Luxury Catamaran Morning Private & Greek Gastronomy in Athens

The best part of this Athens outing is simple: you leave the city behind and spend the day on a private catamaran, swimming off uninhabited Ydrousa and eating Greek food cooked onboard. The crew, including Prodromos and Eva, keeps the mood warm and relaxed, while the boat gives your group room to spread out.

I like the fresh Greek meal and the fact that towels, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and a SUP are included. I also like the private format, which makes this a good fit for a family or group of friends. The main point to consider is the price: at $1,583.09 for up to 10 people, it offers better value for a full group than for a small party.

Key points to know

• Swim at two Athenian Riviera spots: Ydrousa and Vouliagmeni Beach each allow time in the water.
• A chef cooks onboard: Expect Greek appetizers, a main meal, fresh fruit, snacks, and dessert.
• The boat is private: Only your group participates, with space for up to 10 people.
• Water gear is included: Towels, snorkeling equipment, a SUP, and fishing equipment are provided.
• Pickup can be arranged: Van pickup is available within 8 kilometers of Alimos Marina for an added fee.
• Weather matters: The trip requires good conditions, with a new date or full refund offered if it is canceled for poor weather.

Leaving Athens from Alimos at 9:30 am

Your day begins at Pier 2 in Alimos, on the coast south of central Athens. The scheduled departure is 9:30 am, and the activity lasts about six hours, including travel time.

You can meet the boat at the pier, or arrange pickup from your accommodation if you are within 8 kilometers of the marina. Pickup usually takes place 1 to 1.5 hours before departure. The driver contacts you by WhatsApp, Viber, or phone, then brings you back to your original location after the cruise.

That transfer is not included in the tour price. The stated cost is €50 for one person, €25 per person for two people, and €20 per person for groups of three to ten. Since the information gives both a single-person and group rate, confirm the exact total when booking.

Alimos is a practical departure point for a coastal day, but it is not in the center of Athens. If you are staying near the Acropolis or Syntagma Square, paid pickup may be worth it, especially for a group carrying swim bags and beach gear. If you arrange your own way to the marina, make sure you arrive before the 9:30 am departure.

A private catamaran with room for ten

This is a private activity, so only your own group joins the boat. That changes the feel of the day. You are not trying to match the pace of a large excursion group, and you can spend your time swimming, eating, sunbathing, or simply sitting on deck.

The catamaran is described as clean, comfortable, and well maintained. That matters on a six-hour trip. You have a restroom onboard, fresh beach towels, WiFi, and a crew made up of an English-speaking skipper and chef.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Prodromos and Eva are named as friendly, attentive crew members, and the service is described as careful without being intrusive. You can expect help with the boat, water equipment, food, and basic questions about the area.

The group limit is ten people, but value depends heavily on your head count. A couple paying the full group price would face a steep per-person cost. A group of eight to ten can split the price more comfortably, making the private boat format much easier to justify.

Ydrousa: swimming beside a small island

The first main stop is Ydrousa, a small, uninhabited island. This is the quietest part of the route and the place where you will spend much of your time swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and relaxing.

The appeal is the setting rather than a list of formal sights. You are visiting a low-key island stop with no town to tour and no shops to browse. Bring your attention to the water and the boat itself. If you prefer a beach day with cafés, umbrellas, and facilities on land, Ydrousa may feel too bare. If you want a break from Athens without a long ferry ride, it fits well.

The stop is listed at about 1 hour and 15 minutes, though the full schedule also includes sailing between locations. You can use the provided snorkeling equipment to look below the surface, or take the SUP out for a calmer view of the coast. Fishing equipment is also available, though the supplied details do not promise a dedicated fishing session.

Fresh towels are included, so you do not need to pack a bulky beach towel. I would still bring swimwear, sun protection, a hat, and a dry change of clothes. The boat provides water and drinks, but personal items are your responsibility.

The water is described as clear and inviting, and the swimming area receives especially strong praise. Still, conditions can change with the weather. A catamaran day depends on wind and sea conditions, which is why the operator requires good weather and may reschedule or refund the trip.

Greek food prepared while you swim

The food is not an afterthought. A passionate chef cooks using fresh Greek ingredients and traditional recipes, with the menu adjusted according to the time of the trip and the ingredients available that day.

The food service includes coffee and welcome drinks, fresh fruit, snacks, traditional appetizers, a main meal, soft drinks, mineral water, local beers, wine, and dessert. One menu example includes canapés, Greek specialties, Greek salad, and pasta with pesto prepared onboard.

That combination gives you more than a basic sandwich between swims. You get a proper meal, and the cooking happens on the boat while you enjoy the stop. The menu may change, so you should treat the examples as an indication rather than a fixed promise.

Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available. Tell the operator about your needs ahead of time so the chef can plan. Special wines and cocktails cost extra, as do additional drinks and meals for special events.

Alcoholic drinks are available only to those aged 18 and older. Water and soft drinks are included, which is useful on a warm day when you may be swimming more than once. I would still confirm the exact meal timing, especially if you have children or anyone who prefers an early lunch.

Vouliagmeni Beach and the second swim

The second stop is Vouliagmeni Beach, a historic beach on the Athenian Riviera. You have time to swim and explore the golden sand while the chef prepares the main meal.

This stop gives the day a different rhythm. Ydrousa is about a small island and open water, while Vouliagmeni offers a more familiar beach setting. The combination works well for groups with mixed tastes. Some people can swim, others can sit on the sand, and anyone ready for lunch can return to the boat as the meal comes together.

The listed stop lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Since the total activity is about six hours, you should expect sailing time between the marina and the swimming areas as part of the experience. The trip is not a nonstop beach visit. You are paying for the boat, crew, food, and time on the water as much as for the two stops.

The Athenian Riviera views are a major part of the appeal. From the sea, Athens feels different from the crowded center. You can take photographs of the coast and enjoy a warm-weather break without committing to a full island trip.

Included gear makes packing easier

You receive a useful selection of equipment at no extra charge:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Fishing equipment
• Fresh beach towels
• Restroom onboard
• WiFi onboard
• Coffee, water, soft drinks, and local beer
• Wine for those aged 18 and over

That list makes this easier to plan than a self-organized beach day. You do not need to rent a mask, find a paddleboard, or carry towels across Athens.

The gear also helps different age groups enjoy the same outing. A child may prefer the SUP or a short swim, while an adult may want to snorkel or sunbathe. One family with four children, including two five-year-olds, found the setup a good match for their group. Still, the details do not specify child-size equipment or flotation devices, so ask the operator about those needs before booking.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, though the exact route from your accommodation is not provided. Anyone with mobility concerns should contact SailBliss before paying, since a catamaran boarding setup and swimming stops may require practical planning.

How the price works for your group

The listed price is $1,583.09 per group of up to ten people. That is a large total, but it includes the private boat, skipper, chef, fuel, port fees, taxes, food, water, soft drinks, local beer, wine, towels, and water equipment.

For ten people, the cost works out to about $158 per person before pickup and tips. For six people, it is roughly $264 per person. For two people, the same private-boat price becomes a major splurge.

I see the value most clearly for a family reunion, birthday, small wedding group, or circle of friends who want privacy. You are not paying only for a boat ride. You are also covering a chef, an experienced crew, a prepared meal, and a full half-day on the Athenian coast.

Pickup adds to the cost, although the per-person rate drops for groups of three to ten. Tips are not included, so budget for an additional gratuity if the crew gives you the attentive service described.

The practical details that matter

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book. The meeting point is Pier 2 in Alimos, and the activity returns to that same point.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund.

I would choose a day when the weather forecast looks steady, especially if swimming is the main reason you are booking. The operator may adjust the menu according to timing, and the route or stop conditions may depend on the sea.

The boat has WiFi and a restroom, but you should still pack lightly. Take sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a phone case, and any medication you need. The crew provides food and drinks, but not every personal item you might want during a long morning outdoors.

Who will enjoy this private sailing day

I would recommend this experience to a group that wants a polished day on the water without arranging every detail independently. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, and groups who value private space more than the lowest possible price.

It is also a good choice if you want Greek food as part of the outing. The chef-prepared lunch, appetizers, fruit, and dessert turn the cruise into a full meal experience rather than a simple transfer to a swimming spot.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, want a packed sightseeing schedule, or prefer exploring towns and ruins. This is not an Athens history tour. The focus is swimming, food, views, and time at sea.

I would also be cautious about booking it for a very small group unless the luxury and privacy are central to your plans. The fixed group price makes the economics much better when shared among several people.

Should you book the SailBliss catamaran?

Book it if you have a group of at least four or five people, want a private boat, and would enjoy swimming at two coastal stops with a Greek meal cooked onboard. The crew, comfortable catamaran, included gear, and strong food program make this a well-rounded escape from the city.

Skip it if you are mainly looking for the cheapest way to reach a beach, or if you want a full day of historic sightseeing. For the right group, this is one of the more relaxing ways to add sea time to an Athens visit, with enough structure to feel easy and enough free time to feel like a holiday.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Pier 2 in Alimos, Greece, at 9:30 am.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point in Alimos.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from locations within an 8-kilometer radius of the Alimos marina. The driver usually arrives 1 to 1.5 hours before departure and contacts you by WhatsApp, Viber, or phone.

Is transportation included in the tour price?

No. Private round-trip transportation costs €50 for one person, €25 per person for two people, or €20 per person for groups of three to ten.

What food and drinks are included?

The menu includes coffee, welcome drinks, fresh fruit, snacks, traditional appetizers, a main meal, dessert, mineral water, soft drinks, local beers, and wine for those aged 18 or older.

Are special diets accommodated?

Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available. Menu changes should be arranged with the operator in advance.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.