Rethymno: Private Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this private catamaran cruise is the simple setup: sail from Rethymno, anchor in a clear bay near Georgioupoli, then spend several unhurried hours swimming, eating, and relaxing aboard a spacious boat. Fresh lunch cooked onboard and the use of SUP boards, snorkeling gear, and fishing equipment make the swimming stop more than a quick photo break.

I like the way the price covers the whole group, up to 15 people, and I like the friendly service, including Rena taking family photos in the water. The main drawback is that the program centers on one swimming location, so you may prefer a different cruise if seeing several coastal spots matters more than having a relaxed private day.

Key points to know before you book

• One clear-water bay near Georgioupoli: The main stop is built around swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and time on the water rather than a busy sightseeing schedule.
• Lunch is cooked onboard: Expect salads, seafood, chicken, pasta or rice, cheese, dessert, and children’s options.
• Private pricing favors a full group: The $2,643.35 rate covers up to 15 people, working out to about $176 per person if you fill every place.
• A playful boat day: SUP boards, an inflatable flamingo, soft music, and free WiFi add easygoing touches for families and groups.
• Drinks are included: Unlimited beer and local dry white wine are available for adults aged 18 and over, along with water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
• Plan your own way to the marina: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The cruise starts at DanEri Yachts on Sofokli Venizelou Street in Rethymno at 9:30 am.

Leaving Rethymno at 9:30 am

Your day begins at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, in Rethymno. The meeting point is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the package, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

The cruise lasts about six and a half hours and ends back at the same meeting point. That timing gives you a full morning and afternoon on the sea without taking up your entire day in Crete.

The catamaran is reserved for your group alone. That matters more than it may first appear. You do not have to share the boat with strangers, negotiate space around a crowded table, or follow a guide’s plan for a large mixed group. A party of 15 can spread out, while a smaller group gets a quieter setting with more room to relax.

The price is $2,643.35 per group. For 15 people, that is roughly $176 per person. For six people, it is about $441 each, so the value changes sharply with group size. I would consider this a strong fit for a family reunion, birthday, wedding party, or group of friends, but a costly choice for just two people.

The cruise is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 43 days. That is useful planning advice, especially if your dates are fixed or you are visiting during a busy period.

Reaching the bay near Georgioupoli

The main destination is a scenic bay near Georgioupoli, where the boat stops in clear water for swimming and water activities. The supplied details do not promise several anchorages or a set route along the coast, so you should think of this as one well-spent swimming stop rather than a coastal sightseeing tour.

That focus is both the cruise’s strength and its limitation. A single bay means less time spent moving from one place to another and more time for your group to settle into the day. You can swim, use the equipment, eat lunch, and return to the deck without constantly packing up.

If you want changing views and several short stops, this may feel a little limited. One family specifically wished for more than one location. If your priority is a calm day in one attractive spot, the slower plan makes good sense.

The exact anchorage can depend on conditions, and the cruise requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and SUP time

Once the catamaran reaches the bay, you can choose how active you want to be. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The water is described as clear, making the stop suitable for a look below the surface as well as a regular swim.

Fishing equipment is also available. This is a nice option for anyone who wants a quiet activity between swims, though the supplied information does not promise a particular catch or a dedicated fishing session. Think of it as one more way to use your time at anchor.

The SUP boards are especially useful for first-timers. You can try standing, kneeling, or simply paddle close to the catamaran. The boards give non-swimmers and active members of the group something to do, though everyone should choose activities that match their own comfort and ability in the water.

An inflatable flamingo adds a lighter touch. It is designed for floating, lounging, and vacation photos. The spacious deck also gives you a good place to dry off, read, stretch out, or take pictures without feeling packed into a narrow boat.

The boat has WiFi, so you can share photos during the day. I would treat that as a pleasant extra rather than the reason to book. The best use of the cruise is still time away from shore, with your phone put aside for at least part of the trip.

A Mediterranean lunch served on deck

Food is one of the strongest parts of this outing. The crew prepares lunch onboard, giving the meal a fresher feel than a packed sandwich brought from shore.

The spread includes a cheese platter, green salad, Greek salad, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels in turmeric sauce with ouzo, and chicken breast with oranges. Dessert includes seasonal fruit. The combination gives you several choices, which matters when a private group includes different tastes.

Children have their own options: chicken nuggets or pasta. That makes the cruise easier for families, since a child does not have to accept a seafood-heavy menu.

You also receive welcome drinks, traditional cheese pies, and biscuits. Coffee and tea are included, as are water, Fanta, Cola, Sprite, and Cola Zero. Adults aged 18 and over can have unlimited beer and local dry white wine.

The meal is not just an included extra. On a six-and-a-half-hour cruise, a proper lunch saves you from cutting the day short or bringing a large supply of food. It also keeps the group together. Instead of everyone eating separately or waiting for a return to port, you can sit down on the boat while the bay remains part of the view.

One practical point: alcohol is limited to adults aged 18 and over. If your group includes children or anyone who does not drink, the wide selection of soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water keeps the arrangement simple.

Service, photos, and the feel onboard

The crew includes a captain, a first mate, and a chef. Their roles create a useful division of labor: someone handles the boat, someone helps with the group, and someone prepares the food.

Rena is specifically praised for taking family photos in the water. That small detail is worth noting because private boat days often produce good memories but few pictures with everyone in them. Having a crew member help capture those moments can be valuable for families and couples.

The onboard atmosphere is designed to stay relaxed. Soft music plays while you eat or lounge, and the large deck gives you room to move between sun and shade, assuming the boat’s available seating offers both at the time of your visit.

The strongest praise centers on the crew’s care, the fresh food, and the sense that everything was handled for the group. That does not mean the day is formal or highly programmed. It is better understood as an easy private outing where the staff takes care of the practical details while you choose how active to be.

What the 6.5-hour schedule means for you

A six-and-a-half-hour cruise is long enough to avoid the rushed feeling of a short harbor trip. You have time for the journey, swimming, water sports, lunch, and a stretch of quiet deck time.

The tradeoff is that this is a significant block of your Crete schedule. If you have only one day in Rethymno and want to visit several inland sights, this cruise may compete with those plans. If you have a free day and want your group to share one relaxed activity, the length works in its favor.

The return to the same meeting point also keeps the logistics clear. You do not need to arrange transport from a different harbor at the end of the day. Just remember that you are responsible for getting to Sofokli Venizelou Street in the morning and home again afterward.

Because weather matters, keep a little flexibility in your itinerary if possible. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you receive another date or a full refund.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this cruise most strongly to a group that values privacy, food, and time together more than a packed sightseeing route.

It suits:

• Families with children, thanks to the child-friendly lunch choices and easy access to water activities.
• Groups of friends who can share the fixed private price.
• Couples celebrating a special occasion, if the cost fits their budget.
• Guests who want a day with swimming but do not want to organize equipment, meals, and drinks themselves.
• First-time SUP users who would like to try the activity in a casual setting.
• People who prefer a slower day with music, food, and deck time.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone or as a couple and cannot share the group price. I would also think twice if your main goal is to see many different parts of the coast. The cruise offers one central bay experience, not a long list of stops.

Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The activity is offered in English. The available details do not specify accessibility features for every part of the boat, so anyone with particular mobility needs should confirm those arrangements before booking.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you can fill much of the 15-person capacity and want a private day where the crew handles the boat, lunch, drinks, and equipment. The fresh meal, friendly service, water toys, and space to relax give the outing more substance than a simple ride along the coast.

The strongest reason to choose it is the balance between activity and ease. You can snorkel, fish, or use a SUP board, then return to the deck for lunch, music, and a drink. The main reason not to choose it is the fixed price for a small group and the likely focus on one bay.

For a full group, the cost is easier to justify. For a small party, compare it with shared cruises or shorter boat trips. If your group wants privacy and a well-fed day on the water near Rethymno, this is a practical, enjoyable choice.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the cruise start?

The stated start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the meeting point on your own.

What food is included?

Lunch includes a cheese platter, green and Greek salads, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels in turmeric sauce with ouzo, chicken breast with oranges, seasonal fruit for dessert, and either chicken nuggets or pasta for children. Welcome snacks include traditional cheese pies and biscuits.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes water, Fanta, Cola, Sprite, Cola Zero, coffee, tea, unlimited beer, and local dry white wine. Alcoholic drinks are available only to people aged 18 and over.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.