Rethymno: Private Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

A private catamaran, a quiet Cretan bay, and lunch cooked on board make this more than a simple boat ride. You sail from Rethymno with a professional crew, stop for swimming and snorkeling, and spend the day at sea without sharing the boat with a large tour crowd. The fresh Mediterranean meal and the full range of drinks are two of the strongest parts of the package.

I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, SUP boards, inflatables, Wi-Fi, and music for your own group. The main point to check before paying is the cost. At $2,239 for up to 10 people, this makes the most sense for a full group, and the published information names both Ombros Gialos Bay and Georgioupoli as the main stop, so confirm the exact route.

Key points at a glance

• Private catamaran for up to 10: You get the boat for your own group, with room to spread out rather than a fixed seat on a shared excursion.
• A 2.25-hour stop at sea: The main pause includes lunch, swimming, snorkeling, regional food, and time to use the SUP boards.
• Lunch cooked on board: Seafood, meat, vegetables, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert are included.
• Drinks keep flowing: Soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are available without an extra charge.
• Useful family equipment: Life jackets, arm floaties, inflatables, a box of toys, and a children’s meal option are provided.
• Bring official identification: Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, birth date, nationality, and passport or ID number before departure.

Setting sail from Rethymno Marina

Your day begins at the Marina of Rethymno, where a crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you 15 minutes before departure. The marina has a municipal car park, which is useful if you are driving in from elsewhere on Crete. Hotel pickup is not included, though a paid transfer can be arranged.

The first 15 minutes cover the welcome, safety briefing, and refreshments. You can settle in with coffee, tea, and traditional Greek pies before the boat gets moving. That small food service is a good touch because it gives you something local at the start, rather than the usual packaged snack.

The crew is described as experienced and Red Cross certified. That does not turn the trip into a formal sailing lesson, but it should give you confidence during the swimming stop and while children use the water equipment. Listen carefully during the safety briefing, especially if your group includes young children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

The 105-minute sail along Crete’s coast

The first long sailing leg lasts about 105 minutes. This is the part of the day when you can settle into the rhythm of the boat. From the deck, you get open views of the sea, rocky Cretan coastline, and bright skies. The catamaran’s size gives you space to sit in the sun or find a quieter place to rest.

This stretch is not packed with scheduled activities. That is part of its value. You have time to talk, read, take photos, listen to music, or simply watch the coast pass by. You can use the onboard Wi-Fi to share photos during the trip, and your group can choose from the boat’s music or play its own.

The unlimited drinks include soft drinks, beer, and local white wine. Coffee and tea are also available. If you plan to drink alcohol, remember that the day includes swimming, paddleboarding, and sunshine. Pace yourself, drink water when available, and follow the crew’s advice before entering the sea.

A catamaran usually provides more stable footing than a smaller speedboat, but motion on the water can still affect you. The tour is specifically not suitable for pregnant women. If anyone in your party is prone to seasickness, ask about conditions before departure and choose a sensible place to sit.

Ombros Gialos Bay and the water stop

The advertised destination is Ombros Gialos Bay, known for clear turquoise water and a calm setting. The supplied route also names Georgioupoli for the main stop, so you should ask DanEri Yachts which bay will be used on your date. The exact anchorage may depend on weather and sea conditions.

The stop lasts around 2 hours and 15 minutes. That is enough time to do more than take a quick swim. You can enter the water with the provided snorkeling equipment, look around the rocky shallows, or try the fishing gear supplied on board.

A SUP board gives you another way to explore near the catamaran. You can paddle along the shoreline at an easy pace, assuming conditions allow. The inflatable flamingo and other float equipment are aimed at relaxed fun rather than serious water sport, but they add something for children and for anyone who would rather float than snorkel.

Life jackets are available, and arm floaties are included. Still, flotation equipment is not a substitute for supervision. Keep an eye on children around the swim platform and follow the crew’s instructions about where and when you can enter the water.

The bay is the heart of the experience, but conditions matter. The cruise can be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather. That is sensible for safety, though it means you should avoid placing this trip on the last possible day of your Crete stay if missing it would ruin your plans.

A Cretan lunch cooked on the catamaran

Lunch is served after you have had time in the water, and it is prepared on board with local ingredients. The menu includes seafood, meat, vegetable dishes, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert. This is more substantial than the snack-style food often offered on short boat excursions.

I like that the meal reflects Crete rather than treating lunch as an afterthought. The cheeses and regional dishes give the outing a local connection, while the seafood and vegetables suit a warm day at sea. The combination also works well for mixed groups, since not everyone wants the same kind of meal.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available when requested in advance. There is also a special meal option for children. Make those requests when booking, not after boarding, so the cook and crew can prepare properly.

The drink service adds noticeable value here. You do not need to buy each beer or glass of wine separately, and the meal comes with the relaxed feel of a long Greek lunch. The tradeoff is that a private boat with a cooked meal costs far more than a basic group sailing trip. You are paying for privacy, food, crew service, equipment, and time, not just transport across the water.

What the $2,239 price really means

The listed price is $2,239 per private group of up to 10 people. At a full group of 10, that works out to about $224 per person. For a smaller party, the per-person figure rises quickly. A group of five would effectively pay about $448 each, before any optional transfer.

That price is easier to justify if your group values privacy and wants one organized day that combines sailing, swimming, lunch, drinks, and water equipment. It can also work well for a birthday, family gathering, or other special occasion where sharing a boat with strangers would take away from the day.

The package includes plenty: a premium sailing catamaran, an experienced crew, a meal with several food categories, unlimited soft drinks, wine and beer, snorkeling and fishing gear, SUP boards, inflatables, Wi-Fi, music, life jackets, and children’s items. You would pay separately for many of those elements on a more basic outing.

The price is harder to defend if you mainly want a short swim and a few coastal photos. In that case, a less expensive shared excursion may offer better value. Also check the capacity carefully. The current terms say up to 10 people, while a July 2024 booking described a party of 17 on the boat. That may reflect a different arrangement, but you should not assume a group of 17 fits the current offer without written confirmation.

The return sail and final hour

After lunch and water activities, you have time to dry off, relax, and enjoy the open sea before the return trip. The second sailing leg is another 105 minutes, bringing the total experience to about 6.5 hours.

This final stretch is best treated as quiet time. You can order another soft drink, beer, or glass of local white wine, listen to music, and watch the coast from the deck. The crew remains available, but the schedule does not force you into another activity.

The long return is worth noting when planning your day. You will spend about three and a half hours sailing in total, with roughly two and a quarter hours at the swimming and lunch stop. If you want constant entertainment, the pace may feel slow. If you like a lazy day on the water, that balance is just right.

You arrive back at the Marina of Rethymno. Since hotel transportation is not part of the standard package, arrange your own ride or request a paid transfer ahead of time.

Food, service, and the human side of the trip

The strongest praise attached to this experience focuses on the complete day: the service, food, wine, and relaxed time on the boat. A July 2024 group of 17 described the whole outing as excellent and said they planned to return to Greece and book again. Because that group size differs from the stated limit of 10, treat it as a useful question for the operator rather than proof of current capacity.

A September 2023 booking from Denmark also singled out the staff, food, and wine. Those details matter because a private cruise depends heavily on the crew. You are spending many hours in a small shared space, and attentive service can make the day feel easy while poor service can make the same route feel expensive.

No individual crew names are provided, so you should not expect a named guide or a history-focused talk about Crete. The focus is on sailing, food, swimming, and personal time. English is the listed language for the host or greeter.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

This suits you best if you want a private day with a flexible, social feel. Families can use the toys, children’s meal, floaties, and life jackets. Couples or groups of friends can make the most of the music, drinks, lunch, and quiet time away from the marina.

It is also a strong choice for a celebration. The private setting lets your group control the music and enjoy the day together without adjusting to strangers. The cooked lunch and unlimited drinks add a festive touch without requiring you to bring much beyond swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

You should think twice if you dislike time on open water, need hotel transportation included, or want a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. There is no mention of guided visits ashore, historic commentary, or a beach landing. This is a sea day, not a cultural tour.

Pregnant women should not book this activity. Bad weather can also force a change or cancellation, so leave some flexibility in your holiday plans.

Booking details worth handling early

Port authorities require the full name, date of birth, passport or ID number, and nationality for every passenger. A copy of the passport or identity card is accepted for the information requirement, and you should provide the details when booking.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. You may also want a dry bag for phones and cameras, though one is not listed among the included items. The boat provides Wi-Fi, music, equipment, refreshments, and food, but personal sun protection remains your responsibility.

The cruise lasts 6.5 hours, and departure times depend on availability. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. Weather can still affect the schedule after booking.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your group can fill most of the 10-person capacity and wants a private, comfortable day rather than the cheapest possible boat trip. The best value comes from the combination of a premium catamaran, a freshly prepared lunch, unlimited drinks, water gear, and several hours of unhurried sailing.

Before confirming, ask DanEri Yachts to clarify the exact bay, the current passenger limit, and any dietary requirements. If those points line up with your plans, this is a polished way to spend a full day on the Cretan coast, with enough structure to keep things easy and enough free time to make it feel like your own.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts 6.5 hours. The route includes about 105 minutes of sailing to the main stop, around 2 hours and 15 minutes there, and another 105 minutes sailing back to Rethymno.

Where does the cruise depart?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is prepared on board and includes Mediterranean food with seafood, meat, vegetables, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and children’s meal options are available on request.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Coffee and tea are also available during the trip.

What water equipment is provided?

The boat provides snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, stand-up paddleboards, arm floaties, inflatables, and life jackets. A box of toys is also available for children.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price. Transfer service can be arranged for an additional fee.