Rethymno: Private Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this Rethymno cruise is the feeling of having your own small piece of the Cretan coast for the day. You sail with a private group, stop at Ombros Gialos Bay for swimming and snorkeling, then eat a fresh Mediterranean lunch on board while the coast slips past.

I like the freshly cooked lunch, especially because it includes seafood, meat, vegetables, Cretan cheeses, and a summer dessert rather than just basic boat-trip snacks. I also like the useful mix of SUP boards, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, Wi-Fi, and music, so you can be active for a while and then stretch out in the sun.

The main consideration is the price: $2,239 for a group of up to 10 is a serious splurge. It makes better financial sense for a full group, a celebration, or a family that values privacy. Hotel transfers are not included, and the cruise can be changed or canceled if weather makes sailing unsafe.

Key points to know before booking

• Ombros Gialos Bay is the main swimming stop: Plan on snorkeling, paddling, fishing, or simply floating in clear turquoise water.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Expect seafood, meat, vegetable dishes, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert.
• The booking is private: The quoted rate covers up to 10 people, making the cost easier to justify when shared across a full group.
• Drinks are included throughout the day: Soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are available, along with coffee and tea.
• Families have useful extras: Life jackets, arm floaties, inflatables, and a box of toys are provided, with a special meal option for children.
• You need to arrive prepared: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and passport or ID details required by the port authorities.

Setting out from Rethymno Marina

Your day starts at the Marina of Rethymno, where a crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you 15 minutes before departure. The marina has a municipal car park, which is helpful if you are driving yourself. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard price, though a transfer can be arranged for an extra fee.

The first 15 minutes are calm and practical. You receive a safety briefing, settle on board, and are offered coffee, tea, traditional Greek pies, and welcome refreshments. That small food service matters because the first sailing stretch lasts about 105 minutes. You can get comfortable before the main meal and swimming stop arrive.

The catamaran is described as a newer, premium-class sailing boat with a spacious deck. That gives you more room than a standard excursion boat, but remember that a catamaran is still a working vessel. Sun, wind, and movement are part of the experience. If you need shade, ask the crew where to sit before settling in for the long crossing.

The crew members hold Red Cross certification, and life jackets are provided. This does not turn the cruise into a formal sailing lesson. Instead, it offers a reassuring level of safety for a day built around swimming and water equipment.

The 105-minute sail along Crete’s coast

The first sailing leg is one of the quieter parts of the day. You will see the Cretan coast from the water, with open sea, rocky shoreline, and bright skies around you. The trip description does not promise a guided commentary, so you should think of this stretch as scenic travel time rather than a history tour.

That is good news if you want an easy day. You can listen to music, talk with your group, use the Wi-Fi, or simply watch the water. The ability to choose your own music is a pleasant touch for a private booking, particularly if you are marking a birthday or another special occasion.

Wi-Fi is available on board, but I would not build your whole day around a strong connection. Its best use is sharing a few photos or staying in touch. The main value of the cruise is time away from shore, not a floating office.

Unlimited soft drinks, local white wine, and cold beer are included. Coffee and tea are also available. This makes the long sail more comfortable and removes the need to keep track of a bar tab, though you will want to pace alcoholic drinks carefully if you plan to swim, paddle, or spend hours in the sun.

Ombros Gialos Bay for swimming and water play

The main stop is Ombros Gialos Bay, reached after roughly 105 minutes of sailing. The bay is known for clear turquoise water and a quieter setting along the coast. Once the catamaran anchors, the day changes from scenic sailing to a flexible water stop.

You can swim from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, or take a stand-up paddleboard along the shoreline. Fishing gear is also provided. The inflatable floats and arm floaties add an easygoing option for anyone who would rather bob in the water than swim far.

The snorkeling equipment is a useful inclusion because you do not have to pack your own mask and fins. Still, conditions can change with wind and sea movement, and the exact quality of underwater viewing will depend on the day. The tour promises equipment and a swimming stop, not a guided marine-life tour.

The SUP boards suit people who want a little activity without turning the day into a workout. You can paddle for a while, return to the boat, and switch to swimming or sunbathing. The inflatable flamingo is clearly aimed at fun photos and relaxed floating rather than serious water sport.

Families should find this section easy to adapt. Life jackets, arm floaties, and a box of toys are available, and children can request a special meal. Parents should still keep close watch around the water. A private boat gives your group more control over the pace, but it does not remove the normal risks of swimming at sea.

One small point to keep in mind is the activity description’s use of both Ombros Gialos Bay and Georgioupoli for the central stop. The practical details point to Ombros Gialos Bay as the swimming destination, while Georgioupoli appears in the timing outline. Confirm the exact route and anchorage when you book, particularly if the location matters to you.

A Cretan lunch served on board

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a simpler boat outing. The meal is freshly prepared on board and uses local ingredients. The listed choices include seafood, meat, vegetable dishes, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert.

That range is useful for a mixed group. One person can choose seafood, another can eat meat, and someone else can stay with vegetables and cheese. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available if requested ahead of time. Do not leave that request until boarding day. Give the operator the information during booking so the kitchen can prepare properly.

The meal also gives the cruise a stronger connection to Crete. You are not just carrying packed sandwiches out to sea. The food is part of the experience, and the use of Cretan cheese and local produce gives the long stop a sense of place.

The price includes unlimited soft drinks, beer, and local white wine, so lunch does not require a separate payment. That is convenient for a group, though the value depends on how many people actually drink and how much time you want to spend at the table. If your party includes children or non-drinkers, the meal, private boat, and water equipment will matter more than the alcohol.

A verified booking from July 2024 described a full day with particularly strong food and service, and another account praised the food and wine. Those comments match the structure of the experience: lunch is not a quick snack between activities, but one of the central parts of the day.

The return sail and the pace of the afternoon

After swimming and lunch, you have time to settle back on deck for the return journey. The second sailing leg lasts about 105 minutes. This is when the cruise becomes less about scheduled activity and more about enjoying the open water.

You can choose music, continue with drinks, use the Wi-Fi, or take in the coast from a different angle. The crew is described as attentive, but the day is not built around constant announcements or entertainment. I see that as a benefit for anyone who wants a restful private outing.

It can feel long if you expect nonstop sightseeing. A total of 3.5 hours is spent sailing to and from the bay, leaving about 2.25 hours for the main stop, lunch, swimming, and snorkeling. That balance is worth considering before you book. This is a day at sea, not a fast transfer to several beaches.

The return to Rethymno Marina ends the cruise. You will need to arrange your own way back to your hotel unless you pay for an optional transfer. If you are staying outside central Rethymno, include that extra planning in your schedule.

What the $2,239 price really means

The listed price is $2,239 per private group of up to 10 people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $224 per person. That is still expensive, but it includes the boat, crew, lunch, drinks, water equipment, Wi-Fi, and a private setting for 6.5 hours.

For two people, the same price becomes a major luxury purchase. For a group of friends or a family splitting the cost, it becomes more reasonable. The private format is the key value. You are not simply paying for a seat on a boat. You are paying to choose the music, control the social setting, avoid strangers, and use the equipment at your own pace.

The experience is particularly suited to a birthday, anniversary, reunion, or family day when convenience matters. It is less suited to a solo visitor or a couple who mainly want the cheapest way to swim from a boat.

One unusual detail deserves a quick check: a July 2024 booking account refers to a group of 17, while the stated private rate covers up to 10 people. Group limits and boat arrangements may have changed, so ask DanEri Yachts to confirm the current maximum before paying if your party is larger than 10.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather remains the important exception. The cruise may be rescheduled or canceled in poor conditions, so avoid placing it on the final day of a short Crete visit.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to a group that wants a polished, private day with very little planning once on board. You get transport by sea, a meal, drinks, swimming gear, and a crew in one booking.

It also works well for families. The toy box, floaties, life jackets, child meal option, and private setting are practical advantages. Children who tire of snorkeling can play on board, eat, or relax while adults enjoy the scenery.

Food-focused visitors will appreciate the fresh lunch and Cretan touches. The experience does not replace a meal in a village taverna, but it gives you a different way to enjoy local ingredients, with the sea as your dining room.

It is not suitable for pregnant women, according to the activity restrictions. Anyone sensitive to sun, wind, or motion should also think carefully about spending 6.5 hours on a boat. Bring sunscreen and a towel, and expect much of the day to take place outdoors.

English is the stated language for the host or greeter. If someone in your group needs another language, ask before booking rather than assuming one will be available.

What to bring and what to arrange

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy of the identification document is accepted. Port authorities require the full name, date of birth, passport or ID number, and nationality for every passenger, so have those details ready when you book.

Arrive at Rethymno Marina 15 minutes before departure. Look for the crew member in a DanEri logo shirt. If you are driving, the municipal car park at the marina is convenient.

Ask in advance for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or child meals. You should also request a transfer if you need one, since hotel pickup is not included in the standard booking.

Finally, keep an eye on the forecast. The operator can reschedule or cancel the cruise for bad weather. That is a normal safety measure for a sailing trip, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Crete plans.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want privacy, a proper lunch, included drinks, and a relaxed day on the water. The strongest features are the combination of a private catamaran, a flexible swimming stop, fresh food, and practical equipment for both adults and children.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, watching your budget, or hoping for a busy sightseeing program. Much of the day is spent sailing, and the route is shaped by the weather. For the right group, though, this is a comfortable way to see the Cretan coast without packing several separate activities into one day.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts 6.5 hours, including the sailing time from Rethymno to the swimming area, time at the bay, and the return journey.

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from the Marina of Rethymno. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you there 15 minutes before departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is prepared on board and includes Mediterranean dishes with seafood, meat, vegetables, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and child meal options are available upon request.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Coffee and tea are also available.

What water activities are provided?

The cruise includes a swimming stop, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, stand-up paddleboards, arm floaties, and inflatable floats. Life jackets are provided as well.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price. Transfer services can be arranged for an additional fee.