The best part of this private Rethymno catamaran cruise is the unhurried stop in a clear-water bay near Georgioupoli. You can swim, snorkel, fish, paddle a SUP, or simply stretch out on deck while the crew cooks lunch onboard.

I like the private group setting, which gives up to 15 people the boat to themselves. I also like the thoughtful extras: traditional cheese pies on arrival, a full Mediterranean meal, unlimited beer and local white wine, soft drinks, WiFi, and an inflatable flamingo for floating and photos.

The main point to consider is the price. At $2,643.35 per group, this makes much more sense for a large family or group of friends than for two people. You also visit one main swimming area, so do not book this expecting a full day of moving from cove to cove.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to 15: The fixed group price works best when shared among a larger party.
• One generous swimming stop: The bay near Georgioupoli is the heart of the day, with snorkeling, fishing, SUP boards, and free time.
• Lunch cooked onboard: Expect salads, pasta or rice with feta, mussels, chicken, cheese, fruit, and children’s choices.
• Drinks are included: Beer, local dry white wine, coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks are available, with alcohol limited to people aged 18 and over.
• Rena may take family photos: A crew member photographed one family in the water, a useful touch when everyone wants to be in the picture.
• Simple meeting point: The cruise leaves DanEri Yachts at Sofokli Venizelou 37 in Rethymno at 9:30 am and returns there.

Setting out from Rethymno at 9:30 am

Your day begins at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, on Rethymno’s waterfront. The meeting point is easy to identify from the supplied address, and the tour ends at the same place. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

The cruise lasts about six and a half hours. That is long enough to make the sailing feel like a real day out, rather than a quick boat ride, but short enough to leave you with part of the evening free in Rethymno.

The crew includes a captain, a first mate, and a chef. Rena is specifically noted for taking photos of a family in the water, so you may have someone available to capture the moments when everybody is swimming or using the boards. The captain’s and chef’s names are not provided, but the small working crew is clearly central to the experience.

Because this is a private activity, only your own group takes part. That changes the tone. You are not trying to fit your plans around strangers, and children, older relatives, and confident swimmers can use the boat at their own pace.

The bay near Georgioupoli is the main event

The cruise takes you to a bay near Georgioupoli, described as having crystal-clear water. This swimming stop is not just a quick chance to get wet. It is where most of the day’s activities take place, and you can choose how active or quiet you want your time to be.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The supplied details do not promise a particular marine life sighting, reef, or underwater site, so it is best to think of snorkeling as a pleasant way to inspect the clear water rather than a specialist wildlife excursion.

Fishing equipment is also available. This gives you another low-key option if you want something to do from the boat without spending the whole stop swimming. The experience does not specify the type of fishing, the tackle, or whether catches are expected, so treat it as a casual onboard activity.

The SUP boards are a nice touch for beginners. You can try standing, kneeling, or simply sitting on the board, depending on your comfort. The supplied information calls them suitable for first-timers, but normal care still matters: the water, wind, and your own balance will shape how easy the activity feels.

An inflatable flamingo adds a little holiday silliness. It is useful for lounging and makes a good photo prop, especially from the spacious deck. You can also use the deck for sunbathing, resting, and taking pictures without getting back into the water.

One important planning point: this itinerary centers on one swimming location. A previous passenger suggested that visiting more than one place would have added a different view and experience. That is a fair limitation. If you want variety above all else, ask about the route before booking. If you prefer to settle into one beautiful spot and make the most of it, the single-stop format is a strength.

A Mediterranean lunch prepared while you swim

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a simple boat rental. While you enjoy the bay, the chef prepares lunch onboard. That means you do not have to pack a picnic or return to shore for a restaurant meal.

The spread includes a cheese platter, green salad, Greek salad, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels in turmeric sauce with ouzo, and chicken breast with oranges. Seasonal fruit is served for dessert. This is a broad menu, with several different flavors and textures rather than one large main dish.

The meal should suit a group with mixed tastes. Seafood fans have shrimp and mussels, while chicken gives non-seafood eaters a solid choice. The salads and fruit keep the meal from feeling too heavy after time in the sun and water.

Children have their own options: chicken nuggets or pasta. That matters for families, since a shared seafood-centered lunch can be a problem for younger eaters. The information does not describe vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or gluten-free substitutions, so you should ask DanEri Yachts about dietary needs before you pay.

You also receive welcome drinks, traditional cheese pies, and biscuits. These small foods help bridge the gap between the 9:30 am start and lunch, especially if your group arrives hungry.

Unlimited drinks, with clear age rules

Included drinks cover a wide range of preferences. You receive unlimited beer and local dry white wine, along with water, Fanta, Cola, Sprite, Cola Zero, coffee, and tea.

Alcohol is only for people aged 18 and above. The rule is straightforward, but it is worth keeping in mind for a family group or a celebration where younger people are present. Plenty of nonalcoholic choices are included, so nobody needs to drink alcohol to take part in the social side of lunch.

The local dry white wine should fit the seafood, salads, and Greek dishes well. You should not expect a wine tasting or a list of several labels. This is a relaxed meal at sea, not a formal food-and-wine event.

Free WiFi is included. On a boat, that is useful for sending photos, checking messages, or sharing a short video while you are still out on the water. Coverage can depend on the route and connection, so I would treat WiFi as a helpful extra, not the reason to choose the cruise.

What the six and a half hours feel like

The schedule gives you a full half-day on the water, but the exact sailing time and time spent at the bay are not specified. That means you should allow for some flexibility rather than planning a tightly timed afternoon appointment immediately after the cruise.

The experience has three natural phases:

• Leaving Rethymno and sailing toward the bay near Georgioupoli
• Spending the main portion of the trip swimming and using the equipment
• Eating lunch, relaxing, and returning to the Rethymno meeting point

The boat itself provides several ways to spend the time. You can sit on deck with a drink, take photos, listen to soft music, or use the water equipment. This variety is important because six and a half hours can feel long if everybody in your group wants the same activity.

The private format also lets your group set its own rhythm within the crew’s route and safety instructions. Strong swimmers may want more time in the water, while others may prefer the deck and lunch. Families can alternate activities rather than keeping every person on one fixed schedule.

The one-location plan means the day is more about settling in than collecting sights. You will not be hopping between several beaches or checking off coastal landmarks. The reward is time: time to swim again, try a SUP board more than once, eat without rushing, and enjoy the boat as a floating base.

How the price works for a private group

The listed price is $2,643.35 for up to 15 people. That is a large total if you are booking for a couple or a small family, but the per-person cost drops sharply when the boat is full.

At 15 people, the price works out to about $176 per person. At 10 people, it is about $264 per person. With six people, it is roughly $441 per person. These figures show why group size is the key value question.

For a reunion, birthday, family holiday, or group of friends, the fixed price buys privacy, food, drinks, water equipment, and a crewed catamaran for most of a day. A smaller group may find the same total harder to justify, particularly since hotel transport is not included.

I would compare this with the cost of arranging separate meals, drinks, boat seats, and water activities for a large group. The value comes from putting all those pieces in one private booking. It does not come from seeing many different locations.

The price may also suit people who care about comfort and convenience during a celebration. You can eat onboard, keep your group together, and avoid the uncertainty of finding a restaurant that can handle 15 people. If your priority is the lowest possible cost on the water, a shared cruise would likely be a better fit, though this experience’s private format is a different product.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise most strongly to a group of family members or friends who want a private day with several activity choices. It is especially suitable when people have different energy levels, since the deck, water, food, music, and photo opportunities provide alternatives to constant swimming.

Families should appreciate the children’s meal choices, the SUP boards for beginners, and the private setting. The crew can focus on your group instead of managing a crowded public boat, although the available information does not promise specific child-care arrangements or special accessibility equipment.

It also suits people who want a celebration without having to organize every detail themselves. The welcome snacks, cooked lunch, unlimited drinks, music, WiFi, and floating flamingo give the day a festive feel without making it formal.

Strong swimmers and active people will find plenty to do at the bay. Casual swimmers can still enjoy the outing, but remember that the main activity is a water stop. If you dislike boats, swimming, sun, or sitting around between activities, this is not the right use of your day.

The cruise is less suitable for anyone seeking a sightseeing-heavy route. There is no promise of several coves, historic stops, or a detailed coastal commentary. The focus is relaxation and water time, not touring Crete from the sea.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is available.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information also notes that the meeting point is near public transportation. You still need to plan your own arrival, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Bring whatever personal items you need for a day around water, but snorkeling gear, SUP boards, and fishing equipment are supplied. The details do not specify towels, so it is sensible to confirm that point with the operator before departure rather than assume one will be provided.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:30 am start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

The high advance booking pattern, about 43 days on average, is a useful signal for summer planning. A private boat with a fixed capacity can sell out on popular dates, so I would not leave a large group booking until the final week.

Should you book the DanEri Yachts catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private, easygoing day built around one excellent swimming stop. The freshly prepared lunch, broad drink selection, SUP boards, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and thoughtful crew service give the day more substance than a basic charter.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it for a family celebration or a group with mixed interests. Rena’s willingness to take photos is a small but valuable detail, since the person behind the camera often misses the best part of the day.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple, watching every euro, or hoping to visit several different bays. In that case, the fixed price and one-stop route may not offer the value you want.

For the right group, this is a comfortable way to turn a day in Rethymno into a shared memory: clear water, a private deck, lunch prepared onboard, and enough freedom to choose your own pace.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise begin?

It begins at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise ends back at the DanEri Yachts meeting point in Rethymno.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

What activities are available at the swimming stop?

You can swim, snorkel, use the SUP boards, try the fishing equipment, relax on an inflatable flamingo, or lounge on the catamaran deck.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes a cheese platter, green and Greek salads, shrimp pasta or rice with feta, mussels in turmeric sauce with ouzo, chicken breast with oranges, children’s chicken nuggets or pasta, and seasonal fruit. Beer, local dry white wine, water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, welcome drinks, cheese pies, and biscuits are also included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.