Ag.Nikolaos: Catamaran Trip with Sushi, Drinks, & Water Toys

The best part of this cruise is the long stop in Mirabello Bay, where the boat turns from sightseeing vessel into a floating beach club. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, ride the sea scooter, or launch yourself down the inflatable slide. If you prefer, stretch out on the catamaran and watch the Cretan coast slide past.

I like the small maximum group of 20 and the open bar, which includes water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine. I also like the food plan: a fresh Cretan lunch made with local organic ingredients, with vegetarian and children’s options available by request. The main consideration is that the boat can feel busy when everyone wants the water toys at once, and the menu described is Mediterranean and Cretan rather than a guaranteed sushi meal.

Quick take: what makes this cruise worth considering

• Spinalonga from the water: See the former Venetian fortress and later place of exile from several angles without spending the day on the island itself.
• A proper swim stop: Mirabello Bay gives you about two and three-quarter hours for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and sunset views.
• A full water-toy lineup: Use the slide, sea scooter, kayak, SUP boards, water tube, noodles, snorkeling equipment, and pink flamingo float.
• Local food instead of basic boat fare: Lunch uses seasonal ingredients from a Cretan farm and is planned by a nutritionist.
• Comfortable sailing setup: The catamaran has sunbeds, shaded lounges, front seating, upper-deck space, netting, a toilet, and an outdoor shower.
• Easy marina access: Meet at the entrance to Marina Agios Nikolaos, near the Eurobank ATM, with municipal parking close by.

Leaving Agios Nikolaos with coffee and Cretan snacks

Your meeting point is at the entrance to Marina Agios Nikolaos, where a crew member in a DanEri logo shirt meets you 30 minutes before departure. The marina’s municipal car park makes this a practical choice if you are driving from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, or nearby resorts.

The welcome is more polished than the usual quick boat check-in. You receive espresso, tea, detox water, a protein cocktail, and light protein snacks before a short safety briefing. Bring your passport or ID details as requested during booking, since port authorities require the full name, birth date, identification number, and nationality of every passenger.

The catamaran carries up to 20 people. That is small enough for the crew to provide personal help, but it is not the same as having a private yacht. If you want maximum peace and space, ask about a private group option. If you are happy with a sociable boat and plenty of room to spread out, the standard sailing should work well.

The boat has a front sofa, upper deck, shaded lounge areas, and netting over the water. Shoes are not allowed indoors, so wear something easy to remove. You will also want to bring a towel, hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes if you plan to make full use of the water equipment.

Barbarossa Cave: a short scenic stop

The first major sight is Barbarossa Cave near Elounda. The boat pauses for photographs and gives you time to take in the rock formations from the sea. This is a brief stop, about 15 minutes, so think of it as a scenic introduction rather than a cave exploration.

The value here is the view. You get a different sense of the coast from a low position on the water, with the cave, cliffs, and open bay arranged in one wide sweep. The crew may serve wine during this part of the cruise, and the slow pace gives you time to take photos without rushing straight into the main swim stop.

Do not expect to go ashore or spend a long time inside the cave. The catamaran remains your base, and the appeal is the passing scenery rather than a guided archaeological visit.

Spinalonga from the sea

Spinalonga is the emotional center of the sightseeing portion. The small island was once a Venetian fortress and later a place of exile. From the water, you can see its defensive position and the way the stone structures sit above the bright bay.

The boat allows about 20 minutes for photographs and sightseeing around Spinalonga. That is enough to see the island from different sides and hear some background from the crew, but not enough for a land tour. If walking through the fortress, reading its displays, and seeing the settlement close up is important to you, plan a separate visit on another day.

For a boat trip, the sea view has its own advantage. You can take in the whole island at once, with the surrounding mountains and coastline giving context that is harder to appreciate from inside the fortress. Keep your camera ready, but also look away from the screen now and then. Spinalonga is one of those sights that works best as a broad view.

Mirabello Bay: the long stop that shapes the day

The cruise spends roughly two hours and 45 minutes in Mirabello Bay. This is where the schedule becomes flexible and relaxed. The crew sets up the slide, sea scooter, kayak, SUP boards, water tube, noodles, fishing gear, and inflatable flamingo while you settle in.

The water activities suit different energy levels. You can:

• Ride the inflatable slide into the bay.
• Use a sea scooter for a faster trip across the swimming area.
• Paddle a kayak or stand-up board.
• Snorkel with the provided masks and fins.
• Try gentle fishing with the supplied equipment.
• Float on noodles or pose with the pink flamingo.
• Stay aboard in the shade with a drink and watch the action.

The snorkeling equipment is included, as are swimming jackets and life jackets. You should not touch marine life, and you need to follow the crew’s instructions around the equipment. The water can be the most active part of the day, so this works especially well for families with older children, couples who want some fun between meals, and anyone who dislikes sitting still on a boat.

The schedule also gives you room to do nothing. That matters. Many boat trips pack in short stops and leave you feeling hurried. Here, you can swim, dry off, eat, and return to the water without constantly checking the clock.

Lunch, drinks, and the question of sushi

The food description centers on a healthy Cretan lunch, not a fixed sushi menu. Ingredients come from a local organic farm, and a professional nutritionist helps plan the meal. Menus change with the season, with a Mediterranean-style main course followed by dessert.

You can request a vegetarian meal or a children’s meal. The description also allows for seafood dishes and lighter choices, but the exact menu is not fixed. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask before booking rather than relying on the general promise of choice.

The meal is paired with an open bar serving still water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. Espresso, tea, and welcome drinks are available as well. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the listed selection cost extra or are not included.

This arrangement is good value if you plan to drink beer or wine and want lunch without returning to shore. It is less important if you do not drink alcohol, since the price also covers the boat, crew, equipment, and long swimming stop. Red wine is not allowed onboard, and you should not bring glass objects, alcohol, or drugs.

The food has received some of the strongest praise attached to the experience. The meal is described as tasty, fresh, and generous, though one account felt the food and dinner could be improved slightly. That is a fair warning: expectations should be set for a well-prepared boat lunch, not a fine-dining restaurant.

Sailing back as the light softens

After lunch and more time in the water, the catamaran heads back toward Agios Nikolaos. The return is planned around the softer light and may include sunset views, depending on the season and sailing time.

This final hour is a good chance to use the shaded seating, rinse off under the outdoor shower, and let your swimsuit dry. Music plays onboard, and free Wi-Fi is available if you need it, though the setting is better suited to looking at the sea than staring at your phone.

The return route brings you back to Marina Agios Nikolaos. Optional drop-off locations cover Plaka, Elounda, Hersonissos, Malia, Milatos, Ammoudara, Ierapetra, Sisi, Stalida, Vathi, and other listed areas. Hotel transfers are not included by default, but they can be arranged in selected cases, including Ierapetra city and Agioi Saranta.

What the $145 price really covers

At $145 per person, this is not a cheap short boat ride. It is also more than a simple sunset cruise. You are paying for five and a half to seven hours on a modern catamaran, a professional English-speaking crew, welcome refreshments, lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, several water toys, and time in one of Crete’s most attractive bays.

The price makes the most sense if you will use the equipment and stay for the full program. A person who swims, snorkels, drinks some beer or wine, and enjoys a substantial lunch is getting a broad package. You also avoid separate rental fees for a kayak, paddleboard, snorkeling kit, and sea scooter.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to photograph Spinalonga. The sightseeing stops are short, and the real purpose of the day is the combination of sailing, water play, food, and leisure. For a dedicated history visit, take a land excursion to Spinalonga instead.

The small-group format helps justify the price. A 20-person limit gives the cruise a more personal feel than a large excursion boat, although the experience can still be lively when everyone gathers around the water toys.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this cruise for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want a full day on the water without arranging each activity separately. It is especially useful for people staying in or near Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, or the listed transfer areas.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant people, anyone with a pre-existing medical condition, or people over 95. The operator also asks anyone traveling with a child under two, anyone prone to seasickness, or anyone with mobility or health concerns to check conditions and speak with the crew before booking.

There are no unaccompanied minors, and children’s meals and a box of toys are available by request. The boat has an onboard toilet, outdoor shower, shaded areas, and swimming jackets, which make the long day easier for families.

You should also check the weather forecast. The cruise can be postponed or canceled in poor conditions. This is a sea day, not a guaranteed indoor activity, and the best parts depend on calm enough water for swimming and sailing.

Practical advice before you book

Arrive early. The crew asks you to be at the marina 30 minutes before departure, and port regulations mean the boat cannot wait for late arrivals.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. They are not included, and the Cretan sun can feel strong even when the breeze makes the air seem mild. A hat and water-resistant bag for small items will also help, though the supplied information specifically requires a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and passport or ID card.

The QR code for your booking is sent one day before the cruise and serves as your ticket. The cruise is offered in English, and private groups are available if you want a more controlled setting.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. These policies are useful if you are building a longer Crete itinerary around weather and ferry plans.

Should you book the Agios Nikolaos catamaran?

Book it if you want a full water day with Spinalonga views, a long swim stop, local food, unlimited listed drinks, and enough equipment to keep active. The crew, boat comfort, scenery, and food receive the strongest praise, and the 20-person limit keeps the atmosphere more relaxed than a large group cruise.

Skip it if your main goal is to tour Spinalonga on foot, if you want guaranteed sushi, or if you prefer a very quiet sailing with no children, music, or water-toy activity. For most people who want a polished day at sea rather than a history tour, the $145 price is reasonable, provided you use what is included.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from the entrance of Marina Agios Nikolaos. Meet the crew near the Eurobank ATM, 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is between five and a half and seven hours, depending on the selected departure time and option.

What sights will I see?

The route includes Barbarossa Cave near Elounda, Spinalonga, Mirabello Bay, and coastal views around eastern Crete.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a nutritionist-designed Mediterranean meal using fresh local organic ingredients. Vegetarian and children’s meals can be requested.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited still water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside this selection are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and fins are provided, along with swimming jackets, life jackets, inflatable noodles, kayaks, SUP boards, and other listed water equipment.

What water activities are available?

You can use an inflatable slide, sea scooter, water tube, kayak, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and fishing equipment. An inflatable flamingo is also available.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Children can join, and children’s meals and a box of toys are available by request. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted, and the operator advises checking before booking for children under two.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel transfers are not included as standard. They can be arranged on request for selected areas and booking options, including Ierapetra city and Agioi Saranta.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. Shoes are not allowed indoors, and glass objects, smoking indoors, pets, weapons, drugs, and outside alcohol are not permitted.