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

The best part of this Agios Nikolaos catamaran trip is the mix of easygoing sea time and proper water play. You cruise across Mirabello Gulf toward views of Spinalonga Island, then stop in a clear, sheltered bay for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and a ride on the inflatable slide.

I like the generous drinks package, which includes local beer, white wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water. I also like that the crew prepares food on board rather than handing you a basic packed meal. The main caution is that the boat may motor more than it sails, and one past passenger found the meeting point vague and the catamaran somewhat crowded even below its 20-person limit.

Key points

• Spinalonga views from the water: The cruise gives you a fresh angle on one of Crete’s best-known islands.
• A full set of water gear: Expect SUP boards, snorkeling equipment, a kayak, fishing gear, noodles, a sea scooter, and an inflatable slide.
• Food and drinks included: Dinner or lunch-style Mediterranean food, soft drinks, beer, white wine, coffee, tea, and water are part of the package.
• Late-afternoon timing: The five-hour outing gives you warm swimming conditions and a sunset-cruise feel without taking up your whole day.
• Small-group format: The maximum is 20 people, with shaded lounges, sunbeds, a WC, and an outdoor shower.
• A few practical limits: Towels and sunscreen are not supplied, private cabins cost extra and are not guaranteed, and the boat may motor instead of sailing under wind power.

Setting out from Agios Nikolaos into Mirabello Gulf

Your meeting point is the Marina Kiosk in Agios Nikolaos. The cruise returns to the same place after about five hours, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point. Hotel transfers are not included, though they can be arranged on request.

I would allow extra time to find the boat. One passenger had trouble locating the correct vessel because the meeting instructions felt vague. The cruise has an English-speaking crew, but the supplied information does not give the crew members’ names, so you should not expect a named guide-led tour with a long talk about Crete.

Instead, this is mainly a relaxed boat outing. The crew handles safety, food, drinks, and equipment while you enjoy the coast. The maximum group size is 20, which is more personal than a large excursion boat, though the amount of open deck space depends on how full the departure is.

The catamaran is described as modern and luxurious, with sunbeds and shaded lounges. That matters on a five-hour trip. You can shift between sun and shade, take a break from the water, and find a comfortable place for the meal. There is also an onboard WC and an outdoor shower, useful after swimming in salt water.

At the start, you may receive espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein cocktail. These small touches suit the health-conscious style of the cruise. The boat also carries light protein snacks, so the food offering is not limited to the main meal.

Spinalonga views from the catamaran deck

The route takes you through the calm waters of Mirabello Gulf. The main sightseeing moment comes as you look toward Spinalonga Island from the catamaran rather than from the usual shore-based viewpoints.

That angle is valuable because the island becomes part of a wider sea view. You can take photographs from the deck without rushing through a land visit. The cruise is not presented as a guided tour of Spinalonga, so you should book it for the view and the atmosphere, not for detailed island interpretation.

The late-afternoon timing gives the outing a pleasant rhythm. You start with open-water scenery, reach the swimming area, eat on board, and continue relaxing as the light changes. The schedule does not promise a specific sunset time, but the timing clearly aims at a later-day experience rather than a morning departure.

The boat may be called a sailing catamaran, but do not assume that you will spend the full trip under sail. One passenger specifically noted that the boat motored rather than sailed. Wind conditions and the operator’s schedule can affect this, so the trip is best understood as a catamaran cruise with scenic sailing-area views, not a guaranteed wind-powered voyage.

A calm bay for swimming and water toys

The main stop is a quiet, clear bay in Mirabello Gulf. You anchor there for roughly two hours, giving you time to use the water equipment rather than making a quick ten-minute swim stop.

You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or use the kayak. High-quality masks and fins are provided, along with swimming jackets and inflatable noodles. The noodles are a nice option if you want to float without working hard, while life jackets provide extra support for anyone less confident in the water.

The inflatable slide adds a playful touch, especially for families. Children can also request a box of toys, and children’s food options are available on request. The boat carries an inflatable flamingo for photographs, which may sound like a small detail, but it gives the stop a light vacation feel rather than a formal watersports lesson.

You can also try gentle fishing with the supplied equipment. The wording matters here: this is a casual activity, not a serious fishing trip. If you enjoy trying something different between swims, it is a welcome extra. If fishing is your main aim, this cruise will not provide the time or specialist focus of a dedicated fishing charter.

A sea scooter is included as well. The supplied information does not specify how long each person may use it or whether access is shared, so you should expect equipment use to be managed by the crew and group size.

Snorkeling conditions depend on the bay and the weather. The water is described as crystal clear, but the trip does not promise particular fish, reefs, or underwater sites. Bring your own expectations down to a pleasant swim and casual snorkeling session rather than a specialist marine excursion.

Dinner, drinks, and the sushi question

Food is a strong part of the package, though the exact menu needs clarification. The experience title refers to sushi, while the included details describe a nutritionist-designed healthy meal, vegetarian and children’s choices on request, protein snacks, and a freshly prepared Mediterranean dinner.

Past feedback described the food as well prepared and delicious, while another passenger found the selection limited. I would read this as a quality meal with a modest range, not a large buffet. If you have dietary needs, request the vegetarian or children’s option before departure rather than waiting until you are on the boat.

The open bar includes water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine. Espresso, tea, detox water, and protein cocktails are also listed. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside that selection cost extra. This is important when comparing prices, since an open bar can quickly add value to a five-hour cruise if you plan to enjoy wine or beer with the meal.

The meal is served while you are anchored or relaxing aboard. That makes the food part of the setting, rather than a break at a separate restaurant. You can eat with the bay around you, then return to the water or settle into the shaded lounge.

The word sushi in the title may attract people looking for Japanese food. Since the detailed inclusions focus on Mediterranean dishes, I would ask the operator what will be served on your date if sushi is a deciding factor. The available information does not guarantee a sushi menu.

What the boat feels like for five hours

A catamaran gives you several ways to spend the afternoon. You can lie on a sunbed, sit in a shaded lounge, swim, use the boards, take photographs, or listen to music. Free Wi-Fi lets you share photos while on board, although the quality of the connection can depend on the route.

The crew also provides music, which helps keep the trip informal. This is not a silent luxury charter. If you want peace and quiet all afternoon, music and a group of up to 20 people may be worth considering before you book.

The catamaran has enough equipment to keep active people occupied, but you are not required to use anything. I like that flexibility. You can make the cruise as energetic or lazy as you wish, and the shaded areas give you somewhere to recover from the sun.

The boat includes liability insurance and life jackets. Personal feminine hygiene products are also listed, a practical touch that is easy to overlook when planning a long afternoon at sea. Towels are not included, so pack one. Sunscreen and other personal care items are also your responsibility.

Private cabins may be available on request, but they are not guaranteed and may cost extra. Do not book this trip expecting a private cabin as part of the standard experience.

Is $150.18 a fair price?

At $150.18 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Agios Nikolaos. The value depends on how much of the package you will use.

You are paying for about five hours on a modern catamaran, a professional English-speaking crew, the meal, an open selection of drinks, water equipment, Wi-Fi, and a small-group setting. If you plan to swim, use the SUP, have a meal, and enjoy a few drinks, the price is easier to justify than if you only want a short scenic cruise.

The open bar is especially useful for couples or friends who would otherwise buy drinks separately. The equipment also saves you from arranging separate snorkeling or paddleboard rental. Families may find value in the slide, kayak, noodles, fishing gear, children’s food options, and toy box.

On the other hand, one passenger felt the cruise would be better value if booked early at a lower price. The experience is sometimes booked about 38 days ahead, so popular dates may fill well before the travel date. Booking early can help with availability and may also secure a better rate, but you should still compare the final price with other half-day boat trips in the area.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is serious sailing, a large meal with many choices, or a private yacht experience. This is a shared cruise, and the boat can feel crowded depending on the departure.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to couples who want a scenic afternoon with swimming and a meal already arranged. The views of Spinalonga, sunset-style timing, and relaxed deck space give it a romantic feel without requiring you to organize separate activities.

It also suits families who want choices. One child can use the slide, another can paddleboard, and an adult can sit in the shade with a drink. The life jackets, noodles, toy box, and children’s meal options make the setup family-friendly, though parents remain responsible for supervising children around the water.

Active visitors will appreciate the amount of included equipment. You can move between snorkeling, SUP, kayaking, fishing, and the sea scooter instead of spending the whole afternoon in one spot.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, private charter. The maximum of 20 people is fairly small for an organized cruise, but it is not intimate in the same way as a boat reserved for your own group. I would also choose another experience if a fully powered sailing trip or a detailed Spinalonga tour is essential.

The cruise requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Most people can participate, and the meeting area is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not describe special accessibility arrangements, so ask the operator directly if you have mobility concerns.

My call: book it for the full afternoon package

I would book this Agios Nikolaos catamaran cruise if I wanted one organized outing that combines scenery, swimming, food, drinks, and water toys. Its best qualities are the well-equipped boat, the friendly service reported during the trip, the attractive bay stops, and the freedom to spend the afternoon at your own pace.

I would not book it solely for sushi, since the detailed meal information points more clearly to Mediterranean food. I would also confirm the meeting point, bring a towel and sunscreen, and accept that the boat may motor rather than sail.

For a couple, family, or small group that values convenience, the $150.18 price can work well, especially if you use the equipment and open bar. For a private yacht atmosphere or serious sailing, keep looking. This is a comfortable shared sea day with plenty to do, not a bespoke sailing charter.

FAQ

How long does the Agios Nikolaos catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at the Marina Kiosk in Marina, Agios Nikolaos, and returns to the same meeting point.

Is Spinalonga Island visited?

The catamaran sails through Mirabello Gulf and provides views and photo opportunities of Spinalonga Island from the water. A land visit to the island is not included in the provided itinerary.

What water activities are included?

Swimming, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, gentle fishing, the inflatable slide, and use of a sea scooter are included. Snorkeling masks and fins, fishing equipment, swimming jackets, noodles, and life jackets are provided.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a freshly prepared Mediterranean-style meal, vegetarian and children’s options upon request, protein snacks, water, soft drinks, local beer, white wine, coffee, tea, detox water, and protein cocktails. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside the open-bar selection are not included.

Should I bring a towel and sunscreen?

Yes. Towels, sunscreen, and personal care items are not provided.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.