REVIEW · CRETE
RENT A BOAT 5,5m-30hp LICENCE FREE MARATHI
Book on Viator →Operated by Notos Mare Marine Adventures · Bookable on Viator
A boat day in Crete, run by you. This licence-free 30hp rental lets you explore the coastline at your own pace, with a thorough briefing, a phone navigation app, and enough shade for sunny hours thanks to the sunroof. What I like most is the practical training that gets you confident fast, and the freedom to choose your own coves and anchoring spots for swimming. The one thing to consider: fuel is not included, so your total cost will depend on how much you cruise.
You’ll meet at Notos Mare – Marine Adventures Marathi (Unnamed Road, Marathi 731 00) at 9:00am, pick up your mobile ticket, and show a valid ID/passport. Then it’s instruction time, simple boat-handling guidance, and a real-time map app setup so you know where you can and can’t go. From there, it’s a full day back at the same spot—easy to plan, but weather matters.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Licence-Free Boat Day in Marathi: Why It’s Such a Good Idea
- Meeting Point at Notos Mare: What Your Morning Looks Like
- Training + App Navigation: Getting Confident Without Stress
- Your Boat and Crew Size: Up to 6 People for One Flat Price
- Choosing Your Own Stops: Coves, Swim Time, and Crystal-Clear Water
- Fuel, Optional Insurance, and Weather: The Real Limits of the Day
- Fuel isn’t included
- Optional insurance is available
- Good weather is required
- Price Value in Plain Terms: What You’re Really Paying For
- Tips to Make the Most of Your Captain Day
- Who This Licence-Free Boat Rental Suits Best
- Should You Book This Licence-Free Boat in Marathi?
- FAQ
- Do I need a licence to drive the boat?
- How many people can fit on the boat?
- What boat size and engine power is used?
- What time does the experience start?
- Where do we meet?
- Is fuel included in the price?
- Is optional insurance available?
- What do I need to bring?
- What’s the cancellation policy if weather is bad?
Key things to know before you go
- Licence-free driving in a 5.5m boat with a 30hp outboard, built for self-captaining
- Sunroof for shade during hot Cretan days (you’ll feel it when the sun climbs)
- A phone navigation app with real-time mapping and guidance on boundaries
- One price per boat for up to 6 people, so groups can spread the cost
- Fuel extra, plus optional day-of insurance if you want extra protection
Licence-Free Boat Day in Marathi: Why It’s Such a Good Idea

If you’ve ever wanted to see Crete’s coast but didn’t want to spend the whole day on a packed tour boat, this is the opposite vibe. You rent a compact motorboat (5.5m, 30hp) and you captain it yourself—no boating licence required.
That changes the feel of the day. Instead of fitting into someone else’s schedule, you decide when you want to slow down, drop anchor, or just run a few miles to a different cove. And because the boat is small, it’s better suited for the kind of coast that’s full of curves, cliffs, and swim-friendly pockets.
Two details help a lot here:
- The team gives you a real briefing and hands-on guidance, not just a quick “good luck.”
- The boat comes with a sunroof, which sounds minor until you’re out there for hours and you realize shade isn’t a luxury—it’s comfort.
The tradeoff is also clear: you’re responsible for driving, and you’ll need to factor in fuel. If you’re hoping the price includes everything, you’ll have to plan ahead.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Crete
Meeting Point at Notos Mare: What Your Morning Looks Like

Your day starts at Notos Mare – Marine Adventures Marathi. It’s at Unnamed Road, Marathi 731 00, Greece, and you start at 9:00am. The experience ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not doing any tricky one-way logistics.
Expect this sequence:
- Arrive, check in, and present your ID/passport.
- You get your mobile ticket.
- You’ll do a detailed briefing and go through what you need to know to drive the boat safely and confidently.
One review experience I found especially helpful is the way they support navigation. You’ll get an app for your phone with a real-time map showing where you can and can’t go. That’s huge for first-timers, because it reduces guesswork and makes the rules easier to follow while you’re focused on driving.
Practical tip: because you’re paying for a boat rental, don’t treat the morning as optional “we’ll figure it out.” Showing up on time means you’ll get the full training before you’re out in open water.
Training + App Navigation: Getting Confident Without Stress

Even if you’re totally new to motorboats, the setup here is designed to remove the intimidation. The boat is described as simple and easy to drive, and the staff provide the necessary briefing and information at rental.
What this means for you, practically:
- You get the basics you need before leaving the dock.
- The navigation app helps you follow boundaries and plan where you’re heading.
- In the best-case scenario (and it sounds like this is how it’s set up), if you need assistance, they can potentially locate you using the app’s live mapping approach.
This is the kind of support that makes a self-drive experience feel safe and fun, instead of stressful. And yes, that matters. A licence-free boat day is only relaxing if you’re not spending half of it worrying whether you’re doing things right.
Your Boat and Crew Size: Up to 6 People for One Flat Price
The rental price is $261.88 per group, up to 6 people. That “one price” structure is usually where the value shines—especially when friends or family show up together.
Here’s the math mindset I recommend:
- Split among 2–6 people, and the cost per person can become quite reasonable for a full day on the water.
- If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, you may still enjoy it, but the per-person value will depend on whether you’re comfortable sharing the boat with a bigger group or paying more for the flexibility.
Also note what’s not included: a skipper is not included. That’s not a negative if you want to drive, but it does change how you compare this to other boat days. You’re essentially paying for boat access and training, not for an expert operator to take the wheel.
One more comfort point: the boat fits up to 6 passengers and has a sunroof, so you’re not roasting in direct sun the entire time.
Choosing Your Own Stops: Coves, Swim Time, and Crystal-Clear Water

This is the part you’ll remember. The day is set up for cruising Crete’s coast and reaching spots that are naturally good for short swims and scenic stops—especially coves that are easy to access.
From the way the experience is described and how people talk about it, the cruising style tends to look like this:
- You sail along the coastline.
- You tie off or anchor in clear water near cliffs and rocky formations.
- You pick spots with natural beauty, caves, and mountain backdrops.
One review mentioned anchored water surrounded by cliffs and caves, with mountains in view. Another described a swim spot area where there were restaurants right at the shore. That tells me the experience isn’t just about “out on the water”—it’s built around water breaks where you can actually enjoy the sea, not just look at it.
What to expect when you stop:
- Expect time for swimming and floating.
- You’ll likely be switching between cruising time and downtime, which feels better than a strict schedule.
- You get to decide how long to stay at each place rather than rushing to match a timetable.
Potential drawback to keep in mind: water temperature can be chilly depending on the month. One review specifically called out that May water was chilly, but still worth a quick dip. So if you’re heat-sensitive, consider packing swim gear and something for after.
Fuel, Optional Insurance, and Weather: The Real Limits of the Day

Here’s the honest part: your day is shaped by three practical items—fuel, optional insurance, and weather.
Fuel isn’t included
The listing states that fuel is not included, and that’s common for rentals. For you, this means:
- Bring a realistic expectation that your final spend will be higher than the rental total.
- How much you pay depends on your route length and how many times you motor out and back.
Optional insurance is available
There’s also optional insurance for damage, offered at an additional cost per day. The decision happens on the day of rental, so don’t wait until the last second with zero planning.
If you’re nervous about first-time driving, optional insurance can reduce stress. If you’re confident and careful, you may decide it isn’t necessary. Either way, at least you get the choice.
Good weather is required
The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That matters because a boat day can’t happen safely in rough conditions.
My advice: if your schedule is flexible, this kind of activity works best on a day where you’re not rushing to another big plan right afterward.
Price Value in Plain Terms: What You’re Really Paying For
At $261.88 per group (up to 6), you’re paying for a rental that includes:
- the boat rental itself (with fees and taxes included)
- the briefing and operational guidance
- the overall setup that helps you drive without a licence
You’re not paying for:
- fuel
- private transportation
- a skipper
- optional insurance (unless you add it)
So the value equation looks like this:
- If you have a group of friends or family, this can be a strong deal because the boat cost is shared.
- If you want the freedom to pick coves and swim stops without waiting around for other people, the self-drive format is often more satisfying than a guided “follow the route” boat tour.
- The big reason people rate this so highly is that the team makes the self-captaining part feel manageable—especially with the app and thorough training.
One practical note: bring your day-spending mindset. Plan for fuel and consider optional insurance. Once you do that, the rental price starts to feel like what it is: access to a whole day of coast time.
Tips to Make the Most of Your Captain Day
This is a self-drive experience, so your success is partly preparation. Here are a few practical moves that fit how this rental runs:
- Treat the briefing like your main event. Get clarity on boundaries, boat handling, and what to do if anything feels off.
- Use the navigation app as your guide. It’s designed to show real-time mapping and limitations, and it likely helps the team support you if needed.
- Plan for shade and sun. The sunroof is there for a reason. Still, keep water and sun protection handy because you’ll be out during peak daylight hours.
- Build in swim breaks. The whole point of the day is reaching spots that are good for anchoring and quick swims.
- Have a fuel expectation. Decide early how much cruising you want versus how much time you want to spend anchored.
If you do these things, you’ll feel in control rather than “hoping the day works out.”
Who This Licence-Free Boat Rental Suits Best

This rental is a great match if you:
- don’t have a motorboat licence but still want to drive
- travel in a small group (up to 6) and want to share the boat cost
- like freedom over fixed schedules
- are comfortable learning through a briefing and using an app for navigation support
It may be less ideal if you:
- want a fully guided experience with a skipper steering the boat for you
- dislike handling logistics like fuel planning
- are traveling on a date where weather might be uncertain and you can’t be flexible
Should You Book This Licence-Free Boat in Marathi?
I’d book it if your goal is a real coast experience with minimal structure. The best sign is the combination of licence-free self-driving plus the practical support: thorough training and a navigation app that makes it easier to stay within safe limits.
It’s also a smart pick for group value. One flat price up to six people means the cost can work out well, as long as everyone’s on board with driving responsibility.
Skip it only if you truly want someone else to captain, or if you’re the type who needs a fully included, no-decisions day. Here, you make the choices—coves, timing, and cruising pace—so you’ll enjoy it most when you’re ready for that kind of freedom.
FAQ
Do I need a licence to drive the boat?
No. This experience is specifically described as licence-free, with training and briefing provided so you can captain the boat yourself.
How many people can fit on the boat?
The boat can accommodate up to 6 passengers.
What boat size and engine power is used?
It’s a 5.5m boat with a 30hp engine.
What time does the experience start?
The start time is 9:00am.
Where do we meet?
You meet at Notos Mare – Marine Adventures Marathi, Unnamed Road, Marathi 731 00, Greece.
Is fuel included in the price?
No. Fuel is not included.
Is optional insurance available?
Yes. The boat can be insured for damage for an additional optional cost per day, and you decide on the day of rental.
What do I need to bring?
You’ll need a valid ID or passport to present on the day of rental.
What’s the cancellation policy if weather is bad?
There’s free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and because the experience requires good weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund if it’s canceled due to poor weather.
If you want, tell me your month of travel and how many people are in your group—I’ll help you think through fuel expectations and whether a self-drive day will feel smooth for your crew.


























