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

The best part of this Agios Nikolaos catamaran cruise is the mix of Spinalonga views and easy water time. You sail through Mirabello Gulf in the late afternoon, then anchor in a clear bay for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, gentle fishing, and a ride on the inflatable slide.

I like that the price includes a proper meal, local beer, white wine, soft drinks, and coffee or tea. I also like the choice of activities, from a sea scooter to an inflatable flamingo, so you can be active or simply stretch out on a sunbed. The main caution is space: the boat holds up to 20 people, and one passenger found it crowded even below full capacity.

Quick points before you book

• Spinalonga from the water: You get a memorable view of the island without adding a separate land visit.
• A full water-toy setup: SUP boards, kayak, snorkeling gear, sea scooter, slide, noodles, and fishing equipment are included.
• A late-afternoon meal at anchor: The crew prepares food while you relax after swimming.
• Open-bar value: Water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine are included, while cocktails cost extra.
• Small boat, not a private charter: The maximum is 20 people, but the deck can still feel busy.
• Bring your own towel: Towels, sunscreen, and personal care items are not supplied.

Setting out from Agios Nikolaos

You meet at the Marina Kiosk in Agios Nikolaos and return to the same place at the end. The meeting point is convenient once you find it, but one person had trouble locating the boat, so allow extra time and confirm the exact catamaran position before departure.

This is a roughly five-hour cruise, beginning in the late afternoon. That timing gives you changing light across Mirabello Gulf and the chance to finish with an evening meal on board. If you are hoping for a strong sunset, the season and weather will matter, but the schedule is well suited to warm, relaxed hours on the water.

The boat is a modern luxury catamaran with sunbeds, shaded lounges, an onboard toilet, and an outdoor shower. That layout matters. You can move out of the sun, find a place to sit while the crew prepares food, or rinse off salt water before the return to Agios Nikolaos.

The crew speaks English and includes professional staff responsible for sailing, safety, food, and equipment. The service received especially high praise, with the three-person crew on one sailing described as attentive from the start and careful about passenger safety. No individual crew names are provided, but you can expect an English-speaking team rather than a self-guided boat outing.

Cruising across Mirabello Gulf

The first stretch is about the view. The catamaran moves through the calm waters of Mirabello Gulf, with open space for photographs from the deck. The main visual prize is Spinalonga Island, which looks especially appealing when seen from the water rather than only from a busy shoreline viewpoint.

The cruise is advertised as sailing, but you should keep your expectations flexible. One birthday passenger noted that the boat motored rather than sailed. That is not unusual for a scheduled cruise, where the crew may use the engines for timing, safety, or calm-water handling, but it is worth knowing if the pleasure of sailing under wind power is your main reason for booking.

The photo opportunities are easy and unhurried. You can remain on deck while the catamaran passes the island, then settle into a shaded lounge as the crew heads toward the swimming stop. Music and free Wi-Fi are available, which suits anyone who wants to share photographs during the trip, though I would save plenty of time for simply watching the coast.

Two hours around a quiet swimming bay

The main stop is in a calm bay in Mirabello Gulf. The listed schedule gives about two hours here, enough time to try several activities rather than rushing through one.

You can swim directly from the catamaran, use the high-quality masks and fins for snorkeling, or take a SUP board and paddle around the boat. A kayak is also provided. Swimming jackets and life jackets are available, along with inflatable noodles if you prefer extra support in the water.

The water-toy selection is unusually broad for a five-hour cruise. The inflatable slide adds a playful touch, while the sea scooter gives you another way to move around the anchorage. The inflatable flamingo is there for holiday photographs, and a box of toys can be provided for children on request.

Fishing is described as gentle rather than serious sport fishing. Complete fishing equipment is supplied, so you can try it without bringing anything of your own. The emphasis is on keeping everyone entertained in a relaxed bay, not on catching a meal or spending the whole afternoon with a rod.

You should not feel pressured to use every item. Some people will want to swim and snorkel, while others will prefer the sunbeds, shaded areas, music, and drinks. That freedom is one reason this cruise works for mixed groups. Active swimmers can keep busy, and less energetic passengers still have a comfortable day on board.

The swimming areas received strong praise, but there is a practical limitation. The vessel may feel crowded around the equipment and boarding points, especially when several people want a SUP or slide at once. The maximum group size is 20, which is modest compared with a large excursion boat, but it does not guarantee a quiet, private atmosphere.

Dinner, drinks, and the question of sushi

While you remain anchored, the crew prepares a freshly cooked Mediterranean meal on board. The inclusions also describe the food as a nutritionist-designed healthy lunch, with vegetarian and children’s choices available on request. Because the cruise takes place in the late afternoon and the title refers to sushi, the meal description is a little mixed. If sushi is the deciding factor for you, confirm the exact menu before booking.

The available information points more clearly to a Mediterranean meal, light protein snacks, and a protein cocktail bar. The food was praised as well prepared and delicious, while another passenger found the selection limited on that sailing. I would view the meal as a welcome part of the cruise rather than a full restaurant-style spread with many choices.

The included drinks add real value to the ticket. You receive water, soft drinks, local beer, and white wine without paying separately each time. Welcome service includes espresso, detox water, teas, and protein cocktails. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the open-bar selection are not included.

For a five-hour outing, this arrangement is practical. You can swim, dry off, eat, and have a drink without planning a separate dinner afterward. If you have dietary needs, request vegetarian or children’s options in advance. The supplied information does not give a detailed allergy policy, so you should ask the operator directly about specific restrictions.

How the $150.18 price holds up

At about $150.18 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast around Agios Nikolaos. The value comes from what is bundled into the five hours: the catamaran, professional crew, meal, open-bar drinks, snorkeling kit, SUPs, kayak, sea scooter, slide, fishing equipment, Wi-Fi, and safety gear.

If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, and water activities, the package makes more sense. The equipment list is much wider than the usual mask-and-fins setup, and the boat offers both sunbeds and shaded seating. You are paying for comfort and variety, not just transportation from one bay to another.

Still, price affects how you judge the food and space. One passenger felt the meal was limited and suggested booking early for a lower price. That is useful advice. If you find a discounted rate or are marking a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion, the combination of scenery, drinks, and a prepared meal may feel worthwhile. At the full price, you should want the water activities and catamaran setting, not merely a short swim stop.

A branded gift is included for special occasions. The listing does not specify what the gift is, so treat it as a small extra rather than a major part of the value.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would choose this cruise for couples, families, and small groups who want several options in one outing. Couples get a late-afternoon setting, a meal on deck, and scenic photographs. Families get flotation aids, a slide, fishing, a kayak, and children’s toys by request.

It also suits people who prefer an organized day on the sea. You do not need to rent equipment, plan a restaurant stop, or work out where to find a safe swimming bay. The crew handles the practical details while you choose your level of activity.

You may want another type of boat trip if sailing under wind power is essential, if you dislike shared spaces, or if you want a large and varied gourmet meal. The boat is comfortable, but it is not a private yacht. With 20 people aboard, the atmosphere depends on the group and how many people are using the deck and water toys at once.

The cruise is offered in English. Most people can participate, and it is near public transportation. Hotel transfers are not included, although they can be arranged on request. Towels and sunscreen are also not included, so pack both along with any personal care items you need.

Safety and useful onboard comforts

Life jackets and swimming jackets are supplied, and liability insurance is included. The crew supervises the boat and equipment, but you remain responsible for choosing activities that suit your swimming ability.

The outdoor shower is useful after the swimming stop, while the onboard WC removes the need to wait until returning to shore. Personal feminine hygiene products are listed among the supplies, a small but thoughtful detail that can make a long afternoon easier.

Free Wi-Fi is available, though the quality of any connection can vary at sea. I would treat it as a convenience rather than a reason to book. The better use of your time is likely a photograph of Spinalonga, a swim in the bay, or a quiet drink under the shaded lounge.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can move to another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

My booking advice for Agios Nikolaos

Book this if you want a polished half-day on the water with scenery, swimming, a meal, and plenty of equipment included. The strongest reasons are the friendly professional crew, excellent swim stops, Spinalonga views, and the unusually generous water-toy selection.

Before paying, confirm three points: the precise marina meeting location, the current food menu, and whether sushi is actually served. Also decide how much you value open-bar drinks and organized water activities. If you mainly want a quiet sailing lesson or a private deck, this is not the right fit.

For most people, I see this as a good-value celebration cruise or a simple way to add a sea day to a Crete itinerary. Book early if you want the best available price, arrive with time to find the boat, and bring a towel and sunscreen. You will get the most from it by treating the catamaran as the destination, not just as transport to a swimming bay.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

It starts at the Marina Kiosk, Marina, Agios Nikolaos 721 00, Greece. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours. The swimming and water-activity stop is listed as lasting about two hours.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are water, soft drinks, local beer, white wine, espresso, detox water, teas, and protein cocktails. Cocktails and alcoholic drinks outside the listed open-bar selection cost extra.

Is food included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Mediterranean meal is included, along with light protein snacks. Vegetarian and children’s options are available on request.

What water activities and equipment are provided?

The catamaran provides swimming and snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, a kayak, a sea scooter, an inflatable slide, inflatable noodles, fishing equipment, and an inflatable flamingo. Swimming jackets and life jackets are also supplied.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.