Six hours of sea, food, and toys for everyone. On a private DanEri Yachts sailing catamaran near Georgioupoli, you get to swim, snorkel, fish, and try SUP with gear supplied, while the crew turns out a real Mediterranean lunch onboard. I love the laid-back way the day runs like a floating beach club, and I love that the meal and drinks feel built into the trip instead of tacked on. One thing to consider: you’re mainly based around a single swimming area, so if you’re craving multiple sightseeing stops, this may feel more like one long, great session than a tour-by-tour sampler.

From the start, this is set up for groups that want privacy without the hassle. You meet at DanEri Yachts in Rethymno, board at 9:30am, and return to the same spot about 6.5 hours later, with no hotel pickup. You’ll have time to lounge on deck, get your feet wet, and share photos in real time thanks to onboard WiFi.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Private charter for up to 15 people, run by a captain, first mate, and chef crew
• One main swimming stop near Georgioupoli, with snorkeling gear, fishing tools, and SUP boards included
• Lunch served onboard, with specific local-style plates and kids options
• Unlimited drinks plus welcome snacks, including beer and local dry white wine for adults
• Inflatable flamingo for laughs and photos, plus lounging space on the deck
• Free onboard WiFi to post and message while you’re still on the water

Rethymno Morning: Boarding DanEri Yachts at 9:30am

This cruise is built around a simple idea: start early, enjoy the sea while it’s calm, and spend the day doing activities without rushing between places. You meet at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37 in Rethymno (741 00), with a 9:30am start. About 6 hours 30 minutes later, you return to the same meeting point.

No hotel pickup is a real detail because it affects who this works best for. If you’re staying in or near Rethymno and can get to DanEri Yachts on your own, it’s straightforward. If you’re far out, it may mean arranging a taxi or local transport.

Also, you’ll board a sailing catamaran—so expect more space than you’d get on a typical speedboat. That matters when you’re sharing the deck with snacks, drinks, and people who want to swim at different speeds.

The Main Sea Stop Near Georgioupoli: Swim, Snorkel, Fish, and SUP

The heart of the day is the time in the bay near Georgioupoli, where the water is described as crystal-clear and ideal for getting in. This is where you’ll spend most of your time choosing your own flavor of fun:

• Swimming and snorkeling with provided snorkeling equipment
• Fishing with provided fishing equipment
• SUP boards for stand-up paddleboarding, including a good chance for beginners to try it
• Room to lounging on the deck between water breaks

A private charter makes a big difference here. Instead of lining up with other groups, you get to move when you want, and you’re not stuck waiting for a long chain of check-ins. If your group includes mixed ages or energy levels, that flexibility is the best part.

Practical tip: if you’re doing SUP and snorkeling, plan your order. I’d put SUP earlier or later depending on your comfort—if you get tired, you’ll enjoy snorkeling more when you’re not fighting fatigue.

One consideration from the way this experience is described: it’s centered on one swimming area. That can be perfect if you like one great location and a long, relaxed session. But if you want multiple view changes, more coastline, or a true hop-to-a-few-places itinerary, this will likely feel like one strong stop rather than several scenic transitions.

The Onboard Fun Details: Flamingo Photos and Deck Time

This cruise doesn’t treat fun like an add-on. It uses little onboard touches to keep the mood light. The inflatable flamingo is the standout example—meant for relaxing and for those vacation-photo moments that usually require everyone to agree on something at once.

There’s also enough deck space to spread out. That sounds basic, but on a private boat it matters. You want a spot where you can put your towel down, keep your phone handy, and still have room for someone who’s getting ready to swim.

If you’re traveling with adults and kids, this kind of deck setup helps you avoid the classic problem: half the group wants quiet, half wants action. Here, you can do both without everyone being together at the same exact moment.

And since onboard WiFi is included, you can share photos quickly instead of waiting until later. When you’re taking a lot of shots on the water, that instant sharing can turn into part of the fun.

Lunch at Sea: Mediterranean Plates, Kids Options, and Fresh Timing

Lunch is cooked and served onboard, which is a huge part of the value. You’re not leaving the boat, waiting in line, or eating something that tastes like it came from a container.

The lunch menu is fairly specific and includes:

• Cheese platter
• Green and Greek salads
• Shrimp pasta or rice with feta
• Mussels in turmeric sauce and ouzo
• Chicken breast with oranges
• Chicken nuggets or pasta for kids
• Dessert with seasonal fruits

For many groups, the best thing here isn’t just variety—it’s pacing. You can eat while the sea time keeps rolling around you. The crew prepares it while you’re on board, so you’re not breaking the day’s rhythm.

One balanced note: the menu is Mediterranean-forward, and it doesn’t list a separate vegetarian main beyond options like salads and the feta rice route. If you’re a strict vegetarian or have complex dietary needs, you’ll want to communicate those expectations in advance so you’re not guessing.

Drinks come during the meal too, and that helps keep lunch feeling like part of the cruise instead of a mandatory meal stop.

Drinks Plan: Unlimited Beer and Local Dry White Wine for Adults

You’ll get welcome drinks on board—traditional cheese pies and biscuits—and then unlimited non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks as part of the experience.

Included beverages:

• Unlimited beer
• Unlimited local dry white wine (18+ only)
• Coffee and/or tea
• Soda options like Fanta, Cola, Sprite, Cola Zero, and water

That 18+ alcohol rule matters. If you’ve got a mixed-age group, alcohol will be limited by age, but the soda and water options are included for everyone. In practice, it keeps the day relaxed without turning it into a strict “no rules, just party” vibe.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to stay alert during water activities, you can build your day around soda and water, then switch to beer or wine if you feel good about it.

Who Runs the Ship: Captain, Chef, First Mate, and Rena’s Photo Help

This is a crew-led experience, and the reviews strongly emphasize how smooth it feels when everyone does their role well. The captain and first mate handle the boat and timing, and the chef handles the food so it’s fresh and ready when you want it.

One name that stands out in feedback is Rena, mentioned as someone who helped with photos—specifically capturing moments while people were in the water. That’s the kind of small service detail that can turn a good day into a “we’ll remember this forever” day, because you’re not all taking turns with shaky phones.

If you’re traveling with a family, that photo help is gold. If you’re traveling as a couple or group of friends, it still helps because it means you’ll get a few keeper shots without everyone abandoning the water fun to operate the camera.

How the Timing Works: 6.5 Hours on the Water (and What to Expect)

The schedule is simple by design:

• Start at 9:30am
• About 6 hours 30 minutes on the water total
• Return to the same meeting point at the end

Because the day centers on one main sea stop, it’s less about transitions and more about enjoying the time you’re in. That’s a good fit for people who get annoyed by rushed itineraries.

Bring the mindset that you’ll do a few cycles of:

1) water activity

2) snack or drink break

3) lounge time on deck

4) back in the water when you feel like it

The boat includes snorkeling gear, SUP boards, and fishing equipment, so you won’t be stuck waiting for someone to bring things out. Just be ready with swimwear and a plan for sunscreen and towel management.

Also, this experience requires good weather. That’s not a guess—it’s a condition of running the cruise. If weather isn’t good, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Price and Value: $2,643.35 for Up to 15 People

The price is listed as $2,643.35 per group for up to 15 people. That’s not “cheap,” but it can be good value because you’re buying a lot of bundled items:

What you get that would cost extra elsewhere:

• Private boat time on a luxury sailing catamaran
• Lunch cooked onboard with a detailed menu
• Welcome snacks plus coffee/tea
• Unlimited beer and local dry white wine for adults (18+)
• Soda, water, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• SUP boards
• Fishing equipment
• Free WiFi

The biggest value factor is privacy. If you’ve tried public catamaran tours before, you know how much energy gets lost to crowds and timing. Here, you’re paying for time that feels like your own.

So the math works best when your group fills enough seats to spread the cost, and when you genuinely plan to use the included gear. If you and your group mostly want to lounge and eat, it can still be worth it, but you’ll get the strongest value if you actually use the snorkeling, SUP, or fishing during the sea stop.

Should You Book This Private Rethymno Catamaran Cruise?

I’d book it if you want a relaxing Crete day with real onboard food, included water toys, and a crew that keeps things running smoothly. It’s especially good for families and mixed groups because the activities are varied, and lunch includes kid-friendly options like chicken nuggets or pasta.

I’d think twice if your top goal is to see multiple bays or switch scenery often. Since the experience is centered on one main swimming area near Georgioupoli, it’s more of a long “play in one great place” day than a multi-stop sightseeing tour.

If you’re the type who loves a plan that’s mostly flexible—swim when you want, eat when you’re hungry, lounge between—the format fits nicely.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the cruise?

You meet at DanEri Yachts, Sofokli Venizelou 37, Rethymno 741 00, Greece, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The start time is 9:30am, and the duration is about 6 hours 30 minutes.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, so only your group participates, up to 15 people.

What’s included for food and drinks?

Lunch is included onboard, along with welcome drinks (traditional cheese pies and biscuits), coffee and/or tea, and sodas/water. Unlimited beer and local dry white wine are included for adults 18 and above.

What water activities are included?

You’ll have use of snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, and fishing equipment.

Is WiFi available during the cruise?

Yes. Free WiFi is included.

What happens if weather is poor or I need to cancel?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.