Marina of Agios Nikolaos. A crew member meets you there and escorts you to the catamaran.

How long does the activity last?

The listed duration is between five and ten hours. The exact length depends on the selected option and available departure time.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include wine, beer, and other beverages such as soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga, and Kolokitha Bay. The boat makes a photo and sightseeing stop near Spinalonga and a longer swimming and lunch stop at Kolokitha Bay.

What water equipment is available?

The included equipment includes a transparent canoe, paddleboard, sea scooter, snorkeling equipment, swim fins, inflatable platform, and inflatable slide. Availability of individual items can vary.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

Is the trip suitable for children?

Children are allowed. The water toys and swimming stop may suit families, but non-swimmers are specifically listed as unsuitable for the activity.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.