Agios Nikolaos: Sailing Trip Catamaran Lunch and Water Toys

The best part of this Agios Nikolaos sailing trip is the combination of easygoing cruising and active water time. You sail through the Mirabello Gulf, circle Spinalonga, then spend about two hours at Kolokitha Bay with lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, a transparent canoe, and an inflatable slide. It is a full day on the water, not just a short boat ride.

I like the generous food and drink service, plus the crew’s friendly, practical approach. I also like the Lagoon 450F itself: there is a shaded cockpit, bow sun deck, flybridge, kitchen, air conditioning, and plenty of room to spread out. The main consideration is that the sea can get choppy, and the advertised water setup may vary. One June guest found the swimming stops calm but did not see the slide or bathing platform shown in the pictures.

Key things to know before you book

• Kolokitha Bay is the main event: You get roughly two hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and water toys.
• Spinalonga is seen from the water: The trip includes a photo stop and a short sightseeing visit around the island, not a long land tour.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Mediterranean food, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are part of the onboard service.
• The catamaran has real comfort: Use the flybridge, bimini shade, kitchen, refrigerator, bow sun deck, and bathing platform.
• The trip suits families and mixed-age groups: Children are allowed, and the slide and floating equipment give teenagers plenty to do.
• Plan for changing conditions: Bring a towel, expect possible chop, and check which water toys are available on your departure.

Sailing out from Agios Nikolaos on a Lagoon 450F

Your day begins in front of the entrance to the main marina in Agios Nikolaos. A crew member meets you there and walks you to the catamaran, so arrive on time rather than making the crew search the waterfront for you.

The boat is a Lagoon 450F catamaran, a broad, stable design with space in several different areas. You can sit in the shaded cockpit, stretch out on the bow sun deck, or move up to the flybridge for a higher view. Air conditioning, inside and outside speakers, a refrigerator, ice box, kitchen, grill, WiFi, and an audio system make this more comfortable than a basic excursion boat.

The crew gives a safety briefing before departure. The boat carries life jackets, GPS, a chart plotter, depth finder, sonar, VHF radio, autopilot, anchor, and wheel steering. Those details may sound technical, but they matter when you are spending most of a day away from shore.

The English-speaking crew handles the sailing and the practical side of the day. A captain cooked lunch during one October departure, which gives you an idea of the hands-on style offered here. Giorgos also dealt directly with a booking problem for one party and arranged an alternative boat with compensation. That does not erase the original mistake, but it does suggest a company willing to fix problems rather than pass them along.

Elounda brings an easy first hour at sea

The first major stretch takes you toward Elounda. The listed sailing time is about one hour, with drinks such as beer, wine, coffee, tea, cocktails, and soft drinks available during the stop.

This is the time to settle into the boat. You can watch the shoreline from the flybridge, feel the wind from the bow, or stay under the bimini if the sun is strong. The open water gives you a different view of eastern Crete, with the boat moving at a relaxed pace rather than rushing from one photo stop to the next.

The exact feel depends on the weather. On a calm day, this should be the most peaceful part of the trip. On a choppy day, you may want to remain in the center of the boat and avoid reading or standing for long periods. The operator specifically lists seasickness as a concern, so pack any usual remedy and choose a seat with care if you are sensitive to motion.

Spinalonga gives you history from the water

The route continues toward Spinalonga for about 30 minutes of sightseeing and photos. The boat circles the island, giving you a view that is difficult to get from a normal road tour.

Spinalonga is one of Crete’s best-known historic sights, and seeing it from the sea helps you understand its island setting. You get time for photographs and a short look at the site, but this is not a full walking visit. If your priority is entering the remains and spending time on shore, you would need a separate land excursion.

The stop works well as part of a sailing day because it breaks up the time on the water. You get a cultural point of interest before the afternoon shifts toward swimming and play. Drinks are available, so you can take in the view with a coffee, beer, wine, or soft drink in hand.

Kolokitha Bay is where the boat earns its keep

The longest stop is at Kolokitha Bay, with about two hours for lunch and water activities. This is the heart of the trip, and it is where the clear water matters most.

You can swim from the bathing platform, use the transparent canoe, paddleboard, snorkel with the provided equipment, or try the sea scooter. The inflatable platform and slide add a playful touch, especially for children and teenagers. Swim fins are also supplied, which makes it easier to move around once you are in the water.

The reviews consistently praise the turquoise water and the range of equipment. One family described the bay as fun for all ages, while another group found the water toys to be the feature that made the day. The appeal is simple: people who want quiet time can sit on deck, while more active members of your group can keep busy in the sea.

Still, check the equipment when you board. A June departure had calm swimming stops and good food, but the guest did not find the slide or swim platform available. Conditions, boat setup, or the selected vessel may affect what is in use. I would treat the water toys as an important bonus, but not book solely on the assumption that every item pictured will be deployed.

The bay is also the right place to use the snorkel gear. The available information does not promise a particular marine species or reef, so keep expectations sensible. You can explore the clear water and look below the surface, but this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling trip.

Lunch, wine, and drinks make the price easier to justify

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast. It becomes better value when you count what is included: a full sailing day, lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, snorkeling equipment, fins, paddleboard, transparent canoe, sea scooter, fishing equipment, and use of the catamaran’s facilities.

The food receives especially strong praise. It is described as fresh, plentiful, and Mediterranean in style. One captain cooked a tasty lunch onboard, and another party found there was so much food that not everything was eaten. That suggests you are getting more than a small sandwich between activities.

Drinks remain available through the day, including beer, wine, cola, mineral water, and other soft drinks. Alcohol is allowed onboard, and glass bottles are allowed as well. The sensible approach is to enjoy the wine and beer gradually, since you still need to manage sun, swimming, and boat movement.

A private chef costs an additional 500 euros, but most people will not need that option. The standard lunch is already part of the trip. A private photographer is also available for 300 euros on private trips, while wine tasting costs extra depending on the wine selected.

Comfort matters on a five to ten hour outing

The stated duration ranges from five to ten hours, depending on the option and departure time you select. That is a wide range, so check the exact schedule before booking. A longer version gives you more time to enjoy the boat, but it also means more exposure to sun, wind, and motion.

The catamaran gives you several ways to manage the day. Use the bimini for shade, the air conditioning indoors, the flybridge for views, and the bow sun deck for open-air lounging. The kitchen, refrigerator, grill, and ice box support the meal and drinks without turning the boat into a floating restaurant.

Bring your own towel, since towels are not included. You should also pack swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera. A dry bag would be useful for phones and other valuables, although it is not listed as required equipment.

The vessel is wheelchair accessible, which is helpful, but swimming activities still require a level of mobility and comfort around water. The trip is not suitable for non-swimmers. Children are allowed, and the range of calmer and more active spaces means families can divide their time, but adults remain responsible for supervision around the water toys.

Smoking is allowed onboard, and a liveaboard stay is possible. Those are unusual details to know in advance. If you prefer a smoke-free boat or do not want an overnight arrangement, confirm the conditions when booking.

Private groups can change the feel of the day

A private group option is available. That can make sense for families, friends, or a celebration, especially if you want more control over the pace and who shares the boat with you.

A private trip also gives the extra chef and photographer options a place. The costs are substantial, however, so they make more sense when divided among a larger group or when the occasion matters more than the budget.

The shared version should suit people who enjoy a social day at sea. The available material does not give a fixed group size, so you should ask about capacity if space and privacy are important to you. The catamaran has several seating areas, which helps prevent the day from feeling cramped.

What the strongest praise tells you

The most consistent praise centers on four things: the crew, the food, the catamaran, and the water activities. You can expect a friendly and helpful onboard style, with the crew involved in serving drinks, explaining the area, preparing food, and helping with equipment.

The Spinalonga portion earns particular approval because it adds a bit of history to an otherwise leisure-focused day. The water at Kolokitha Bay receives equally strong attention, especially from families and groups with teenagers.

The food is not an afterthought. It is one of the reasons the price works. You get a proper Mediterranean meal with drinks rather than having to carry your own lunch or pay for each beverage separately.

The one clear caution concerns equipment and sea conditions. A sunset trip on a choppy day still had calm swimming stops and good food, but some water toys were not available. The trip can remain enjoyable in less-than-perfect weather, yet the sailing and swim portions may not match the photographs every time.

Who should book this sailing trip

I would choose this for a family, couple, or group of friends who want several kinds of holiday in one day. You get scenic sailing, a historic sight, a long swimming stop, a generous lunch, and enough equipment to keep active people occupied.

It is especially well suited to adults and teenagers. Younger children can enjoy the slide and platform, but the boat is not designed for non-swimmers, and supervision around the water is essential.

I would be more cautious if you get seasick, dislike open water, or mainly want a full land visit to Spinalonga. The boat offers a view of the island and a short sightseeing stop, not a detailed shore-based tour.

At $165, I think the trip offers fair value if you use the included equipment and enjoy the food and drinks. It is less compelling if you only want a short sail or plan to stay dry all day. Check the exact duration, departure time, and available water toys before paying.

Should you book it?

Book this Agios Nikolaos catamaran trip if you want a relaxed but active day in the Mirabello Gulf, with lunch and drinks handled for you. The combination of Spinalonga, Kolokitha Bay, clear water, and a well-equipped Lagoon 450F gives you more variety than a simple coastal cruise.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, cannot swim, or need guaranteed access to every water toy shown in the pictures. For everyone else, especially families and mixed-age groups, this is a strong choice for seeing eastern Crete from the water without having to organize each part yourself.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The meeting point is the entrance to the main marina in Agios Nikolaos, with drop-off options at Agios Nikolaos Marina, Vathi, or Schisma Eloundas.

FAQ

How much does the Agios Nikolaos catamaran trip cost?

The listed price is $165 per person.

How long does the sailing trip last?

The activity lasts between five and ten hours, depending on the option you choose. Check the available starting times and exact duration when booking.

Where does the trip start?

The meeting point is in front of the entrance to the main Marina of Agios Nikolaos. A crew member meets you and escorts you to the catamaran.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga, and Kolokitha Bay. The trip ends at one of three drop-off locations: Agios Nikolaos Marina, Vathi, or Schisma Eloundas.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is described as Mediterranean cuisine. Drinks, wine, beer, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are also included.

Which water activities are available?

The boat carries snorkeling equipment, swim fins, a transparent canoe, paddleboard, sea scooter, inflatable platform, and inflatable slide. The exact availability of some equipment may vary.

Are towels provided?

No. Bring your own towel, along with swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera.

Is the catamaran suitable for children?

Yes, children are allowed. The boat has water toys that can suit families, but the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.