Hersonissos: Luxury Sunset Catamaran Cruise Sushi & Open Bar

The best part of this Hersonissos cruise is the setting: you spend the late afternoon at sea, anchored beneath the cliffs of Agios Georgios Bay, then watch the sun sink behind Crete from the catamaran’s deck. It feels more special than a simple boat transfer, with time for swimming, snacks, music, and a proper sunset.

I like the small maximum group of 20 and the roomy modern boat, which gives you space to stretch out instead of crowding around one rail. I also like the practical extras: quality snorkeling gear, SUP boards, shaded seating, an onboard toilet, and unlimited water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine.

The main caution is the sea. Several departures have been choppy, and seasickness can spoil the ride home or even the sunset. Bring motion-sickness medicine if you need it, follow the skipper’s advice about where to sit, and remember that the swim stop may be shared with other boats.

Key things to know before booking

• Agios Georgios Bay is the main stop: Swim beneath rugged cliffs, look toward the Cave of Saint George, and see the white chapel of Agios Georgios Sarantaris above the water.
• The food is light rather than a full dinner: You get sushi rolls, Mediterranean finger food, seasonal fruit, and drinks, so eat beforehand if you need a substantial evening meal.
• The open bar covers local drinks: Water, soft drinks, Greek white wine, and local beer are included. Cocktails and premium drinks cost extra.
• You get real time in the water: SUP boards, masks, fins, swim vests, noodles, and a floating flamingo are available after anchoring.
• The boat is designed for comfort: Expect sunbeds, shaded lounge space, music, Wi-Fi, an outdoor shower, and an onboard WC.
• Plan around the weather: Rough water can change the feel of the cruise, and late summer returns may be around 9 p.m.

Sailing from Hersonissos toward Saint George Bay

You meet at Hersonissos Port 15 minutes before departure. Look for the DanEri Yachts flag on a white sailing catamaran. The boat leaves on time because port rules do not allow the crew to hold the departure for late arrivals.

The first part of the outing includes check-in, a short safety briefing, a welcome glass of Prosecco, and Mediterranean finger food. This is a useful start, since it lets you settle aboard before the boat reaches open water. The crew speaks English and Greek, and the maximum group size is 20 people.

From Hersonissos, the catamaran cruises through Malia Bay and toward Agios Georgios Bay. The sailing portion takes about an hour. You can choose a sunny spot on the deck or retreat to the shaded lounge area, where soft music plays in the background.

I like this slow beginning. You are not rushed from one activity to the next. The boat ride gives you time to look back at the Cretan coast, chat with the crew, and get comfortable before the water activities begin.

The catamaran has sunbeds, though availability depends on how quickly people settle in. If you want shade, claim a place near the lounge early. You can also use the Wi-Fi to share photos, though I would save your phone battery for the sunset and the water stop.

Agios Georgios Bay and the Cave of Saint George

The main anchorage is around Agios Georgios Bay, also called Saint George Bay. Here, clear water meets rugged cliffs. The Cave of Saint George adds a little mystery to the view, while the white chapel of Agios Georgios Sarantaris sits above the coast.

This is the part of the cruise where the boat becomes a floating base. The crew brings out masks, fins, SUP boards, swimming jackets, noodles, and the inflatable pink flamingo. You can swim from the catamaran, paddle around the bay, snorkel, or try the supplied fishing gear.

The water is the main attraction, but keep your expectations sensible. One recent outing found little to see below the surface, making the swim more about cooling off than spotting marine life. If you enjoy being in the sea, you will have fun. If snorkeling wildlife is your main reason for booking, this may feel less rewarding.

The SUP boards provide another option, although one outing had boards without fins, which made them harder to steer. They are still useful for a relaxed paddle near the boat, but do not expect a serious stand-up paddleboarding session.

The noodles and swim vests are handy for anyone who prefers floating to swimming. Families can request a box of toys for children, and the crew can help with photos around the flamingo. Life jackets are provided, as you would expect on a properly run boat.

The bay can be busy with other boats, especially in summer. That does not remove the beauty of the cliffs and chapel, but it can reduce the quiet feeling. The crew may move a little farther out for a better sunset view.

Sushi, Cretan drinks, and what counts as dinner

Food arrives after the water activities, when a sushi platter is served on board. You also get Mediterranean finger food, local snacks, and a plate of fresh seasonal fruit. The sushi gives the outing a more polished feel than a standard sightseeing boat, but it remains light fare.

I would not book this as a substitute for a full dinner. One late-summer departure reached the port around 9 p.m., and the food was described as a snack rather than a large meal. If your hotel stops serving food early, eat before departure or plan something for after the cruise.

The included drinks are generous for the price. You can have unlimited water, soft drinks, local beer, and Greek white wine. Espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail are also listed among the onboard refreshments.

Cocktails and premium alcoholic drinks are not part of the open bar. You can order them for an additional charge, but the included selection is enough for most people. The crew may also offer a farewell drink of raki as you return to port.

This drink setup matters because the cruise lasts into the evening. You do not need to count every glass of water or wait for a single scheduled refreshment. At the same time, you should pace yourself. A moving boat, warm sun, and alcohol can bring on seasickness faster than expected.

Sunset from the catamaran deck

The sunset is the emotional center of the outing. After swimming and eating, you can return to the sunbeds, sit in the shaded area, or watch the sky change from the open deck. The boat becomes quieter as the light fades, and the cliffs and water take on a different look.

The exact sunset view depends on weather, cloud cover, and where the captain anchors. You may also share the bay with other boats. Still, seeing the sun descend over the sea from the water gives the evening a clear sense of occasion.

Music plays during the cruise, but the mood is not described as a party boat. The experience leans toward relaxed social time. You can chat, take photos, have a drink, or simply watch the coast pass by.

For a special occasion, tell the company in advance. Birthdays and anniversaries can receive a complimentary branded gift. That is a small touch, but it gives couples and families a reason to mark the outing as more than a routine excursion.

After sunset, the catamaran makes the short return to Hersonissos Port. The full outing lasts about 3.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on the selected departure and operating conditions. In summer, it can be late when you step ashore.

How comfortable is the boat?

Comfort is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a basic boat ride. The catamaran has a spacious deck, sunbeds, shaded seating, an onboard WC, and an outdoor shower. You can move around instead of sitting in one fixed row for the whole evening.

The shaded lounge is especially useful if you burn easily or need a break from the sun. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and hat, since those are not supplied. Personal care items are also your responsibility, though feminine hygiene products are available on board.

The crew provides life jackets, swimming jackets, and liability insurance. A professional English-speaking crew handles the safety briefing and water equipment. You should still tell the crew about any concern before getting into the water.

The boat is not a private yacht for each booking. It is a shared cruise, though private group arrangements are available. With no more than 20 people, the atmosphere should feel more personal than on a large excursion vessel, but the experience still depends on the mix of people on your departure.

Seasickness, weather, and family considerations

Sea conditions are the one serious variable. Calm water can make this an easy, gentle evening. Choppy water can turn the one-hour outward cruise and the return leg into the hardest part of the day.

If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual medicine before departure and sit where the skipper advises. One passenger was helped by the crew after becoming very sick, but you should not rely on onboard assistance as your main plan. The sunset is not worth spending the whole cruise lying down.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or anyone over 95. Anyone with mobility or health concerns should speak with the company before booking. Children are welcome, and toys can be requested, but the activity still involves boarding a boat, swimming, and moving around a deck.

Children under two are specifically mentioned as a group that should check with the team before booking. The same advice applies if a child is not comfortable in open water or may struggle with a late return.

The cruise can be canceled or rescheduled in bad weather. That is a sensible safety rule, not a flaw, but it means you should avoid placing the outing on the final evening of your Crete stay. Flexible plans give you room to move it if conditions change.

Is the $94 price good value?

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Hersonissos. You are paying for a smaller luxury catamaran, a sunset schedule, sushi, a welcome drink, open-bar service, water equipment, and several hours aboard.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for drinks, a boat trip, and a sunset activity. The included local beer, Greek wine, soft drinks, and water remove much of the small spending that can build up on an evening excursion. The SUP boards and snorkeling equipment also mean you do not need to arrange separate rentals.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quick swim. You could spend less on a basic coastal boat ride, and the snorkeling here may not offer much marine life. You are paying for the whole package: comfort, food, drinks, time on the water, and the sunset setting.

Transfers are not included by default. Optional pickup is available from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka when the right option is selected. Pickup and drop-off from other listed areas may be available by arrangement, so check the exact booking option before assuming transport is covered.

Who will enjoy this Hersonissos cruise?

I would recommend it to couples wanting an easy sunset outing, small groups that enjoy a drink with a view, and families who want swimming equipment already on board. It also suits anyone who prefers a comfortable boat with shaded seating rather than a bare-bones sailing trip.

The cruise works well for a special birthday or anniversary, especially if you notify the company in advance. The crew’s friendly, attentive approach is a big part of the appeal, and the small group limit helps keep the evening from feeling anonymous.

I would be more cautious about booking it for serious snorkelers, anyone who dislikes shared excursions, or people who become sick easily at sea. You should also think twice if you need a full evening meal, since sushi and fruit are not designed to replace dinner.

Bring a towel, swimwear, hat, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, birth date, nationality, and passport or ID number when you book. The QR code sent one day before departure serves as your ticket.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran if you want a polished evening on the water with good comfort, steady refreshments, and a memorable sunset. The strongest parts are the attentive crew, clean modern boat, easy access to swimming equipment, and the chance to spend several hours around Saint George Bay without planning each detail yourself.

Skip it if your priority is a large dinner, calm water at all costs, or serious underwater viewing. For everyone else, $94 is fair for a half-day package that combines sailing, swimming, sushi, drinks, and sunset scenery in one relaxed outing. Just arrive early, prepare for possible waves, and eat a little beforehand.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Hersonissos Port. Arrive 15 minutes before departure and look for the DanEri Yachts flag on a white sailing catamaran.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the catamaran cruise, English-speaking crew, Prosecco and finger food on arrival, sushi rolls, seasonal fruit, water, soft drinks, local beer, Greek white wine, espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail.

Are cocktails included?

No. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks beyond the included local beer and white wine cost extra.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran anchors at Agios Georgios Bay, where you can swim and use the supplied masks, fins, swimming jackets, and inflatable noodles.

Is paddleboarding available?

Yes. SUP boards are provided for use during the water stop. Their availability and handling can depend on the equipment and sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and fins are included, along with other water equipment. The bay may not offer much to see underwater, so treat snorkeling as one activity among several rather than the main purpose of the cruise.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel transfers are not included in the standard cruise. Optional pickup is available from Agios Nikolaos city, Elounda, and Plaka when selected. Other arrangements may be possible on request.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. The towel and sunscreen are not supplied on board.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise may be rescheduled or canceled if weather conditions are unsafe. Check the forecast before departure and contact the team if you are pregnant, traveling with a child under two, prone to seasickness, or have health or mobility concerns.