REVIEW · ATHENS
Private Luxury Sailing Cruise in Athens Riviera With Lunch
Book on Viator →Operated by Seastars Yachting · Bookable on Viator
The best part of this private sailing day is its easy rhythm: leave Athens, find a quiet patch of sea, swim and snorkel, then sit down to a proper Greek lunch while the crew handles the work. You get the Athenian Riviera without the noise and fixed schedule of a large boat.
I like two things here. First, the crew includes a skipper, stewardess, and cook, so the day feels like a real yacht outing rather than a basic boat transfer. Second, lunch is more than a sandwich stop, with spinach pie, Greek salad, chicken roll, dessert, wine, ouzo, coffee, soft drinks, and water included.
The main consideration is the price, $1,893.56 per group, and the strict cancellation policy. Split among six people, it becomes a more reasonable luxury splurge, but a smaller party will pay much more per person. The tour also depends on good weather.
In This Review
- Key points to know
- A private start from Kallithea at 9:00 am
- Sailing toward Ydrousa Island and Prasonisi
- Vouliagmeni Bay, cliffs, and a second swim
- Greek lunch prepared on board
- What the crew adds to the price
- Swimming and snorkeling without extra planning
- Is the private setting worth the luxury price?
- Who will enjoy this Athens Riviera cruise?
- Weather, cancellation, and practical planning
- My recommendation for booking
- FAQ
- Where does the cruise begin?
- What time does the cruise start?
- Where does the cruise end?
- How long does the cruise last?
- Is the boat private?
- How many people can join?
- Are swimming and snorkeling included?
- Is lunch included?
- Which drinks are included?
- Is a vegetarian meal available?
- Is a stand-up paddleboard included?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?
- Can I cancel for another reason?
Key points to know
- Private yacht for your own group: The boat is reserved for your party, with the supplied information listing up to six people for the private booking.
- Two swimming areas: You stop near Ydrousa Island and Vouliagmeni Bay, with snorkeling equipment and fresh towels provided.
- A full onboard lunch: The cook prepares a meal with Greek dishes, local products, wine, ouzo, coffee, mineral water, and soft drinks.
- A small professional crew: A skipper, hostess, and cook take care of navigation, service, and food.
- Six hours on the water: The outing starts at 9:00 am from the Nautical Club of Tzitzifies Kallithea and returns there.
- Check the group limit before paying: The main details say up to six people, while another note refers to a maximum of eight for lunch or seafood tour grades.
A private start from Kallithea at 9:00 am

Your day begins at the Nautical Club of Tzitzifies Kallithea, also called NOTK Delta Falirou, on Leoforos Poseidonos in Athens. The activity ends at the same meeting point, which keeps the return simple and avoids arranging a second pickup location.
The start time is 9:00 am, and the total outing lasts about six hours. That gives you a substantial morning and afternoon on the water, but it does not turn the experience into a full-day expedition. You return to Athens with time left for dinner or an evening walk.
This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That matters more than it may sound. You do not need to match the pace of strangers, wait for a large group to board, or share the swimming stops with a boatload of people from several different bookings.
The supplied information describes the booking as being for up to six people, although a separate note mentions a maximum of eight for the lunch or seafood options. I would ask Seastars Yachting to confirm the exact capacity for the package you are selecting before payment, especially if you have more than six people.
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Sailing toward Ydrousa Island and Prasonisi
The first part of the route takes you toward Ydrousa Island and the area identified as Prasonisi. The setting is a mix of open sea, rocky shore, and clear water. It is the sort of stop where the pleasure comes from slowing down rather than collecting a long list of sights.
At Ydrousa, the boat stops so you can swim or snorkel. Snorkeling gear is included, as are fresh towels, so you do not need to arrange those items yourself. The description highlights clear water and marine life, though the exact conditions will depend on the day and the weather.
This is also where the cook prepares lunch. While food is being made, you can sit on board, look across the Athenian coastline, or spend more time in the water if conditions allow. That arrangement is one of the smarter features of the cruise. Your meal is not rushed into a short shore stop, and you do not lose sightseeing time while waiting for a restaurant table.
The stop is scheduled for about two hours. That is long enough for a relaxed swim, a little snorkeling, and lunch preparation without making the day feel hurried. If you are not interested in swimming, the time may feel long, since the focus is on the sea rather than a major town or cultural site.
You should also keep expectations in check. Ydrousa is presented as a natural island stop, not a place with monuments, shops, or a developed waterfront. I would choose this cruise for time on the water, not for island sightseeing on land.
Vouliagmeni Bay, cliffs, and a second swim

The cruise continues to Vouliagmeni Bay, a coastal area known for calm water, rocky cliffs, and greenery along the shore. The bay offers a different mood from the more open setting near Ydrousa. Here, the boat is surrounded by a more enclosed coastal view.
The stop lasts about 40 minutes. You can swim or snorkel again, or simply stay on board and enjoy the view. The shorter visit makes sense as a second water stop after lunch, though strong swimmers may wish it lasted longer.
Vouliagmeni is especially useful for people who want variety without a packed schedule. You get one longer stop with lunch and one shorter stop in a scenic bay. The route is not built around constant movement, and that is its appeal. The crew gives you room to enjoy the coast at an unhurried pace.
The practical drawback is that the itinerary does not promise a choice of several islands or a long visit ashore. You will not be hopping between villages or browsing local shops. This is a coastal sailing and swimming day, with the yacht itself serving as the main base.
Greek lunch prepared on board

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. The sample menu begins with spinach pie, made with spinach, feta, eggs, and herbs. A Greek salad follows, then chicken roll stuffed with bacon and cheese, served with fries marinated in spices and herbs.
Dessert is a traditional sweet with chocolate and nuts. The exact menu may vary, so you should treat this as a sample rather than a guarantee. Still, it gives you a clear idea of the style: familiar Greek flavors with a filling main course, not just light snacks.
The meal is served with wine, ouzo, soft drinks, coffee, and mineral water. These drinks are included in the quoted price, which helps when judging the cost. On a luxury boat day, extra charges for every drink can make the final bill unpleasant. Here, the main meal and standard drinks are already covered.
The cook also uses local products, according to the tour details. That adds a useful local touch without pretending the meal is a formal restaurant tasting. You are eating in a maritime setting, with the coast around you and the crew working nearby.
Vegetarian food is available if requested in advance. Specific dietary requirements should also be supplied when booking. Do not wait until the morning of departure, since the cook needs notice to plan the meal.
What the crew adds to the price

A private skipper, hostess, and cook are included. Each role affects the experience in a practical way.
The skipper handles navigation and the boat. The hostess looks after service and general comfort. The cook prepares lunch while you enjoy the stops. On a standard self-catered charter, you would need to divide those jobs among your own group. Here, everyone can relax at the same time.
This setup helps explain the high group price. You are not only paying for a seat on a route. You are paying for a private boat, fuel, value-added tax, marina fees, laundry, food, drinks, equipment, and staff.
The price is $1,893.56 per group of up to six, which works out to about $316 per person if six people share it. For four people, the cost is roughly $473 per person, and for two it is close to $947 per person. Those figures make the group size important.
I would consider this good value for six people who want privacy and full service for a special occasion. It is harder to justify for a couple unless the private yacht setting is the main reason for booking. A less expensive shared boat would likely suit people who care more about reaching the water than having personal service.
Fuel, VAT at 24 percent, marina fees, laundry, lunch, drinks, towels, and snorkeling gear are included. A stand-up paddleboard is not included and costs extra. If that activity matters to you, ask about the fee before booking.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Athens
Swimming and snorkeling without extra planning
Snorkeling equipment is provided, which removes one small but useful piece of planning. Fresh towels are also supplied, so you can swim more than once without packing a wet towel back into your day bag.
The cruise description emphasizes clear water and marine life at both swimming stops. Conditions can change with weather, wind, and sea movement, so the experience will not be identical every day. The skipper controls the route and anchoring based on conditions.
You should still bring the usual personal items for a day on the sea, but only the listed equipment is guaranteed. The supplied details do not specify wetsuits, flotation devices, or particular snorkeling brands, so ask Seastars Yachting if you need special gear.
The water stops are suitable for people who want either activity or rest. You can swim, snorkel, or remain on board. The tour information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.
Is the private setting worth the luxury price?
For the right group, yes. Six friends or family members can divide the cost and enjoy a personal boat, a cooked lunch, drinks, equipment, and a crew for six hours. That is a very different product from a basic coastal cruise.
The strongest value comes from combining several services into one booking. You do not need to find a restaurant, rent snorkeling equipment, buy drinks, or arrange marina charges separately. You also get a private setting, which is often the main luxury on a boat trip.
The value drops quickly with a small party. Two people pay a steep amount for the same boat and crew. If you are comparing options, decide first if you want privacy, onboard cooking, and attentive service. If those features are secondary, this is probably more than you need.
The excellent rating is based on four reviews, so I would treat it as encouraging but not a large sample. The praise focuses on the boat being beautiful and well kept, the crew being exceptionally kind, and the food being one of the best parts of a Greek holiday. Those are exactly the areas to prioritize when judging the booking.
Who will enjoy this Athens Riviera cruise?
I would recommend it most strongly to:
- Families or friends who can share the cost among five or six people
- Couples celebrating a special occasion and willing to pay for privacy
- People who want swimming, food, and scenery rather than museums or shopping
- Anyone who prefers a hosted boat day instead of managing a bare charter
- Visitors looking for a polished final day after time on the Greek islands
It may not suit you if you want a busy sightseeing schedule, a long visit to an island village, or a low-cost way to reach the sea. The 40-minute Vouliagmeni stop may also feel brief if swimming is your main goal.
The experience is offered in English. Confirmation is sent when you book, and passport name, number, expiration date, and country are required for every participant. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity returns to that location.
Weather, cancellation, and practical planning
Good weather is required. If poor weather causes the cruise to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund.
Your own cancellation policy is much stricter. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. I would avoid reserving it until your group is certain about the date and the weather outlook is reasonably favorable.
Dietary requests and vegetarian meals must be arranged in advance. Service animals are allowed, and the tour information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed boat-access information. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, ask the provider about boarding and movement on the yacht before paying.
My recommendation for booking
Book this cruise if you want a private, food-centered day on the Athenian coast and can fill most of the available places. The combination of a three-person crew, two swimming stops, onboard lunch, drinks, towels, and snorkeling gear makes it feel complete rather than pieced together.
I would be more cautious if only one or two people are booking. The per-person cost becomes high, and the itinerary offers no long shore visit or major cultural attraction to balance the luxury price.
For a group of six celebrating a birthday, anniversary, family occasion, or final day in Greece, this is an appealing splurge. Confirm the passenger limit, menu, dietary arrangements, and any paddleboard cost before booking. If those details fit your plans, the cruise offers a calm and polished way to spend six hours between Athens and the sea.
FAQ
Where does the cruise begin?
It begins at the Nautical Club of Tzitzifies Kallithea, also listed as NOTK Delta Falirou, on Leoforos Poseidonos in Athens.
What time does the cruise start?
The start time is 9:00 am.
Where does the cruise end?
The activity returns to the same meeting point where it began.
How long does the cruise last?
The cruise lasts approximately six hours.
Is the boat private?
Yes. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.
How many people can join?
The main booking information states up to six people per group. Another note mentions a maximum of eight for lunch or seafood tour grades, so confirm the exact limit for your selected option.
Are swimming and snorkeling included?
Yes. Swimming takes place near Ydrousa Island and Vouliagmeni Bay, and snorkeling equipment is provided.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included, with a sample menu featuring spinach pie, Greek salad, chicken roll, fries, and a traditional chocolate and nut dessert.
Which drinks are included?
Wine, ouzo, soft drinks, coffee, and mineral water are included.
Is a vegetarian meal available?
Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking. You should also provide any other dietary requirements in advance.
Is a stand-up paddleboard included?
No. A stand-up paddleboard is available for an additional fee.
What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?
If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
Can I cancel for another reason?
No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.
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