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

Sea days do not get much easier. This semi-private catamaran cruise leaves Agios Nikolaos for Mirabello Bay, passing Barbarossa Cave and Spinalonga before settling into a long swim stop with paddleboards, a kayak, snorkeling gear, a slide, and a sea scooter. I especially like the small group of up to 20 people and the generous open bar, which includes local beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water. The main consideration is that this is a full half-day commitment, and the menu is described mainly as healthy Cretan and Mediterranean food, so you should not book it expecting a guaranteed sushi-focused meal.

The crew keeps the mood easy rather than formal. You can sit on the front sofa, stretch out on the upper deck, or relax on the netting while music plays. The boat also has shaded lounges, sunbeds, an outdoor shower, and a toilet, useful comforts when you are spending five and a half to seven hours at sea. One past guest specifically praised the food prepared by Irini, while several others singled out the friendly crew, generous drinks, and beautiful views.

Key Details Before You Book

• Spinalonga is viewed from the water: You get photo stops and changing views of the former Venetian fortress, but this cruise does not include a landing or walking tour on the island.
• Mirabello Bay is the main event: Expect about two hours and 45 minutes in the bay for swimming, snorkeling, food, drinks, sunset views, and water toys.
• The boat is capped at 20 people: That keeps the trip more personal than a large party boat, though one guest felt the onboard capacity could have been a little lower.
• The food aims for healthy Cretan cooking: Local organic ingredients, vegetarian choices, lighter dishes, dessert, and children’s meals on request are part of the plan.
• The open bar is useful, not unlimited luxury: Water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Cocktails and other alcohol cost extra, and red wine is not allowed.
• Bring your own towel and sunscreen: Swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, identification, and a towel are your responsibility.

Leaving Agios Nikolaos With Coffee and a Safety Briefing

The meeting point is at the entrance to Marina Agios Nikolaos, near the Eurobank ATM. A crew member wearing a DanEri logo shirt meets you 30 minutes before departure. The marina has municipal parking, which helps if you are arriving by rental car.

The welcome is more thoughtful than a quick boarding scramble. You are offered espresso, tea, detox water, and a protein cocktail before the safety briefing. Light protein snacks and Mediterranean bites follow as the catamaran gets underway.

That opening matters because the trip is long. You are not simply being handed a drink and sent toward the bow. The crew sets up the day, explains the safety rules, and gives you time to settle into the boat. Arrive on time, though. Port regulations mean the catamaran cannot wait for late arrivals.

The official duration varies from five and a half to seven hours, depending on the selected departure and pickup option. Optional transfers can be arranged from Ierapetra city and Agioi Saranta, while listed drop-off areas include Elounda, Hersonissos, Malia, Milatos, Ammoudara, Ierapetra, Sisi, Stalida, Plaka, Vathi, and other locations around eastern Crete.

Barbarossa Cave and the First Hour at Sea

The first scenic stop is the Cave of Barbarossa near Elounda. The boat pauses for photographs, and you can continue enjoying wine, coffee, tea, or other included drinks while taking in the rocky coast.

This is a photo stop rather than a long shore visit. That makes it easy and relaxed, but it also means you should not expect to explore the cave on foot or spend a long time learning its story. The attraction here is the view from the water and the change of pace as the boat moves away from the marina.

The hour of sailing around this part of the route gives you time to enjoy the catamaran itself. The front sofa is best for open views, while the upper deck offers a higher look over the bay. The netting is the classic catamaran perch, though it can be exposed to sun and spray. Shaded seating is available for anyone who would rather keep out of the strongest afternoon heat.

Soft music plays onboard, but this is not described as a loud party cruise. That is good news if you want a sea day with conversation, food, swimming, and scenery instead of nonstop entertainment.

Seeing Spinalonga From Every Angle

Spinalonga is the route’s main historical sight. The small island was once a Venetian fortress and later served as a place of exile. From the sea, you see its stone defenses and isolated position within Mirabello Gulf.

The catamaran pauses for about 20 minutes, giving you time for photographs and sightseeing. The boat view is a real advantage here. You get a sense of how separated the island is from the mainland, and you can photograph it from changing angles as the catamaran moves around it.

The tradeoff is simple: this experience shows you Spinalonga but does not take you ashore. If walking through the fortress and learning its full story is a priority, you will need a separate land visit. If you mainly want the island as part of a scenic sea day, the stop works well and avoids adding another transfer and walking tour to your schedule.

The captain also shares some background about the island and the surrounding coast. Expect an introduction rather than a long historical lecture. The focus remains on sailing and the views.

Mirabello Bay: The Best Part of the Day

After the sightseeing stops, the catamaran spends roughly two hours and 45 minutes in Mirabello Bay. This is where the trip shifts from sightseeing to recreation.

The crew prepares the water equipment, including:

• An inflatable slide
• A sea scooter
• Stand-up paddleboards
• A kayak
• A water tube
• Snorkeling masks and fins
• Inflatable noodles
• A pink flamingo float
• Gentle fishing equipment

You can choose how active you want to be. The slide and sea scooter suit anyone looking for a little speed and play. The kayak and paddleboards offer a quieter way to move across the bay. Snorkeling gear lets you look below the surface, while noodles make it easy to float without much effort.

The equipment list is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise for families and mixed-age groups. One person can paddle, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on deck with a drink. A box of toys is available for children by request, and children’s meals can also be arranged.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or anyone over 95. Children under two should be discussed with the crew before booking. The company also advises people prone to seasickness to check the forecast and speak with the team. Weather can force a reschedule or cancellation, which is a normal concern for any boat day in Crete.

The crew provides life jackets and swimming jackets, but you still need to follow their instructions around the equipment. Touching marine life is not allowed. That rule protects the bay and also keeps the snorkeling experience respectful.

A Healthy Cretan Lunch With an Open Bar

Food is a major part of the outing. 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 Mediterranean food rather than a fixed dish list.

The meal includes a main course and dessert. Seafood, vegetarian dishes, and lighter choices are available, and children’s meals can be requested ahead of time. The food received strong praise, including specific appreciation for Irini’s cooking. Another guest described the spread of local delicacies as a highlight of the day.

The drinks are equally practical. Unlimited still water, soft drinks, Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. The crew serves the drinks, so you do not need to keep returning to a cramped bar or carry bottles around the deck.

Do note the limits. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the included selection are not part of the price. Red wine is not allowed onboard, and the details do not promise a particular sushi menu. The title refers to sushi, but the meal information emphasizes healthy Cretan and Mediterranean cooking. If specific sushi dishes matter to you, ask DanEri Yachts before paying.

Lunch may feel like dinner depending on the departure time. The route includes sunset views, and the final part of the day is designed for a slower sail back to Agios Nikolaos.

What the Catamaran Feels Like Onboard

The boat is set up for comfort rather than maximum capacity. You have sunbeds, shaded lounges, upper-deck seating, front sofas, and netting at the bow. The onboard toilet and outdoor shower are practical features, especially after swimming or using the water toys.

The crew speaks English and handles the safety briefing, food service, equipment, and sightseeing. The strongest praise across the feedback centers on crew friendliness and care. Several people described the staff as attentive, professional, and welcoming, while one guest specifically praised the captain for being engaging.

Free Wi-Fi is available, though you may find the sea and scenery more useful than a strong online connection. Music plays during the cruise. A branded gift is offered for special occasions when arranged in advance, and the company can help mark birthdays or anniversaries.

Shoes are not allowed indoors. Pack light and expect to go barefoot on much of the boat. Bring a towel, because towels are not included. Sunscreen and personal care items are also not supplied, and glass objects, smoking indoors, weapons, drugs, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Is $145 a Fair Price?

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Crete. You are paying for a long outing on a modern catamaran, a small group, crew service, several scenic stops, a substantial meal, an open bar, and a wide range of water equipment.

The value improves if you plan to use the boat for the full day. If you only want a short sail past Spinalonga, the price may feel high. If you expect to swim, snorkel, paddle, eat onboard, and enjoy several drinks, the package removes many extra costs that can add up on a separate excursion.

The group limit of 20 helps justify the price. It is still possible for the boat to feel busy, especially when everyone wants the slide or sea scooter at once. One past guest felt the maximum number could be lower, so do not confuse semi-private with a completely private yacht charter.

A private group option is available if you want more control over the atmosphere. That will likely suit a family celebration or group of friends better than a standard shared departure, but you should confirm the exact pricing and cabin arrangements before booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend it to you if you want one easy day that combines sightseeing, swimming, food, and drinks without moving between several separate activities. It is also a good match for families with older children, couples who want a relaxed sea day, and groups with different energy levels.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy being on the water for several hours. The trip includes long sailing stretches, so anyone who wants constant sightseeing may find the pace slow. The same is true if you dislike open-water swimming or do not plan to use the equipment.

The trip works particularly well for people staying around Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, or nearby eastern Crete. Pickup is optional and limited to specified areas, so check your location before assuming hotel transport is included.

Book at least a day ahead if you need a child’s meal, have a special occasion, or want to ask about dietary needs. Port authorities require each passenger’s full name, birth date, passport or ID number, and nationality. You also need the booking voucher and QR code sent by email, with the QR code arriving one day before the cruise.

Should You Book the DanEri Catamaran?

Book this cruise if you want a polished, activity-filled day on Mirabello Bay and value having food, drinks, equipment, and crew service bundled together. The strongest reasons are the friendly staff, attractive catamaran, long swim stop, good range of water toys, and views of Spinalonga from the sea.

Skip it if your main goal is to tour Spinalonga on foot, if you want a guaranteed sushi menu, or if you prefer a very quiet and completely private boat. For most visitors based near Agios Nikolaos, though, the combination of scenery, water time, Cretan food, and sunset sailing makes the $145 fare a fair buy.

FAQ

How long does the Agios Nikolaos catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts between five and a half and seven hours, depending on the selected option and departure time.

Where does the cruise meet?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfers are not included as standard, but they can be arranged on request. Optional pickup is available for Ierapetra city and Agioi Saranta when the correct option is selected.

Does the cruise visit Spinalonga?

The catamaran stops near Spinalonga for sightseeing and photographs. The supplied details do not include going ashore or touring the fortress on foot.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited still water, soft drinks, local Greek beer, and Cretan white wine are included. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside this selection cost extra.

Is food included?

Yes. The cruise includes a nutritionist-designed lunch with a Mediterranean main course and dessert. Menus change seasonally, and vegetarian and children’s options can be requested.

What water activities are available?

You can use snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, a kayak, an inflatable slide, a sea scooter, a water tube, noodles, a flamingo float, and fishing equipment for gentle fishing.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. Towels and sunscreen are not provided onboard.

Can pregnant women or young children join?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women. If you are traveling with a child under two, you should check with the crew before booking. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.