Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

Sea days are easy to get right. This Rethymno catamaran cruise pairs a polished boat with a genuinely useful mix of swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and good food. I especially like the nutritionist-designed brunch and Cretan lunch, plus the attentive three-person crew that keeps the day feeling relaxed rather than over-managed.

I also like the space on board. With a maximum of 25 people, you are not packed shoulder to shoulder, and the catamaran offers sunbeds, shaded seating, an outdoor shower, and a toilet. The main trade-off is that the boat takes some time to reach its swimming area, so you may find the active water portion shorter than expected.

At a glance

• A health-minded start: Espresso, tea, detox water, a protein shake, and a light breakfast bowl begin the morning.
• A generous swimming stop: Georgioupoli Bay provides calm water for swimming, SUP, snorkeling, floating, and gentle fishing.
• Fresh Cretan cooking: Lunch uses organic ingredients from a local farm and includes Mediterranean dishes, snacks, and dessert.
• An open bar with limits: Water, soft drinks, local beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Cocktails and other alcohol cost extra.
• A comfortable group size: The boat carries no more than 25 people, with sunbeds and shaded lounges to spread out.
• A weather-dependent day: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and poor weather may lead to a new date or refund.

Leaving Rethymno Port at 9:30 am

Your morning starts at DanEri Yachts on Sofokli Venizelou 37, right at Rethymno Port. The scheduled departure is 9:30 am, and the activity returns to the same place after about six and a half hours.

This is not a rushed boat transfer disguised as a cruise. From the beginning, the crew sets up the day as a slow, comfortable outing. You can take an espresso, tea, detox water, or protein cocktail while getting settled. A light breakfast bowl prepared with nutrition advice gives you something to eat before the larger meal later.

That small breakfast matters. You are heading out for a full morning on the water, and starting with only coffee can leave you hungry before the swimming stop. Here, the food is part of the experience from the first minutes.

The English-speaking crew includes a captain, an assistant, and a deckhand. The strongest impression from the day is their attentive service. They explain the plan, help with equipment, and check on drinks without making the boat feel formal. If you want a quiet morning, you can settle into a shaded lounge. If you prefer sun, the deck has room to stretch out.

Cruising the northern coast of Crete

The first stretch is about the pleasure of being on the water. You will sail along Crete’s northern coast toward Georgioupoli Bay, with blue sea around you and Rethymno gradually behind.

This part of the cruise is scenic, but it is also the section that requires patience. One piece of feedback points out that the journey to the anchorage can feel long before you are able to swim. That is a fair concern if your main goal is snorkeling or paddleboarding rather than sailing.

I would treat the outbound trip as part of the day, not as dead time. Find a place early, use the sunbed, and enjoy the drink service. Music plays on board, though the volume and timing may not always suit everyone. The boat offers Wi-Fi, but the better choice is probably to use your phone sparingly and enjoy the open water.

The catamaran itself helps make the cruising time comfortable. It has modern fittings, sunbeds, shaded lounges, and enough room to move around. One particularly positive impression is that the boat never feels too crowded, even when people are eating, sunbathing, and preparing for water activities.

Georgioupoli Bay and the water activities

The main stop is Georgioupoli Bay, where the boat anchors for swimming and lunch. The bay is prized here for calm, clear water, and the crew prepares the equipment before you head in.

You can use:

• Stand-up paddleboards
• Snorkeling masks and fins
• Swimming jackets
• Inflatable noodles
• An inflatable flamingo
• Fishing gear
• A box of toys for children, if requested

The range of equipment makes this more than a boat ride with a quick swim. You can choose your own pace. Use a swimming jacket and noodle if you want to float without effort, take a SUP board for a little exercise, or use the mask and fins to look below the surface.

The fishing equipment is described as suitable for a gentle fishing experience. That wording is useful because this is not presented as a serious fishing trip. It is a simple extra for someone who wants to try something different while the boat is anchored.

Families have some useful support here. Toys are available by request, and the flamingo gives children an easy bit of fun without requiring much skill. Still, parents should remember that the cruise also includes alcohol and a fairly long period on the water, so the day works best for children who are comfortable with a six-hour-plus outing.

The timing at anchor is important. The advertised program allows roughly two hours for the stop, including food and activities. That gives you time to swim and eat without being pushed straight back aboard. At the same time, one assessment found the activity period a little short, especially once swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkeling were divided among the group.

Your experience may depend on how many people want the same equipment. The maximum of 25 is fairly modest for a catamaran, but the bay stop still has a set schedule. If swimming is your priority, head to the water soon after the equipment is ready rather than waiting until after lunch.

A Cretan lunch with drinks included

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. The lunch is designed by a nutritionist and prepared with fresh, organic ingredients from a local farm. It is described as a Mediterranean meal with authentic Cretan flavors, supported by gourmet bites before the main serving.

The approach is healthier than the usual boat buffet. You are not simply handed a basic sandwich and a bag of chips. The day includes a light breakfast bowl, small savory dishes, a full lunch, and dessert. The food has received especially warm praise for its quality, selection, and generous portions.

You should also expect the crew to serve food as part of the overall hospitality. The meal is not merely fuel between activities. It is one of the central moments of the cruise, and it gives you a chance to sit down, enjoy local ingredients, and talk with the people on board.

The open bar includes unlimited water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. That adds real value to the price, particularly because the cruise lasts six and a half hours. You do not need to buy each drink separately during the day.

There are limits. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks beyond the listed beer and wine are not included. If you have your heart set on mixed drinks, the package will not cover them. Also, one piece of feedback noted that drink service did not feel instant at first, so ask clearly when you are ready rather than assuming the bar will come to you immediately.

A relaxed return across the water

After lunch, you can return to the bay for more swimming or stay on deck. This flexibility is important because people use a boat day differently. You may want another turn on the SUP board, while someone else in your group may prefer a shaded seat and a glass of wine.

The crew keeps the atmosphere casual, with music on board and space to rest. The overall mood is social but not frantic. One especially appealing feature is the smaller group feel. A group of eight was described as particularly comfortable, and the official limit of 25 helps protect that sense of room.

As the boat heads back to Rethymno, the day shifts from activity to scenery. You can sit back, rinse off in the outdoor shower, and enjoy the return over sparkling water. The cruise ends where it began, at DanEri Yachts in Rethymno Port.

Towels are not included, so bring one from your accommodation. Sunscreen is also your responsibility, along with personal care items. The boat supplies life jackets, but sensible sun protection remains essential during a long day on exposed water.

What the $174.98 price really covers

At $174.98 per person, this is not a budget boat trip. The value depends on how much of the package you use.

The price includes the catamaran, crew, breakfast, gourmet lunch, unlimited listed drinks, equipment, Wi-Fi, music, insurance, and onboard facilities. You also get access to the shaded areas and sunbeds, which makes a difference during six and a half hours at sea. If you would otherwise pay separately for meals, drinks, a SUP rental, and snorkeling equipment, the combined cost can make sense.

The food and service are the biggest value points. A cheaper sailing trip may get you to the same general coast, but it may not include a nutritionist-designed breakfast, a full Cretan lunch, an open bar, or this range of equipment.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a short swim and a simple ride. Part of the experience is the cruise itself, and the boat spends meaningful time getting to and from Georgioupoli Bay. You are paying for comfort, meals, drinks, and a full day on the water, not just for time in the sea.

Hotel transfers are not included, though they can be arranged on request. Plan your own way to the port unless you add that service.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, friends, families with water-loving children, and anyone who wants a polished day without organizing separate meals and rentals. It is especially suitable if you like a mix of quiet sailing, good food, and light activity.

It also suits you if comfort matters. The sunbeds, shade, toilet, outdoor shower, and drink service remove much of the usual friction from a boat outing. You can be active for an hour and then retreat to a shaded lounge without leaving the boat.

You may want a different excursion if you need constant swimming time, serious snorkeling, fishing, or a high-energy party atmosphere. The music is part of the mood, but this is mainly a relaxed food-and-sailing day. The swimming stop is worthwhile, yet the time spent reaching it can feel long if you are impatient to get in the water.

Private cabins may be available on request, but they are not guaranteed. That is worth knowing if you are expecting a private room rather than shared open-deck seating.

Booking and weather advice

This experience is offered in English and accepts up to 25 people. Most people book about 28 days ahead, so reserving early is sensible during busy periods.

You can cancel free of charge until 24 hours before the 9:30 am start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The trip also depends on good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and any personal items you need for a full morning and afternoon outdoors. The boat supplies life jackets, swimming jackets, snorkeling equipment, and inflatables, so you do not need to pack your own water gear.

Should you book the Rethymno catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, well-fed day on Crete’s north coast, with an open bar and plenty of help from the crew. The standout features are the fresh Cretan cooking, attentive service, spacious catamaran, and useful water equipment.

Think twice if your top priority is spending most of the day in the sea. The ride to Georgioupoli Bay takes time, and the activity window may feel limited once lunch is included. For everyone else, the cruise offers a pleasant balance: sail, swim, eat, rest, and sail home without having to manage the details yourself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

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

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise end?

It returns to the starting point at DanEri Yachts in Rethymno Port.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Espresso, teas, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also served.

Are cocktails included?

No. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks beyond the included beer and Cretan white wine are not part of the package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. High-quality masks and fins are provided, along with swimming jackets and inflatable noodles.

Are towels included?

No. You need to bring your own towel. Sunscreen and personal care items are also not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.