Agios Nikolaos: Sailing Trip Catamaran Lunch and Water Toys

The best part of this Crete sailing trip is the long stop at Kolokitha Bay, where clear water, lunch, snorkeling, and a collection of water toys turn a sightseeing cruise into a proper day at sea. You sail from Agios Nikolaos aboard a Lagoon 450F catamaran, with Spinalonga and Elounda adding scenic stops along the way.

I like the generous all-day drinks and lunch, and I like that the boat gives you real choices in the water: paddleboard, transparent canoe, sea scooter, fins, and an inflatable slide. The main point to check is the exact equipment on your sailing date. One guest on a sunset trip found that the slide and swim platform shown in some pictures were not available that day.

Quick points to know

• Kolokitha Bay is the main event: Plan on about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and water activities in a calm-looking bay.
• Spinalonga adds a cultural stop: You get a short sightseeing and photo visit while sailing around this famous island.
• The boat is built for comfort: A flybridge, bow sun deck, bimini, air conditioning, kitchen, refrigerator, and sound system give you several places to settle in.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Mediterranean food, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are part of the advertised package.
• Bring your own towel: Towels are not supplied, and sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, and a camera are useful.
• This suits confident swimmers best: Swimming is central to the day, and the trip is not recommended for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.

Setting sail from Agios Nikolaos

You meet the crew in front of the entrance to the main marina in Agios Nikolaos. A crew member walks you to the catamaran, so you do not need to search the harbor for the boat. Arrive on time, since the departure depends on getting the whole group aboard and completing the safety briefing.

The vessel is a Lagoon 450F catamaran, a wide, stable design with more room than a standard day boat. That extra space matters on a full-day outing. You can sit in the shade under the bimini, stretch out on the bow sun deck, move up to the flybridge, or stay near the stern when it is time to swim.

The boat also has air conditioning, a kitchen, refrigerator, ice box, inside and outside speakers, WiFi, and a grill. These details may sound small before departure, but they make a difference after several hours in the sun. You are not confined to one hard bench with a cooler underfoot.

A safety briefing takes about 30 minutes in Agios Nikolaos. The vessel carries life jackets, GPS, a chart plotter, depth finder, sonar, VHF radio, autopilot, anchor, and wheel steering. You will still want to pay attention, especially if you plan to use the floating platform, slide, or sea scooter.

Sailing past Elounda

The first major sailing stretch heads toward Elounda and takes about an hour. This is the part of the trip where you settle into the boat rather than rush from one stop to the next. The crew may serve coffee, tea, beer, wine, cocktails, or an aperitif, depending on the selected option and the time of day.

I like this section because it gives you a view of Crete that roads cannot provide. The coast around Elounda is best appreciated from the water, with the catamaran moving at an easy pace and the crew handling the practical work.

The trip is not only about lying down and getting a tan. You can use the flybridge for views, the bow for sun, and the shaded areas for a cooler seat. If you are sensitive to motion, choose a position near the center of the catamaran and avoid spending the entire crossing at the very front.

The published duration ranges from five to ten hours, and the exact length depends on the option and starting time. That broad range is worth checking before you pay. A shorter sailing can work well for families with young children, while a longer version gives you more time at the swimming stop.

A short look at Spinalonga

Spinalonga is the cultural center of the route. The schedule allows around 30 minutes for a photo stop, sightseeing, and sailing around the island. That is enough to see it from the water and get your bearings, but it is not a full historical visit on land.

Your route gives you a useful perspective on Spinalonga’s position at the entrance to Elounda Bay. The island is one of Crete’s best-known sights, and seeing it from a catamaran gives you angles that a land visit does not.

Set your expectations correctly. If you want a long guided walk through Spinalonga, this is not that kind of tour. The stop is brief and folded into a larger day of sailing, swimming, and food. The captain is described as offering a quick but effective explanation of the island, and the crew can help you enjoy the view without turning the day into a formal lecture.

One guest specifically praised the guide to Spinalonga and the relaxed trip around the island. That combination is the right way to think about this stop: a compact introduction, good photographs, and time on the water rather than a detailed archaeological visit.

Two hours at Kolokitha Bay

Kolokitha Bay is where the day shifts from sightseeing to play. The planned stop lasts about two hours and includes lunch, swimming, snorkeling, a boat cruise, and stand-up paddleboarding.

The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, making this the best place to use the supplied snorkeling equipment and fins. The transparent canoe is particularly useful if you want to look below the surface without spending the whole time with your face in the water. The sea scooter adds another way to move around, while the SUP gives you something slower and more active.

The inflatable bathing platform makes getting in and out of the sea easier, especially for children and anyone who does not enjoy climbing a boat ladder. The inflatable slide is the obvious favorite for families and teenagers. It also gives adults a harmless excuse to act twelve for a few minutes.

That said, equipment availability needs a quick confirmation. The package lists the slide, platform, SUP, sea scooter, canoe, snorkeling gear, and fishing equipment as included, but one June guest on a sunset cruise said the slide and swim platform were not present. This could have been a timing or equipment issue, but it is worth asking before departure if those two items matter to you.

Kolokitha Bay is also the point where the trip is least suitable for non-swimmers. You can remain aboard, but the main value of the stop comes from getting into the water. If you are prone to seasickness, remember that even calm swimming stops follow open-water sailing. Take suitable precautions before leaving Agios Nikolaos.

Lunch, wine, and the practical pleasures

Lunch is a major reason this outing compares well with a simple boat transfer. The food is Mediterranean, and the captain has cooked lunch himself on at least some departures. Guests have singled out the fresh food and the generous amount served.

The package includes drinks such as wine, beer, cola, mineral water, coffee, and tea. Alcohol is allowed onboard, and glass bottles are permitted. Still, treat the day as an active sailing trip rather than a floating bar. You will want to stay hydrated, especially after swimming and using the water toys.

The grill, kitchen, refrigerator, and ice box help explain why lunch can be served onboard instead of relying on a quick packaged snack. You can expect a meal designed for a relaxed break between swims, not a restaurant tasting menu. A private chef is available for private trips for an extra 500 euros, but most people should find the standard lunch sufficient.

Wine tasting is also available at an additional cost that varies with the wine. That is a separate add-on, not part of the standard lunch-and-drinks arrangement.

Bring a towel. This is the one basic beach item not included. You should also pack a hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and a camera. A dry bag can be useful for phones, but that item is not listed among the supplied equipment, so bring one if you have it.

How much value do you get for $165?

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Crete. It can still be good value if you use what is included.

The price covers a substantial sailing day, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, fins, SUP, transparent canoe, sea scooter, fishing equipment, and the inflatable water setup. It also includes access to a proper catamaran with a flybridge, bow sun deck, kitchen, air conditioning, and several shaded and sunny seating areas.

Compare that with paying separately for a boat trip, restaurant lunch, drinks, snorkel hire, and water activities, and the package becomes easier to justify. The value is strongest for families, couples, and groups who will actually swim and use the equipment.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short scenic cruise and do not plan to enter the sea. You may spend part of the day paying for gear and food you barely use. Also, the five to ten hour duration range means you should check the exact option, since the cost feels different for a half-day trip than for a long day on the water.

Private groups are available, which changes the calculation for families or friends who want control over the pace. The private chef and photographer are optional extras, priced at 500 euros and 300 euros respectively for private trips. Those add-ons are likely best reserved for a special occasion, not a standard day out.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

This trip is a strong match for families with older children, teenagers, couples, and groups of friends. The slide and sea scooter give younger passengers plenty to do, while the flybridge and bow sun deck provide quieter spaces for adults.

It also works well for people who want several parts of Crete in one outing. You see Agios Nikolaos from the water, sail around Elounda, view Spinalonga, and spend time in Kolokitha Bay without arranging separate transport.

The trip is less suitable for anyone who dislikes open water, suffers badly from seasickness, or wants a tightly scheduled cultural tour. It is not recommended for non-swimmers. The crew can provide safety equipment and help you understand the boat, but they cannot turn a swimming-focused day into a dry sightseeing cruise.

Wheelchair access is listed, though the practical details of boarding and moving around the catamaran are not explained. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the boarding arrangements directly before booking.

English is the stated operating language. Children are allowed, and a private group option is available. Smoking is also permitted onboard, which may matter if you prefer a completely smoke-free boat.

Departure and return choices

The advertised return points are the main marina in Agios Nikolaos, Vathi, and Schisma Eloundas. Check your selected option carefully, since the starting and drop-off points can vary.

The meeting point is in front of the entrance to Agios Nikolaos Marina. A crew member should meet you there and escort you to the catamaran. That is simpler than trying to identify the right berth on your own, but give yourself enough time to reach the marina entrance without rushing.

The day may end back at the marina or at one of the Elounda-area drop-off points. This matters if you have a dinner reservation, rental car pickup, or another excursion planned. With a duration that can stretch to ten hours, leave your evening open unless your exact departure and return times are confirmed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Crete plans are still moving around, but they do not remove the need to check the day’s weather and your own comfort on the sea.

Should you book it?

Book this sailing trip if you want a full water day, not simply a boat ride. The combination of Spinalonga, Kolokitha Bay, lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and water toys gives you a lot to do for the price, particularly if you are traveling with active children or a group of friends.

I would book it for the catamaran setting and the long swimming stop, with Spinalonga as a valuable extra. I would not book it if your priority is a detailed Spinalonga tour, guaranteed use of every water toy, or a short and highly predictable schedule.

Before paying, confirm the exact duration, departure time, return point, and whether the inflatable slide and swim platform will be onboard. If those details line up with your plans, Sail Crete Yachts offers one of the more complete ways to see the Mirabello Gulf from the water.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip meet?

The meeting point is in front of the entrance to the main Marina of Agios Nikolaos. A crew member will welcome you and escort you to the catamaran.

How long does the activity last?

The duration is listed as five to ten hours. The exact length and starting time depend on the selected option and availability.

What places does the route visit?

The route includes Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga, and Kolokitha Bay. The schedule includes sailing, a Spinalonga sightseeing and photo stop, and a longer swimming stop at Kolokitha Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is described as Mediterranean cuisine. Drinks including wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are also included in the advertised package.

Which water activities and equipment are included?

The listed equipment includes a transparent canoe, stand-up paddleboard, sea scooter, snorkeling equipment, swim fins, fishing equipment, inflatable platform, and inflatable slide. Equipment availability can vary by departure, so confirm the slide and platform if they are important to you.

Is the trip suitable for children and non-swimmers?

Children are allowed, and the water toys make the trip suitable for families. The activity is not recommended for non-swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen. Towels are not included onboard.