Ag.Nikolaos: Catamaran Trip with Sushi, Drinks, & Water Toys

The best part of this cruise is the mix of Spinalonga views and open-water fun. You sail from Agios Nikolaos across Mirabello Gulf, pass Barbarossa Cave, then stop in a sheltered bay for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboards, a kayak, a sea scooter, and an inflatable slide. It feels like a full day at sea, not just a short boat ride.

I like the thoughtful food service, with a nutritionist-designed Cretan lunch and local organic ingredients, and I like the small-group setup, capped at 20 people. The main consideration is that the price is substantial at $145 per person, and the schedule can feel less private when the boat is full.

Key points at a glance

• Spinalonga from the water: See the former Venetian fortress and place of exile from several angles without spending the day ashore.
• A serious selection of water toys: Use the slide, sea scooter, kayak, SUP boards, snorkeling gear, noodles, and flamingo float.
• Food is more carefully planned than standard boat fare: Lunch uses seasonal Cretan ingredients, with vegetarian and children’s meals available by request.
• The open bar is included: Water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are served throughout the cruise.
• A compact group keeps the boat from feeling crowded: The maximum is 20 people, though one booking noted that an even smaller group would have been better.
• Sunset gives the return trip its best mood: The final sail back to Agios Nikolaos is quiet, scenic, and easygoing.

Sailing out of Agios Nikolaos

You meet the crew 30 minutes before departure at the entrance to Marina Agios Nikolaos, near the Eurobank ATM. Look for a crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt. If you drive, the marina municipal car park is convenient, though hotel transfers are not included unless you arrange an optional pickup.

The welcome sets a pleasant tone. You get espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail before a short safety briefing. That opening matters because it gives you time to find your place on the catamaran before the boat gets moving.

The vessel has sunbeds, shaded lounges, an upper deck, a front sofa, and trampoline-style netting. You can stretch out in the sun, stay under cover, or sit close to the water on the netting. Music and free Wi-Fi are available, though I would treat the cruise as a chance to put your phone away for a while.

The cruise lasts between 5.5 and 7 hours, depending on the departure option. The listed sea time includes roughly an hour on the catamaran at the start and another hour on the return. The rest of the day centers on stops, food, swimming, and time in Mirabello Bay.

Barbarossa Cave and the coast toward Spinalonga

The first sightseeing stop is Barbarossa Cave near Elounda. This is mainly a photo stop, with about 15 minutes to take in the rock formation and the surrounding water. It is not a long shore visit, so keep your camera ready and do not expect a land-based cave tour.

The boat then continues toward Spinalonga. From the sea, you get a broad view of the island and its stone fortifications. Spinalonga was once a Venetian fortress and later served as a place of exile. You do not appear to go ashore, so the value here is the view and the setting rather than a detailed walk through the site.

That is worth knowing before you book. If your main goal is to explore Spinalonga’s buildings, pathways, and history on foot, choose a land visit instead. If you want to see the island framed by the sea, with time for swimming afterward, this cruise gives you a more relaxed angle.

The crew shares some background as you pass. The scenery is the star, with the island, mountains, and long curves of the Cretan coast appearing from different points on the boat. This is also a good time to settle into the pace. You are not being rushed from one attraction to another.

Mirabello Bay turns the cruise into a full water day

The longest stop is in Mirabello Bay, where the boat spends about 2 hours and 45 minutes. This is the heart of the experience. You can swim and snorkel in clear Cretan water, then return to the catamaran for food, shade, and a cold drink.

The water equipment makes this more active than a sightseeing sail. The inflatable slide is an easy crowd-pleaser, while the sea scooter adds a little speed. You can also use a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to move around at your own pace. Snorkeling masks and fins are supplied, along with life jackets and inflatable noodles.

A pink flamingo float is available for photos. Fishing gear is also provided for a gentle fishing session, and there is a box of toys for children by request. None of these activities is compulsory, which is important. You can spend the entire stop swimming, or simply sit in the shade and watch others use the toys.

The setup suits mixed groups well. One person can paddle, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay dry with a drink. Families should request children’s meals and the toy box in advance. The boat also has an outdoor shower, an onboard toilet, and swimming jackets, useful details when you plan to stay at sea for several hours.

A Cretan lunch instead of ordinary boat snacks

Food is one of the stronger reasons to consider this cruise. The meal is designed with help from a professional nutritionist and uses fresh, local, biological, and organic ingredients from a Cretan farm. Menus change with the season, so you should expect a Mediterranean-style main course, followed by dessert, rather than one fixed dish every day.

Vegetarian choices and lighter options are available, and children’s meals can be requested. The meal prepared by Irini received especially warm praise in one account, while other comments also singled out the food as a highlight. One person felt that the lunch and dinner could be improved slightly, so I would keep expectations sensible. This is a catered boat meal, not a restaurant tasting menu.

The open bar adds real value. You get unlimited still water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine. Welcome coffee, tea, protein drinks, and light protein snacks are also included. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the listed selection cost extra or are not included.

There is one unusual rule: red wine is not allowed. That may be connected to spills on the boat, but the practical point is simple: stick to the drinks provided. You should also bring your own towel, sunscreen, and personal care items.

What the small-group promise means onboard

The maximum group size is 20 people, which is a useful limit for a catamaran. You should have enough room to find a seat, move between the deck and the water, and get help with the equipment without feeling part of a large harbor fleet.

Still, the boat is not a private yacht unless you book a private group option. One person who enjoyed the cruise thought the experience would have been even better with fewer people. That is fair. A full group can make the water toys and shaded seating feel busier, especially during the main swimming stop.

The crew is English-speaking and handles the safety briefing, drinks, equipment, and meal service. Several accounts praised the crew’s friendliness and attention, and the captain was described as engaging. Names for the individual guides are not provided, so you should not expect to select a particular host.

Private cabins are available on request but are not guaranteed. I would think of the catamaran as a shared social boat with comfortable areas, not as a floating hotel.

The sunset sail back to Agios Nikolaos

After lunch and more time in the water, you can dry off and settle on deck for the return. The late light is one of the nicest parts of the schedule. The sea, mountains, and coastline soften as the boat heads back toward the marina.

This final hour is less structured than the earlier stops. You can sit in the sun or shade, listen to music, finish a drink, and watch the coast pass. The mood is gentle rather than energetic, a good balance after the water toys and swimming.

The cruise can finish at Agios Nikolaos, though the available drop-off areas include Plaka, Elounda, Hersonissos, Malia, Milatos, Ammoudara, Ierapetra, Sisi, Stalida, Vathi, and other listed locations. Pickup and drop-off must be selected or arranged for the appropriate option. Transfers are specifically available from Ierapetra city and Agioi Saranta when that option is chosen.

Is $145 a fair price?

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mirabello Gulf. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: a modern catamaran, crew, welcome drinks, snacks, a substantial lunch, unlimited beer and wine, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, a kayak, a sea scooter, a slide, fishing gear, Wi-Fi, insurance, and onboard facilities.

A basic boat trip may cost less, but it may not include unlimited drinks, a full meal, or this range of equipment. On the other hand, you are paying for a shared experience, not a private charter. If your group wants privacy, ask about the private option and compare the added cost.

I see the best value for people who plan to use the boat for most of the day. If you only want a short scenic sail and do not drink alcohol or use the water equipment, the price may feel high. If you want food, swimming, snorkeling, and a relaxed social setting in one booking, the package is easier to justify.

The strong overall rating and repeated praise for the crew, boat, views, drinks, and food support the value, but they do not remove the practical tradeoff: a full boat can be less personal, and the menu is seasonal rather than tailored to every preference.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want both sightseeing and time in the water. It works especially well if you are staying in or near Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, or another listed pickup area.

It also suits you if you prefer a comfortable day with choices. You can be active for an hour, eat lunch, rest in the shade, and return to the water later. The boat’s toilet, outdoor shower, life jackets, and shaded seating make a long day at sea easier.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness, have a medical condition, are pregnant, or have mobility concerns. The operator specifically advises checking conditions and speaking with the team before booking. The cruise is weather dependent and may be rescheduled or canceled in poor conditions.

Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and children under two require special consideration before booking. People over 95 and anyone carrying sharp objects, glass, drugs, or weapons cannot join. Smoking indoors is prohibited, shoes are not worn indoors, and you should never touch marine life.

Practical details to handle before departure

Arrive on time. Port rules mean the catamaran cannot wait for late arrivals, and delays caused by passengers are not covered. Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and a passport or identity card. A copy of your identification is accepted.

When booking, you must provide each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID number, and nationality. Port authorities require these details to issue permission for the cruise. You will receive a voucher by email, and the QR code is sent one day before departure.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the cruise, and you can reserve now and pay later. For birthdays or anniversaries, tell the team ahead of time. A complimentary branded gift may be arranged for special occasions.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a full, easygoing day on the water with Spinalonga views, a proper meal, included drinks, and plenty to do once the catamaran anchors. The crew service, clean boat, water toys, and sunset return make it a strong all-round choice around Agios Nikolaos.

Skip it if you want a quiet private charter, a detailed visit inside Spinalonga, or a low-cost boat ride. For most people who value convenience and variety, $145 is reasonable, provided you arrive ready to swim and make good use of the included food and equipment.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is at the entrance to Marina Agios Nikolaos, near the Eurobank ATM. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt will meet you there 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The total duration is between 5.5 and 7 hours, depending on the selected departure option and availability.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfers are not included by default. Pickup and drop-off can be arranged for selected options, including service from Ierapetra city and Agioi Saranta.

What food is included?

You receive welcome refreshments, light protein snacks, and a nutritionist-designed Cretan lunch with a Mediterranean-style main course and dessert. Vegetarian and children’s meals can be requested.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited still water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the open-bar selection are not included.

What water activities are available?

You can swim, snorkel, use the inflatable slide, ride the sea scooter, paddle a kayak, use a stand-up paddleboard, enjoy a water tube, fish gently, or relax with an inflatable noodle. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. You should also bring sunscreen, a sun hat, swimwear, and personal care items.

Can I visit Spinalonga on foot?

The cruise includes a sightseeing and photo stop near Spinalonga, but the provided schedule does not include going ashore for a land visit.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The cruise depends on sea and weather conditions and may be rescheduled or canceled if conditions are poor. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.