Private RIB Boat Tour to the Secret Beach from Rethymno

The best part of this private RIB boat trip is the freedom to reach coastal spots that are difficult or impossible to visit from land. From Rethymno’s Old Harbour, you head toward the caves at Spilies and a quiet beach reached only by boat, with clear water, rocky shade, and the natural arch of Kamarola for a memorable photo.

I like the personal service from skipper Kostas, who has adjusted routes, dates, swimming stops, and even birthday plans for guests. I also like the mix of active and easygoing time: you can snorkel, swim, jump from the boat, sunbathe on shore, or simply enjoy drinks and snacks while the coast slides past.

The main thing to check is the timing. The tour is advertised at about two hours, yet the detailed schedule includes roughly 30 minutes out, 45 minutes at the caves, 40 minutes at the beach, and 30 minutes back. Ask Blue Fin Boat Trips to confirm the exact duration and route before booking, especially since the price is $634 plus €40 fuel in cash.

Key points to know before you book

• Private 7-meter RIB: Your group has the boat and licensed skipper to itself, rather than sharing the ride with strangers.
• Boat-only beach: Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or jump from the boat at a small sandy and pebbly cove surrounded by rocks.
• Spilies caves: The boat stops outside the caves, and you can swim toward them only when sea conditions make entry safe.
• Kamarola arch: The natural stone arch gives you one of the trip’s best photo stops.
• Rethymno from the water: The return route offers views of Fortezza Castle, the Old Town shoreline, and the lighthouse.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can change the plan, shorten the trip, or lead to rescheduling or a full refund.

Leaving Rethymno from the Old Venetian Harbour

The tour starts at Nearchou 33, beside Rethymno’s Old Venetian Harbour. That location makes the outing easy to fit into a day in town, since you finish at the same place and can continue on foot afterward.

You board a 7-meter rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, with a licensed skipper. A RIB gives you a more open, direct ride than a large excursion boat, but it also means you feel the movement of the sea more clearly. If you are prone to sea sickness, take the operator’s warning seriously and use motion sickness medicine before departure.

The boat is private, so you can spend the ride with your own family or friends. That matters here because the experience is built around flexible swim stops, photo pauses, and time on a small beach. Kostas has also shown a willingness to adapt plans for birthdays, honeymoons, and family outings, though you should arrange special requests ahead of time rather than count on them at the last minute.

Before setting off, you receive a safety briefing and safety equipment. Masks and snorkels are supplied, along with bottled water and onboard WiFi. Snacks and drinks are also part of the relaxed onboard experience described for the trip, though the formal inclusions specifically list water rather than a detailed food menu. If refreshments matter to you, ask exactly what will be served on your departure.

Spilies caves, cliffs, and a careful swim

The first coastal stop is the area around Spilies Beach, about 30 minutes from Rethymno by boat. The shore is backed by cliffs and marked by several caves, giving you a much more rugged setting than the organized beaches near town.

The boat stops outside the cave entrances. From there, you may swim toward the caves and look around, or stay near the boat and snorkel in the open water. The operator allows cave entry only when conditions are safe, so do not treat this as a guaranteed cave-swimming session. Wind, waves, and the angle of the sea can change the plan.

That safety call is sensible. Cave entrances can look calm from a distance while waves push hard inside. If the skipper keeps you outside, you can still enjoy clear water and the rock formations without turning a pleasant swim into a risky one.

The planned time here is about 45 minutes for snorkeling and exploring, with the supplied itinerary also listing a 40-minute stop. That difference adds to the need to confirm the day’s schedule. The precise time may depend on sea conditions, the group’s wishes, and how long the boat needs for the rest of the route.

Bring realistic expectations for the snorkeling. The water is described as crystal clear, and guests have reported seeing fish, garfish, and fire worms during similar stops with Blue Fin. Still, this is a coastal swim from a small boat, not a dedicated scuba or marine-life expedition. Visibility and sea life can change from day to day.

The secluded beach and Kamarola arch

The next stop is the trip’s main prize: a small beach reachable only by boat. It has fine sand mixed with pebbles, clear blue water, and a ring of rocks that can provide shade during the day, depending on the season and the position of the sun.

This is where you get the most choice. You can swim directly from the RIB, use the snorkel gear, jump into the water from the boat, or walk onto the beach for a little time on shore. If you prefer not to swim, you can remain onboard and enjoy the view, though people who cannot swim must wear a life jacket.

The beach is not presented as a large, serviced strip. Expect a small natural cove rather than sun loungers, a snack bar, changing rooms, or other facilities. That lack of development is part of the appeal, but it also means you should arrive ready for a simple stop. The rocks may offer shade, yet you should not assume every part of the beach will be shaded throughout your visit.

Nearby, the natural arch called Kamarola provides a strong photo opportunity. The skipper can position the boat for pictures, and the arch gives the stop a clear visual focus beyond simply swimming in pretty water. If you want photographs of your whole group, tell Kostas what you have in mind so he can help with timing and positioning.

The beach stop is listed at about 40 minutes. That is enough for a swim and a quick walk, but not a long beach day. I would think of it as a scenic swimming break within a boat tour, not a replacement for several hours at the seaside.

Geropotamos and the ride back along Crete’s north coast

After the secluded beach, the route takes in Geropotamos Beach and its turquoise water. The boat pauses to look at the coast while you enjoy snacks and drinks onboard. This section gives the trip a slower rhythm after the more active cave and beach stops.

A RIB can cover the coast quickly, so the journey itself becomes part of the sightseeing. You see cliffs, coves, open water, and changing views of the shore from a position you cannot get on land. The trip is especially appealing if you have already spent time walking Rethymno and want a different view of the area.

The supplied plan describes a 30-minute return journey to the harbour, with a stop to see the coast near Geropotamos. Again, confirm how much time is included at each place. The advertised two-hour duration does not neatly match the separate travel and stop estimates, which together suggest a longer outing.

That discrepancy may reflect a shortened version of a flexible private trip, or it may simply be a timing error in the description. Either way, it is worth clearing up before you pay. Ask three direct questions: How long will the boat be out? How much time is planned for swimming? Is the €40 fuel charge the full fuel cost for your group?

Fortezza Castle and Rethymno from the sea

The return to the Old Harbour is not just a transfer. The boat passes Fortezza Castle and the Rethymno Old Town shoreline, giving you a fresh view of the city’s waterfront.

From the sea, the Venetian fortress reads as a broad stone mass above the harbour rather than as a building you explore room by room. You also get the chance to take photographs near the lighthouse before returning to the starting point.

This final section works well for anyone who has already seen Rethymno from its narrow streets. The old harbour, lighthouse, fortress, and shoreline form a compact visual sequence from the boat. It is also a useful way to finish the outing without adding another walk or transport connection.

Keep your camera protected from spray. The boat is open, and even calm conditions can send water across the sides. Dry bags are not listed as included, so bring your own if you have a phone or camera you cannot risk getting wet.

What the $634 price really buys you

At $634, this is not a low-cost beach transfer. The value depends heavily on how many people share the private boat and how much you care about privacy and flexibility.

The price covers exclusive use of the 7-meter RIB, a licensed skipper, masks and snorkels, safety equipment, a safety briefing, onboard WiFi, and bottled water. Fuel is extra at €40, paid in cash after the tour. Since the boat is private, the per-person cost becomes easier to justify for a full group than for one or two people.

You are paying for access as much as for transport. The boat reaches a beach that cannot be visited by road or on foot, and it lets you combine caves, swimming, the Kamarola arch, Geropotamos, and coastal views in one outing. A public boat might cost less, but it would not offer the same control over stops or the same private setting.

The price is less convincing if you mainly want a quick ride and a short swim. The timing issue also matters. If the actual outing is close to two hours, $634 plus fuel is a substantial charge for a brief experience. If Blue Fin confirms a longer private cruise with generous swim time, the calculation improves.

I would ask for the maximum group size, the confirmed duration, the fuel arrangement, and what snacks and drinks are provided. Those details will tell you more about the value than the headline price alone.

The skipper’s personal touch

Kostas is a central part of the experience. He has handled family trips, honeymoon outings, birthdays, and sunset cruises, adjusting the plan when weather or personal requests called for it.

For a birthday, he arranged an extra surprise, including a cake. On another trip, he contacted the group to change the date for better weather and refunded part of the price when the outing became shorter than expected. Those details suggest a practical operator who pays attention to the conditions and the occasion.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private trip instead of a fixed public cruise. You can explain whether your group wants more swimming, more photographs, a calmer ride, or a special celebration. Just remember that the skipper cannot control the sea, and weather may override your preferred plan.

Kostas also provides information about the coast during the ride. The value of that commentary depends on your interests, but it gives the journey more purpose than simply racing to a beach and back.

Who will enjoy this RIB trip most

This outing suits families, couples, and small groups who want their own boat and a mix of swimming and sightseeing. It works particularly well for a honeymoon or birthday because the operator has shown flexibility with personal celebrations.

You should be comfortable boarding a small boat, sitting in an open craft, and moving around a beach with sand, pebbles, and rocks. People with mobility issues should tell the operator before the tour. The experience is not recommended for serious mobility limitations.

Strong swimmers will have the most freedom at the caves and beach, but non-swimmers can participate with a life jacket. You still need to be comfortable around the sea, since the main appeal is time on the water rather than a purely scenic cruise.

This is not the best choice if you want a guaranteed cave entry, a full day on a beach, or a completely sheltered boat ride. It is also a poor fit if you suffer from severe sea sickness unless you use motion sickness medicine before departure.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

All boat plans depend on weather. If conditions are unsafe, the operator can reschedule the outing or provide a full refund. You may also be offered an alternative program or time if one is available.

For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection, but do not assume the rocks will shade you all day. Pack a towel and protect electronic items from spray. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the tour returns to the same harbour location.

Because the detailed times do not align perfectly with the advertised two-hour duration, confirm the schedule in writing. This is the single most useful step you can take before booking.

Should you book the Secret Beach boat tour?

Book it if you want a private boat, clear-water swimming, a small beach that cannot be reached by land, and a skipper who can shape the outing around your group. The cave stop, Kamarola arch, Geropotamos, and sea views of Fortezza give you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling on a tight budget or if the tour really lasts only two hours. Before committing to $634 plus €40 fuel, confirm the actual duration, the group capacity, and the food and drink details.

For a family celebration, honeymoon, birthday, or small group that values privacy, this is a strong choice. For everyone else, the decision comes down to one question: is personal space and access to a boat-only cove worth the premium?

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Nearchou 33, Rethymno 741 31, Greece, near Rethymno’s Old Venetian Harbour.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the Old Harbour.

How long does the tour last?

The tour is advertised as approximately two hours. The detailed schedule lists around 30 minutes to the coast, time at the caves and beach, and about 30 minutes back, so confirm the exact duration with Blue Fin Boat Trips before booking.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity, using a 7-meter RIB with a licensed skipper.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided, along with safety equipment and a safety briefing.

Can I enter the sea caves?

You may swim toward the caves, but entering them depends on weather and sea conditions. The skipper permits cave entry only when it is safe.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €40 and must be paid in cash after the tour.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather prevents the trip, you can be offered another date or receive a full refund. An alternative program or time may also be offered when possible.