Rethymno: Private Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this six-and-a-half-hour cruise is the private catamaran setting. You are not being moved through a crowded sightseeing schedule. You have a spacious boat, an English-speaking crew, open sea views, and a quiet bay where you can swim, snorkel, paddle, or simply stretch out with a drink.

I like the thoughtful welcome, with coffee, tea, and traditional Greek pies, and I like the freshly prepared lunch with seafood, meat, vegetables, Cretan cheeses, and dessert. The main consideration is price: at $2,239 for a group of up to 10, this makes the most sense for a family or group sharing the cost, not a solo visitor or couple.

Key points to know before booking

• Ombros Gialos Bay is the main stop: Plan on swimming, snorkeling, SUP paddling, fishing, and time on inflatable floats in clear turquoise water.
• Lunch is cooked on board: The meal includes Mediterranean dishes, seafood, meat, vegetables, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert.
• Drinks are included: Soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are available without an extra charge.
• The boat is set up for families: Children can use a special meal option, life jackets, arm floaties, inflatables, and an onboard toy box.
• The price rewards group travel: A full group of 10 pays about $224 per person, while a smaller party pays much more per head.
• Bring identification details when booking: Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, birth date, nationality, and passport or ID card number.

Leaving Rethymno Marina with coffee and Greek pies

Your day begins at the Marina of Rethymno. Look for a crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt and arrive 15 minutes before departure. Municipal parking is available at the marina, which helps if you have rented a car. Hotel pickup is not included, though a transfer can be arranged for an additional fee.

The welcome is more personal than a quick safety talk and shove-off. You receive coffee, tea, and traditional Greek pies while the crew explains the boat and safety procedures. The crew members hold Red Cross certification, and life jackets are provided. That matters on a private sailing trip, especially if your group includes children or people who are not confident swimmers.

Once you leave the marina, the catamaran has plenty of room for you to find your preferred spot. You can sit in the sun, look for shade, or settle into the more sheltered areas of the boat. Wi-Fi is available, and you can use the onboard music selection or play your own music.

The Wi-Fi is a nice extra, though I would treat it as a convenience rather than the reason to book. The main attraction is being away from shore, with the sea, coastline, and sky providing the entertainment. Still, the connection lets you share photographs during the day instead of waiting until evening.

The 105-minute cruise along Crete’s coast

The outward sailing lasts about 105 minutes. This is not dead time. It gives you a long stretch to settle in, enjoy the scenery, and make full use of the unlimited drinks. Soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included, along with coffee and tea.

The views are a major part of the experience. From the water, you see the Cretan coast from a different angle, with rocky shoreline, open sea, and changing light. The boat’s size and private setup make the ride feel less like transport and more like part of the day’s main event.

That long sailing time also deserves an honest note. If you want constant activity, the first hour and three quarters may feel slow. This cruise is best for people who enjoy the rhythm of the sea, conversation, music, sun, and a drink. It is not designed as a fast-moving tour with several shore visits.

The catamaran’s wide layout helps during the crossing. You can move around more easily than on a narrow boat, although you should still expect normal motion on the water. Anyone prone to seasickness should plan ahead, since the trip spends several hours at sea.

Ombros Gialos Bay: swimming and water time

The main stop is Ombros Gialos Bay, reached after the outward sail. The bay is known for clear turquoise water and a calm setting, making it the natural center of the excursion. The catamaran anchors here for around two hours and 15 minutes.

This is where you choose your own pace. You can swim from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, paddle a stand-up board, try the fishing gear, or relax on an inflatable float. The bright inflatable flamingo adds a playful touch, especially for family photographs.

The snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent basic gear separately. The same is true for the SUP boards, fishing equipment, arm floaties, and life jackets. These inclusions make the stop easier for a mixed group, since confident swimmers and beginners can each find something to do.

I would not expect a formal guided snorkeling lesson or a wildlife-focused marine excursion. The information provided describes equipment and free time, not an instructional snorkeling tour. You are using the bay as your swimming and recreation area, with the crew available to help.

The fishing gear may appeal to children, but no catch or fishing program is promised. Think of it as another onboard activity rather than a serious fishing trip. The same practical rule applies to the SUP boards: they are available for paddling, but the experience is not presented as a coached paddleboarding lesson.

A freshly cooked Mediterranean lunch on deck

Lunch is prepared on the catamaran, using local ingredients. The menu includes seafood, meat, vegetable dishes, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert. It is a useful feature because you do not lose your best swimming time looking for a restaurant or waiting for a shore transfer.

The food also gives the cruise a stronger connection to Crete than a standard boat trip with packaged snacks. Cretan cheeses and Mediterranean-style dishes bring local flavor to the middle of the day. You can pair lunch with the included white wine, beer, or a soft drink.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available on request. A special meal option is also available for children. You should state dietary needs when booking rather than waiting until you board. The published information does not list the exact menu, so anyone with a severe allergy should ask for precise ingredients in advance.

The meal is one of the reasons this cruise can work well for a group celebration. You get a shared table, a scenic setting, and a meal that does not feel like an afterthought. One verified July booking described the service, food, and full day as the best boat trip that group had taken, while a September booking specifically praised the staff, food, and wine. Those comments point to the areas where the experience has made its strongest impression: hospitality and the meal, not just the boat itself.

The return sail to Rethymno

After lunch and water time, you have another 105-minute ride back to Rethymno. This is a good chance to slow down. The return leg is less about seeing another attraction and more about enjoying the final hours on the water.

You can have another drink, listen to music, use Wi-Fi, or sit quietly as the coast passes by. The crew remains available, but the day is designed to feel relaxed rather than tightly managed. If you have spent the afternoon swimming and paddling, the return crossing gives you time to dry off and rest.

The complete duration is about 6.5 hours. That is long enough to feel like a real day at sea, but it also means you should avoid scheduling another major activity immediately afterward. Weather can cause a reschedule or cancellation, and the final route may depend on sea conditions.

What the $2,239 price really means

The listed cost is $2,239 per group of up to 10. At maximum capacity, that works out to about $224 per person. For a full family or friend group, the number is easier to justify because it covers the private boat, crew, lunch, drinks, water equipment, Wi-Fi, and six and a half hours of use.

For five people, the cost rises to about $448 per person. For two people, it becomes a very expensive private outing. The value is strongest when you want privacy and control over the day, rather than the lowest possible price for a boat ride.

You are also paying for convenience. Lunch is prepared on board, drinks are included, snorkeling and paddle equipment are ready to use, and your group does not need to share the schedule with a large public excursion. If those extras would otherwise be separate costs, the price becomes easier to understand.

Still, this is not a budget cruise. You should book it because you want a private setting and a full-service day, not because you are seeking the cheapest way to reach the water. The published capacity is 10, although one July booking described a party of 17, so confirm the boat’s permitted group size and your exact booking arrangement before paying if your party is larger than 10.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I see this as a strong choice for families, groups of friends, and couples celebrating a special occasion. The private format lets active swimmers and relaxed sunbathers share the same day without arguing over the plan. Children have floaties, life jackets, toys, and a child-friendly meal option, while adults have wine, beer, lunch, music, and open water.

It also suits anyone who wants a polished day without giving up simple pleasures. You are not confined to a formal luxury program. You can eat local food, swim from the boat, use a bright inflatable, paddle along the bay, and spend time doing very little.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant women. It may also be a poor match if you dislike long periods on a boat, want several land-based stops, or prefer a guided cultural tour. There is no historical sightseeing program in the supplied plan. The focus is the sea, the boat, the meal, and time at the bay.

Practical details that can save you trouble

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and your passport or ID card. A copy is accepted. The identification requirement is important: port authorities require each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID card number, and nationality before permission for the cruise can be secured.

Arrive at the marina 15 minutes early. Find the crew member in the DanEri shirt, and allow extra time if you are parking. Since hotel transport is not included, arrange your own route to the marina or request paid transfer service.

Book dietary requests in advance, especially vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or children’s meals. Also remember that the cruise depends on weather. Bad conditions can lead to a cancellation or a new date, so leave some flexibility in your Crete schedule.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. These policies are useful, but the bigger planning issue is the required passenger information and the weather-dependent route.

Should you book the DanEri Yachts catamaran?

Book this cruise if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private, easygoing day with a good meal and plenty of time in the water. The strongest features are the attentive service, onboard lunch, unlimited drinks, and the freedom to choose between snorkeling, SUP, fishing, floating, and doing nothing at all.

Skip it if you are traveling alone, watching every euro, or hoping for a fast itinerary packed with villages and landmarks. For the right group, though, the private catamaran format turns a simple coastal outing into a comfortable full-day occasion, with Ombros Gialos Bay providing the swimming and Crete providing the setting.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts 6.5 hours, including the sailing time from Rethymno to Ombros Gialos Bay, time at the bay, and the return to Rethymno Marina.

Where does the cruise depart?

The departure point is the Marina of Rethymno. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you there 15 minutes before departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Mediterranean lunch is prepared on board and includes seafood, meat, vegetable dishes, Cretan cheeses, and a homemade summer dessert. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and children’s meal options are available on request.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Coffee and tea are also available.

What activities are available at Ombros Gialos Bay?

You can swim, snorkel, use the stand-up paddleboards, try the fishing gear, or relax on the inflatable floats. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, arm floaties, and inflatables are provided.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but transfer services are available for an additional fee. Convenient parking is available at the marina’s municipal car park.