Chania: Private Day Catamaran Cruise with Swimming and Meal

A private catamaran, a quiet bay, and a cooked meal served on the water make this one of Chania’s more relaxing day trips. You sail from Kolymvari to Agioi Theodoroi, where you can swim, snorkel, fish, paddle a SUP board, or simply stretch out while the crew handles lunch.

I especially like the private boat for up to 15 people and the fact that the meal is cooked on board rather than handed to you in a box. Unlimited soft drinks, beer, local white wine, coffee, and tea also make the price easier to understand. The main drawback is cost: at $2,528.64 per group, it makes the most sense for a full family or friend group.

Key points

• Private use of the catamaran: Your group has the boat to itself, with no unrelated passengers sharing the day.
• Agioi Theodoroi swimming stop: Spend about three hours in a clear-water bay with time for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and SUP boarding.
• Fresh Mediterranean meal: Expect salads, cheese, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels, chicken, dessert, and a separate children’s choice.
• Drinks are included: Water, soft drinks, beer, local dry white wine, coffee, tea, and welcome snacks are provided.
• Family-friendly setup: Children have their own meal options, while the inflatable flamingo adds a lighthearted touch.
• Simple five-hour plan: The trip starts at 8:30 a.m. in Kolymvari and returns to the same meeting point.

A private morning on the water from Kolymvari

This cruise starts at DanEri Yachts in Kolymvari at 8:30 a.m. The activity lasts about five hours, with the main stop at Agioi Theodoroi. Since it is a private outing, you are not working around a mixed group of strangers or a fixed public-boat atmosphere.

That privacy matters more than it may seem. A shared cruise can be good value for a solo traveler or couple, but a private catamaran gives your own group room to settle into its preferred pace. You can spend more time swimming, take turns on the SUP boards, or sit down for lunch without feeling that the whole boat is waiting for you.

The boat returns to the same meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Kolymvari. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps, but you should check your route before booking an early start.

Agioi Theodoroi, your main three-hour stop

The heart of the outing is Agioi Theodoroi, where the catamaran anchors in one of the islands’ calm bays. The supplied information allows about three hours here, giving you enough time to do more than take a quick swim before moving on.

The water is described as clear and suitable for swimming and snorkeling. You receive snorkeling gear on board, along with fishing equipment and SUP boards. That variety is useful for a mixed group. One person can swim, another can try standing on a paddleboard, and someone else can stay close to the boat with a mask and snorkel.

You also get an inflatable flamingo. It is a small detail, but it gives children and playful adults something extra to enjoy, and it makes for easy vacation photos. WiFi is available on board as well, though I would treat that as a practical extra rather than a reason to book a sea trip.

Fishing equipment is included, but the details do not promise a particular catch or a guided fishing session. Think of it as a casual activity during your time at anchor, not a dedicated fishing excursion.

The bay is the reason to choose this tour over a meal at a taverna. Your setting changes from a restaurant table to the deck of a catamaran, with the water immediately beside you. The tradeoff is that swimming conditions and comfort depend on the weather, which is why the operator requires suitable conditions for the trip to run.

What lunch looks like on board

While you are in the water or relaxing on deck, the crew prepares a cooked Mediterranean meal. This is a substantial spread rather than a basic snack. It includes a cheese platter, green salad, Greek salad, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels in turmeric sauce with ouzo, chicken breast with oranges, and dessert with seasonal fruit.

The menu gives you several types of food, which is helpful when a private group includes different tastes. Seafood appears in the shrimp pasta or rice and mussels, while the chicken offers a non-seafood main course. The salads and cheese platter add lighter choices before the main dishes.

Families should pay attention to the children’s options. Kids can have chicken nuggets or pasta, followed by dessert and seasonal fruit. That separate choice can make lunch easier for parents who do not want to negotiate a seafood-centered meal while everyone is hungry.

Welcome drinks and traditional cheese pies with biscuits are served as well. Coffee and tea are included, so the food service covers more than the central meal. Unlimited water, Fanta, Cola, Sprite, Cola Zero, beer, and local dry white wine are also part of the package.

Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and over. Since the cruise includes swimming and paddleboarding, sensible drinking still matters. The point is to enjoy a drink with lunch, not to turn a water activity into a drinking trip.

Why the private format changes the value

The price is $2,528.64 for the whole group, with up to 15 people allowed. That is a large total for a five-hour outing, but the right way to judge it is by group size.

At the maximum of 15 people, the cost works out to about $169 per person. With 10 people, it is roughly $253 each. For a couple or a small family, the per-person figure rises sharply, and a shared cruise may offer better value if privacy is not important to you.

The private format includes more than just the boat. You get equipment, food, drinks, a crew-prepared meal, and the ability to spend the day only with your own group. For a birthday, family occasion, reunion, or group holiday, those details may justify the total price.

I would not book this simply because it is the cheapest way to reach the water. It is a special-occasion purchase. The strongest value comes when you can fill most of the 15 available places and care about having the boat to yourselves.

One current rating gives the experience 5 out of 5 from 10 reviews, with full recommendation from those respondents. The strongest praise centers on the boat, crew, and the comfort of not sharing the vessel with other groups. That private feeling is the product’s main selling point, not just a side benefit.

Swimming, snorkeling, and SUP time

The water activities are built into the stop, not sold as expensive add-ons once you are on board. Snorkeling equipment and SUP boards are provided, so you do not need to bring those items yourself.

You can choose how active to be. If you enjoy being in the water, the clear bay gives you a place to swim and look below the surface. If you prefer something less strenuous, you can sit with a drink, watch the group, and use the deck as your base.

The equipment is shared among your group, so a large party may need to take turns. That is not a problem for most groups, but it is worth remembering if everyone expects to use a board at once. The supplied details do not give the number of SUP boards or snorkeling sets.

The schedule leaves plenty of time at the anchorage, but it does not list several different swimming locations. You should book this for a relaxed single-bay stop, not for a fast-moving tour of many coves.

Food, drinks, and the small touches

The welcome cheese pies and biscuits give you something to eat early in the day, while the main meal arrives after the boat reaches its anchorage. Traditional Greek flavors appear in the salads, feta, cheese, seafood, and local wine.

The inclusion of unlimited nonalcoholic drinks is particularly useful on a sunny boat outing. You can keep water nearby without counting every bottle, and children have familiar choices such as Fanta, Cola, Sprite, and Cola Zero.

The inflatable flamingo is not a serious feature, but it tells you something about the mood of the outing. This is designed to be social and easygoing, with room for photos and playful moments rather than a formal sailing lesson.

WiFi is available, which may help if you need to stay in touch. Still, I would use it sparingly. A five-hour cruise is a good chance to put the phone away for a while, especially once the boat is anchored.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience to a family or friend group that wants a private day at sea without planning food, equipment, or drinks separately. It also suits a special celebration where the boat itself is part of the event.

Families get practical advantages from the children’s menu, soft drinks, and mix of water activities. A group with different energy levels can split up easily: swimmers can head into the bay, children can use the flamingo, and others can stay on deck with coffee or a glass of wine.

It is also a good choice for people who have already taken shared boat trips and now want more space. The private setup means your group can talk, eat, and relax without strangers nearby.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or on a tight budget. The flat group price is hard to justify for two people unless the private setting is the main reason you are booking.

You should also be comfortable with a boat-centered day. The activity lasts about five hours and focuses on one major anchorage. If you want a full sightseeing tour of Chania or several land stops, this is not the right outing.

Practical details before you book

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience is offered in English, and it is a private activity for your group only.

The start time is 8:30 a.m. at DanEri Yachts, GQXH+5P, Kolymvari 730 06, Greece. The tour ends back at that same meeting point. Since hotel transfers are not included, plan the journey to Kolymvari yourself and allow enough time to arrive before departure.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The activity is dependent on good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local start time in mind.

Should you book this private catamaran cruise?

Book it if you can share the cost across a large group and want the boat to yourselves. The strongest reasons are the private setting, long swimming stop, included equipment, and freshly cooked meal with drinks. Those features turn a simple boat ride into an easy half-day celebration.

Skip it if your main goal is the lowest possible price or a packed sightseeing schedule. For a small party, the cost is high, and the trip is built around one anchorage rather than a long list of locations.

For the right group, this is a comfortable and well-organized way to spend a morning off the Cretan coast. Fill the boat, arrive ready to swim, and let the crew take care of the food and drinks.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at DanEri Yachts, GQXH+5P, Kolymvari 730 06, Greece.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise ends back at the original meeting point in Kolymvari.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The price covers one private group of up to 15 people.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What water equipment is provided?

The cruise provides snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and fishing equipment.

What food is included?

The meal includes a cheese platter, green and Greek salads, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels in turmeric sauce and ouzo, chicken breast with oranges, dessert with seasonal fruit, and children’s choices of chicken nuggets or pasta.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Coffee, tea, welcome drinks, traditional cheese pies, biscuits, unlimited water and soft drinks, beer, and local dry white wine are included. Alcohol is limited to people aged 18 and over.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the cruise to be canceled, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.