How to book a private catamaran in Crete is often one of the first questions guests ask when they begin planning something more personal at sea. A private catamaran cruise is rarely a last-minute decision. Whether you are arranging a family day, a celebration with friends, a proposal, or simply a more exclusive way to experience Crete, the best moments begin with a little planning and a few details settled before you reserve.

Unlike a shared cruise, a private catamaran excursion is shaped entirely around your group. The boat is yours alone for the day, the pace is yours to set, and every detail, from departure time to the smallest finishing touch, can be arranged around your plans.

Here’s what’s worth thinking through before you reserve, followed by exactly how the booking itself works.

Before You Reserve

Decide What Kind of Day You Want

Before looking at dates or pricing, picture the day itself.

Some guests are drawn to a slow, sun-soaked crossing to Dia Island – a small, uninhabited island about 7.5 kilometres off the north coast of Crete – with long stretches for swimming, snorkelling, and a lunch that takes its time. Others are marking something more personal: a birthday, an anniversary, a proposal, a private gathering with people they love.

The clearer that picture, the easier it becomes to choose the right rhythm for your group, and the more the crew can shape around it.

Choose Between a Day Cruise and a Sunset Cruise

One of the first decisions is timing, and it shapes everything else about the day.

Private cruises run either from 09:00 to 14:30 or from 15:00 to 20:30, and each window has its own character.

The day cruise belongs to the sea itself : bright light, clear water, and the longest possible time for swimming, snorkelling, and simply being out on the water with the people you came with.

The sunset cruise moves at a different pace. As the afternoon light softens over the Cretan coastline, the atmosphere on board settles into something quieter and more intimate, which is why it’s the cruise most often chosen for anniversaries, proposals, and evenings meant to be remembered.

There’s no better option here, only the one that fits the day you’re picturing.

Know Your Group Before You Ask for a Quote

A private cruise is built around the people on it, so your group is the first thing worth confirming.

The Lagoon 500 at the heart of every private charter is a 50-foot catamaran, one of only 150 of its kind in the world, with 4+2 cabins, 4 WCs, an onboard shower, free Wi-Fi, shaded lounges, and an open deck generous enough for everyone to find their own spot.

When you send your enquiry, a simple headcount of adults and children goes a long way. If anyone in your group has dietary preferences, or allergies, including younger guests, for whom a dedicated kids’ menu is available, mentioning it early lets the crew prepare properly, rather than improvise on the day.

Tell the Crew If You’re Celebrating Something

Many private cruises exist because of an occasion, and the crew shapes the day differently when they know what it is. Among the most common:

Birthdays
Anniversaries
Wedding proposals
Bachelor and bachelorette parties
Family reunions
Corporate days and team-building
Private celebrations of any kind

A heads-up at the enquiry stage means more than a courtesy – past guests celebrating anniversaries, for instance, have found a cake waiting for them on board. The occasion becomes part of how the day is designed, not an afterthought.

Know What’s Already Included, and What Can Be Added

Every private cruise already carries its own quiet luxury as standard: the full route to Dia Island, a Mediterranean menu built from fresh Cretan ingredients by an award-winning chef, unlimited drinks, and the equipment for swimming, snorkelling, and paddleboarding — all included, all on board.

For those who want to shape the day further, a few additions are available:

Transfer service to and from your accommodation
Custom cocktails, with a bartender or mixologist on board
A DJ
Tailored decoration for the occasion
Photography
A BBQ on board

Some groups want nothing beyond the boat, the chef’s table, and Dia Island’s water. Others find that one or two additions turn a beautiful day into an unforgettable one. Both are the right choice, it depends entirely on you.

What to Bring

A few simple things make the day effortless: a towel, sunscreen, and a light jacket for when the sea breeze picks up. Keep your booking confirmation handy, printed or on your phone, for check-in at the harbour.

If anyone in your group has allergies, it’s worth bringing along any medication they may need, and letting the crew know in advance, so the kitchen can plan around it. A vegetarian menu is available on request as well.

How to Book Your Private Cruise

Once you’ve decided on the day cruise or sunset cruise and have a rough headcount, getting a quote takes just a few minutes.

Send your enquiry. You can reach the team in whichever way suits you best:

WhatsApp: message +30 697 029 3422 directly
Phone: +30 697 029 3422
Email: info@cymasails.com
Online form: fill in your name, email, phone number, cruise type (private), preferred date, number of guests, and a short message about your plans

The more context you give at this stage : date, group size, occasion, any preferences, the faster you’ll get a tailored quote back.

Secure your date with a deposit. Private cruises are confirmed with a 30% deposit, payable by bank transfer or PayPal. This deposit is non-refundable, but if your plans change, the team will do their best to reschedule, subject to availability.

Provide guest details ahead of departure. Greek naval regulations require a few details for every guest before sailing: full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, gender, and a contact phone number. This is collected after booking, so there’s nothing to prepare in advance, just something to have ready closer to your date.

On the day. Arrive at Heraklion Harbour with your booking confirmation (printed or on your phone), and the crew will take care of everything from there.

Cancellations and Refunds

If plans change, cancellations made at least 24 hours before departure are refunded in full, minus a small non-refundable processing fee of €7 per ticket. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure, or no-shows, aren’t refundable. For private cruises specifically, the 30% deposit itself is non-refundable, though rescheduling is possible where availability allows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a private catamaran cruise to Dia Island last? The full cruise lasts 5.5 hours, departing from and returning to Heraklion Port.

What’s the difference between a day cruise and a sunset cruise? The day cruise runs 09:00–14:30, with full daylight for swimming and time at Dia Island. The sunset cruise runs 15:00–20:30, with a slower, more intimate atmosphere as the light fades.

How many guests can the catamaran take? The Lagoon 500 can host up to 25 guests on a shared cruise. On a private charter, the whole boat is reserved exclusively for your group.

Is food included? Yes, a full Mediterranean menu prepared by an award-winning chef with local Cretan ingredients, plus unlimited drinks, is included on every cruise.

What happens if the weather isn’t suitable? If conditions are unsafe, guests are offered rescheduling or a full refund.

Can transfers be arranged? Yes, optional transfers to and from your accommodation can be arranged on request.

How do I book a private catamaran cruise? Contact the team via WhatsApp, phone, email, or the online enquiry form with your preferred date, cruise type, and group size. A 30% deposit, paid by bank transfer or PayPal, secures your booking.

What’s the cancellation policy? Cancellations made 24 hours or more before departure are refunded in full, minus a €7 per ticket processing fee. Cancellations within 24 hours of departure, or no-shows, are non-refundable. The 30% deposit for private cruises is non-refundable, though rescheduling may be possible.

What documents do I need to provide? In line with Greek naval regulations, each guest’s full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, gender, and phone number are required ahead of departure.