Luxury Catamaran Morning Private & Greek Gastronomy in Athens

The best part of this Athens outing is simple: you trade traffic and marble ruins for open water, swimming, and a meal cooked on board. The private catamaran heads out from Alimos, with stops at the small island of Ydrousa and Vouliagmeni Beach.

I like the easy, all-in setup, especially the towels, snorkels, SUP, fishing gear, drinks, and fresh Greek food. I also like that the boat is private for your group, with an English-speaking skipper and chef. The main thing to consider is the price: at $1,583.09 for up to 10 people, it makes much more sense for a larger group than for just two.

Key points

• Ydrousa swimming stop: Spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes near a small, uninhabited island for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and quiet time.
• Greek food cooked on board: Expect appetizers, fruit, snacks, a main meal, dessert, and drinks, with vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available.
• Two water stops: Vouliagmeni Beach adds a second chance to swim and enjoy the Athenian Riviera.
• Private catamaran for up to 10: Your group does not share the boat with unrelated passengers.
• Crew service: The English-speaking crew includes a skipper and chef, with Prodromos and Eva named among the team.
• Pickup can be arranged: Van pickup is offered within 8 kilometers of Alimos, with an extra charge for transport.

Leaving Athens from Alimos at 9:30

This six-hour outing begins at Pier 2 in Alimos, south of central Athens. The marina is a practical launch point for the Athenian Riviera, giving you a quick route toward the coast and nearby islands.

You can meet the boat at 9:30 a.m., or arrange pickup from your accommodation if you are within 8 kilometers of the marina. The van usually arrives about one to one and a half hours before departure, then takes you back directly after the cruise. The driver will contact you through WhatsApp, Viber, or a phone call.

That pickup option is useful if you are staying in the wider Athens area and do not want to work out the marina connection yourself. Still, check the exact transport cost before booking. The supplied details list €50 for one person, €25 per person for two people, and €20 per person for groups of three to 10. A separate note also repeats the €25 and €20 rates without the single-person figure, so a solo guest should confirm the amount.

The boat returns to the same meeting point. Travel time is included in the six-hour duration, so the time at each swimming stop will not equal the full length of the tour.

Why a private catamaran changes the day

A private boat is the key reason to consider this outing over a standard shared cruise. Your group can settle into its own pace, and the crew can focus on the people you came with. That matters for families, couples traveling together, or a group of friends who want an easy day without coordinating with strangers.

The catamaran is described as clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. On board, you have a restroom and WiFi, though the real value is the space to sit, eat, dry off, and move between swimming and sunbathing without carrying beach equipment from place to place.

The crew includes an English-speaking skipper and chef. Prodromos and Eva are named as members of the team, and the service style is warm and attentive. You can expect help with the boat, food, swimming gear, and general arrangements, while still having room to relax.

This is not a sailing lesson or a serious boating trip. You may sail for part of the route, but the focus is comfort, food, swimming, and views of the coast. If your ideal day involves several hours of activity and technical sailing, this may feel too relaxed. If you want a polished half-day on the water, the format makes sense.

Ydrousa, a quiet first stop for swimming

Ydrousa is a small, uninhabited island where the group spends about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The plan is to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and relax near the boat.

The island setting gives this stop a more remote feel than a city beach. You are not arriving for museums, shops, or a village walk. You are there for the water. That makes the supplied snorkeling equipment, fresh towels, and SUP especially useful because you can get straight into the activities without renting anything separately.

The water stop also works well for mixed groups. Children can swim or stay on board, while adults use the snorkels or paddleboard. Fishing equipment is included too, though the details do not promise a fishing session or catch, so treat it as an optional extra rather than a planned part of the day.

The main limitation is that Ydrousa is not a sightseeing stop in the usual sense. If you need shade, a café, or a historic site, you will not find those listed here. Bring a hat and sun protection, and remember that the day is built around being outside near the water.

Vouliagmeni Beach and a second swim

The second listed stop is Vouliagmeni Beach, also planned for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Here you have time to swim and explore the golden sand while the chef prepares the main meal.

Vouliagmeni gives the day a different setting from Ydrousa. The first stop is tied to a small island and open-water relaxation. This one brings you to a historic beach on the Athenian Riviera. Together, the two stops give you more variety than anchoring in one place for the entire trip.

The schedule also divides the meal naturally. Snacks and appetizers can appear earlier, then the main food is prepared around the beach stop. This keeps lunch from feeling like a rushed buffet before everyone returns to the water.

Keep your expectations sensible. The schedule allows roughly 75 minutes here, not a full beach afternoon. You will have time to swim, spend time on the sand, and eat, but not necessarily to explore the wider Vouliagmeni area. The boat’s timing, weather, and sailing conditions can affect how long each part feels.

Greek food is a major part of the value

The food is not a minor snack service. The package includes coffee and welcome drinks, fresh fruit, snacks, traditional appetizers, a main meal, dessert, soft drinks, mineral water, local beers, and wine for people aged 18 and over.

That is important when judging the price. A private boat day can become expensive once you add lunch, drinks, beach equipment, and transport. Here, those pieces are built into the outing, which reduces the need to organize anything once you leave the marina.

The chef uses fresh Greek ingredients and traditional recipes. The exact menu changes based on the time and daily availability, so you should not book expecting one fixed dish. A meal could include familiar Greek appetizers and salad, while one detailed account described pasta with pesto prepared on board. That mix suggests the food can include both traditional Greek dishes and simple dishes suited to a boat kitchen.

You also get fresh fruit, light snacks, and dessert. That steady food service is especially helpful on a warm day when swimming and sun exposure can leave you hungry sooner than expected.

Special wines and cocktails cost extra, as do additional drinks and meals for special events. Local beers and wine are included, but the alcohol is limited to people aged 18 and over. If your group wants a particular bottle or cocktail service, ask about the added cost before departure.

Dietary needs are handled better than on many boat trips. Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available, and menu adjustments can be made. Tell the operator when booking rather than waiting until you board.

The equipment makes packing easier

Included equipment covers the basics for a water day:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Fishing equipment
• Fresh beach towels
• Mineral water and soft drinks
• Restroom on board
• WiFi on board

For you, the practical result is a lighter bag. You will still need swimwear, sun protection, and any personal medication, but you do not need to bring your own towel or snorkel.

The details do not specify how much equipment is available or whether everyone can use it at once. In a group of 10, you may need to take turns with the SUP or fishing gear. The boat does provide the equipment, but it is wise to ask the crew about availability if everyone in your group wants the same item.

What the price means for different group sizes

The listed price is $1,583.09 per group of up to 10 people. That works out to about $158 per person for a full group, before optional pickup and tips. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, so the experience is financially strongest for larger groups.

You are paying for more than a boat ride. The price includes fuel, port fees, taxes, crew, food, drinks, towels, water equipment, and the privacy of having the catamaran to yourselves. A shared cruise may cost less, but it will not offer the same private setting or group control.

For a family group, the price can compare well with arranging a boat, lunch, drinks, and equipment separately. It also saves time and reduces the number of small decisions during the day. For a couple, the cost may be harder to justify unless privacy and a special occasion matter more than the per-person amount.

Tips are not included. The crew handles the skipper duties, food, equipment, and service, so leave room in your budget if you want to tip them.

Who will enjoy this Athens boat day

I would choose this for a family or friend group that wants a relaxed day outside the city. The private format works particularly well when some people want to swim, others want to sunbathe, and everyone wants to eat together.

Families should note that the outing has worked for groups with children aged 5, 9, and 11. The food, towels, equipment, and calm schedule make it easier than planning a beach day independently, though parents remain responsible for supervising children around the water.

It also suits visitors who have already seen the main Athens sights and want a change of pace. You will not spend the day learning about ancient monuments. Instead, you get city views from the water, crystal-clear swimming spots, and a meal served away from the traffic.

I would hesitate to book it if you dislike swimming, boat travel, or long periods in the sun. I would also think twice if your main goal is a detailed tour of Vouliagmeni or the surrounding coast. The places are part of a leisure day, not a guided cultural walk.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but keep some flexibility in your Athens schedule if the boat day is important to you.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Because travel time is included in the six-hour total, the day is best understood as a half-day outing, not six full hours at the two stops. The listed schedule gives about 2 hours and 30 minutes across Ydrousa and Vouliagmeni, with the remaining time used for sailing and moving between locations.

Should you book SailBliss?

Book this private catamaran if you want a comfortable, food-focused water day with your own group. The strongest reasons are the two swimming stops, the onboard chef, the included equipment, and the privacy of a boat reserved for up to 10 people.

The value is good for a full group, especially when you count lunch, drinks, towels, fuel, taxes, and crew. It is less compelling for one or two people unless you place a high value on having a private catamaran and a carefully arranged day.

Before paying, confirm the pickup fee, tell the crew about dietary needs, and ask about the day’s planned menu. If the weather is good and your group wants swimming rather than sightseeing, this is a practical and enjoyable way to spend part of an Athens visit.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran experience?

The outing lasts approximately six hours, including travel time between the marina and the swimming stops.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Pier 2 in Alimos and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the boat depart?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available within an 8-kilometer radius of the Alimos marina. The van usually arrives about one to one and a half hours before departure.

How much does pickup cost?

The supplied pickup details list €25 per person for two people and €20 per person for groups of three to 10. A separate note lists €50 for one person, so solo passengers should confirm the exact fee.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes coffee, welcome drinks, fruit, snacks, traditional appetizers, lunch, dessert, mineral water, soft drinks, local beers, and wine for people aged 18 and over.

Can special diets be accommodated?

Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available. Menu changes should be requested in advance.

What water equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment, a SUP, fishing equipment, and fresh beach towels are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the outing is canceled because of bad weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.