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

Sunset, sea, and a floating dinner await. This five-hour catamaran trip from Agios Nikolaos combines Spinalonga views with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, gentle fishing, and a meal served on board. I especially like the choice of water toys and the open bar with local beer, white wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. The friendly three-person crew also earns high marks for safety and care. The main caution is that the boat may feel crowded, and this is not guaranteed to be a full sailing trip. One birthday outing reported mostly motoring, plus a meeting point that was hard to find.

For about $150 per person, you are paying for a small-group sea outing rather than a simple boat transfer. The meal, equipment, shaded seating, Wi-Fi, and drinks make the price easier to justify, especially if you plan to use the swimming stop instead of simply sitting on deck. Food selection may be limited on some departures, and towels, sunscreen, hotel transport, and private cabins cost extra or are not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Spinalonga is the scenic star: The catamaran passes through Mirabello Gulf with excellent photo views of the island.
• The swim stop is active, not just scenic: You can use SUP boards, a kayak, snorkeling gear, a sea scooter, fishing equipment, noodles, and an inflatable slide.
• The boat is capped at 20 people: That keeps the outing more personal, though one departure still felt crowded before reaching full capacity.
• The crew receives strong praise: Three crew members were described as attentive, friendly, and careful about passenger safety.
• The price includes plenty: A Mediterranean meal, local beer, white wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and protein snacks are included.
• Bring your own towel and sunscreen: These are not supplied, and hotel transfers must be arranged separately.

Leaving Agios Nikolaos for Mirabello Gulf

The trip begins at Marina Kiosk in the marina of Agios Nikolaos, then heads into the calm waters of Mirabello Gulf. The late-afternoon timing gives the outing a relaxed feel, with softer light for photographs and a good chance to enjoy the coast without spending an entire day on a boat.

The route is as much about the view as the activities. From the catamaran’s deck, you can photograph Spinalonga Island as the boat passes through the gulf. Spinalonga is the visual focus of the outward trip, so keep your phone or camera ready rather than packing it away after departure.

The boat is the catamaran Artemis, described as a modern luxury vessel with sunbeds, shaded lounges, an onboard toilet, and an outdoor shower. That mix matters. You can stretch out in the sun, move into shade, or rinse off after using the sea equipment without returning to shore.

One point deserves clear wording: the experience is marketed as a catamaran cruise, but a birthday outing reported no real sailing and mostly motoring. If the wind is light or the crew chooses a motor-assisted route, you may spend more time hearing the engine than the sails. Book it for the combination of scenery, swimming, food, and company, not for a guaranteed silent sailing experience.

Two hours around a clear-water bay

The main stop lasts about two hours in one of Mirabello Gulf’s quiet bays. This is where the trip earns its keep. You are not limited to a quick swim beside the boat. The included equipment lets you shape the stop around your own energy level.

You can swim from the catamaran, use the high-quality masks and fins for snorkeling, or take a stand-up paddleboard toward the quieter edges of the bay. A kayak offers another easy option, while the sea scooter adds a little more speed without requiring advanced skill. Swimming jackets and life jackets are provided, so you do not need to bring flotation gear.

The inflatable slide gives the stop a playful edge, especially for families. Younger children can also use noodles and the onboard toy box, available by request. The inflatable flamingo is clearly designed for holiday photos rather than serious water sport, but that is part of the fun. It gives you an easy prop for relaxed, silly pictures.

Fishing is described as gentle rather than a serious angling session. Complete fishing equipment is supplied, but you should treat it as a light activity during the swim stop, not as a promise of a catch or a guided fishing trip.

Snorkeling conditions will depend on the day, and the tour does not promise a reef site or unusual marine life. Still, clear water, masks, fins, and time to move around the bay make this more useful than a quick stop for a single swim.

You should plan to spend at least part of the stop simply relaxing. With a five-hour outing, there is no need to race from the slide to the kayak to the paddleboard. The shaded lounge and sunbeds let you enjoy the bay even if you prefer not to get wet.

Dinner, drinks, and the practical meaning of the open bar

Once the boat is anchored, the crew prepares a freshly cooked Mediterranean meal on board. The description also refers to a nutritionist-designed healthy lunch, with vegetarian and children’s options available on request. Since the cruise leaves in the late afternoon, expect the meal to function as an early dinner or substantial onboard meal rather than a formal restaurant-style dinner.

The food received strong praise for preparation and taste, though one birthday outing found the selection limited. That is a useful expectation to set. You will get a prepared meal suited to a boat outing, not a large buffet with endless choices.

The package includes local beer and white wine, along with water and soft drinks. Espresso, tea, detox water, protein cocktails, and light protein snacks are also listed. The protein cocktail bar gives the food service a slightly health-conscious angle, while the beer and wine keep it from feeling like a strict wellness cruise.

Cocktails and alcoholic drinks beyond the listed open-bar choices are not included. If you want spirits or mixed drinks, budget for an extra charge or confirm the arrangement before departure.

The crew also plays music and provides free Wi-Fi. That can be useful for sharing photos from Spinalonga or the swimming stop, though you should not let the connection distract from the reason you came. The boat, bay, and changing light are better memories than a stream of updates.

What the small group feels like on board

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is smaller and more personal than a large excursion boat, and the three-person crew can focus on safety, equipment, food, and general service.

Still, do not picture a private yacht. A catamaran with 20 people can feel busy around the swim platform, slide, and equipment racks. One departure felt crowded even though it was not at maximum capacity. If personal space is a major priority, ask about the expected group size before booking or consider arranging a private charter.

The catamaran offers both sunbeds and shaded lounges, which helps spread people out. Arrive ready to claim the type of space you prefer, but do not expect a private corner for the full five hours.

The strongest praise goes to the crew. They were described as friendly, attentive, and careful with passenger safety from the start. That is especially important on a trip with a slide, sea scooter, kayaks, paddleboards, fishing gear, and swimmers moving around the boat.

The crew speaks English, and the activity is offered in English. If you need help with equipment or safety instructions, you should be able to ask directly.

The price: good value for the right kind of day

At $150.18 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast near Agios Nikolaos. You are paying for a five-hour outing with food, drinks, water equipment, crew service, and a more limited group size.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard rental, drinks, and a short swim excursion. Here, those pieces come together in one experience. Families and couples who plan to use the equipment can get more from the price than people who only want a quiet ride.

The open bar is useful but not unlimited in every direction. Local beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are included, while cocktails and other alcoholic choices are not. The meal is included, but the selection may not be extensive.

Booking early may help with price. One birthday outing specifically suggested reserving in advance for a lower rate. The activity is booked about 38 days ahead on average, so it is not something I would leave until the last minute during a busy Crete visit.

For a couple seeking a romantic afternoon with good food, swimming, and sunset light, the cost can feel reasonable. For a family that wants many hours of water play, it may also work well. For a budget-minded visitor who only wants to take photographs of Spinalonga, the price is harder to defend.

Meeting at the marina and what to pack

The meeting point is Marina Kiosk at the Agios Nikolaos marina, postal code 721 00. The boat returns to the same place at the end.

The location is central and near public transportation, but one passenger found the meeting instructions vague and spent too much time searching for the boat. Give yourself extra time to locate the kiosk and confirm the catamaran before departure. Hotel transfers are not included, though they can be arranged on request.

Pack a towel, since none is supplied. Bring sunscreen and personal care items as well. The boat has an outdoor shower, but that is not a substitute for your own sun protection.

A swimsuit, sandals with a secure fit, and a waterproof pouch for small valuables would be sensible, although only the first two are directly suggested by the nature of the outing. Keep your belongings compact because the boat has shared areas rather than guaranteed private storage.

Private cabins may be available on request, but they are not guaranteed and are not part of the standard package. Do not book this expecting a private cabin automatically.

Life jackets, swimming jackets, liability insurance, and an onboard WC are included. Most people can participate, and the activity is suitable for a broad range of visitors, but you should be comfortable using a boat and getting in and out of the water if you want the full experience.

Best for couples, families, and active sea days

Couples will like the late-afternoon setting, the views of Spinalonga, the meal, and the chance to alternate between quiet deck time and water activities. The romantic appeal comes more from the setting and service than from luxury privacy, since the catamaran remains a shared space.

Families can make good use of the slide, inflatable noodles, SUP boards, kayak, fishing gear, and toy box. Ask for children’s food and toys when booking rather than assuming they will be ready without notice.

This also suits small groups of friends who want a social day with drinks and music. The boat gives you enough activity to avoid a passive cruise, while the shaded seating makes it possible to slow down afterward.

You may want to skip it if you dislike group outings, want guaranteed sailing, or expect a large restaurant-style meal. You should also reconsider if you need hotel pickup included or want a private cabin guaranteed.

Weather, cancellations, and final practical advice

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

That policy makes this easy to book alongside a Crete itinerary, provided you leave some flexibility. If the cruise is one of the highlights of your trip, avoid placing it on the day before an important flight or ferry connection.

The experience is recommended by 95 percent of customers and carries a 4.7 rating from 43 ratings. The praise centers on the crew, food, swim stops, and general quality of the catamaran. The cautions are just as useful: the boat may feel crowded, the meal may be limited, the meeting place may be unclear, and motoring may replace true sailing.

Should you book this Agios Nikolaos catamaran trip?

I would book it if you want a well-equipped half-day on the water with food and drinks already covered. The strongest reasons are the two-hour swim stop, the wide range of equipment, the views toward Spinalonga, and a crew that appears to take passenger care seriously.

I would not book it solely for sailing or for a private-yacht feeling. Go in expecting a shared catamaran cruise that may motor much of the route, then judge the value by how much you use the water toys, meal, open bar, and shaded deck. Bring a towel, arrive early at the marina, and request vegetarian or children’s food in advance. With those expectations, this is a polished and enjoyable way to spend a late afternoon in Mirabello Gulf.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

It starts at Marina Kiosk in the marina at Agios Nikolaos, Crete. The trip ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours. The main stop in a calm bay lasts about two hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English, with an English-speaking crew.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Is food included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Mediterranean meal is included. Vegetarian and children’s options can be requested, and the meal is also described as a nutritionist-designed healthy lunch.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are water, soft drinks, local beer, white wine, coffee, tea, espresso, detox water, and protein cocktails. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks outside the listed selection are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and fins are provided, along with SUP boards, a kayak, a sea scooter, an inflatable slide, fishing equipment, noodles, swimming jackets, and life jackets.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If bad weather cancels the cruise, you will be offered another date or a full refund.