Luxury Catamaran Morning Private & Greek Gastronomy in Athens

The best part of this private catamaran trip is how quickly Athens gives way to open water. You leave Alimos Marina, pass the city from a fresh angle, and spend the morning swimming, using the SUP and snorkel gear, or simply stretching out with a towel and a cold drink. Ydrousa island is the main prize: small, uninhabited, and made for a quiet swim stop.

I like two things here. First, the food is cooked on board, not handed over in a box: expect Greek appetizers, fresh fruit, salad, a hot main dish, desserts, and drinks. Second, a private boat for up to 10 people lets your group set the mood, which works especially well for families or friends. The possible drawback is the price, particularly for a small party, and the schedule can feel short once transfer time and sailing are included.

Key points at a glance

• Ydrousa swim stop: Spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and relaxing near a small uninhabited island.
• Greek lunch prepared aboard: The chef uses fresh local ingredients and traditional recipes, with vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available.
• Two Athenian Riviera locations: Combine the quiet waters near Ydrousa with time at Vouliagmeni Beach.
• Private group of up to 10: You share the catamaran only with your own party, with an English-speaking skipper and chef.
• Useful equipment included: Towels, snorkels, a SUP, fishing gear, onboard WiFi, and a restroom are provided.
• Pickup from nearby Athens areas: Van pickup is available within 8 kilometers of Alimos Marina for an added charge.

Leaving Alimos for the Athenian Riviera

Your day begins at 9:30 am at Pier 2 in Alimos, the marina south of central Athens. If you are staying within 8 kilometers, SailBliss can arrange a van pickup roughly one to one and a half hours before departure. The driver contacts you through WhatsApp, Viber, or a phone call, then brings you back to your original location after the cruise.

That pickup is useful if you are traveling with children, carrying beach items, or simply do not want to work out the route to the marina. It is not included in the cruise price, though. The listed cost is 50 euros for one person, 25 euros per person for two people, or 20 euros per person for a group of three to 10. Since the pricing notes differ slightly in how they describe a solo transfer, confirm the exact amount when booking.

Alimos is a practical departure point for a boat day from Athens. You are close enough to the city for an easy morning start, but once the catamaran clears the marina, the day feels far removed from traffic and ancient ruins. You will want to arrive ready for the water, since travel time is counted within the roughly six-hour activity.

A private boat with room to choose your pace

This is not a large cruise with a fixed crowd. The catamaran is private for your group, up to 10 people, with an English-speaking skipper and chef. That changes the feel of the day. You can spend more time swimming, settle into the shade with a drink, or get back aboard when you have had enough sun.

The crew members named in the available information are Prodromos and Eva. Prodromos handles the sailing and Eva prepares the food, with both described as warm, attentive, and professional. The service is present without being overbearing, which matters on a small boat. You want help when you need it, but not a constant stream of instructions while you are trying to relax.

Families should find the setup manageable. The included snorkeling gear, SUP, beach towels, and fishing equipment mean you do not need to pack a full water-sports kit. A restroom is also available onboard, an important practical detail during a half-day outing.

The boat has WiFi, though the real point is to look away from your phone for a while. Bring it for photos, of course. The Athenian coastline, clear water, and views back toward the city are among the strongest reasons to choose this over another land-based morning.

Ydrousa: the main swimming stop

The first listed stop is Ydrousa, a small uninhabited island. You spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes here swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and resting on the catamaran. There are no shops, streets, or beach facilities to explore, so think of Ydrousa as a water-and-sun stop rather than a sightseeing destination.

That simplicity is the point. You can step into the water, try the snorkel equipment, paddle the SUP, or sit with a drink while the crew prepares food. Fishing equipment is also available, although the experience is centered more on relaxing and swimming than on a formal fishing activity.

The water is repeatedly praised for being clear and inviting. You should still remember that sea conditions depend on the day and on the weather. This is a boat excursion, not a guaranteed calm-water beach day, and the operator can cancel or offer another date if conditions are poor.

The time at Ydrousa is long enough to make the stop worthwhile, but not so long that the day becomes repetitive for most people. If your group includes strong swimmers, children, and adults who mainly want to sunbathe, the private format lets everyone use the stop differently.

Vouliagmeni Beach and a second chance to swim

The second stop is Vouliagmeni Beach, another 1 hour and 15 minutes in the published plan. Here you have time to swim and enjoy the golden sand while the chef prepares the main meal.

This stop adds variety. Ydrousa feels like a quiet island anchorage, while Vouliagmeni gives you a more familiar beach setting. You are not spending the whole day in one location, and the second swim creates a natural break before lunch.

The meal preparation is part of the entertainment. Rather than leaving the boat to find a restaurant, you watch lunch take shape while you are in the water or relaxing nearby. The food is based on Greek ingredients and traditional recipes, with the menu adjusted according to timing and the ingredients available that day.

The menu includes coffee and welcome drinks, fruit and snacks, traditional appetizers, a main meal, soft drinks, mineral water, local beers, wine, and dessert. The exact main dish can vary. One meal described in the supplied information included Greek salad and pasta with pesto, while other details emphasize Greek-style appetizers and traditional dishes. It is best to expect a fresh onboard lunch rather than one fixed signature plate.

What you will eat and drink onboard

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this catamaran. The chef cooks on the boat and uses fresh Greek ingredients sourced daily. That makes lunch feel connected to the place, rather than an afterthought between swimming stops.

You can expect small snacks early in the trip, followed by appetizers and a main meal. Desserts finish the spread. Coffee, water, soft drinks, local beer, and wine are included, with alcohol served to those aged 18 and over. Special wines and cocktails cost extra, as do additional drinks and meals for special events.

Dietary needs are handled better than on many casual boat outings. Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available. Tell the operator your needs before the trip so the chef can plan the menu. Do not assume that every item on the standard menu will suit every diet, since the dishes change with timing and daily ingredients.

The food is also served in a setting that makes it memorable: you are eating after a swim, with the shoreline or open water around you. If you care more about a long restaurant lunch than a flexible boat meal, this may not replace an evening meal in Athens. For a half-day on the water, though, having a proper hot dish prepared onboard adds real value.

How much value does $1,583.09 offer?

The listed price is $1,583.09 for the entire group, up to 10 people. That is expensive for one or two people, but the calculation changes with a full party. Ten people would pay about $158 per person before the optional transfer and tips. A smaller group pays more per head, so this works best when you can fill much of the boat.

The price includes fuel, port fees, taxes, crew, meals, snacks, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, a SUP, fishing equipment, WiFi, and the restroom. You are not being asked to pay extra for the basic water activities or the meal. That makes the cost easier to understand than a cheaper boat outing with add-ons for every drink, towel, or piece of equipment.

You are also paying for privacy. A public cruise may cost less, but you will have less control over where you sit, how long you swim, and who shares the boat. For a birthday, family day, or small celebration, that privacy may be the main value.

I would compare the total against the price of separate transport, a beach visit, lunch, and water equipment in Athens. If your group would otherwise spend the day moving between beaches and restaurants, this package brings those pieces together. If you are a solo visitor or a couple on a tight budget, a shared sailing trip will likely make more financial sense.

Tips for the crew are not included. Bring payment for that if the crew takes good care of your group.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

This experience suits a group that wants relaxation rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. Families with children can use the swimming gear and enjoy having food, towels, and a restroom close by. The private setup also means your group does not have to match the pace of strangers.

It is a good choice for friends who want a polished day outside Athens without planning every detail. You can swim, eat, take photos, and enjoy the coast while the crew handles navigation and food.

It is less suitable if your main goal is historical sightseeing. The trip offers views of the Athenian Riviera, but it does not include visits to archaeological sites or guided city touring. You also should not book it if your group dislikes time in the sun or on the water.

The route depends on conditions. Since the experience requires good weather, the operator may offer a new date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation. That policy is reassuring, but you still need a backup plan for your Athens day.

Practical details before you book

The activity is offered in English and confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but the provided information does not give detailed access specifications for the catamaran. If anyone in your party has mobility concerns, ask about boarding and movement onboard before paying.

Pack swimwear, sun protection, and a change of clothes. Towels are included, so you do not need to carry a beach towel. A waterproof phone pouch would be sensible for photos, though it is not listed as provided.

Plan for a full morning and early afternoon away from your hotel. The published duration is about six hours, with travel time included. One piece of feedback describes the actual sailing experience as around five hours, so allow for some variation rather than expecting every minute to be spent swimming.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Weather cancellations qualify for a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the SailBliss catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private, easy day on the Athenian Riviera. The strongest reasons are the onboard Greek meal, the clear-water swim stops, the useful equipment, and the attentive crew led by people such as Prodromos and Eva.

I would be especially inclined to book for a family group or a celebration. You can avoid organizing lunch, beach transport, rentals, and a return trip separately. The main caution is price: for two people, the total is hard to justify unless privacy and a catered boat day are worth more to you than budget sightseeing.

For a smaller group, ask for the final transfer charge and menu details before booking. For a full group of up to 10, the per-person cost becomes much more reasonable. If the weather is good and you want Athens with salt water, fresh food, and far less city noise, this is a strong half-day choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start and finish?

It starts at Pier 2 in Alimos, Greece, at 9:30 am, and returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

Is pickup available from my Athens accommodation?

Pickup is available from locations within 8 kilometers of Alimos Marina. The van usually arrives about one to one and a half hours before departure, and the driver contacts you by WhatsApp, Viber, or phone.

How much does the private transportation cost?

The listed transfer cost is 50 euros for one person, 25 euros per person for two people, and 20 euros per person for groups of three to 10. Confirm the exact amount when booking because the transportation notes are presented slightly differently.

What food and drinks are included?

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

Can the menu accommodate dietary restrictions?

Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available. Menu details can change with the timing and fresh ingredients, so tell the operator about your dietary needs in advance.

What equipment is provided?

The boat provides fresh beach towels, snorkeling equipment, a SUP, fishing equipment, and a restroom. WiFi is also available onboard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.