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

The best part of this cruise is the long stop in Mirabello Bay, where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, ride a sea scooter, or simply stretch out under the Cretan sun. You also get fine views of Spinalonga from the water, a setting far more peaceful than a quick land visit.

I like the small maximum group of 20 and the open bar with local beer, white wine, water, and soft drinks. I also like the practical range of water gear, especially for families or mixed groups where one person wants action and another wants a quiet afternoon.

The main thing to consider is the price, about $145 per person, and the possibility of a fairly full boat in high season. One past passenger felt the meal could improve and that fewer people would make the experience even better, so this is best viewed as a polished shared cruise rather than a private yacht day.

Key points to know before you book

• Spinalonga is viewed from the sea: This cruise does not describe a landing on the island, but gives you time to photograph its fortress and coastline from several angles.
• Mirabello Bay is the main event: Expect roughly two hours and 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, water toys, food, drinks, and sunset views.
• The water-toy lineup is unusually broad: You can use a slide, sea scooter, water tube, kayak, SUP, noodles, snorkeling equipment, and fishing gear.
• Food is built around fresh Cretan ingredients: The seasonal meal is designed by a nutritionist and includes vegetarian and children’s choices if requested.
• The group limit is 20 people: That keeps the cruise more personal than a large excursion boat, though it may still feel busy during the August peak.
• Bring your own towel and sunscreen: They are not included, and shoes are not allowed indoors.

Sailing out of Agios Nikolaos

Your day begins at the entrance to Marina Agios Nikolaos. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt is scheduled to meet you 30 minutes before departure near the Eurobank ATM. The municipal car park at the marina makes this fairly simple if you are driving.

The welcome sets a friendly tone. You are offered espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail before a short safety briefing. That small detail matters because the day combines relaxed lounging with several active water activities. You want to know where the life jackets are and how the equipment works before everyone heads into the bay.

The catamaran has front seating, an upper deck, shaded lounges, sunbeds, an outdoor shower, and a toilet. You can settle into the netting for the classic catamaran feel, find a patch of shade, or sit up high for the view. Music and free Wi-Fi are available, though the scenery is the better reason to put your phone away for a while.

The exact departure time depends on the date you choose, and the total outing lasts between five and a half and seven hours. That range is worth checking before you book, particularly if you have an evening reservation or a long drive back to another part of Crete.

Barbarossa Cave and the first views of the coast

The boat heads toward the Elounda area, with a photo stop at Barbarossa Cave. The stop is listed at about 15 minutes, so think of it as a scenic pause rather than a full cave visit.

This part of the trip gives you time to take photographs, enjoy a drink, and watch the coast from the water. The cave adds a point of interest early in the cruise, while the open sea and mountain views keep the journey from feeling like a simple transfer between ports.

After the cave, you spend about an hour sailing on the catamaran. This is when the boat itself becomes part of the experience. You can enjoy the breeze, order another drink, and let the crew prepare the equipment for the main stop.

The cruise is not designed as a serious sailing lesson. It is a sightseeing and leisure trip, with sailing time balanced against swimming, food, and social time. If you want several hours under sail with no planned activities, this may feel too structured. If you want a comfortable day at sea with plenty to do, the rhythm works well.

Seeing Spinalonga from the water

Spinalonga is the cruise’s most important cultural sight. The island began as a Venetian fortress and later served as a place of exile. From the sea, you see the stone fortifications, the island’s position at the mouth of the bay, and the way its history is tied to this narrow stretch of water.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes and focuses on sightseeing and photographs. You should not expect a guided walk through the fortress or time on shore based on the stated program. That is both a benefit and a limitation.

You avoid the effort of arranging a landing and walking in the heat, and you get changing views as the catamaran moves around the island. On the other hand, if Spinalonga is one of your main reasons for visiting eastern Crete, you will need a separate land or boat visit to explore the site properly.

The crew shares some background about the island and the bay, though no individual captain or guide name is provided. Bring a phone or camera with enough battery. The views of Spinalonga, the coast, and the water are among the strongest photo opportunities of the day.

Mirabello Bay is where the day opens up

The cruise then settles into its longest stop in Mirabello Bay, for about two hours and 45 minutes. This is the heart of the experience. The water is described as turquoise and calm, with time for both active play and a slow lunch on board.

The crew sets up an inflatable slide, sea scooter, water tube, kayak, and stand-up paddleboards. Snorkeling masks and fins are supplied, along with swimming jackets and inflatable noodles. There is also a pink flamingo float for photographs and a complete fishing set for gentle fishing.

This range of equipment makes the cruise work for mixed-age groups. You can take a few turns on the slide, paddle along the bay, or use the scooter if you want more speed. You can also stay on the catamaran, read in the shade, or swim without touching any of the toys.

The equipment is included, but you should not assume every item will be in constant use at once. With up to 20 people on board, popular gear may be shared. That is a normal tradeoff for a semi-private cruise, not a private charter.

The snorkeling is another welcome option. You receive masks and fins, but the program does not promise a specific reef or marine-life encounter. Keep expectations sensible: this is a pleasant chance to see what is below the surface, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

You may also try the gentle fishing activity. Children can request a box of toys, and children’s meals are available if arranged ahead of time. The cruise does not permit touching marine life, an important rule for protecting the bay and keeping the activity safe.

What you will eat and drink on board

The food is described as a fresh, healthy Cretan lunch using local, biological, and organic ingredients from a Cretan farm. A nutritionist helps plan the meal, and the menu changes with the season.

Expect a Mediterranean-style main course followed by dessert. Vegetarian dishes and children’s meals can be requested. The description also presents the food program with light snacks, protein snacks, and a protein cocktail bar.

There is some inconsistency in how the experience is presented, since the product title refers to sushi while the detailed meal description focuses on Cretan and Mediterranean food. If a sushi-centered lunch is important to you, confirm the exact menu before paying. You should otherwise expect a seasonal Cretan meal rather than a fixed restaurant-style menu.

Drinks are one of the strongest value points. Unlimited still water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Welcome coffee, tea, detox water, and the protein cocktail are also part of the service.

Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the open-bar selection cost extra or are not included. Red wine is not allowed, and smoking indoors is prohibited. These rules are easy to follow, but they are worth knowing if you are planning a celebration.

Food is served while the boat is in the bay, giving you the choice of eating first or spending more time in the water. Previous passengers singled out the food and attentive crew, though one person felt the meal could be improved. That is a fair reminder that onboard catering is judged differently from a meal at a Cretan taverna.

Sunset sailing back to Agios Nikolaos

After lunch and more time in the water, the catamaran begins the return journey. The final hour is slower and quieter, with music, open water, and changing light across Mirabello Bay.

The sunset element depends on the departure time and weather. The program includes sunset views, but no cruise can promise clear skies or a dramatic horizon. Still, the return sail gives you a pleasant finish instead of ending abruptly after the swim stop.

The combination of food, drinks, and a long bay stop makes this feel like a full day at sea rather than a short sightseeing ride. Several passengers described the boat as clean and comfortable, with plenty of space, and praised the crew for being friendly and attentive from departure to return.

The boat returns to the marina, and optional drop-off service may be available for selected areas. Listed locations include Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Plaka, Hersonissos, Malia, Milatos, Ammoudara, Ierapetra, Sisi, Stalida, Vathi, and others. Hotel transfers are not automatically included, so check the option you select.

Is $145 a good value?

At about $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Spinalonga or spend time on the Cretan coast. It does, however, bundle several costs that can add up on their own: catamaran transport, crew service, lunch, snacks, open-bar drinks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, kayaks, a sea scooter, a slide, and a shaded place to rest.

I consider the price reasonable if you plan to use the boat for most of the day. The open bar matters here, especially for anyone who would otherwise buy drinks separately. The equipment also gives you more choice than a simple sunset cruise.

The value is weaker if you do not swim, do not drink, or mainly want to visit Spinalonga on foot. In that case, a shorter sightseeing trip or a dedicated historical visit may make more sense.

The cruise has received a 4.7 rating from 102 reviews, with particularly strong praise for the crew, cleanliness of the boat, scenery, food, and amount of space. One past passenger felt the boat would be better with fewer people, so I would book early if you want the smallest possible group and avoid assuming that semi-private means empty.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want one easy day combining sightseeing and water time. The range of equipment means you do not have to choose between a quiet boat trip and an active excursion.

It also suits people who like a polished setting. The sunbeds, shaded lounges, outdoor shower, onboard toilet, music, Wi-Fi, and crew service make the day more comfortable than a basic fishing or transfer boat.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, have a pre-existing medical condition, are prone to seasickness, or have mobility concerns. The operator specifically asks people in these situations to check conditions and consult the team before booking. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, people over 95, or unaccompanied minors.

The cruise is also weather-dependent. Bad conditions can lead to a rescheduled or canceled trip. Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy of your identification is accepted, and port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, ID or passport number, and nationality before departure.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want one comfortable, activity-filled day from Agios Nikolaos, with Spinalonga views, a long swim stop, Cretan food, and drinks included. It offers strong value for people who will use the water toys and stay on board for most of the day.

Skip it if you want a quiet private yacht, a serious historical tour of Spinalonga, or a guaranteed sushi-focused meal. For everyone else, the mix of scenery, swimming, generous equipment, and warm crew service makes this one of the more complete boat outings in eastern Crete.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

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

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts between five and a half and seven hours. Starting times vary, so check the available option when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfers are not included by default, but they can be arranged on request for selected areas. Pickup options may include Ierapetra city and Agioi Saranta, while listed drop-off areas include places such as Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Hersonissos, Malia, Sisi, Stalida, and Ierapetra.

Does the cruise visit Spinalonga?

The catamaran stops near Spinalonga for sightseeing and photographs. The stated program does not include going ashore or touring the fortress on foot.

What food is served?

You receive light snacks and a seasonal Mediterranean or Cretan meal, followed by dessert. The meal uses local ingredients and can include vegetarian and children’s options if requested. Confirm the menu in advance if you specifically want sushi.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited still water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Welcome espresso, tea, detox water, and protein cocktails are also available. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside the open-bar selection are not included.

What water activities are available?

You can use the inflatable slide, sea scooter, water tube, kayak, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, inflatable noodles, and fishing gear. Swimming jackets and life jackets are provided.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. Towels and personal-care items are not provided. Shoes are not allowed indoors, and smoking indoors is prohibited.