Ag.Nikolaos: Catamaran Trip with Sushi, Drinks, & Water Toys

The sea does most of the entertaining. This small-group catamaran cruise combines Spinalonga views, a long swim stop, an onboard meal, and a surprisingly full kit of water toys. I especially like the friendly crew and the generous open bar, which includes local beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water. The main consideration is space: the boat takes up to 20 people, and one passenger felt the meal and overall comfort would improve with a slightly smaller group.

The setting is the real prize. You sail out from Agios Nikolaos into Mirabello Gulf, pass Barbarossa Cave, and view Spinalonga from the water before settling into a sheltered bay. At $145 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride, but the six-hour experience includes food, drinks, snorkeling gear, a kayak, SUPs, a sea scooter, and an inflatable slide.

Key points to know before you book

• Spinalonga is viewed from the sea: You do not land on the island, but the boat gives you broad views of its fortress and shoreline.
• Mirabello Bay is the main event: Expect roughly two and three-quarter hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, the slide, lunch, and relaxing.
• The crew earns strong praise: Guests repeatedly highlight the warm service, capable captain, clean catamaran, and attentive help in the water.
• The food is more Cretan than sushi-focused: The detailed meal description promises seasonal Mediterranean dishes made with local organic ingredients. Ask about the exact menu if sushi is important to you.
• Bring your own towel: Towels, sunscreen, and personal care items are not included.
• The boat is active but not rushed: You can use the water equipment or simply stretch out on the front sofa, upper deck, or netting with music playing.

Leaving Agios Nikolaos for Mirabello Gulf

Your meeting point is at the entrance to Marina Agios Nikolaos, near the Eurobank ATM. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you 30 minutes before departure, and the marina has a municipal car park nearby.

Arrive early. Port rules do not allow the boat to wait for late passengers, and departure times can shift depending on the option you choose. Hotel pickup is not part of the standard price, though transfers can be arranged from selected areas, including Ierapetra city and Agioi Saranta.

Once aboard, you receive espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail. There is also a short safety briefing. This opening is useful rather than theatrical, since the day includes several inflatables and moving between the catamaran and the water.

The catamaran has sunbeds, shaded lounges, an onboard toilet, an outdoor shower, Wi-Fi, and music. Shoes are not allowed indoors, so wear something easy to remove. The boat has a maximum group size of 20, which keeps the experience smaller than a large excursion vessel, though it may still feel lively when everyone wants the same paddleboard or slide.

Barbarossa Cave and the first hour at sea

The first sightseeing stop is Barbarossa Cave near Elounda. The boat pauses for photographs, giving you a chance to take in the rock formation and the surrounding coast without having to leave the catamaran.

This is a short stop, listed at about 15 minutes. Think of it as a scenic introduction, not a cave visit or an extended exploration. The views are best appreciated from the water, and the crew may serve wine during the cruise.

Afterward, you have about an hour of sailing before reaching Spinalonga. This is a good time to settle into the boat. You can sit in the shade, stretch out at the front, or use the upper deck for a broader view. The netting at the bow offers the classic catamaran position, though it is exposed to sun and spray.

The open bar helps make the sailing time feel relaxed. Included drinks are still water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. Espresso, tea, and other welcome refreshments are also available. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside this selection cost extra or are not included.

Seeing Spinalonga from the water

Spinalonga is the historical centerpiece of the route. The island is known for its Venetian fortress and its later use as a place of exile. From the catamaran, you see the island from several angles while the crew shares some background about its past.

The stop lasts around 20 minutes and is mainly for sightseeing and photographs. You do not go ashore, so this cruise is not a substitute for a land visit to the fortress. That is both a strength and a limitation. You get a calm view of the island without a hot walk through the ruins, but you will not see the walls, paths, or interior buildings up close.

For many people, the sea view is enough. Spinalonga’s position in the bay makes it especially photogenic from a boat, with the water, mountains, and old stone walls in one frame. If you want detailed archaeology or a guided history visit, pair this cruise with a separate trip to the island.

Two and three-quarter hours in Mirabello Bay

The longest part of the outing takes place in Mirabello Bay. This is where the cruise shifts from sightseeing to a relaxed beach day without a beach.

The water stop includes swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, a sea scooter, and an inflatable slide. There is also a water tube, noodles for floating, a pink flamingo float, and gentle fishing equipment. Life jackets and swimming jackets are available, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer to take part in the water activities.

The crew sets up the equipment while you enjoy the bay. You can use a mask and fins to look below the surface, paddle along the coast, or simply float near the boat. The sea scooter adds a little speed, while the kayak and SUPs suit anyone who prefers to move at their own pace.

The slide is likely to be the most popular feature for children and playful adults. If you want quieter time in the water, go early in the stop or wait until the first rush settles. The catamaran also carries a box of toys for children by request.

The setting is scenic, but keep your expectations sensible. This is not a guided marine biology outing, and the information supplied does not promise a particular species of fish or coral. Snorkeling conditions depend on the weather and water clarity on the day.

A Cretan meal with drinks included

Food is a major part of the value here. The meal is designed with help from a professional nutritionist and uses fresh local, biological, and organic ingredients from a Cretan farm. Menus change with the season, but the broad style is Mediterranean.

The meal includes a main course and dessert, with options for seafood, vegetarian dishes, or something lighter. Children’s meals can be requested in advance. The detailed description calls this a healthy Cretan lunch, while the itinerary also refers to dinner at Mirabello Bay. In practical terms, expect one substantial onboard meal during the long afternoon and evening stop.

One named detail comes from a passenger who specifically praised the food prepared by Irini. Other comments also singled out the meal as tasty and plentiful. Still, one person felt the food and dinner could be improved, so it is best to view the catering as a welcome part of the cruise rather than a fine-dining event.

The title of the experience mentions sushi, but the supplied meal details focus on Cretan and Mediterranean food. If sushi is the deciding factor for you, confirm the menu before booking. The reliable promise is fresh seasonal food, local ingredients, dessert, and dietary choices on request.

Drinks are one of the strongest inclusions. You get unlimited water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. That matters on a long day in the sun, where buying every drink separately can quickly push up the cost. Red wine is not allowed onboard, and cocktails are not part of the open bar.

Sailing home at sunset

After the meal, you can return to the water or settle on deck in the sun or shade. The ride back to Agios Nikolaos takes about an hour, though the full experience can run from five and a half to seven hours depending on the selected start time and arrangements.

The sunset return is a quieter finish. Music plays softly, the crew continues serving drinks, and the coast gradually changes color as the boat heads back. Several people especially liked the combination of swimming, a good meal, friendly service, and a slow sail into the harbor.

Drop-off options cover Agios Nikolaos and nearby areas such as Elounda, Plaka, Hersonissos, Malia, Milatos, Ammoudara, Ierapetra, Sisi, Stalida, and Vathi. Confirm your selected pickup or drop-off arrangement when booking, since hotel transfers are optional rather than automatic.

What $145 buys you

At $145, this cruise sits above a basic shared boat trip but includes much more than transport around the bay. You are paying for a modern catamaran, a professional English-speaking crew, a long stop in the water, the meal, and unlimited drinks.

The included equipment also changes the value. A separate rental for snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, kayak, and sea scooter would cost extra elsewhere. Here, you can try several activities without deciding in advance which one you want.

The small-group format adds comfort, though the boat can still feel busy at full capacity. One person specifically wished the maximum number were lower. If you want more personal space, ask about a private group or consider booking outside the busiest summer period.

The strongest praise consistently centers on three things: the crew, the boat, and the setting. Guests describe the catamaran as immaculate and comfortable, and the staff as friendly, professional, and attentive. The captain also receives direct praise for keeping the day engaging and relaxed.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families with older children, and friends who want one full day at sea without arranging several separate activities. The mix of swimming, food, drinks, sightseeing, and water equipment gives you plenty to do.

It also suits people who want to see Spinalonga but prefer not to spend the day walking through a historic site. You get the island’s best broad views from the water, then spend the bulk of the day in a bay.

This is less suitable if you dislike boats, get seasick, need a quiet vessel with very few people, or want a detailed land tour of Spinalonga. Pregnant people, anyone with pre-existing medical conditions, children under two, and people over 95 should check with the operator before booking. The cruise depends on weather and may be rescheduled or canceled in poor conditions.

Bring swimwear, a sun hat, sunscreen, a towel, and a passport or identity card. A copy of your ID is accepted. Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID number, and nationality, so have those details ready.

Should you book the Agios Nikolaos catamaran?

Book it if you want a polished, social day on the water with excellent scenery and very little extra planning. The crew, open bar, clean catamaran, generous water equipment, and long Mirabello Bay stop make the $145 price reasonable for a full half-day to full-day outing.

Think twice if you expect a dedicated sushi meal, a private yacht atmosphere, or a close-up visit inside Spinalonga. Ask about the exact menu, choose a date with a favorable forecast, and arrive at least 30 minutes early. For most people looking for swimming, sunset views, Cretan food, and an easygoing boat day, this is one of the stronger choices from Agios Nikolaos.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is at the entrance to Marina Agios Nikolaos, near the Eurobank ATM. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets passengers 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts between five and a half and seven hours, depending on the selected option and starting time.

Does the cruise visit Spinalonga?

The catamaran stops near Spinalonga for sightseeing and photographs. You view the island from the sea and do not land there.

Is food included?

Yes. The cruise includes a nutritionist-designed Mediterranean meal using fresh local ingredients, plus light snacks and dessert. Vegetarian and children’s meals can be requested.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited still water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside the open bar selection are not included.

Are water activities included?

Yes. The equipment includes snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards, a kayak, a sea scooter, an inflatable slide, noodles, a water tube, and a flamingo float. Gentle fishing equipment is also provided.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. You should also bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a sun hat.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The cruise may also be rescheduled or canceled because of poor weather conditions.