Hersonissos: Luxury Sunset Catamaran Cruise Sushi & Open Bar

The best part of this Hersonissos cruise is the long pause in a calm bay, where you can swim beneath the cliffs of Saint George Bay and watch the white chapel of Ágios Geórgios Sarantáris catch the evening light. The modern catamaran gives you room to spread out, with sunbeds, shaded seating, and an onboard WC.

I like the small-group feel, with a maximum of 20 people, and I like the unusually broad food and drink package: sushi, fruit, finger food, Prosecco, Greek wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water. The main thing to consider is the sea. If conditions are choppy, the first hour may be spent sailing before the boat reaches a calmer swimming spot, and one family found that the crew could have explained the plan more clearly.

Key points to know before you sail

• Saint George Bay is the scenic centerpiece: Look for the Cave of Saint George and the small white chapel above the water.
• The cruise lasts about three and a half hours: Some departures may run longer, with one reported sailing lasting from roughly 4:15 to 7:45 p.m.
• Swimming time depends on sea conditions: You can use snorkeling gear, SUP boards, noodles, fishing equipment, and swimming jackets.
• The open bar is generous but not unlimited cocktails: Water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine are included. Cocktails cost extra.
• Sushi replaces a full dinner: You receive sushi rolls, finger food, and seasonal fruit, but this is not a restaurant-style meal.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen: Neither is included, and hotel transfers must be arranged separately.

Setting sail from Hersonissos toward Saint George Bay

You meet the DanEri Yachts crew at Agias Paraskevis 125 in Limenas Chersonisou. The cruise ends at the same place, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Hotel pickup is not included, though it can be arranged on request.

The boat heads out from Hersonissos into Malia Bay and Agios Georgios Bay. The route is less about checking off several separate sights and more about giving you a pleasant stretch of time at sea, followed by swimming and sunset views.

The area around Saint George Bay has a strong sense of place. Rugged cliffs frame the clear water, while the Cave of Saint George adds a small touch of mystery to the coast. Above the bay, the chapel of Ágios Geórgios Sarantáris gives the view a distinctly Cretan character. You are not simply looking at open sea. You are looking at a small coastal scene shaped by rock, water, and a local place of worship.

After boarding, you receive a glass of Prosecco and Mediterranean finger food. The crew then gives a short safety briefing before the catamaran gets underway. Thomas and the rest of the English-speaking crew have been praised for being friendly, attentive, and organized, though the level of personal attention can vary with sea conditions and how busy the boat is.

A spacious catamaran with room to find your own spot

The catamaran is designed for comfort rather than a rough-and-ready sailing outing. Sunbeds give you a place to stretch out, while shaded lounges are useful once the afternoon heat becomes strong. The group limit of 20 helps the boat feel more open than a crowded sightseeing vessel.

That space matters on a sunset cruise. You will want to move around during the trip, shifting from a sunny perch to shade, then heading to the rail for photographs as the light changes. Even at capacity, the boat has been described as feeling roomy rather than confined.

Music and free Wi-Fi are available onboard. There is also an onboard toilet and an outdoor shower, a welcome combination after swimming in salt water. Life jackets, swimming jackets, and liability insurance are included.

One practical point is easy to miss: towels are not provided. Pack one from your hotel, along with sunscreen and any personal care items you need. Personal feminine hygiene products are available onboard, but you should not treat that as a replacement for your normal travel kit.

Private cabins may be requested, but they are not guaranteed and are not part of the standard package. For most people, the open deck and shaded seating will be the main places to spend the cruise.

The first hour at sea can shape the whole outing

The timing of the swimming stop is not completely fixed. In calm conditions, you may reach a suitable bay sooner. When the sea is choppy, the crew may sail for about an hour before stopping in calmer water.

That delay is not necessarily a flaw. A catamaran needs to find a safe place for swimming and water activities, and choppy conditions can make the open sea unpleasant. Still, you should know what to expect. If your ideal cruise means immediate swimming, this may feel slow. If you are happy to treat the sailing itself as part of the experience, the first stretch gives you time to settle in, enjoy a drink, and watch the coast recede.

One useful tip is to ask the crew early about the day’s plan. A past sailing created some confusion because passengers did not realize the calm-water stop would be the only swimming stop. Clear communication makes a big difference when the itinerary depends on weather.

The sea may also affect people who are prone to motion sickness. One account noted that two people struggled with the waves. Bring any medication you normally use, and choose a central, stable place on the boat if you know you are sensitive. The crew provides safety equipment, but it cannot make rough water feel calm.

Swimming, snorkeling, SUP boards, and gentle fishing

Once the boat anchors in calmer water, the cruise becomes much more active. You can swim, use the snorkeling equipment, paddle a stand-up board, float on an inflatable noodle, or try the fishing gear.

The snorkeling kit includes masks and fins. The water is described as clear, but marine life is not guaranteed. Some people saw no fish, so bring snorkeling enthusiasm rather than a promise of an underwater spectacle. The main reward is the chance to cool off in clean Cretan water with the cliffs close by.

The SUP boards add a little exercise and balance practice. If you prefer to take it easy, the noodles and inflatable flamingo let you float without much effort. Swimming jackets are included, which is useful for children or anyone who feels more comfortable with extra support.

Fishing is presented as a gentle activity rather than a serious fishing trip. The equipment is supplied as a complete set, so you do not need to organize anything in advance. Families can request a box of toys for children, although you should make that request before sailing rather than assume it will appear automatically.

This portion of the cruise is flexible and informal. You can be active for a while, then return to the deck for food and a drink. That mix works well for families and mixed-age groups, since not everyone has to swim at the same time.

Sushi, fruit, Prosecco, and an open bar

Food is one of the reasons the price feels more reasonable than a basic boat ride. The welcome includes Prosecco and finger food, followed by a plate of assorted sushi rolls. Fresh seasonal fruit comes later, especially welcome as the cruise moves toward sunset.

The sushi makes this feel more polished than a simple excursion with a few packaged snacks. It also suits the timing. You can eat without sitting down to a formal meal, keeping your attention on the water and the changing light.

Still, keep your expectations in the right place. This is finger food and sushi, not a full dinner with multiple courses. One family found that some snacks had gone by the time they wanted them, partly because the serving style was help-yourself. If you are traveling with a selective eater, especially a child, bring a backup snack or ask early what is available. The advertised food is not tailored to every diet or preference.

The standard drinks package includes unlimited:

• Water
• Soft drinks
• Local beer
• White wine

You also have espresso, teas, detox water, and a protein cocktail. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the listed selection are not included, so the phrase open bar has limits. For many people, the included beer and wine are enough for a relaxed afternoon, but do not board expecting a cocktail menu.

The crew has been praised for keeping glasses filled and offering refreshments throughout the sailing. At the same time, the experience may feel more self-service than attentive if you do not ask for what you want. If you see another passenger being served, do not hesitate to request a drink directly.

Waiting for the Cretan sunset

The cruise is timed around the evening light. After swimming and food, the catamaran settles into a slower rhythm as the sun drops toward the horizon.

This is the strongest reason to choose this trip over a daytime boat outing. The view changes minute by minute. The sea takes on warmer tones, the cliffs become darker, and the chapel above Saint George Bay becomes a clean white mark against the fading sky.

The sunset is not a small extra tacked onto a swimming trip. It is the final act, and the boat gives you time to enjoy it with a glass of wine and fresh fruit. You can sit in the shaded lounge, claim a sunbed, or move toward the edge for a better view.

The boat may also encourage a social mood with music and a friendly crew. That can be fun if you want a little energy rather than silent sailing. If you prefer a quiet, private sunset, remember that this is a shared cruise with up to 20 people.

A practical photo tip: take some pictures before the sun gets low. The best color may arrive after the first obvious sunset moment, and you will want to put your phone away for at least part of it. Free Wi-Fi is available, but the real attraction is outside the screen.

Is $96.55 a fair price?

At $96.55 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Hersonissos. You are paying for a modern catamaran, a three-and-a-half-hour outing, an English-speaking crew, water equipment, food, and drinks.

The value improves if you plan to make use of the package. A person who swims, enjoys sushi, drinks wine or beer, and wants a sunset setting may find the price fair. A person who only wants a short boat ride and does not care about food or the open bar may find a simpler cruise better value.

You also avoid separate rental costs for masks, fins, SUP boards, swimming jackets, and fishing equipment. The included gear gives the outing a fuller feel, especially for a family that would otherwise pay for several activities.

The food package is useful, but not large enough to replace a major dinner for everyone. Plan another meal afterward if you have a big appetite. The cruise does not include hotel transfers, towels, sunscreen, private cabins, or cocktails, so add those costs or preparations to your planning.

The high booking demand is another practical clue. This experience is often reserved about 26 days ahead, suggesting that sunset departures can fill well before the day itself. If your dates are fixed, book early. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time, with a full refund. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you receive a different date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Hersonissos cruise most?

I would choose this for couples wanting a special final evening in Crete, especially if a sunset at sea sounds better than another restaurant meal. The Prosecco, sushi, fruit, music, and open deck give the outing a celebratory feel without making it formal.

Families can also do well here. The swimming jackets, noodles, SUP boards, fishing gear, outdoor shower, and children’s toy box by request give younger passengers things to do. But parents should pack a familiar snack and remember that swimming time depends on the sea.

Friends will appreciate the easy combination of activities and drinks. You can swim, try the boards, take pictures, and return to the shaded lounge without arranging several separate bookings.

I would be more cautious if you need a tightly timed schedule, dislike waves, or expect a highly personalized private charter. The boat carries up to 20 people, and the crew may be less communicative on a busy or rough-weather departure. This is a shared luxury cruise, not a private yacht experience.

Final booking advice

Book this cruise if you want a comfortable sunset outing with real time in the water, included refreshments, and enough equipment to keep different ages interested. Saint George Bay, the chapel, the cave, and the evening light give it more character than a simple ride along the coast.

Skip it if you need a full dinner, guaranteed calm seas, private cabin access, or a fixed swimming schedule. Before boarding, bring your own towel and sunscreen, ask about the planned swimming stop, and tell the crew if you need food or drinks rather than waiting for service.

For most people staying around Hersonissos, this is a strong way to spend an afternoon and early evening. Its best moments are simple: clear water, a spacious deck, a cold drink, and the sun dropping behind the Cretan coast.

FAQ

How long does the Hersonissos sunset catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. One departure was reported as lasting from about 4:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., so the exact timing may vary.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at DanEri Yachts, Agias Paraskevis 125, Limenas Chersonisou 700 14, Greece.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, but they can be arranged on request.

What food is included?

You receive Mediterranean finger food, a variety of sushi rolls, and a fresh seasonal fruit plate. A glass of Prosecco is provided on arrival.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine are included. Espresso, teas, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also available.

Are cocktails included in the open bar?

No. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the listed open-bar selection are not included.

Can I swim and snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. The cruise includes swimming time, high-quality masks and fins, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and other water activities. The timing and location of the stop depend on sea conditions.

Are paddleboards and fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Stand-up paddleboards and a complete set of fishing equipment are included.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Yes. Most people can participate, and the cruise is suitable for families. A box of toys for children is available by request, and swimming jackets are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and personal care items. These are not included. Private cabins can be requested, but their use is not guaranteed.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Is the crew English-speaking?

Yes. The professional crew speaks English. Thomas is one of the crew members associated with the cruise.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.