Rethymno Catamaran Cruise: Healthy Lunch & Open Bar

A healthy day at sea can still feel indulgent. This Rethymno catamaran cruise pairs a small-group feel with polished service, generous food, and a calm stop in Georgioupoli Bay. I like the nutritionist-designed meals and the crew’s attentive approach. I also like that you get SUP boards, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and plenty of deck space without paying extra for each activity.

The main trade-off is simple: you spend a fair amount of the morning sailing before reaching the swimming area, and one account found the time for water activities a little short. At $174.98 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride, but the food, drinks, equipment, and six-and-a-half-hour schedule make it a serious value for a relaxed day on the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Nutritionist-designed food: Start with a light breakfast bowl, then enjoy gourmet snacks and a fresh Cretan lunch made with organic local-farm ingredients.
• A real open bar: Water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are unlimited throughout the cruise.
• Comfortable catamaran setup: Sunbeds, shaded lounges, an onboard toilet, an outdoor shower, music, and Wi-Fi make the boat feel made for a full day out.
• Water gear included: SUP boards, quality masks and fins, swimming jackets, noodles, a floating flamingo, and fishing equipment are provided.
• A modest group size: The boat takes no more than 25 people, while some departures may feel much smaller.
• Allow time for the sail: The journey toward Georgioupoli Bay is scenic and peaceful, but the best swimming comes later in the day.

Rethymno Port begins the day with breakfast

You meet the DanEri Yachts crew at Sofokli Venizelou 37 in Rethymno Port at 9:30 am. The experience starts with a welcome drink, and you can choose from espresso, tea, detox water, or a protein shake.

That opening matters because this is not a cruise built around rushing you straight to a swim. The crew sets a slower pace from the start. You can settle into a sunbed, choose a shaded lounge, and get comfortable while the catamaran leaves the harbor.

A light breakfast bowl, prepared with input from a certified nutritionist, gives you something more substantial than a pastry and coffee. It suits people who want a fresh, health-conscious start rather than a heavy buffet. The breakfast is only one part of the food program, but it helps explain why this cruise feels different from a basic sightseeing boat.

The English-speaking crew explains the day and looks after the practical details. Several comments about the service praise the captain, assistant, and deckhand for being friendly, organized, and quick to help. That personal attention seems to be one of the strongest parts of the experience.

Sailing north along Crete’s coast

Once you are underway, the northern coast of Crete becomes the day’s main view. You can stretch out on the deck, sit under shade, listen to music, or watch the water from the rail.

This is the portion of the cruise to enjoy if you like the journey itself. You are not moving from one crowded port stop to another. Instead, you have time to talk, read, sunbathe, or simply let the morning pass at sea.

The boat has room to move around, which is important on a six-and-a-half-hour outing. The maximum capacity is 25 people, and the vessel can feel especially comfortable when the departure is not full. One account described a group of eight, with plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the boat without feeling packed in.

The possible downside is timing. You may spend a long stretch sailing before the anchor goes down. One account specifically found the trip to the swimming area a little long, so you should not book this expecting nonstop water sports from the moment you leave Rethymno.

Georgioupoli Bay brings the best water time

The catamaran heads toward Georgioupoli Bay, where the crew prepares the equipment for the active part of the day. The bay offers a calmer setting for swimming and water play, with clear water and a more secluded feel than a busy public beach.

The crew provides SUP boards, snorkeling masks and fins, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and a large pink flamingo. Fishing equipment is also available if you request it. The range is useful because you can choose your own level of activity. You might paddle for a while, snorkel near the boat, float with a noodle, or stay on deck with a drink.

You do not need to bring specialized equipment. Life jackets are included, and the crew handles the setup. That is particularly helpful if you are traveling with children or with people who are not confident swimmers.

A box of toys is available for children by request. The inflatable flamingo adds a playful touch, while the fishing set offers something slower and quieter than paddleboarding. The equipment list is broad enough to keep different ages and energy levels occupied.

The activity stop may not feel endless. The schedule includes lunch and swimming, with about two hours around the anchorage described in the experience details. That is enough for a proper swim and a few activities, but you may need to choose what you most want to do rather than trying every option.

Cretan food is a major reason to book

Before or around the swimming stop, the crew serves gourmet bites built around local flavors. Later, lunch features fresh Mediterranean dishes prepared with organic ingredients from a local farm.

The food is not treated as a side item. It is one of the main selling points. Several accounts praise the quality, variety, and generous portions, including the appetizers, main meal, and dessert. If you appreciate Greek food but prefer a lighter presentation, the nutritionist-designed menu should suit you.

The healthy angle does not mean you are left hungry. The day includes breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dessert, with enough food to support swimming and time in the sun. You also have unlimited water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine.

The open bar is useful because boat prices can rise quickly when every drink costs extra. Here, the core drinks are included. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the listed selection are not included, so you should not expect a full cocktail menu.

If you want a coffee at the start, espresso and tea are available. Detox water and a protein cocktail fit the wellness theme, though you can still choose beer or wine with lunch. That balance makes the food and drink program feel practical rather than overly strict.

A comfortable boat for a long afternoon

The catamaran is set up for comfort rather than speed. Sunbeds give you space to stretch out, while shaded lounges provide a break from the strong Cretan sun.

An outdoor shower is available after swimming, and an onboard WC means you do not need to return to shore for basic facilities. Music plays during the cruise, and free Wi-Fi is provided. One account wished the music had been louder once the boat anchored, so the atmosphere may feel more relaxed than party-oriented.

That will suit you if your ideal boat day includes quiet conversation and long periods of rest. It may be less appealing if you want a loud, club-style cruise with a constant party soundtrack.

The boat is described as modern and clean, with a well-organized layout. The professional crew keeps checking whether people need food or drinks, which adds to the sense that you are being looked after without having to chase someone down.

Private cabins may be requested, but they are not guaranteed and are not part of the standard package. For most people, the public deck areas will be the main place to spend the day.

What the final sail back feels like

After lunch, you can return to the water or stay on deck. This second period gives you flexibility. If you have had enough sun, a shaded lounge and a cold drink may be exactly right. If you still want to paddle, snorkel, or float, the equipment remains available during the stop.

The return to Rethymno takes place across open blue water, with the day winding down as the catamaran heads back to port. You finish where you started, at the DanEri Yachts meeting point.

The schedule is long enough to feel like a full outing rather than a quick harbor trip. At roughly 6 hours and 30 minutes, you should plan most of your day around it. That makes the experience a poor fit if you have a tight afternoon appointment, but a good fit if you want one substantial day at sea instead of several shorter activities.

Is $174.98 good value?

At $174.98, this cruise sits in the premium day-trip category. The value comes from what is bundled into the price.

You receive:

• A six-and-a-half-hour catamaran cruise
• Breakfast and gourmet bites
• A prepared Cretan lunch and dessert
• Unlimited water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine
• SUP boards and snorkeling equipment
• Swimming jackets, noodles, and the inflatable flamingo
• Fishing equipment on request
• An English-speaking crew
• A toilet, outdoor shower, music, and Wi-Fi

If you normally buy lunch, several drinks, and water-sport rentals separately, the package becomes easier to justify. The smaller capacity also matters. You are paying for space, service, and a more orderly day rather than simply purchasing transport across the sea.

Still, you should not book it only for the swimming. The cruise includes a meaningful sailing period, and one account found the active water time somewhat brief. The strongest value is for someone who wants food, service, comfort, and swimming combined.

The high rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 79 ratings, with 91 percent recommending the experience, fits the overall picture: the food and crew receive the most praise, while the main criticism concerns timing and the amount of activity time.

Who will enjoy this Rethymno cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want a polished day without organizing every detail themselves. The crew supplies the gear, prepares the food, and manages the open bar, leaving you free to enjoy the coast.

It also suits people who care about food quality. The menu includes local Cretan flavors, fresh Mediterranean dishes, organic produce, and a lighter breakfast style. You can still drink beer and wine, but the overall food program is more thoughtful than a standard boat buffet.

Families have several useful features: swimming jackets, floating noodles, the flamingo, SUP boards, fishing equipment, and a children’s toy box by request. The maximum of 25 people helps keep the boat from feeling like a large excursion vessel.

You may want a different activity if you need nonstop swimming, a guaranteed private cabin, a full cocktail menu, or a loud party atmosphere. Towels are not included, and sunscreen and personal-care items are your responsibility, so pack those before heading to the port.

Hotel transfers are not included, though they can be arranged on request. The meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate.

Practical booking advice for Rethymno

Book ahead if your holiday dates are fixed. This experience is booked about 28 days in advance on average, which suggests that popular summer dates can fill well before departure.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and personal-care items. Wear something comfortable for sitting in the sun and something suitable for swimming. Since the tour starts at 9:30 am, arriving with enough time to find Sofokli Venizelou 37 will make the morning easier.

The cruise is offered in English. Confirmation is sent at booking, and the activity returns to the same port where it begins.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed, food-focused day on the Cretan coast, with attentive service, a comfortable boat, and enough included equipment to make swimming easy. The best features are the generous meal plan, unlimited core drinks, small maximum group size, and the crew’s personal care.

Think twice if your priority is spending nearly the entire day in the water. The sail toward Georgioupoli Bay takes time, and the activity period is limited compared with the total outing.

For most people, this is a strong choice for a special day in Rethymno. Pack a towel, accept that the morning sail is part of the experience, and you will get the most from the food, scenery, and easygoing pace.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

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

What time does the cruise begin?

The cruise starts at 9:30 am.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Rethymno Port.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 25 people.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English, with an English-speaking crew.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes a light healthy brunch, gourmet Mediterranean lunch, and unlimited water, soft drinks, local beer, and Cretan white wine.

What water activities are included?

SUP boards, snorkeling gear, swimming jackets, inflatable noodles, and an inflatable flamingo are included. Fishing equipment is available on request.

Are towels included?

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

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, but they can be arranged on request. The meeting point is near public transportation.