Rethymno: Sunset Catamaran Cruise – Sushi & Open Bar

The best part of this Rethymno cruise is the mix of easygoing luxury and actual time in the water. You can stretch out on a sunbed, then switch to a paddleboard or snorkel mask before returning to the deck for sushi and a Cretan sunset.

I like the spacious catamaran, with both open sunbeds and shaded seating, and I like the crew’s personal touch. Nana, Yannis, Banos, and Sepdos are among the crew members praised for friendly service, careful help in the water, and special birthday attention. The main thing to consider is the sea: wind and waves can affect the route and comfort, especially if you are prone to seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Welcome Prosecco and sushi on board: Start with a glass of Prosecco, Mediterranean finger food, and a selection of sushi rolls.
• A real swimming stop: The boat anchors for about 75 minutes near Geropotamos Beach, with SUP boards, masks, fins, noodles, and swim vests available.
• Comfortable for a small group: The catamaran carries up to 25 people and has sunbeds, shaded lounges, a toilet, and an outdoor shower.
• Greek drinks included: Water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine are unlimited. Cocktails and premium alcohol cost extra.
• A sunset made for photos: The return trip is timed around sunset, with wide sea views and help from the crew when you want a good photo.
• Useful family touches: Children’s toys are available by request, and an inflatable pink flamingo adds a playful touch to the water stop.

What the 3.5-hour Rethymno cruise actually feels like

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast near Rethymno. It is also more than a simple boat ride. The price covers a modern catamaran, a professional crew, food, an open bar, water equipment, Wi-Fi, and a carefully timed sunset return.

I would think of it as a half-day package built around comfort. You are paying for the boat space as much as the food or the scenery. That matters in Crete, where a crowded excursion boat can turn a pleasant afternoon into a scramble for shade and a place to sit.

The group limit is 25 people, which should make the catamaran feel more manageable than a large party vessel. You still share the boat with other people, but there is room to spread out. The front deck suits sun lovers, while shaded lounge areas give you a break from the strong Cretan sun.

Soft music keeps the mood cheerful without turning the cruise into a loud party. This works especially well for couples, families, and friends who want drinks and swimming without a nightclub atmosphere.

Boarding at Rethymno Marina

Plan to arrive at Rethymno Marina 15 minutes before departure. The municipal parking lot at the marina is useful if you are driving, though the optional pickup service must be selected when booking. Pickup and return can be arranged from listed areas, including Bali Village, but hotel transfers are not part of the standard price.

Look for the sailing catamaran Karina and crew members wearing DanEri T-shirts. Port rules are strict, so the boat cannot wait for late arrivals. You will also need to provide each passenger’s full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport or ID number when booking. Port authorities require those details to approve the cruise.

Bring your passport or ID, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a towel. Towels and sunscreen are not supplied. Shoes are not worn indoors, and red wine is not allowed on the boat. Smoking indoors, glass objects, pets, weapons, and drugs are also prohibited.

The crew provides life jackets, but you should still take the short safety briefing seriously. The sea can change quickly, and you may need help using the boarding ladder after swimming.

Prosecco, Cretan snacks, and sushi before sailing

The welcome begins with Prosecco and Mediterranean finger food. This is a light opening rather than a full meal, so do not board expecting a large lunch. The selection includes local snacks and appetizers, with coffee, tea, espresso, detox water, and a protein cocktail also available.

The sushi platter comes later, after the swimming stop. You receive a selection of rolls while the boat is anchored, along with unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek white wine, and local beer. A plate of fresh seasonal fruit is served as another light option.

I like this food plan because it suits a boat trip. Small bites are easier to manage on deck than a formal meal, and the sushi gives the cruise a different feel from a standard Greek barbecue excursion. Still, anyone with a large appetite should treat the food as generous snacks and a light meal, not a full dinner.

Cocktails and premium alcoholic drinks are not included. You can order them for an additional charge, but the included wine and beer are enough for most people. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks give you alternatives if you prefer not to drink alcohol in the sun.

Cruising the Skaleta coast for the first hour

After the safety briefing, Karina heads out from Rethymno toward the Skaleta area. The first hour is a chance to settle into the boat and watch the coast from the water.

This part of the cruise is intentionally slow paced. You can claim a sunbed, sit in the shaded lounge, or move around the deck for different views. The catamaran’s broad layout is important here. You are not confined to one narrow bench, and the motion should feel less cramped than on a smaller speedboat, though no boat can remove the effects of wind and waves.

The crew keeps drinks available and checks on people during the trip. If you want a quieter spot, the front of the boat is a popular choice. If the sun is too strong, use the shaded seating and remember that the reflected light from the sea still makes sunscreen necessary.

Free Wi-Fi is available, so you can send photos during the cruise. I would use it sparingly. The best part of this opening hour is looking back toward Rethymno and watching the coastline change from a different angle.

The Geropotamos Beach swimming stop

The main activity stop is near Geropotamos Beach, where the boat anchors for roughly 75 minutes. This is the part that separates the cruise from a simple sunset sail.

The crew brings out stand-up paddleboards, high-quality masks and fins, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and the large pink flamingo float. You can paddle, snorkel, float, or simply swim in the clear water. Fishing equipment is also available for a gentle fishing session, though this is not presented as a serious fishing trip.

The swimming stop is long enough to avoid the rushed feeling common on short boat excursions. You have time to try more than one activity, then dry off on deck before the food is served. The crew also helps people climb back aboard, which is useful because the ladder can be awkward after time in the water.

The pink flamingo is clearly aimed at fun photos, and the crew can help take pictures. It is a small detail, but it adds something for families and couples celebrating an occasion. A box of toys for children is available by request.

The main limitation is that water conditions control the stop. On windy days, the captain may move the boat to a calmer area. That can be a good safety decision, but it may change the exact scenery or shorten the time you spend in one location. One outing had rougher water at first, followed by a quieter area where swimming was more comfortable.

If you are pregnant, have a medical condition, have significant mobility concerns, or are prone to seasickness, check conditions with the operator before booking. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but swimming and boarding a catamaran involve practical issues that should be confirmed in advance. Children under 2 and unaccompanied minors are not suitable for this cruise.

Sushi, drinks, and the open-bar value

Once you return from the water, the sushi platter arrives. This is a pleasant time to sit back, dry off, and eat while the boat remains anchored or begins moving again.

The open bar includes unlimited water, soft drinks, local beer, and Greek white wine. That inclusion makes the $100 price easier to justify, particularly if you plan to have several drinks during the 3.5 hours. Coffee, tea, espresso, and other nonalcoholic options are included too.

You should still keep the sun and sea in mind. Unlimited alcohol sounds generous, but drinking heavily before swimming or during a windy cruise is not wise. The crew provides water throughout the trip, and I would make that your main drink between glasses of wine or beer.

The food is best understood as part of the atmosphere rather than the central reason to book. If sushi is a major priority, dietary details should be checked before departure because the information provided lists the style and variety of rolls but does not specify every ingredient or allergy option.

Sunset views on the return to Rethymno

The cruise saves its strongest visual moment for the end. As the sun drops toward the horizon, the catamaran turns the ride home into a sunset viewing session.

From the deck, you get open views across the Mediterranean, with the sky changing color over the water. The boat gives you several places to take photographs, and the crew is happy to help with special shots. The sunset is also a good reason to avoid spending the whole cruise at the bar. Save some attention for the horizon.

The return route takes about an hour, with the full activity lasting around 3.5 hours including the marina welcome, sailing, water stop, and return. The timing makes this a useful choice for an evening that does not extend too late into the night.

The sea may be calm, but conditions are not guaranteed. Wind can make the ride lively, and one passenger experienced serious seasickness even though the crew offered repeated help and check-ins. If you know you are sensitive, sit near the center of the boat, watch the horizon, drink water, and ask the crew for advice early.

The crew and the small personal touches

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular cruise. Service is described as warm and attentive, with regular drink refills, safety help, and an upbeat atmosphere.

Names mentioned during the season include Nana and Yannis, along with Banos and Sepdos, though spellings may vary. The important point is the crew’s hands-on role. They prepare the swimming gear, assist people from the water, take photos, and keep an eye on how everyone is handling the sea.

Special occasions receive extra attention if you tell the team in advance. A complimentary branded gift is available for birthdays and anniversaries, and one birthday celebration included a cake and singing. That kind of request should be made before sailing rather than left to chance.

The music is cheerful but generally relaxed. This is not advertised as a wild party boat, and the atmosphere suits people who want conversation, food, swimming, and sunset views.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families with older children, small friend groups, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people in a social but polished setting.

You will get the most value if you plan to use several parts of the package: swimming, snorkeling, SUP, sushi, and the drinks. If you only want a quiet sunset sail and do not care about the water stop, a simpler boat trip may cost less.

Families should appreciate the swimming jackets, noodles, toys by request, toilet, and outdoor shower. Parents should still check the sea forecast and ask about child-specific needs, since the operator advises extra care for very young children.

Couples can turn the trip into a birthday or anniversary outing, especially with advance notice. Solo visitors may find the open layout and shared food make it easy to enjoy the cruise without booking a private boat.

A private group is available, but the standard trip is shared and capped at 25 people. If privacy matters more than price, ask about the private option before paying.

Practical value at $100 per person

At $100, the cruise sits in the premium day-out category for Rethymno. The value comes from the number of inclusions and the boat itself: Prosecco, snacks, sushi, fruit, unlimited selected drinks, water equipment, crew service, Wi-Fi, and a sunset route.

I would not book it solely for the sushi or the open bar. I would book it for the combination of a comfortable catamaran, a proper swimming break, and a sunset at sea. Those three parts give the outing a clear rhythm, and you are not left with a long stretch of simply sitting on a boat.

The 4.8 rating from 446 bookings and the high transport score suggest a reliable operation, but weather remains the one factor no operator can control. The cruise may be rescheduled or canceled in poor conditions, with free cancellation available up to 24 hours before departure. Reserve now and pay later is also offered, which helps if your schedule is still changing.

Should you book the DanEri sunset catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable afternoon on the water with food, drinks, swimming, and a strong sunset finish. The crew’s care, spacious catamaran, and long swimming stop give it more substance than a short scenic boat ride.

Think twice if you get seasick, need a very quiet boat, have strict dietary needs that have not been confirmed, or want a full dinner. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, arrive early, and tell the crew about birthdays or anniversaries in advance.

For most visitors with a flexible afternoon in Rethymno, this is a well-rounded splurge. You get time to relax, enough activity to keep the outing from feeling passive, and a memorable way to see the coast before nightfall.

FAQ

How long does the Rethymno sunset catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts 3.5 hours, including boarding, the marina welcome, sailing, the swimming stop, and the return to Rethymno.

What food is included?

You receive a welcome glass of Prosecco, Mediterranean finger food, local snacks, a variety of sushi rolls, and a plate of fresh seasonal fruit.

Which drinks are included in the open bar?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Greek white wine are included. Coffee, tea, espresso, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also available. Cocktails and premium alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Can I swim or snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. The boat provides snorkeling masks and fins, SUP boards, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and an inflatable pink flamingo. The main water stop lasts about 75 minutes near Geropotamos Beach.

Where does the cruise depart?

The standard meeting point is Rethymno Marina. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure and look for the catamaran Karina and the DanEri crew.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfers are not included in the standard price. Optional pickup and drop-off can be arranged if you select the appropriate option when booking. Bali Village is among the listed pickup areas.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise depends on sea and weather conditions. It may be rescheduled or canceled in poor weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.