Rethymno: Private Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this Rethymno cruise is simple: you get a full day on the water without sharing the boat with a large tour crowd. The catamaran heads along Crete’s coast to clear waters around Ombros Gialos Bay, where you can swim, snorkel, paddle, fish, or stretch out with a drink.

I like the fresh lunch cooked onboard and the genuinely useful range of activities, especially the SUP boards, snorkeling gear, and floats. I also like the private format, unlimited drinks, and choice of music. The main drawback is the price: at $2,239 for up to 10 people, it makes the most sense for a full group rather than a couple or small family.

Key points to know before you book

• A private catamaran for up to 10 people: You get the boat, crew, and schedule as a private group rather than joining a standard shared cruise.
• Ombros Gialos Bay swimming stop: Clear water, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, SUP boards, and inflatable floats are provided.
• Lunch is cooked onboard: Expect Mediterranean dishes with seafood, meat, vegetables, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert.
• Drinks are included all day: Soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are available without an extra charge.
• The journey takes 6.5 hours: Allow for a welcome at the marina, sailing time, a long stop at sea, and the return trip.
• Good for families and mixed groups: Children’s meals, toys, arm floaties, and life jackets are available, along with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices by request.

Setting out from Rethymno Marina

Your day begins at the Marina of Rethymno. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you 15 minutes before departure, so you should arrive with enough time to find the municipal car park and walk to the boat without a last-minute scramble.

The welcome is more thoughtful than a quick safety talk. You get coffee, tea, traditional Greek pies, and local snacks while the crew explains basic safety. The crew members hold Red Cross certification, and life jackets are available onboard. That combination matters on a private cruise, since your group may include strong swimmers, cautious swimmers, and children with different comfort levels.

There is no standard hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the marina, although transfers can be arranged for an extra fee. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or identity card. Port authorities require the full name, date of birth, document number, and nationality of every person booking the cruise, so have those details ready before you reserve.

The 105-minute sail along Crete’s coast

After the welcome, the catamaran spends about 105 minutes sailing toward the swimming area. This is not dead time. It is when you settle into the boat, take in the coast, and decide how active or lazy you want the day to be.

The catamaran is described as one of the newest and most luxurious in the local fleet, with a spacious deck and room to sit in the sun or find a more sheltered place. You can listen to the onboard music, choose from the available selection, or play your own music. Wi-Fi is also available, which is handy for sending photos while you are still out on the water.

The included drinks help make the sailing time feel relaxed rather than formal. You can have soft drinks, local white wine, or cold beer. Coffee and tea are part of the welcome, and the overall setup is designed for a long, easy day rather than a short sightseeing ride.

The views are a major part of the trip. You see open water, bright sky, and Crete’s rugged shoreline from a low, moving viewpoint. Keep in mind that the boat ride itself can feel long if everyone in your group wants constant activity. If you prefer a cruise with frequent ports or monuments, this is not that kind of outing. It is mostly about the sea, sun, food, and time together.

Ombros Gialos Bay and the long water stop

The main stop is described as Ombros Gialos Bay, a quiet spot with clear turquoise water. The route details also name Georgioupoli, so it is sensible to confirm the precise anchorage and swimming location when you book. Either way, the main appeal is a long stop away from the marina where your group can use the boat’s water equipment.

You can get into the water with the provided snorkeling gear. The bay’s clear conditions are intended for looking below the surface, although the experience does not promise a particular type or amount of marine life. Fishing equipment is also supplied, giving you another option if you would rather wait quietly than swim.

The SUP boards are a useful touch. They let you paddle along the shoreline or simply stand and look back at the catamaran. Inflatable floats, including a flamingo, add a playful option for people who want to be in the water without swimming continuously. Children have arm floaties and life jackets, and a box of toys is available onboard.

The stop lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes, including lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and time for photos. That is long enough to enjoy the bay at your own pace. You do not have to choose between eating and swimming in a rushed half-hour window.

Water conditions and weather still control the day. The cruise can be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather, and the precise balance between sailing and swimming may change. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and spend some time in a stable, well-ventilated part of the boat. The supplied information does not promise a specific seasickness program.

A Cretan lunch served on deck

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise instead of a basic boat trip with packaged snacks. A chef prepares a Mediterranean meal onboard using local ingredients, with seafood, meat, vegetable dishes, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert.

That range is valuable for a private group. One person can choose seafood while another prefers meat, and vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available if requested in advance. Children can also have a special meal. Tell the operator about dietary needs when booking rather than waiting until you step aboard.

The food is paired with local white wine, beer, and soft drinks. Since drinks are unlimited, you do not need to budget for each bottle or make a separate stop at a beach taverna. You also avoid losing part of the swimming stop to finding lunch on shore.

There is a tradeoff. This is not a food-focused shore excursion where you visit several restaurants or markets. You get one prepared meal in a beautiful setting, with the pleasure of eating on the boat. For many people, that is exactly right. If your main goal is to sample many Cretan specialties in town, save room in your itinerary for a separate meal in Rethymno.

How the return sail works

After lunch and the water activities, you have time to dry off, relax, and enjoy another drink before the catamaran heads back. The return sail lasts about 105 minutes, giving you a second long stretch to listen to music, use the Wi-Fi, and watch the coast pass by.

This is where the private arrangement pays off. Your group can settle into its own rhythm. Some people can talk over lunch, others can sit quietly, and children can use the toys or enjoy the open deck. You are not trying to keep up with strangers or follow a rigid program of onboard entertainment.

The cruise returns to the Marina of Rethymno. The total duration is listed as 6.5 hours, while the timed sections add up to roughly six hours before allowing for the full operating schedule. Plan most of your day around it rather than treating it as a quick morning or afternoon add-on.

What the $2,239 price really means

The price is $2,239 for a private group of up to 10 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $224 per person. For a group of 10, the value is easier to see: you are paying for a premium catamaran, a crew, a cooked lunch, unlimited drinks, water equipment, and six and a half hours of private use.

The calculation changes sharply for a small party. Two people would be paying more than $1,100 each if they booked the full boat alone. That may still appeal for a major celebration, but it is not the economical choice for a couple who mainly wants a swim and a short boat ride.

The price also includes conveniences that can add up elsewhere. Snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, SUP boards, floats, Wi-Fi, music, and lunch are all covered. You are not simply renting seats on a boat and then paying extra for every activity.

I would compare this with the cost of a private sailing charter in Rethymno, not with a basic group excursion. If your priority is privacy, space, personal service, and a slow day with your own group, the price is easier to justify. If your priority is the lowest possible fare, look at a shared cruise instead.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This is a strong fit for families, couples celebrating something special, and groups of friends who want a day together without a packed schedule. The children’s meal option, toys, arm floaties, and life jackets make the setup more family-friendly than many adult-oriented sailing trips.

It also suits mixed groups. Confident swimmers can snorkel, paddle, or fish, while others can remain on deck with lunch and drinks. The inflatable floats help people enjoy the water without committing to a long swim.

The cruise is less suitable for anyone who dislikes open-water travel or wants a shore-heavy itinerary. There are no listed visits to villages, archaeological sites, or beaches by land. Pregnant women are specifically excluded from the activity, and the cruise depends on suitable weather.

The private format is especially useful for a celebration. You can control the music, share a meal, and spend the day without negotiating with a busload of other people. The strongest praise focuses on the service, food, and the whole day working well together, with a clear desire to repeat the experience.

Practical advice for a smooth day

Arrive at the marina 15 minutes early and look for the DanEri shirt. Parking is available at the marina’s municipal car park, but the experience does not include transport from your hotel.

Pack a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and an identity document or accepted copy. You should also bring any personal medication you need for a six-and-a-half-hour outing. The supplied information does not state that towels or seasickness medication are provided, so do not count on finding them onboard.

Give the operator each passenger’s official details when you book. The port requires full names, birth dates, passport or identity card numbers, and nationalities. This is not optional paperwork that can be sorted out casually at the dock.

Ask about the exact route if the distinction between Ombros Gialos Bay and Georgioupoli matters to you. Both names appear in the trip information, while the main description presents Ombros Gialos Bay as the swimming destination. The crew can clarify the planned stop and any weather-related changes.

The cruise is conducted in English. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Crete schedule is still shifting, though weather remains a factor.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private day built around the sea rather than sightseeing on land. The combination of an onboard Cretan lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling, SUP, fishing gear, Wi-Fi, and a spacious catamaran gives you plenty to do without making the day feel overplanned.

Think twice if you are traveling as only one or two people, watching every euro, or hoping to visit several coastal towns. The $2,239 price is hard to defend for a very small party.

For a full group of friends or family, this is one of the more comfortable ways to spend a day from Rethymno. The food and attentive service receive the clearest praise, while the private format gives you control over the pace. Confirm the route, provide all passenger details, and let the weather guide your final decision.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from the Marina of Rethymno. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you there 15 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts 6.5 hours. The schedule includes a welcome and safety briefing, two sailing sections of about 105 minutes each, and a roughly 2-hour-15-minute stop for lunch and water activities.

What food and drinks are included?

A Mediterranean lunch is prepared onboard with seafood, meat, vegetable dishes, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert. Unlimited soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included, along with coffee, tea, and traditional Greek pies at the welcome.

Is equipment provided for swimming and water activities?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, stand-up paddleboards, arm floaties, inflatable floats, and life jackets are provided.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available upon request. A special meal option is also available for children.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise may be rescheduled or canceled if weather conditions are unsuitable. Transfer services can be arranged for an additional fee, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included as standard.