Rethymno Premium Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

The best part of this 6.5-hour Rethymno catamaran cruise is the easy mix of comfort, food, and time in the sea. You sail along Crete’s rocky north coast aboard the spacious Karina, then stop in clear water for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding while lunch is prepared on board.

I like the small maximum group of 25, which leaves room to spread out, and I like that the open bar covers water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. The food is more thoughtful than the usual boat-trip buffet, with a nutritionist-planned menu and fresh local ingredients.

The main drawback is the long sailing time. You spend about 105 minutes going out and another 105 minutes returning, so the actual swimming stop can feel short if you want a full afternoon in the water. Snorkeling conditions also depend on the chosen bay, current, and weather.

• Fresh food prepared on board: A light brunch and Mediterranean lunch use local Cretan ingredients, with seafood, vegetarian, and lighter choices available.
• Two possible swimming areas: Weather determines whether the boat heads toward Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta.
• Comfortable deck setup: Sunbeds, shaded lounges, an outdoor shower, Wi-Fi, and an onboard toilet make the long sailing stretches easier.
• Water gear included: You can use SUP boards, masks, fins, swim vests, noodles, and an inflatable flamingo at no extra cost.
• Open bar all day: Water, soft drinks, local beer, Greek white wine, espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein drink are included.
• Best for a relaxed full-day outing: This suits you if you want food and comfort as much as swimming and sailing.

What the Rethymno cruise is really like

This is not a speedboat trip built around constant activity. It is a long, gentle day on a modern sailing catamaran, with the sea as the setting and the crew handling the practical details.

You can stretch out on a sunbed, sit beneath a shaded lounge area, listen to light music, or watch Crete’s rocky coast slide by. The catamaran gives you more room than a standard excursion boat, and the maximum group size of 25 helps prevent the crowded feeling that can spoil a day at sea.

The tone is relaxed rather than formal. You can chat, read, eat, swim, or simply watch the water. The pink flamingo float adds a playful touch, especially for family photos, while the SUP boards and snorkeling equipment give you something active to do once the boat anchors.

At $170 per person, this is not a cheap way to reach the sea. You are paying for a long outing, a small group, a premium catamaran, a full food service, and an open bar. I think the price makes better sense if you would otherwise spend money on lunch, drinks, and separate water activities. If your main goal is a quick swim, a simpler boat trip will cost less.

Boarding at Rethymno Marina

Plan to arrive at Rethymno Marina at least 15 minutes before departure. The crew wears DanEri shirts and meets you aboard the sailing catamaran Karina, with municipal parking available near the marina.

The port welcome starts with espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail. You also receive local snacks and a short safety briefing before the boat leaves. This is a useful start because the first part of the trip is a fairly long ride, and you do not reach the swimming area immediately.

Bring your passport or ID card, or a copy of it. Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport or ID number before permission for the cruise can be issued. The QR code sent before departure acts as your ticket.

Hotel transfers are not normally included, though an optional pickup may be available from selected areas, including Bali Village. Check the exact option before paying, since the meeting point and transfer arrangements depend on what you book.

The 105-minute sail along Crete’s north coast

Once you leave Rethymno, the boat settles into the outward cruise. The catamaran gives you several ways to spend this time. Sit in the sun, choose a shaded area, order a drink, or watch the changing views from the deck.

The open bar is available from the start, with still water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and local white wine. Espresso and tea are also included. Detox water and a protein drink add something different from the usual coffee-and-beer selection.

The first food service is a light, healthy brunch. It is designed by a certified nutritionist, so expect a fresher, lighter approach rather than a heavy breakfast. The menu changes with the season, and special children’s meals can be requested in advance.

The sailing time is both a strength and a weakness. I like having time to settle into the day, but you should not book this trip expecting the boat to reach the swimming area in 30 minutes. Guests prone to motion sickness should check the forecast and consider taking suitable precautions. Several departures have had passengers feel unwell even in calm conditions, and the crew has been attentive when that happens.

Georgioupoli Bay or Skaleta, depending on the weather

The planned destination is usually Georgioupoli Bay, though the captain may choose Skaleta when weather or sea conditions make it the better option. This flexibility matters in Crete, where wind and currents can change the quality of a swimming stop.

Georgioupoli offers clear water, coastal views, and a scenic setting for photographs. Skaleta provides another attractive section of the north coast and may be used when conditions favor it. You should think of the destination as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed.

The itinerary allows about 2 hours and 45 minutes at the bay. That time includes lunch, snacks, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and relaxing on the boat. In practice, the water time can feel shorter once the crew serves food and organizes the equipment.

The swimming area is often beautiful, with bright turquoise water and fish visible around the boat. Conditions are not identical every day, though. Some departures have found little marine life to see, while others have spotted schools of fish, sea turtles, dolphins, flying fish, or jellyfish. A strong current can also make swimming harder.

This is a good place to keep expectations sensible. You are not booking a specialist snorkeling expedition. You are booking a comfortable coastal cruise with snorkeling as one part of the day.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the pink flamingo float

The crew lays out the water gear after anchoring. Masks and fins, SUP boards, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and the pink flamingo are included. Fishing equipment is also available on request, and a box of children’s toys can be provided for younger passengers.

The SUP boards are a good choice if you want activity without committing to a long swim. Swim vests help less confident swimmers, while noodles let you float and relax near the boat. The outdoor shower is useful after you return to the deck.

Snorkeling quality depends on the bay and the day. Some spots are ideal for clear-water swimming and show plenty of fish close to the coast. Other stops are deeper and less rewarding for underwater viewing. If snorkeling is your top priority, ask the crew about the planned conditions before departure, but remember that the final choice can change with weather.

The crew keeps an eye on the water activities and checks that people are comfortable. That personal attention is one reason the small group matters. You are not fighting a large crowd for a mask, a paddleboard, or a place on the swim ladder.

A healthy Cretan lunch with an open bar

Lunch is the main reason this cruise feels different from a basic boat outing. The food is prepared on board and built around fresh, local, biological, and organic ingredients from a Cretan farm.

The exact menu changes with the season, but past meals have included Greek salads, avocado salad, orzo, mussels, prawns, pasta, chicken, pita, and assorted desserts. The food has been described as plentiful, with seconds available on some departures. A refreshing dessert follows the main course.

You can request seafood, vegetarian, or lighter options, and children’s meals are available by request. If you have an allergy, tell the crew before departure. A separate pasta dish has been prepared for a passenger with a shellfish allergy, but you should still provide dietary details in advance rather than relying on a last-minute change.

The open bar adds real value. Unlimited water, soft drinks, local beer, and Cretan white wine are included, along with coffee and tea. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside this selection cost extra, and red wine is not allowed on board.

I like that lunch is served while you look out across the water rather than in a port restaurant. It is still an excursion meal, not a formal dining experience, but the fresh preparation and Mediterranean menu make it feel like more than boxed picnic food.

The return sail and the comfort of a catamaran

After lunch and more time in the water, the boat begins the 105-minute return to Rethymno. Depending on wind and conditions, the crew may raise the sails, adding a quieter and more traditional sailing moment to the trip.

The return can be the most peaceful part of the day. You have eaten, swum, and had a few hours to settle into the boat, so the sunbeds and shaded lounges become especially useful. Music continues in the background, but it is generally soft enough for conversation.

The boat has free Wi-Fi, an onboard toilet, life jackets, and an outdoor shower. Shoes are not worn indoors, and smoking is not allowed inside. Towels and sunscreen are not supplied, so pack both.

Shade is worth thinking about. There are shaded lounge areas, but the deck is still exposed to the strong Cretan sun. A hat, sunscreen, and a cover-up will make the day more comfortable, especially in July and August.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a full sea day with a comfortable base, good food, and drinks included. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, and small groups who want to stay together without booking a private yacht.

It is also a good match for people who like a little activity but do not want an athletic excursion. You can paddleboard or snorkel for a while, then return to a sunbed and a cold drink. The swimming vests and noodles make the water more approachable for less confident swimmers.

Families should note that unaccompanied minors are not permitted, and children under two require a conversation with the operator before booking. The toy box and children’s meals can help, but the long sailing periods may still test very young children.

This is not the right choice if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or need a highly accessible activity. Pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and people over 95 are listed as unsuitable for the cruise. Anyone with mobility or health concerns should speak with the crew before booking.

Practical details that affect your day

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. Pickup is optional rather than standard, so confirm how you will reach Rethymno Marina.

The activity is weather-dependent. Bad conditions can lead to a rescheduled or canceled cruise, and the route may switch between Georgioupoli Bay and Skaleta. Departure cannot be delayed for late arrivals because of port regulations.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now-pay-later booking may be offered. English and Greek are spoken, and private group arrangements are available if you want a more personal setup.

For special occasions, tell the crew in advance. Birthdays and anniversaries can include a complimentary branded gift. That is a small detail, but it can make the day feel more personal without turning the boat into a staged party.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you value space, attentive service, fresh food, and an all-day drink package more than nonstop swimming. The strongest parts are the clean modern catamaran, friendly crew, generous lunch, and easy access to SUP boards and snorkeling gear.

Think twice if you want several swimming stops or serious snorkeling. The cruise normally centers on one main bay, and the long sailing stretches take up much of the day. The water may be crystal clear, but marine life and current conditions are not guaranteed.

At $170, I see this as a premium day out rather than a budget excursion. For a first catamaran experience, a birthday, a relaxed family outing, or a special day on the Cretan coast, it offers enough food, comfort, and service to justify the cost. If you want only a quick swim and a cheap boat ride, choose something simpler.

FAQ

How long does the Rethymno catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, or approximately six and a half hours. The outward and return sailing sections each take about 105 minutes, with around 2 hours and 45 minutes at the swimming area.

Where does the cruise depart?

Boarding takes place at Rethymno Marina. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure, and municipal parking is available at the marina.

Does the cruise include hotel pickup?

Hotel transfers are not included as standard. An optional pickup service may be available from selected areas, including Bali Village, depending on the option you choose.

Which drinks are included?

The open bar includes unlimited still water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. Espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also included. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a light healthy brunch and a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch. Menus change seasonally and can include seafood, vegetarian food, lighter choices, and dessert. Children’s meals can be requested.

What water equipment is available?

The boat provides stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling masks and fins, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and an inflatable flamingo. Fishing equipment and children’s toys are available on request.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card, or a copy. Towels and sunscreen are not provided on board.