Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

The best part of this 6.5-hour catamaran cruise is its easy rhythm. You leave Rethymno Port at 9:30 am, settle onto a sunbed, eat well, swim in calm water, and let the crew handle the details. It feels more like a full day at sea than a quick boat ride.

I like the small maximum group of 25, which gives you room to move around, and I like the thoughtful food and drink program. You get coffee, tea, detox water, a protein shake, a light breakfast, gourmet snacks, and a fresh Cretan lunch. The main drawback is the sailing time before anchoring, which may feel long if you mainly want to swim.

Key points to know

• Breakfast begins at the dock: Start with espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein shake before sailing.
• Georgioupoli Bay is the main water stop: Plan on swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, floating, or gentle fishing.
• Lunch is a major part of the value: A nutritionist-designed Cretan meal uses fresh organic ingredients from a local farm.
• The open bar is generous: Water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included without a limit.
• The boat is designed for comfort: Expect sunbeds, shaded lounges, an onboard WC, an outdoor shower, Wi-Fi, and music.
• Allow time for the sail: The trip is relaxing, but the first stretch to the swimming area takes a while.

Leaving Rethymno Port with breakfast on board

Your morning starts at DanEri Yachts, at Sofokli Venizelou 37 in Rethymno. The scheduled departure is 9:30 am, and the activity returns to the same meeting point. The port is near public transportation, but hotel transfers are not included. You can ask about arranging one separately.

The welcome is more thoughtful than the usual quick safety briefing. You can choose espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein cocktail, then have a light breakfast bowl prepared with input from a certified nutritionist. That matters if you are setting out for several hours in the sun. You are not starting the day with only a pastry and a strong coffee.

After breakfast, find a place on deck. The catamaran has open sunbeds and shaded lounge areas, so you can switch between full sun and shelter as the morning heats up. Life jackets are provided, and the boat also has an onboard WC and outdoor shower.

The crew speaks English and includes a captain plus two attentive crew members. Their job is not just to steer the boat. They bring drinks, organize the equipment, explain the plan, and keep the day moving without making it feel hurried.

The northern coast sail to Georgioupoli Bay

The route follows Crete’s northern coast toward Georgioupoli Bay. The first part is best treated as a scenic sea crossing, not as a string of sightseeing stops. You will spend time watching the coast, listening to music, and enjoying the open water from the deck.

This is where your expectations matter. If you want the maximum possible time in the water, the journey toward the bay may seem slow. One passenger specifically found the travel time before anchoring a little long. If you enjoy the sailing itself, that same stretch becomes the calmest part of the morning.

The boat’s size helps here. With a maximum of 25 people, you should not expect a packed party boat. The layout gives you space to walk around, stretch out, and find a quieter corner. Some departures may have a much smaller group, but the published limit is 25, so you should plan for a moderate-sized cruise rather than a private charter.

The catamaran also has free Wi-Fi and music. Those are small additions, but useful on a long outing. You can stay connected if needed, then put your phone away and enjoy the sea.

Two hours for swimming and water activities

Once the catamaran reaches its anchorage near Georgioupoli Bay, the mood changes. This is the main active part of the day, with clear water and time to swim, snorkel, paddle, or simply float.

The crew sets out SUP boards, high-quality masks and fins, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and the pink flamingo float. Fishing equipment is also available on request, offering a gentle activity for anyone who would rather stay close to the boat.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to use the equipment. Swimming jackets are included, and noodles give you an easy way to stay comfortable in the water. The SUP boards are a good choice if you want some movement without committing to a hard workout.

Snorkeling is available, but this is not presented as a specialist marine-life excursion. The appeal is the clear water, the freedom to move around, and the chance to cool off at your own pace. Bring your own towel, since towels are not included. Sunscreen and personal care items are also your responsibility.

The stop is planned for about two hours, though the exact balance between swimming, lunch, and other activities can vary. One French-speaking passenger felt the water activities went by quickly, while others found the time relaxed and unhurried. I would plan to get into the water fairly soon after anchoring if swimming is your priority.

Families can request a box of toys for children. The flamingo, noodles, and calm-water setting also make the stop approachable for mixed-age groups, although the tour data does not specify a minimum age or child pricing.

A Cretan lunch with a practical open bar

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. The lunch is not just a basic sandwich service. It is prepared with fresh organic ingredients from a local farm and designed with nutrition in mind.

The meal is described as a freshly prepared gourmet Mediterranean lunch with authentic Cretan flavors. Earlier in the day, you also receive gourmet bites and snacks. Dessert is part of the onboard food service, according to the experience details from past departures.

I like this setup because it makes lunch part of the experience rather than an interruption. You do not need to return to port hungry or search for a restaurant after swimming. You can eat on board, take in the bay, and go back into the water afterward.

The open bar includes unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. Espresso, tea, detox water, and protein drinks are available as well. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside that selection cost extra or are not included.

This is a particularly good value for people who would otherwise buy drinks throughout a long day on the water. It also makes the price easier to judge. At $174.98 per person, this is not a budget boat trip. But the fare covers 6.5 hours, a modern catamaran, a full lunch, breakfast items, snacks, equipment, and unlimited drinks. If you make use of the food, bar, and water gear, the cost is more reasonable than the headline price first suggests.

Returning across the blue water

After lunch, you can return to the water or stay on deck. This flexible second half is useful because not everyone wants the same kind of afternoon. Some people will want one more swim, while others will prefer a shaded lounge, music, and a glass of Cretan wine.

The return sail provides a final stretch of quiet time. You are not being moved from one port to another or rushed through a list of stops. The day has one main destination, one substantial water break, and a steady return to Rethymno.

That simplicity is part of the appeal. The cruise is about time on the sea, not a long list of landmarks. You get scenery, food, swimming, and comfort in a single outing.

Comfort, space, and the small details

The boat is fitted with sunbeds and shaded lounges, which are more important than they may sound. Six and a half hours on a hard seat would change the entire experience. Here, you can stretch out, seek shade, or move between areas.

There is an onboard toilet, outdoor shower, Wi-Fi, music, and life jackets. Personal feminine hygiene products are available, another practical touch that can save you from packing one more item. A branded gift may be provided for special occasions.

Private cabins can be requested, but they are not guaranteed and are not part of the standard package. Do not book this cruise expecting a private cabin unless DanEri Yachts confirms one in advance.

The boat also carries liability insurance. That does not remove the need to follow crew instructions, but it is part of the standard protection provided for the activity.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this catamaran cruise to you if you want a full, comfortable day on the water rather than a short scenic sail. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like good food, swimming, and a relaxed pace.

It is also a smart choice if you appreciate a more organized outing. The crew supplies the boards, masks, fins, jackets, floats, and fishing gear. You do not have to rent equipment separately or carry it through town.

The cruise is especially suited to people who like a wellness angle without giving up wine or beer. The nutritionist-designed breakfast and lunch, protein drinks, and detox water share space with Greek beer and local wine. You can choose the style of day you want.

You may want to think twice if you dislike long periods of sailing or if you want a nonstop water-sports session. The route includes a substantial journey to and from the bay, and the stop has several activities competing for your time.

Most people can participate, but the information does not give detailed accessibility notes. If you have mobility needs, ask DanEri Yachts about boarding and movement around the catamaran before booking.

Timing, price, and booking advice

The cruise runs for about 6 hours and 30 minutes, beginning at 9:30 am and ending back at the port. It is generally booked about 28 days in advance, so I would not leave it until the last few days of a summer visit if your schedule is fixed.

The 91 percent recommendation rate and 4.7 rating from 79 ratings point to a dependable experience, especially in the areas that matter most here: crew service, food, boat condition, and overall comfort. The strongest praise centers on the friendly three-person team, the quality of the meal, the clean catamaran, and the amount of space on board.

The main criticism is useful rather than alarming. One person wanted a shorter sail to the anchorage, more time for water activities, and a stronger music level while the boat was stopped. Those are fair concerns for anyone booking primarily to swim.

The experience includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the cruise depends on good weather, DanEri Yachts may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation.

What to bring and what to expect

Pack a towel. It is the most important item not supplied on board. You should also bring sunscreen and any personal care products you prefer.

Wear comfortable clothes for a warm morning at sea and bring something that works for both sun and shade. The catamaran has shaded areas, but you will still spend time outdoors. If you plan to swim or use the SUP boards, keep your belongings easy to manage.

You do not need to pack snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, a swimming jacket, or float equipment. Those are included. Fishing gear is available on request, so mention it to the crew early if you want to try it.

If you are celebrating a special occasion, ask about the branded gift. Private cabin use is also worth asking about, but it is not guaranteed.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want food, comfort, and swimming in one well-organized day. The combination of a modern catamaran, a small group limit, a fresh Cretan lunch, and unlimited selected drinks gives the $174.98 price a solid case.

I would choose this cruise for a relaxed day with some activity, not for a high-speed adventure or a dedicated snorkeling trip. The sail to Georgioupoli Bay takes patience, and the time in the water may feel short if you want to spend the entire day swimming.

For most visitors with one free day in Rethymno, the balance is appealing. You get a taste of the coast, a comfortable boat, local food, and enough time in the sea to cool off properly. Check the forecast, reserve ahead, bring a towel, and you will know exactly what kind of day you are buying.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

It starts and finishes at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise leave?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Is hotel transportation included?

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

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also available. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside the listed selection are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You receive a light healthy brunch, gourmet bites, and a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch made with fresh organic ingredients from a local farm.

Which water activities are available?

The cruise includes SUP boards, snorkeling equipment, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and a pink flamingo float. Fishing equipment is available on request.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.