Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Athens with Traditional Greek Meal and BBQ

The best part of this cruise is that it turns Athens into a seaside holiday for five easy hours. You sail from Alimos Marina past Voula and Vouliagmeni, stop twice for swimming, and eat a proper Greek meal cooked onboard. I especially like the small group of up to 10 and the hotel pickup and return, which make this far more personal and less fiddly than getting yourself to a marina.

I also like that the crew does more than steer the boat. They provide towels, goggles, drinks, safety guidance, and a generous meal that can include Greek salad, roasted vegetables, pork or chicken, squid, pasta, and shrimp saganaki. The main drawback is the price, $205.58 per person, and the fact that the experience depends heavily on weather. If clouds or cool water would spoil your day, keep that in mind.

Key things to know before booking

• Two swimming stops: You can swim in the Aegean, use provided goggles, or stay dry and enjoy the view.
• Fresh Greek food onboard: Expect BBQ, Greek salad, roasted vegetables, dips, bread, and seafood dishes such as shrimp saganaki.
• Lunch or sunset choice: Morning departures pair the sail with lunch, while afternoon departures finish with dinner and, when conditions cooperate, sunset views.
• Open drinks included: Beer, Greek wine, and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise.
• Maximum of 10 people: The small capacity gives the outing a semi-private feel and makes it easier to talk with the crew.
• Transfers remove the marina hassle: Pickup and return are offered from hotels and other locations in Athens and Piraeus.

From your Athens hotel to Alimos Marina

The day begins with a pickup about an hour before the cruise departure. The exact time is confirmed by the reservations team the afternoon before, so do not treat the cruise departure time as your pickup time.

Transfers are included from any place in Athens and Piraeus. That matters because Alimos Marina is not in the historic center, and arranging a taxi at the start and end of a half-day on the water can eat into both time and money. The included transfer also lets you enjoy the open bar without worrying about driving back.

The ride takes you to the catamaran, where the skipper gives a vessel orientation and safety briefing. You receive a welcome drink, settle into the boat, and meet the rest of the group. With a maximum of 10 people, this is not a party boat packed with dozens of strangers. It is still a shared cruise, but the smaller scale helps the crew give attention to individual needs.

The crew names vary by departure. Sailors named George, Rhea, Joanna, Kostas, Spiro, Mike, Ari, and others have handled different trips. Their roles can include captain, first mate, cook, and host, so expect a hands-on crew rather than a formal guide giving a running lecture about Athens.

Sailing the Athens Riviera by catamaran

Once the boat leaves the marina, the city begins to feel far away. The route covers about 25 nautical miles over roughly five hours, following the coast toward Voula and Vouliagmeni.

This is a pleasant way to see the Athens Riviera because you get a view that roads and sidewalks cannot provide. From the water, the coastline becomes the main attraction: blue sea, open sky, coastal neighborhoods, and the changing angle of the sun on the shore. Do not book this expecting a narrated sightseeing tour packed with facts about every building. The pleasure is the pace, the breeze, and the chance to see Athens from a quieter angle.

The catamaran gives you room to spread out, sunbathe, or sit in the shade, depending on where you choose to settle. Soft drinks, beer, and Greek wine are included. The open bar is a real part of the experience, not an afterthought, and the crew keeps drinks available during the sail.

The boat may motor between points and raise the sails when conditions allow. Sailing under wind power is one of the nicest stretches of the trip, since the engine quiets and the ride feels more connected to the sea. Wind is not guaranteed, though, so do not judge the cruise by whether the sails are raised for the entire route.

The first swim stop, towels, and blue water

The first stop is set aside for swimming. The crew supplies fresh towels, so you do not need to bring one from your hotel. You can jump in, float, or stay on deck with a drink and enjoy the scenery.

The swimming water can feel cool, even in warm weather. One account described the sea as about 75 degrees Fahrenheit and still chilly at first, which is useful to remember if you are sensitive to cold water. The cruise does not require you to swim, and staying onboard is perfectly reasonable if the conditions do not suit you.

This stop works best for people who want a relaxed swim rather than a serious water-sports session. There is time to enjoy the sea, but the overall outing also includes another stop, sailing time, and a full meal. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and any personal water gear you prefer, but goggles are provided.

For children or less confident swimmers, the important point is choice. The crew gives a safety briefing, and you can decide how active to be. The information provided says most people can participate, but it does not promise a lifeguard service or specialized instruction, so use your own judgment in the water.

A second stop for snorkeling

After returning to the boat, you sail onward to another swimming point. Goggles are available here for snorkeling, giving you a chance to look beneath the surface rather than simply swim from the boat.

The equipment is basic snorkeling gear, not a full guided marine excursion. You should think of this as a chance to explore the water at your own pace. The attraction is the clear sea and the freedom to spend time in it, not a guaranteed display of wildlife or a formal snorkeling lesson.

You can also skip the water and remain on deck. This is helpful for mixed groups, since one person can swim while another reads, sunbathes, photographs the coast, or simply enjoys the breeze. The two-stop format keeps the cruise from becoming five hours of sitting in one place.

Fresh towels and drinks make the transition back onboard easy. Remember that wet decks and swimwear can make the boat slippery, so pack a cover-up or dry clothes for the meal and return journey.

Greek BBQ served at sea

The meal is a major reason this cruise costs more than a basic boat ride. The crew prepares and serves food onboard, often beginning with the smell of roasted vegetables as you return from the water.

The spread can include:

• Greek salad
• Roasted or slow-cooked vegetables
• BBQ chicken, pork, or other grilled meats
• Squid or calamari
• Shrimp saganaki
• Pasta
• Tzatziki and other dips
• Bread and additional appetizers

The exact menu can vary, but it is far more substantial than a sandwich or snack plate. The food combines familiar Greek table staples with seafood and grilled dishes, and the meal is served while you look out over the sea.

The cooking is also part of the charm. You are not leaving the boat for a restaurant, and you do not lose sailing time in a port. The crew handles the meal while you enjoy the setting. Several crew members have been singled out for cooking, including Joanna and Raga, while captains such as Kostas have also helped prepare the food on certain trips.

Tell the operator about allergies and dietary restrictions when you book. A vegetarian option is available, but it must be requested in advance. If you have a serious allergy, give clear details rather than assuming the crew can adjust everything at the last minute.

Choosing lunch or sunset dinner

You can choose between a morning cruise with lunch and an afternoon cruise with dinner. Both follow the same basic pattern of sailing, two swimming stops, drinks, and food, but the mood differs.

The morning option is a good fit if you want the brightest conditions for swimming and snorkeling. It also leaves your evening open for dinner in Athens. If this is your first full day in the city, that can be useful, since you still have time afterward for the Plaka, Monastiraki, or an evening meal.

The sunset option is more romantic and slower in feel. After the meal, you return toward the marina with the light changing over the coast. When the weather cooperates, the sunset becomes the final scene of the cruise. One birthday outing even included a cake, showing that the crew may help with a special occasion, though you should arrange such requests in advance rather than count on them automatically.

Sunset departures can be less predictable for swimming if the day is cool or cloudy. Several accounts describe making the best of imperfect weather, but the most memorable trips had calm conditions and clear evening light. Check the forecast and choose based on what matters most to you: swimming and daylight, or dinner and sunset.

In October, departures begin an hour earlier. That seasonal adjustment is easy to miss, so check the confirmed timing carefully.

What the $205.58 price really covers

At $205.58 per person, this is not a budget way to get on the water. You are paying for more than a seat on a boat, though. The price includes hotel transfers, professional crew, two swimming stops, goggles, towels, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, plus lunch or dinner cooked onboard.

For a five-hour outing, the value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for taxis to Alimos Marina, a boat trip, drinks, and a seafood meal. The small group is another important part of the calculation. A larger cruise may cost less, but it usually offers less room and less contact with the crew.

I would book this when you want a half-day that feels like a complete experience rather than a quick sightseeing add-on. I would not choose it if your main goal is a guided tour of ancient sites, a long stop at a beach, or a low-cost activity.

The meal and drinks also make the price easier to accept for people who enjoy food as part of travel. This is not merely transport along the coast. You spend time swimming, sitting at the table, sailing, and talking with a small group.

The cruise is often booked about 33 days ahead, so popular dates may disappear before your trip. That does not mean you need to book a year out, but I would reserve early if you want a particular date, especially for a sunset departure or a celebration.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I think this trip suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and small friend groups who want a relaxed break from museums and ruins. Solo visitors can find the small group easier for conversation than a crowded party boat.

It is also a good choice for a birthday, anniversary, or final day in Athens. The crew has helped with birthday celebrations, and the combination of food, swimming, open drinks, and sunset gives a special occasion a natural rhythm.

You should be comfortable with five hours around the sea. Even with two swim stops, there is time spent sitting, sunbathing, and sailing. If you get seasick, ask about precautions before booking and bring anything you normally use, since the provided details do not specify onboard seasickness treatment.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Smoking is not permitted, except for electronic cigarettes. Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, and perhaps a light layer for the return trip, since sea breezes can feel cooler later in the day.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

This is a weather-dependent activity. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum of two passengers is not met and the cruise cannot operate.

For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

You need to provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country at booking. Confirmation is supplied when you book, and the reservations team contacts you the afternoon before with the pickup details.

The cruise is offered in English. Pickup and return are available from Athens and Piraeus, and the experience is near public transportation, though the included transfer is the simpler option for most visitors.

Should you book the Athens catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want to combine a small-group sail, two chances to swim, a generous Greek BBQ, open drinks, and door-to-door transport in one half-day. The crew’s cooking and attention are central to the experience, and the sunset option can be especially memorable in good weather.

Skip it if $205.58 feels too high for a leisure outing, if you want a formal history tour, or if you are unlikely to swim and do not enjoy several hours on a boat. For everyone else, this is a strong way to add the Aegean to an Athens itinerary without spending a full day away from the city.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours and covers about 25 nautical miles.

Where does the cruise depart?

The catamaran departs from Alimos Marina. Hotel pickup is offered from locations in Athens and Piraeus.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and return transportation from any place in Athens and Piraeus are included. Pickup is usually about one hour before the cruise departure, with the exact time confirmed the afternoon before.

Is food included?

Yes. The cruise includes a BBQ lunch on the morning departure or dinner on the sunset departure. The meal can include Greek salad, roasted vegetables, grilled meat, seafood, pasta, bread, dips, and shrimp saganaki.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer, Greek wine, and soft drinks are included during the cruise.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The cruise includes two swimming stops. Goggles and fresh towels are provided, and you can choose to swim, snorkel, or remain onboard.

Is a vegetarian meal available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking. You should also advise the operator about allergies or other dietary restrictions in advance.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The experience also requires at least two passengers to operate, and a refund or alternative is offered if that minimum is not met.