Private RIB Boat Tour to the Secret Beach from Rethymno

The best part of this trip is the chance to reach a boat-only beach along Crete’s north coast, far from the easy beach-access routine. You’ll also stop near the caves at Spilies Beach, where clear water and dramatic rock walls make the coast feel wilder than it does from Rethymno’s waterfront.

I like the private format, since skipper Kostas can adjust the pace and swimming time for your group. I also like the return route, which gives you a fine sea-level view of Fortezza Castle, the lighthouse, and Rethymno’s Old Town.

The main point to consider is the short duration. About two hours goes quickly, and the caves and swimming stops depend on safe sea conditions. The $634 price makes the most sense for a small group sharing the boat, not for one or two people seeking the cheapest swim outing.

Key points at a glance

• Private 7-meter RIB: Your group has the boat and licensed skipper to itself.
• Two very different swimming stops: Expect caves and cliff walls at Spilies, followed by a quieter beach with sand, pebbles, and the Kamarola arch.
• Kostas sets the tone: Past trips have included flexible plans, special birthday touches, photo stops, and changes made for better weather.
• About two hours on the water: The ride to the coast takes roughly 30 minutes, leaving limited time for swimming and beach time.
• Practical inclusions: Masks, snorkels, safety equipment, a briefing, bottled water, and onboard WiFi are included.
• Bring €40 in cash for fuel: This extra charge is paid after the trip and is not part of the listed price.

Leaving Rethymno’s Old Venetian Harbour

The trip starts at Nearchou 33, near Rethymno’s Old Venetian Harbour. That puts you right beside one of the town’s most attractive historic areas, so the boat outing fits neatly into a day spent around the old port and Fortezza.

You board a private 7-meter RIB with a licensed skipper. A rigid inflatable boat is quick and open to the sea, which is part of its appeal. You get a low, close view of the water and coast, but you also feel the motion more than you would on a large sightseeing vessel.

The skipper gives a safety briefing before departure. Safety equipment is provided, and anyone who cannot swim must wear a life jacket. If you have mobility issues, tell the operator before the trip. The experience is not recommended for people with serious mobility problems, since boarding and moving around a small RIB can be awkward.

The boat has WiFi, and bottled water is included. Masks and snorkels are supplied, so you do not need to pack your own equipment unless you prefer using familiar gear. Snacks and drinks are also served onboard during the outing, according to the tour details.

The 30-minute run to Spilies Beach

The first ride takes about 30 minutes. This is not simply dead time between stops. You move along the north coast with the cliffs and coves opening up from a different angle than they do from shore.

Spilies Beach is framed by rock and cliffs, with several caves near the water. The boat stops outside the caves rather than entering directly. From there, you can snorkel toward them if the skipper decides conditions are safe, or stay near the boat and enjoy the water.

That safety call matters. Cave swimming can look easy from a distance, but swell, wind, and the shape of the entrance can change the risk quickly. The skipper allows entry only when it is suitable, so you should treat the cave stop as a possibility rather than a promise.

The planned water time here is about 45 minutes. That is enough for a proper swim and a look around, but not enough for an unhurried snorkel session if the whole group wants extended time. On a private boat, you can at least discuss the pace with Kostas instead of following a fixed crowd schedule.

Fish sightings have included garfish and fire worms on earlier trips. Marine life is never guaranteed, but the clear water gives you a fair chance to see more than bare rock. Bring patience, keep your mask sealed, and do not expect a full scuba-style experience. This is a casual coastal snorkel stop.

A secret beach with the Kamarola arch

The second coastal stop is the trip’s main prize: a small beach described as accessible only by boat. It has fine sand, pebbles, clear blue water, and rock around the shore. Depending on the season and the position of the sun, those rocks can offer useful shade.

This is the place to slow down. You can swim from the RIB, snorkel, sit on the beach, or simply float near the boat. Since the beach is small, the experience depends heavily on how busy the coast is and how many other boats are nearby. The private arrangement gives your group a better chance to enjoy the stop at its own pace, but it does not make the cove permanently private.

The natural arch called Kamarola adds a strong photo point. It is the kind of feature that gives the stop a clear sense of place, rather than making it just another swim in pretty water. Ask Kostas to position the boat for photographs if conditions allow. Several past outings have included carefully chosen photo stops, which is useful if someone in your group wants more than quick snapshots from the stern.

The beach itself is not presented as a developed facility. Do not expect changing rooms, cafés, or organized beach services. You should be comfortable with a basic coastal stop where the main attractions are water, rock, sand, and quiet time.

The small size is both the charm and the limitation. If you want a long beach walk, this is not the right outing. If you want a short swim at a striking cove reached by boat, it fits well.

Geropotamos and the return along Crete’s coast

After the beach stop, the boat takes in Geropotamos Beach and its turquoise water. The tour description places snacks and drinks onboard around this part of the trip, giving you a chance to sit back rather than spend every minute in the water.

This portion helps break up the physical side of the outing. Snorkeling and swimming from a moving RIB can be tiring, especially in sun and wind. Take the offered water seriously, and use the pause to dry off and settle in before the run back to Rethymno.

The trip then turns toward the harbour. From the sea, you see Fortezza Castle and the coastal edge of Rethymno’s Old Town. The view changes the way you read the town. From land, Fortezza dominates the hill above the port. From the water, the castle forms part of a broader line of stone, walls, rooftops, and shore.

There is also a chance to take photos near the lighthouse before returning to the starting point. The ride back takes about 30 minutes. If you are booking this for photographs, remember that light, wind, and the boat’s movement will affect what you can capture. The skipper can help with positioning, but the sea sets the final terms.

What the short schedule means for you

The advertised duration is about two hours. The route includes around 30 minutes to reach the first area, about 45 minutes for snorkeling there, time at the second beach, and roughly 30 minutes back to port. The supplied timing also lists 40-minute blocks for the stops, so you should regard the schedule as an approximate outline rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

That matters because the tour covers several sights in a compact window. You are not signing up for a relaxed half-day cruise. You are choosing a quick private taste of the coast, with enough time for swimming and photos but not unlimited time at each place.

Past private trips with Blue Fin have also lasted three or four hours when guests arranged a longer plan. That suggests it may be worth asking about a longer version if your group wants more swimming or a slower sunset outing. The tour reviewed here, however, is the approximately two-hour option, so confirm the exact duration and route when booking.

The short format works well at the start or end of a busy day in Rethymno. It is also handy for families who may not want many hours on a small, fast boat. For serious snorkelers, it may feel too brief.

The private boat and the human touch

A private tour is only as good as the skipper running it. Here, Kostas is the main contact associated with the experience. His role goes beyond steering. He has adjusted plans for better weather, helped select photo spots, and shaped the outing around birthdays, family celebrations, and different interests.

One family outing included a special birthday surprise, while another group appreciated flexibility during a shorter trip and received part of the cost back. Those details suggest a service style that is personal rather than rigid. You can explain what matters to your group before leaving: more swimming, more photos, a gentler pace, or a celebration.

That flexibility has limits. Weather still controls the route, and cave access is subject to sea conditions. A good skipper will not force the advertised plan when the water is rough. For this kind of trip, a changed stop is better than a risky one.

The boat suits a small group. Since the activity is private, you do not share the outing with unrelated people. That makes it easier to keep children close, decide who wants to swim, and avoid the awkward timing that comes with a larger public cruise.

Is $634 good value?

At $634, the price looks high if you compare it with a standard group boat ride. The calculation changes when your group shares the full private boat. A family or small group that values privacy, a licensed skipper, snorkel gear, and an adjustable pace may find the cost reasonable.

Fuel is extra at €40, paid in cash after the trip. Include that in your budget from the start. Bottled water, masks and snorkels, safety equipment, the briefing, and WiFi are included, while the tour also provides snacks and drinks onboard.

The value rests mainly on three things: the private boat, the skipper’s flexibility, and access to a coast that is difficult to reach by land. If you only want a quick swim and do not care about privacy, a cheaper group option may suit you better.

For a family marking a birthday, honeymoon, or special holiday day, the private format has more appeal. You can ask about a custom celebration in advance, though the listed two-hour tour should not be assumed to include special extras beyond the stated food and drinks.

Weather, sea conditions, and comfort

Every part of this trip depends on weather. If poor conditions prevent the boat from operating, you can receive a full refund or move the booking to another date. An alternative program or time may also be offered when possible.

You should also plan for motion. The tour is not recommended for people with severe seasickness unless they take motion sickness medicine before departure. A small RIB can feel lively, particularly when moving along the open coast.

Wear practical swim clothing and bring anything you need for sun protection, though the supplied details do not specify towels or sun umbrellas. Shade at the secret beach depends on the season and the position of the rocks, so do not count on having cover for the whole stop.

The boat’s open design is ideal for sea views and fresh air. It is less ideal if you want a calm, sheltered ride with lots of room to walk around. People with mobility concerns should notify Blue Fin before booking so the operator can discuss what is possible.

Who should book this Rethymno boat trip?

I would consider this outing for a small family, a couple marking a special occasion, or friends who want a private swim along the coast without committing to a full-day charter.

It is a good fit if you want:

• A boat-only beach and clear coastal water
• A private skipper rather than a large shared cruise
• Short swimming and snorkeling stops
• Photos of Kamarola, Fortezza, and the lighthouse
• A flexible approach to special occasions
• A quick sea outing that starts and ends in Rethymno

I would think twice if you need a long beach day, have serious mobility limits, suffer badly from seasickness, or want guaranteed cave access. The price also requires a group large enough to share the cost comfortably.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, except that weather cancellation by the operator brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this private RIB trip if you want a compact, personal look at the coast beyond Rethymno. The strongest reasons are the boat-only beach, the Kamarola arch, the cave stop at Spilies, and the chance to shape the outing with Kostas.

Before paying, confirm the exact timing, ask about sea conditions, and remember the €40 cash fuel charge. If you want a longer swim session, ask about extending the trip rather than assuming the two-hour plan will feel spacious.

For a small group that values privacy and a thoughtful skipper, this is a strong splurge. For one or two people focused mainly on low cost, it is harder to justify.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Nearchou 33, Rethymno 741 31, Greece, near the Old Venetian Harbour. It finishes back at the same meeting point.

How long does the private boat tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately two hours. The ride to the coastal stops takes about 30 minutes, and the return to Rethymno takes about 30 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided, along with safety equipment and a safety briefing. Cave snorkeling is allowed only when the skipper considers sea conditions safe.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €40 fuel charge must be paid in cash after the tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can reschedule for another date or receive a full refund if poor weather prevents the tour from operating. An alternative time or program may be offered when possible.

Can people who do not swim join the tour?

Yes, but anyone who does not know how to swim must wear a life jacket. The experience is not recommended for people with serious mobility issues or severe seasickness.