Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

The best part of this Rethymno catamaran cruise is its easy rhythm: breakfast as you leave port, a long stop in Georgioupoli Bay, then swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks without anyone rushing you. The small-group setting and generous space on the catamaran make the day feel calm rather than crowded.

I like the thoughtful food and the attentive three-person crew. You get espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein drink before sailing, followed by a fresh Cretan lunch and an open bar. The main drawback is the long sailing time before anchoring, which leaves less time for water activities than some people may expect.

Key points to know

• A six-and-a-half-hour coastal cruise begins at 9:30 a.m. from Rethymno Port and returns to the same place.
• Georgioupoli Bay is the main swimming stop, with calm water, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, noodles, and a large inflatable flamingo.
• Food is a major part of the day, including a light brunch, local gourmet bites, and a nutritionist-designed Cretan lunch.
• The open bar covers the basics well, with unlimited water, soft drinks, local beer, and Cretan white wine.
• The catamaran holds a maximum of 25 people, though some departures may feel much smaller.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen, since neither is included.

Leaving Rethymno with breakfast on deck

Your morning starts at 9:30 a.m. at DanEri Yachts on Sofokli Venizelou 37, beside Rethymno Port. The crew welcomes you with espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein shake, then serves a light breakfast bowl prepared with help from a certified nutritionist.

That opening meal sets the tone. This is not a bare-bones boat ride where you are handed a drink and left to find your own place. You can settle on a sunbed, choose a shaded lounge, or stretch out in the sun while the catamaran heads along Crete’s northern coast.

I especially like this start for people who want a slow morning. You do not need to organize breakfast before reaching the port, and the drinks begin before the day gets hot. The healthy angle also feels practical rather than fussy. You still get a holiday at sea, but the food is built around fresh ingredients and balanced meals.

The boat has onboard Wi-Fi, music, a toilet, and an outdoor shower. Those are small conveniences, but they matter during a full day on the water. The crew also carries life jackets, swimming jackets, and safety equipment, so you can enjoy the boat without wondering where the basics are stored.

The north coast views and the long run to Georgioupoli Bay

The first stretch is mostly about the sea and the coast. You sail away from Rethymno and toward Georgioupoli Bay, with time to sit, talk, read, listen to music, or simply watch the water.

This is also the part of the trip that requires realistic expectations. The sailing time before the anchor is dropped can feel long if your main goal is swimming or paddleboarding. One four-star assessment specifically found the journey to the swimming area longer than expected, and that is useful advice when planning your day.

You may find this first section relaxing if you enjoy the boat itself. The catamaran is described as clean, modern, and large enough for people to move around without feeling squeezed. If you want action from the moment you leave port, though, this cruise may feel slow at first.

The maximum group size is 25 people. That is a sensible limit for a shared catamaran, and the boat’s layout gives you several ways to spread out. Some departures may be much smaller, which can make the atmosphere especially peaceful, but the exact number on your sailing is not guaranteed.

Anchoring in Georgioupoli Bay

The main stop is Georgioupoli Bay, where the catamaran anchors for roughly two hours. This is the heart of the outing, since you can combine lunch with time in the water instead of making a short stop that leaves you watching the clock.

The water is described as calm and crystal clear, making the bay suitable for swimming and snorkeling. The crew sets out high-quality masks and fins, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and SUP boards. Fishing equipment is also available on request for a gentle fishing session.

You can choose your level of activity. Swim from the boat, paddle across the bay, snorkel near the catamaran, float on the inflatable flamingo, or stay on deck with a drink. The outdoor shower helps rinse off salt water, and the onboard WC means you do not need to go ashore.

The water equipment gives the stop more variety than a simple swim break. Families can request a box of toys for children, while adults may prefer a paddleboard or a quiet stretch on a sunbed. The inflatable flamingo adds a playful touch, especially for photos, but it is not the only way to enjoy the stop.

The limitation is time. Two hours sounds generous, yet it goes quickly once you have chosen equipment, applied sunscreen, swum, and dried off. If you want a full afternoon of snorkeling, this is not a specialist snorkeling trip. It is a broad, relaxed sea day with several activities available.

Local flavors, fresh produce, and a proper lunch

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. Before the main meal, the crew serves gourmet bites using local flavors. Later, lunch is prepared with fresh organic ingredients from a local farm and designed with input from a nutritionist.

The meal is presented as a Cretan lunch, not just generic buffet food. You should expect Mediterranean flavors and a meal intended to feel fresh and filling after time in the water. The food includes a dessert, according to the detailed trip feedback, so you are not left with a small plate and a drink after several hours outside.

This is a useful point when judging the price. At $174.98 per person, the cruise costs more than a simple half-day boat outing, but you are paying for a full six-and-a-half-hour program, a modern catamaran, several meals, an open bar, equipment, and a professional crew. If you would otherwise buy breakfast, lunch, drinks, and water activities separately, the package becomes easier to justify.

The nutritionist-designed approach may also appeal to you if you want food that feels lighter in the heat. Do not book it expecting a stripped-down wellness retreat, though. Beer, wine, soft drinks, dessert, and generous Mediterranean food are all part of the day.

What the open bar really includes

The open bar includes unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. Tea, espresso, detox water, and a protein cocktail are available as part of the welcome and morning service.

That is a good selection for a daytime cruise. You can keep drinking water, choose a soft drink after swimming, or have local beer and white wine with lunch. The offering is broad enough for a mixed group, including people who do not drink alcohol.

Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks are not included. You should also know that the open-bar service may not begin at the exact moment you step aboard. One piece of feedback noted a short wait before drinks were offered after boarding, so if you are eager for a morning coffee or water, ask the crew directly.

The crew is attentive and regularly checks whether you need something. That personal service is part of the value here. You are not expected to keep walking to a bar or line up for every drink.

A crew that keeps the day comfortable

The crew includes a captain, an assistant, and a deckhand. They speak English and handle the practical work, from setting up the paddleboards and snorkeling equipment to serving food and keeping the boat organized.

The strongest praise centers on the crew’s friendly and careful service. The captain explains the plan, keeps the mood relaxed, and makes sure people feel safe. The other crew members bring food and drinks, help with equipment, and remain available without making the day feel over-managed.

That balance matters on a boat. A crew can either leave you unsure what to do or hover too much. Here, the setup is intended to let you make your own choice while help remains close at hand.

The staff also handle safety equipment, including life jackets and swimming jackets. Liability insurance is included. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a catamaran and moving around a boat during a full day at sea.

Space, music, and the feel of the catamaran

The boat offers sunbeds and shaded lounges, so you can change your position as the sun moves. You may want the sun early in the day, then prefer shade after lunch. Having both options is much better than being stuck in one narrow seating area.

Music plays on board, and Wi-Fi is free. The sound level may vary during the trip. One assessment found the music too quiet while the boat was anchored, while other feedback treated the music as a pleasant part of the atmosphere.

The overall mood is relaxed and social rather than formal. You can talk with the people around you, listen to music, or keep to yourself. The group size helps, though the exact feel depends on how many people book your departure.

For a special occasion, a branded gift is included. The activity also offers personal feminine hygiene products, which is an unusually considerate touch on a day-long boat trip. Private cabins may be requested, but they are not guaranteed and are not part of the standard package.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want an all-day boat experience with food, drinks, and several ways to spend your time. It suits couples, groups of friends, families, and solo visitors who like a friendly setting but do not want a huge party boat.

It is especially good for people who value comfort. You get shaded seating, sunbeds, an onboard toilet, an outdoor shower, food prepared with fresh ingredients, and equipment already arranged for you.

Families can make use of the swimming jackets, noodles, inflatable flamingo, SUP boards, and children’s toy box available by request. The crew can also provide a gentler fishing activity for anyone who does not want to swim.

You may want to choose another type of outing if you want to spend most of the day snorkeling, reach a remote beach, or keep moving from one coastal stop to another. This cruise has one main bay stop, and the first part of the route is dedicated to reaching it.

It may also be less suitable if you dislike a fixed schedule. The start time, sailing route, meal service, and return are organized for you. That is part of the appeal, but it leaves less freedom than hiring a private boat.

Practical details that affect your day

The meeting point is DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00. The cruise starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends back at the same meeting point after about six hours and 30 minutes.

Hotel transfers are not included, though they can be arranged on request. Public transportation is nearby. Check your route before departure and allow enough time to reach the port, since the cruise leaves in the morning.

Bring a towel. Towels are not included, and neither are sunscreen or personal care items. Sunscreen is particularly important because you may spend several hours on exposed deck and in reflective water.

You do not need to bring snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, a swimming jacket, or fishing equipment. Those are supplied. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the included beer and wine selection cost extra if available.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Is the $174.98 price fair?

The price is high enough that you should compare it with your priorities, not just count the hours. This is not simply transportation along the coast. It combines a modern catamaran, a six-and-a-half-hour schedule, breakfast, snacks, lunch, an open bar, water equipment, crew service, and a bay stop with time to swim.

I think the price is fair if you want convenience and comfort in one package. You do not need to plan lunch, rent a paddleboard, find snorkeling gear, or buy drinks throughout the day. The open bar also helps control spending once you are on board.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short swim or a cheap boat ride. The sailing time takes up a meaningful portion of the day, and the main water stop is limited to about two hours. In that case, a simpler local boat trip may suit you better.

The 91 percent recommendation rate and 4.7 rating suggest a strong overall experience, but the small amount of criticism is useful. The main concerns are the time spent reaching the bay, the relatively short activity window, and occasional delays before drinks or music fully get going.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a polished day at sea with good food, attentive service, and plenty of included comforts. It is a strong choice for a first Crete boat outing, a relaxed couple’s day, or a family trip where different people want different activities.

You should think twice if your main goal is intensive snorkeling, constant movement, or the lowest possible price. The route takes time, and the experience is designed around relaxation as much as swimming.

For the best fit, arrive ready for a slow morning, bring sunscreen and a towel, and treat the bay stop as the active part of a broader day on the water. If that sounds right, the combination of Cretan food, calm swimming, SUP, an open bar, and a comfortable catamaran makes this a worthwhile splurge from Rethymno.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece. It returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes.

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 available. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. High-quality masks and fins are provided, along with SUP boards, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and an inflatable flamingo.

Are hotel transfers included?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.