Vip Motor Yacht Charter-17 meter-10 Guest-Half day or Sunset trip

The best part of this cruise is simple: you get the whole 15.85-meter yacht for your own group, rather than squeezing onto a crowded sightseeing boat. A professional crew handles the route and boat work while you move through Mirabello Bay, stop for a swim, and enjoy the coves around Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.

I like the generous setup for a private outing, especially the included snorkel gear, cold drinks, fruit, cheese, vegetables, and finger foods. I also like the personal touch from Captain Michal and Armin at Adventure Crete, who arranged a cake and champagne for one special occasion. The main drawback is the price: at $2,303.86 per group, this makes the most sense when divided among a full group of up to 10 people.

Key points to know before you book

• A full private yacht for up to 10 people: Your group does not share the boat with strangers.
• A four-hour route in Mirabello Bay: The cruise focuses on the coves and swimming areas near Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.
• A professional captain and crew: You can relax while the crew handles the yacht and route.
• Snacks and drinks are included: Expect fruit, cheese, vegetables, finger foods, water, and other drinks.
• Snorkeling equipment and Wi-Fi are provided: You can swim, explore the water, or stay connected while cruising.
• Pickup options may be available: Arrangements are listed for Ierapetra, Plaka, Elounda, and some hotels or villas, but confirm the details before booking.

A private way to see Mirabello Bay

Mirabello Bay is one of Crete’s best areas for a boat outing because the coast around Agios Nikolaos and Elounda offers sheltered coves, open sea views, and clear reasons to get off the boat for a swim. A private yacht gives you time and space that a standard group cruise cannot match.

You are not following a large boat convoy or waiting for a full boatload of people to finish swimming. Your group can settle into the yacht, enjoy the ride, and use the four-hour window at a pace that suits you.

The yacht is a Ferretti Altura 52-foot model, measuring about 15.85 meters long and 4.68 meters wide. Its two 425-horsepower Caterpillar engines give it the size and power expected of a proper motor yacht, though the experience is still designed for easy leisure rather than a fast thrill ride.

The crew takes care of navigation and the practical work. Your job is to sit back, look out over the coast, swim when the boat stops, and enjoy time with your own group.

What the four-hour cruise includes

The main water stop is Mirabello Bay, where you can spend time on the sea rather than simply passing by it. The exact route can vary with the captain, conditions, and your group’s preferences, but the stated focus is the coastline and coves around Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.

That matters because the value of this trip is not only the yacht itself. It is the chance to use the boat as a base for a relaxed half-day. You can cruise along the coast, stop for a cool-down swim, use the supplied snorkel equipment, and return to the yacht for food and drinks.

Four hours is long enough to feel like a real outing without taking over your whole day. A morning departure gives you time afterward for a meal or more sightseeing around Agios Nikolaos. A sunset departure gives the trip a slower, more celebratory feel, though the available timing should be confirmed when you book.

The experience ends back at the marina meeting point in Agios Nikolaos. Since the boat returns to where it starts, you do not need to arrange a separate ride from another harbor.

Starting at Agios Nikolaos Marina

The listed meeting point is Agios Nikolaos Marina, at Marina of Agios Nikolaos, Agios Nikolaos 721 00. This is the most straightforward plan if you are staying in town or can reach the marina easily.

The activity also lists pickup arrangements from Ierapetra, Plaka, Elounda, and your hotel or villa. Treat those as options to confirm, not as automatic door-to-door service. Ask where and when you will be collected, and check if any transfer charge applies before you finalize the plan.

You will need to provide passport details at least one day before departure. That includes the name, number, expiry date, and country of the passport. This is a small but important booking step, especially if you are organizing the yacht for a group.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but the available information does not give detailed mobility guidance, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has specific access needs.

The yacht, crew, and onboard feel

The boat is large enough for a private group of 10, but the exact seating and sleeping arrangements are not described. That means you should not assume every person will have a private lounge or shaded seat. If shade, seating layout, or space for changing clothes matters to you, ask before departure.

The professional crew is a major part of the appeal. Captain Michal is named in the experience details, and the crew handles the route and boat operation. You do not need boating experience, and you are not responsible for working out how to reach each cove.

Armin from Adventure Crete also receives a specific mention for arranging a cake and champagne for a special celebration. That suggests the operator may be willing to help with a personal occasion, but you should arrange such extras in advance rather than expect them as a standard part of every trip.

The onboard service is relaxed rather than formal. You receive cold water and other drinks, along with fruit, cheese, vegetables, and finger foods. This is enough for a light meal between swims, but lunch is not included. If your group expects a full midday meal, bring a plan for eating before or after the cruise, or ask whether extra catering can be arranged.

Swimming and snorkeling in the bay

The cruise includes a stop for a swim in Mirabello Bay. This is the moment that turns the trip from a scenic boat ride into a proper sea outing. You can cool off, use the snorkel equipment, and then climb back aboard for more time in the sun.

Do not expect a guided marine-life program. The supplied information promises snorkeling equipment, not an instructor or a set underwater route. You should think of the gear as a convenient way to look around independently during the swimming stop.

The water stop also gives your group a chance to choose how active the afternoon becomes. Some people can swim and snorkel while others remain on the yacht with a drink. That flexibility is easier on a private boat than on a shared cruise with a fixed schedule.

Sea conditions and the captain’s judgment will affect the timing and exact place of the stop. The key promise is access to the bay and time for a swim, not a guaranteed visit to one named beach or cove.

Food, drinks, and Wi-Fi

The included refreshments are well suited to a four-hour cruise. Fruit, cheese, vegetables, and finger foods are easy to share, and cold water helps keep the outing comfortable in the sun. You also receive other drinks, although the available information does not specify a complete beverage menu.

I would treat the food as generous snacks, not a catered lunch. That distinction matters for families, people with dietary needs, and anyone planning a long day on the water. Ask about special diets before departure because no detailed menu or dietary policy is provided.

Free Wi-Fi is available onboard. It is a useful extra if you want to share photos, stay in touch, or check plans for the rest of the day. Still, a yacht trip is a good excuse to put your phone away for part of the ride. Wi-Fi adds convenience, but it is not the reason to choose this experience.

The price and what your group receives

The cost is $2,303.86 per group of up to 10 people. That works out to about $230 per person if you fill every place, before considering any exchange-rate changes or booking charges shown at the time of purchase.

For two people, the same fixed price becomes expensive. For a full family group or a group of friends, the calculation is more attractive because you are paying for exclusive use of a sizeable yacht, a professional crew, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, and the route around Mirabello Bay.

The value also depends on what you would otherwise book. A shared boat may cost less per person, but it will not give your group the same privacy or control. This charter is aimed at people who care about personal space, a special occasion, and avoiding a crowded boat more than finding the lowest possible price.

The four-hour duration helps keep the cost from becoming an all-day commitment. You get a focused half-day on the water, with time left for Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, or another plan on Crete.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for a group of friends, a family celebration, or a couple traveling with several relatives or friends. It is also a good match for anyone who wants a polished boat outing without learning the route or managing the yacht.

The private format works especially well when your group has different ideas about the day. Swimmers can use the snorkel equipment, while others can relax with snacks and drinks. Nobody outside your group is setting the pace.

Families should note that children need adult supervision. The boat provides a comfortable way to spend time together, but the information does not describe child-specific equipment, so ask about safety arrangements for young children.

This is less suitable if you want a low-cost beach transfer, a long guided history tour, or a full meal at sea. It is also not the best fit if your main goal is a fast ride. The appeal is comfort, privacy, swimming, and time around the coast.

Practical points that can improve your day

Book early enough to get the date and time you want. The experience is typically reserved about 10 days ahead, which gives you a useful planning guide during busy periods.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel, although the supplied details do not confirm whether towels are provided. Wear something comfortable for moving around a boat, and keep valuables secure when you go into the water.

Confirm the meeting point even if you are told pickup is available. The official start and end point is Agios Nikolaos Marina, while pickup may be arranged from Ierapetra, Plaka, Elounda, or your hotel or villa.

If you are marking a birthday or another occasion, contact Adventure Crete before the trip. Armin arranged a cake and champagne for one celebration, so advance notice may help the crew plan something similar, but it should not be assumed to come with the base price.

The tour offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Should you book this yacht charter?

Book it if you can fill much of the 10-person capacity and want a private, comfortable half-day around Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. The combination of a substantial Ferretti yacht, professional crew, swimming time, snacks, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and Wi-Fi makes sense for a group celebration or a day when privacy matters.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a pair and watching every euro. The fixed group price is difficult to justify for a small party. Also confirm lunch, pickup, seating, shade, and any celebration extras before you pay.

For the right group, this is a relaxed way to see Mirabello Bay without handing your day over to a crowded boat schedule. The strongest reasons to book are the private setting, the crew support, and the chance to turn a short cruise into your own time on the water.

FAQ

How long is the yacht trip?

The cruise lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the experience start?

It starts at Agios Nikolaos Marina, Marina of Agios Nikolaos, Agios Nikolaos 721 00, Greece.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Agios Nikolaos Marina.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private yacht can accommodate a maximum of 10 people in your group.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private activity, so only your own group participates.

What areas does the yacht visit?

The cruise focuses on the coves around Elounda and Agios Nikolaos in Mirabello Bay.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The itinerary includes time for a cool-down swim in Mirabello Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is lunch included?

No. Snacks, fruit, cheese, vegetables, finger foods, water, and other drinks are included, but lunch is not.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.