Agios Nikolaos: Sailing Trip Catamaran Lunch and Water Toys

Turquoise water, good food, easy fun. This catamaran trip from Agios Nikolaos combines a relaxed sail around Mirabello Gulf with a stop near Spinalonga and several hours at Kolokitha Bay. I especially like the Lagoon 450F catamaran, with its flybridge, bow sun deck, kitchen, and shaded seating, and I like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, a transparent canoe, paddleboard, sea scooter, inflatable platform, and slide are included.

The main thing to consider is that this is an active day on the water, not a quiet sightseeing cruise. The boat may feel choppy on windy days, and one recent sunset departure did not have the slide or bathing platform shown in the photos. If you do not swim or often get seasick, this is probably not your best match.

Quick take: what makes this sailing day worthwhile

• Kolokitha Bay is the main event: You get around two hours for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, paddleboarding, and playing with the inflatables.
• Spinalonga adds a cultural stop: The boat circles the island and pauses for photos and sightseeing rather than rushing straight to the swimming cove.
• The water equipment is unusually generous: A transparent canoe, SUP, sea scooter, inflatable platform, and slide give families and teenagers plenty to do.
• Food and drinks are part of the deal: Mediterranean lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water help make the $165 price easier to justify.
• The catamaran offers several ways to sit: You can choose the flybridge, bow sun deck, outdoor areas, or shaded sections instead of being stuck in one seat.
• Private trips are available: A private group can add flexibility, though a private chef and photographer cost extra.

Setting sail from Agios Nikolaos

The experience begins at the entrance to the main marina in Agios Nikolaos. A crew member meets you there and walks you to the boat, so you should arrive on time rather than trying to find the catamaran on your own.

The listed duration ranges from five to ten hours, depending on the option and starting time you choose. The route includes Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga, and Kolokitha Bay, with drop-off possible at Agios Nikolaos Marina, Vathi, or Schisma Eloundas.

Once aboard the Lagoon 450F, you have more room than on a standard excursion boat. The catamaran has a flybridge, bow sun deck, bimini shade, inside seating, a kitchen, refrigerator, ice box, audio system, and speakers inside and out. Air conditioning is also listed, though you will probably want to spend much of the day outside when the weather is pleasant.

I like the layout because it gives you options. Sit under cover when the sun gets strong, stretch out at the bow, or move upstairs to the flybridge for a wider view. The boat also has GPS, a chart plotter, depth finder, sonar, VHF radio, autopilot, life jackets, and wheel steering.

The first hour: Agios Nikolaos to Elounda

The day begins with a safety briefing and time for a drink. Coffee, tea, beer, wine, and breakfast are listed for this opening period, although the exact food served at the start may depend on your selected option.

The sail toward Elounda takes about an hour. This is the part of the trip for slowing down and getting used to the pace of the sea. You can sit back, feel the wind, and watch the shoreline from the water instead of viewing Crete through a car or bus window.

Elounda is a useful early waypoint because it sets up the route toward Spinalonga and the bay. The program includes an aperitif and drinks here, but the attraction is mainly the sailing itself. If you are hoping for a long shore visit in Elounda, this outing is not designed for that. It is a boat-based tour, with the emphasis on the coast, views, and time at sea.

The captain specializes in sailing, catamaran trips, snorkeling and fishing outings, island hopping, and yacht tours. The crew’s friendly and helpful manner is one of the strongest features of the experience. One booking problem was handled by Giorgos with an apology and a replacement boat, followed by extra compensation. That does not erase the original mistake, but it does suggest that the company takes service recovery seriously.

Spinalonga from the water

The boat reaches Spinalonga for a photo stop and sightseeing period of about 30 minutes. You sail around the island, take photographs, and hear a short explanation from the crew. One passenger particularly praised the guide to Spinalonga and the relaxed circuit around the island.

This is a good compromise if you want to see Spinalonga but do not want to spend the day on a land excursion. You get the island’s striking position from the sea and a chance to photograph its walls and shoreline without giving up the main swimming portion of the trip.

The tradeoff is time. The listed stop is not a full island visit, so you should not expect an extended walk through the settlement or a detailed historical tour. Think of Spinalonga here as a scenic and cultural pause within a sailing day.

Have your camera ready before the boat arrives. You may be moving between viewpoints, and the stop is short compared with the two-hour stay at Kolokitha Bay.

Kolokitha Bay: swimming, snorkeling, and lunch

Kolokitha Bay is where the trip shifts from sightseeing to play. The boat spends about two hours here, with time for swimming, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, lunch, and a selection of floating equipment.

The turquoise water is the great draw. You can swim straight from the catamaran, use the inflatable bathing platform, or climb aboard the floating platform after a turn in the sea. The transparent canoe offers a simple way to look down into the clear water, while the paddleboard and sea scooter add a little more action.

The inflatable slide is aimed at the same crowd that enjoys the water toys: families, teenagers, and adults who do not mind behaving like children for a few minutes. The equipment was repeatedly praised as a highlight, and it gives the stop more energy than a standard swim break.

Snorkeling gear and fins are included. You should still bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and camera. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers, and the operator also advises against it for people prone to seasickness.

Lunch is served on board and features Mediterranean food. The meal received especially strong praise, with descriptions of fresh food, generous portions, and a captain who cooked lunch himself on one departure. A grill, kitchen, refrigerator, and ice box are part of the boat’s equipment.

Drinks are available throughout the day. The package includes wine, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea. That matters at sea, where buying separate drinks can quickly make a day more expensive. Alcohol is allowed, and glass bottles are permitted onboard, but sensible drinking is important when swimming and moving around a boat.

The two-hour stop is generous enough for several activities, but you will still need to choose how to spend it. If you linger over lunch, you have less time for the slide and snorkeling. I would get into the water early, then eat once you have had your fill of the toys.

A closer look at the catamaran facilities

The boat is set up for a full day rather than a short harbor cruise. Here is what the equipment means in practical terms:

• Flybridge: A higher viewing area with an open feel, useful for sailing views and photographs.
• Bow sun deck: A good place to stretch out, though direct sun can become intense.
• Bimini and shaded areas: Helpful for anyone who wants a break from the sun.
• Inflatable bathing platform: Makes getting in and out of the sea easier than climbing directly from the hull.
• Kitchen, grill, refrigerator, and ice box: These support the onboard lunch and keep drinks cold.
• SUP, transparent canoe, sea scooter, and slide: Enough variety that different ages can enjoy the same swimming stop.
• Snorkeling and fishing equipment: Useful if you want more than a quick swim.
• WiFi and audio system: Convenient extras, though the sea views are the real entertainment.

One point deserves caution: the listed equipment may not be present on every departure or in every configuration. A June sunset cruise did not have the slide or swim platform shown in the promotional photographs. Confirm the exact setup if those features are the reason you are booking, especially for a private or sunset option.

Is $165 a fair price?

At $165 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The value depends on how much of the package you will use.

The price includes a full sailing route, the catamaran itself, crew, lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, fins, fishing equipment, paddleboard, sea scooter, transparent canoe, inflatable platform, and slide. It also includes the comfort of a proper kitchen, shaded areas, seating choices, and onboard facilities.

If you mainly want a short sail and a single swim, a simpler cruise may cost less. But if you plan to eat lunch aboard, try several water toys, drink throughout the day, and spend hours in Kolokitha Bay, the price is more defensible. A family can get substantial use from the equipment, while a couple who prefers quiet sailing may not need all these extras.

Private options are available for groups. A private chef costs from 500 euros, and a private photographer costs from 300 euros. Wine tasting is also extra, with the price depending on the wine chosen. These additions are optional, not part of the standard $165 fare.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this trip most strongly to families with older children, teenagers, couples who enjoy an active day, and groups of friends who want both relaxation and water sports. The mix of food, scenery, swimming, and toys keeps the day from becoming repetitive.

Adults who prefer comfort will appreciate the catamaran’s space, shade, flybridge, and food service. You can take part in the action or simply sit with a drink while the boat moves between stops.

The trip is less suitable if you want a detailed historical visit to Spinalonga, a silent luxury cruise, or a firm short schedule. The duration can vary from five to ten hours, and the sea may be choppy. People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking, even though the swimming stops may be calmer than the open-water sections.

The trip is wheelchair accessible according to the activity information, but anyone needing specific boarding assistance should confirm the arrangements before departure. Children are allowed, and private groups can be arranged.

Practical tips for a better day

Arrive at the entrance to Agios Nikolaos Marina with enough time to find the crew member. Bring a towel because towels are not supplied, plus swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera.

Wear something easy to move in. You will likely shift between the deck, swimming platform, water toys, lunch area, and sun deck. Keep sunscreen handy because the open areas and water reflection can make the sun feel stronger than it does on land.

If you get seasick, choose a central seat and ask the crew where the boat’s steadiest area is. The tour is not recommended for people who regularly struggle with motion sickness.

You can bring alcohol, and glass bottles are allowed, but drinks are already included. There is no real need to pack a cooler. The boat also permits smoking and offers WiFi, although reception and comfort may vary while sailing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the exact duration and departure option carefully, particularly if you have evening plans.

Should you book the Agios Nikolaos catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a full water day rather than a simple sightseeing cruise. The strongest reasons are the beautiful Kolokitha Bay stop, generous lunch and drinks, friendly crew, and unusual range of water toys. A rating of 4.7 from 51 reviews fits the overall picture: this is a well-liked outing with a few practical cautions.

I would choose it for a family or group that will actually use the paddleboard, canoe, sea scooter, slide, and snorkeling gear. I would hesitate only if you dislike open-water movement, need a quiet and tightly timed itinerary, or are booking mainly for the Spinalonga history. Before paying, confirm that the equipment you care about will be aboard for your chosen departure.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

The meeting point is in front of the entrance to the main Marina of Agios Nikolaos. A crew member meets you there and escorts you to the catamaran.

How long does the experience last?

The duration is listed as five to ten hours. The exact length and starting time depend on the option selected and current availability.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga, and Kolokitha Bay. The boat also returns passengers to Agios Nikolaos Marina, Vathi, or Schisma Eloundas, depending on the selected option.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and features Mediterranean cuisine. Drinks including wine, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea are also included.

What water activities are available?

The included equipment includes a transparent canoe, stand-up paddleboard, sea scooter, inflatable platform, inflatable slide, snorkeling equipment, swim fins, and fishing equipment.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own along with swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera.

Is the trip suitable for children?

Children are allowed, and the water toys make the outing suitable for families. However, the trip is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.