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

The best part of this Agios Nikolaos catamaran cruise is the easy mix of scenery, swimming, food, and time on the water. You cruise through Mirabello Gulf in the late afternoon, pass views of Spinalonga Island, then anchor in a clear bay where you can snorkel, paddleboard, fish, or simply stretch out on deck.

I like the generous choice of water toys and the fact that dinner, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included. I also like the small-group limit of 20 people. The main caution is value: at $150.18 per person, this is not a basic boat ride, and one guest found the catamaran crowded even below full capacity. The boat may also motor rather than sail, depending on conditions.

Key points before you book

• Spinalonga views from the water: You get a fine angle on the island without the heat and crowds of a land visit.
• A strong water-sports lineup: SUP boards, kayak, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, a sea scooter, inflatable slide, and noodles are provided.
• Food and drinks are built into the fare: Expect a prepared Mediterranean meal, vegetarian and children’s options by request, beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea.
• Late afternoon timing: The cruise is designed for relaxed light, sunset scenery, and an evening meal rather than a rushed morning outing.
• A small but not private group: The maximum is 20 people, with shaded lounges, sunbeds, an outdoor shower, and an onboard WC.
• Bring your own towel and sunscreen: Neither is included, and hotel transfers cost extra if arranged.

Setting out from Agios Nikolaos and Mirabello Gulf

You meet at the Marina Kiosk in Agios Nikolaos. The tour returns to the same point after roughly five hours, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup from another harbor.

The meeting point deserves attention. One person had trouble finding the boat and spent too much time looking around the marina. I would arrive early and confirm exactly where the catamaran is moored before the departure window. The listed point is near public transportation, but hotel transfers are not included unless arranged separately.

Once aboard, you can choose between sunbeds and shaded lounge areas. That matters on Crete, where even a late afternoon departure can feel hot. The catamaran has an onboard WC, outdoor shower, life jackets, Wi-Fi, and music, so it is set up for a full half-day at sea rather than a short harbor trip.

The crew speaks English and handles the safety side of the outing. Safety equipment includes life jackets and swimming jackets, and liability insurance is included. Most people can take part, though anyone unsure about swimming should make use of the provided flotation gear and tell the crew before entering the water.

Cruising past Spinalonga Island

The first scenic stretch carries you through the calm waters of Mirabello Gulf. The point is not a formal island tour. Instead, you see Spinalonga from the deck, with time to take photographs as the catamaran moves along the coast.

This is a good part of the trip for people who want scenery without a packed schedule. You can sit with a drink, listen to music, and watch the shoreline change as the boat heads toward a quieter anchorage. The late afternoon light should also suit photographs better than the hard midday sun.

Keep your expectations realistic about the word catamaran. A catamaran is the platform, but the boat may motor for much of the route. One guest specifically noted that there was no sailing under wind power. If the feeling of moving under sail is your main reason for booking, ask about the expected conditions before you pay. If you mainly want a stable boat, open views, and a comfortable ride, the powered cruise may suit you well.

The view of Spinalonga is one of the trip’s strongest visual moments, but it is still a view from offshore. You are not promised time ashore or a guided visit to the island. Book this for the sea setting and photographs, not as a substitute for a historical tour.

Anchoring in a clear bay for two hours

The main stop is in a quiet bay in Mirabello Gulf. The listed stop lasts about two hours, which gives you enough time to use the equipment instead of rushing through a single quick swim.

You can enter the water for swimming or snorkeling, use a SUP board or kayak, try the inflatable slide, or take the sea scooter for a spin. Fishing gear is also supplied for a gentle fishing session. The inflatable flamingo and noodles add a playful touch, especially for photographs and families.

The water stop is flexible. You do not have to use every toy. I would start with a swim and snorkel, then try one board or the kayak before returning to the deck. If you prefer a quiet afternoon, the shaded lounge is just as much a part of the experience as the activities.

The snorkeling equipment includes masks and fins, and swimming jackets and life jackets are available. The information does not promise a major reef, rare wildlife, or a guided marine lesson, so think of snorkeling here as a pleasant look beneath the surface rather than a specialist excursion.

Families should ask for the children’s options and toy box when booking. The boat also has a slide, flotation noodles, and several easy activities, but the water stop still requires adult attention. The maximum group size is 20, not a private charter, so the deck can feel active when several people use the equipment at once.

Dinner, drinks, and the food value

While you are in the bay, the crew prepares a Mediterranean meal onboard. The menu is described as nutritionist-designed, with vegetarian and children’s choices available by request. Protein snacks and protein cocktails are also part of the offering.

The meal is a real part of the price, not an afterthought. One guest found the food well prepared and delicious, while another felt the selection was limited on the day. That contrast is useful. You should expect a good prepared meal, but not a large restaurant buffet with endless choice.

The timing creates a pleasant rhythm. You swim and use the equipment first, then return to the deck while the crew prepares food. Depending on the exact departure and sunset, you may be eating with warm evening light over the gulf.

Included drinks cover water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine. Welcome choices include espresso, detox water, teas, and protein cocktails. Light protein snacks are also available. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks beyond the open-bar selection cost extra, so do not assume every bar item is included.

For $150.18, the value depends on how much you use. A simple scenic cruise with one swim would be expensive. A five-hour outing with dinner, an open bar, equipment hire, crew service, and a small group is easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a meal, boat trip, and water activities.

How comfortable is the catamaran?

The boat is described as modern and luxurious, with sunbeds and shaded seating. That gives you several ways to spend the afternoon. You can lie in the sun, sit under cover, or move around between the front deck and lounge areas.

Still, luxury does not mean unlimited personal space. One guest felt the boat was crowded even though it was not full. The cap of 20 keeps the group smaller than a large excursion boat, but it does not turn the experience into a private yacht charter.

The best seats may go early, particularly in good weather. I would arrive promptly, settle your belongings, and then enjoy the boat rather than trying to claim one spot for the whole trip. Private cabins may be available on request, but they are not guaranteed and are not included in the standard fare.

Wi-Fi and music are provided. Wi-Fi is useful for sharing photographs while you are still offshore, though the main reason to bring a phone is the scenery. Keep it protected around the water, and remember that towels and sunscreen are not supplied.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would choose this outing if you want several holiday pleasures in one booking: a boat ride, a swim, casual water sports, a meal, drinks, and sunset scenery. Couples may find the late afternoon schedule especially appealing, since there is time for a relaxed meal and photographs without the feel of a rushed day tour.

Families can also make good use of the equipment, children’s meal option, toy box by request, slide, noodles, and shallow-water activities. Parents should be comfortable supervising children around the water, even with flotation gear available.

It suits active visitors who like choices. You can try a SUP, kayak, sea scooter, snorkeling, and fishing, or use only two of them. That flexibility is better than a tour built around one demanding activity.

I would be more cautious if you dislike shared spaces, want a fully private boat, or care strongly about true sailing. The group is capped at 20, but the deck may still feel busy. You should also think twice if your main goal is a long guided visit to Spinalonga, since the island is viewed from the water rather than visited during the stated program.

Price, timing, and practical preparation

The price is $150.18 per person. Booked well ahead, this experience may cost less at some times, and an early reservation is sensible if your schedule is fixed. It averages about 38 days of advance booking, which suggests that waiting until the last few days may reduce your choices.

The five-hour duration is long enough to feel like a proper excursion but short enough to leave your evening open afterward. The late afternoon departure also avoids committing your entire day to the sea.

Pack:

• A towel
• Sunscreen and personal care items
• A swimsuit and dry clothing
• A phone or camera with water protection
• Any medication or personal items you need

The provider includes personal feminine hygiene products, which is a thoughtful practical touch. Hotel transfers are not included, so plan your route to the Marina Kiosk in Agios Nikolaos. Confirmation is provided at booking.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cruise needs good weather, and if poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book this Agios Nikolaos catamaran trip?

I would book it if you want a polished, all-in-one afternoon on Mirabello Gulf and plan to use the equipment, eat onboard, and enjoy the open drinks. The crew service has been a strong point, the swimming stops are appealing, and the Spinalonga view gives the cruise a clear sense of place.

I would not book it solely for sailing, a private yacht atmosphere, or a full cultural visit to Spinalonga. The boat may motor, the shared deck can feel crowded, and the food selection may be modest on some days.

For couples, families, and small groups who value convenience, the combination is persuasive. Arrive early at the marina, request special meal options in advance, bring a towel and sunscreen, and treat the $150.18 price as payment for a full five-hour package rather than just a boat seat.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran trip?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at the Marina Kiosk in Agios Nikolaos and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. A professional English-speaking crew operates the experience.

Is food included?

Yes. A prepared Mediterranean meal is included, with vegetarian and children’s options available upon request. Protein snacks and protein cocktails are also included.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are water, soft drinks, local beer, white wine, espresso, detox water, teas, and protein cocktails. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside the open-bar selection are not included.

What water equipment can I use?

The equipment includes snorkeling gear, SUP boards, a kayak, a sea scooter, an inflatable slide, fishing gear, swimming jackets, noodles, and an inflatable flamingo.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.