Rethymno: Sailing Catamaran Cruise with Meal & Drinks

The best part of this Rethymno cruise is the long stop in a beautiful bay, where you can swim in clear water while lunch is prepared aboard the catamaran. It feels more like a relaxed day on a small yacht than a quick boat outing. I especially like the 2.75-hour bay stop and the fact that lunch, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included.

I also like the roomy, clean boat, the friendly crew, and the choice of activities. You can snorkel, paddle a SUP board, float on an inflatable, or simply stretch out with music and a view. The main drawback is shade: there is not much of it, so bring strong sunscreen and plan carefully for a hot summer day.

Quick take: what makes this sailing day worth considering

• A proper half-day on the water: You get about 6.5 hours, including roughly 105 minutes of sailing each way.
• A generous swim stop: The main bay stop lasts around 2.75 hours, leaving time for swimming, snorkeling, SUP, lunch, and relaxing.
• Fresh food served aboard: Expect Mediterranean dishes with seafood, meat, vegetables, salads, bread, and fruit, with special meals available by request.
• Drinks are included throughout: Unlimited soft drinks, white wine, and beer make the price easier to justify.
• Good for mixed groups: Children have toys and a special meal option, while adults can choose swimming, paddling, snorkeling, or quiet time.
• A few practical cautions: Hotel transfers are not included in the standard option, and rough seas can lead to seasickness or a changed route.

Setting out from Rethymno Marina

You meet the crew at Rethymno Marina 15 minutes before departure. Look for the sailing catamaran Karina and staff wearing DanEri T-shirts. A municipal parking lot is available at the marina, which helps if you are driving, but the basic booking does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.

Some booking options include transfers from Rethymno, Perivolia, Platanes, Adelianos Campos, Pigianos Campos, Sfakaki, Skaleta, Georgioupoli, Kavros, Petres, and Gerani. Check that you have selected the transfer option if you need a ride. It is not automatically part of the standard cruise.

Boarding begins with a safety briefing, tea, coffee, and local snacks. This is a useful, low-key start. You can settle in, learn where the life jackets are, and get a feel for the boat before the sailing begins. Bring a passport or ID card, or a copy, because the port authorities require passenger details in advance.

The booking process requires each passenger’s full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport or ID number. Have these details ready rather than trying to gather them at the last minute.

The catamaran ride: comfort over speed

The catamaran is spacious, modern, and designed for a leisurely day rather than a fast transfer. The first sailing stretch lasts about 105 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the coast, take photos, listen to music, and find your favorite place on board.

A catamaran usually gives you more room to move around than a smaller single-hull boat. Here, that space matters. You can sit with your group, find a place to lie in the sun, or move around when the boat begins to feel warm. WiFi is available, so you can share photos or stay connected, though the real point of the trip is to put your phone away for a while.

The crew keeps drinks available during the day, including soft drinks, white wine, and beer. Tea and coffee are also part of the welcome service. The food and drink setup is one of the stronger reasons to consider this cruise at $164 per person. You are not paying only for a boat ride. You are paying for a long day on the water, a meal prepared aboard, equipment, service, and drinks.

Music plays during the cruise and helps create a holiday mood. It can be a little loud at times, especially during lunch. If you prefer quiet, move away from the speakers when possible. The boat has several areas, so you are not locked into one seat.

The Georgioupoli bay stop

The main stop is near Georgioupoli, at a scenic bay selected for swimming and water activities. The route can change with the weather. If the sea is rough, the crew may move to a different destination, and a transfer may sometimes be arranged if conditions affect the plan.

The bay stop lasts about 2.75 hours. This is the heart of the day. You are not rushed into a ten-minute swim before the boat moves on. You have time to get in the water, dry off, eat lunch, and return to the sea.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the setting gives you the kind of bright Greek seascape many people hope to see from Crete. The swimming area can be quite deep, so this is not the best choice if you want to stand in shallow water. Life jackets are available, and the crew is Red Cross certified, but you should still be comfortable in open water or use the provided flotation gear.

Snorkeling gear and fishing equipment are supplied. You may see some marine life, but keep your expectations reasonable. The clear water is the main attraction. Some parts of the bay have limited sea life, so this is not a dedicated marine wildlife trip.

You can also use the SUP boards, arm floaties, and inflatables. The inflatable flamingo adds a bit of fun, especially for families and groups taking photos. There is a box of toys for children, plus a special meal option for younger passengers.

One practical point: equipment sizes may not always match perfectly, particularly with flippers. If snorkeling is important to you, ask early for the best-fitting gear. You can also bring your own mask if you already have one you trust.

Lunch aboard the boat

Lunch is prepared and served during the bay stop, while you have time to swim and relax. The food is Mediterranean in style, with seafood and meat, fresh vegetables, salads, bread, fruit, and dessert.

The exact menu can vary, but the meal may include dishes such as Greek salad, avocado salad, pasta with tomato sauce and prawns, grilled chicken, cheese, pita bread, and assorted desserts. Fresh seafood and prawns have also been served on some sailings. The portions are described as plentiful, and the kitchen can prepare separate dishes for dietary needs when arranged in advance.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available on request. A separate meal was also prepared for a passenger with a shellfish allergy, which shows why it is worth explaining allergies clearly when booking and again to the crew at boarding.

The food is more substantial than the usual packet of snacks on a boat tour. That matters on a 6.5-hour outing. You will spend much of the day in the sun and water, so a proper lunch helps make the cruise feel like a full day rather than an expensive transfer with a swim attached.

The welcome snacks are lighter. If you eat an early breakfast, you should be fine, but do not expect a large breakfast service. A small breakfast selection has been noted, while lunch is the stronger meal.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is one of the biggest strengths of this cruise. Service is attentive without being described as formal. Drinks are refilled, equipment is explained, and the crew keeps an eye on people in the water.

That care matters if you feel unwell. Some sailings have been choppy, and passengers prone to seasickness should prepare. The crew has provided seasickness tablets when needed, but you should bring your own preferred medication if you regularly suffer on boats. Rough conditions can affect the route and may lead to a rescheduled or canceled cruise.

The crew speaks English and Greek. The atmosphere is friendly and social, but the private group option gives you another way to book if you want a more personal setting. Standard group size is presented as manageable, with one sailing described as having up to around 20 people. The exact number can vary by departure.

Birthday celebrations have also been accommodated, including a cake and a song. This is a nice extra for special occasions, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed feature unless arranged directly.

Sun, shade, and comfort aboard

The boat is clean and well maintained, with several places to sit or lie down. The overall design works well for people who want options. You can spend part of the day in the sun, move to a more sheltered spot, and gather around the dining area for lunch.

Shade is limited. This is the most important comfort warning. On a hot July or August day, the sun can become tiring long before the cruise ends. Bring high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a towel. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, even if you do not feel burned.

A towel is not listed as included, so bring your own. Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack only what you need. Wet clothing and a six-hour boat day are not a pleasant combination.

The sea can be calm and smooth, making the sailing wonderfully easy. It can also be rough. Weather determines both the comfort of the ride and the final swimming location. The company can reschedule or cancel for bad weather, with free cancellation available up to 24 hours in advance.

Is $164 a fair price?

At $164 per person, this is not a budget boat trip. You can find cheaper outings around Crete, especially shorter cruises without a full meal or unlimited alcohol.

The price makes more sense if you will use the full package. You get a new and spacious catamaran, around 6.5 hours on the water, a long swimming stop, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, inflatables, lunch, unlimited soft drinks, wine, beer, WiFi, and crew service. The meal is more than basic sandwiches, and the drink package removes the need to keep buying refreshments.

I would call it fair value for someone who specifically wants a polished sailing day. It is less compelling if you only want a short swim or a quick look at the coast. The trip also becomes less good value if you dislike open-water swimming, do not drink alcohol, or expect abundant marine life while snorkeling.

Transport affects the calculation. If your hotel is outside easy reach of Rethymno Marina, add the cost and effort of getting there unless you select a transfer option. A municipal parking lot helps drivers, but it is still worth allowing time for parking and boarding.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and small groups who want a relaxed day with good food and plenty of time in the water. It also suits anyone who likes having choices. You can swim, use a SUP, snorkel, float, take photos, eat, or simply sit back.

Families benefit from the children’s meal option, toys, life jackets, and inflatables. Parents should still remember that the main swimming area may be deep and that shade is limited.

This is less suitable for pregnant women, who are specifically advised not to take the activity. It is also a poor match if you get severe seasickness, dislike sun exposure, or need a guaranteed calm-water route.

For serious snorkeling, I would choose a trip built around marine life instead. The water can be clear and beautiful, but the amount of sea life varies. For a comfortable boat day with food, drinks, service, and swimming, this cruise is a stronger fit.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card copy. I would also bring sunglasses, a hat, a waterproof phone pouch, and any personal seasickness medicine you normally use.

Give the company your dietary requirements when booking. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available on request, and allergy information should be stated clearly.

Arrive at the marina 15 minutes before departure. The cruise returns to the original meeting point, unless your selected option includes an arranged transfer.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a full sailing day rather than a short boat ride. The friendly crew, generous lunch, unlimited drinks, and long bay stop make this a well-rounded choice, especially for a special occasion or a day when you want to combine sightseeing with swimming.

Think twice if you need lots of shade, shallow water, guaranteed calm seas, or serious snorkeling. At $164, the trip needs to match your priorities. For a comfortable, social, food-focused day on Crete’s coast, it is a strong choice. Just bring sunscreen, prepare for possible motion, and arrive ready to spend several hours in the sun.

FAQ

How long is the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 6.5 hours. The sailing portions take about 105 minutes each way, with around 2.75 hours spent at the swimming bay.

Where does the cruise start?

The standard meeting point is Rethymno Marina. Arrive 15 minutes before departure and look for the catamaran named Karina and crew members wearing DanEri T-shirts.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard option. A transfer option is available for selected areas around Rethymno and nearby coastal communities, including Georgioupoli, Kavros, Petres, and Gerani.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a Mediterranean lunch with seafood, meat, vegetables, salads, fruit, and dessert. Unlimited soft drinks, white wine, and beer are included. Tea, coffee, and local snacks are provided at the welcome.

Are vegetarian or special meals available?

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available on request. There is also a special meal option for children. Provide allergy and dietary details when booking.

Can I swim, snorkel, or use a paddleboard?

Yes. Snorkeling and fishing gear, SUP boards, arm floaties, inflatables, and life jackets are included. The main swimming area may be deep, and marine life can be limited in some locations.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise depends on weather conditions. It may be rescheduled or canceled if the weather is unsuitable, and the route or swimming destination can change when the sea is rough.