Private RIB Boat Tour to the Secret Beach from Rethymno

The best part of this trip is its scale. You get a private 7-meter RIB boat rather than a crowded excursion vessel, then head along Crete’s north coast to sea caves, clear water, and a beach reached only from the sea. Skipper Kostas can adjust the pace and stop when conditions are safe.

I like the chance to snorkel near the caves at Spilies, and I like the return trip past Fortezza Castle and Rethymno’s Old Town. The main consideration is the price: at $634, plus €40 for fuel in cash, this makes the most sense for a small group sharing the boat. Sea conditions can also change the route or cancel the trip.

Key points

• Private boat for your group: The RIB carries only your party, with a licensed skipper at the helm.
• Spilies caves by sea: You can swim from the boat toward the caves when weather and water conditions allow.
• A boat-only beach: Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or step ashore on sand and pebbles surrounded by rocks.
• Kamarola arch: This natural opening in the rock gives you one of the trip’s best photo spots.
• Old Harbour views: The return passes Fortezza Castle, the lighthouse, and Rethymno’s waterfront.
• Simple extras included: Masks, snorkels, bottled water, WiFi, safety gear, and snacks and drinks on board.

Leaving Rethymno Old Harbour on a private RIB

The trip begins at Nearchou 33, beside Rethymno’s Old Venetian Harbour. This is a useful starting point because you can reach it from the old town and finish in the same place, with no separate transfer to a marina.

The boat is a 7-meter RIB, a nimble craft suited to short coastal runs and close access to rocky coves. You are not booking a seat on a large group boat. Only your own party joins the trip, which gives you more say over swimming time, photo stops, and the general pace.

Kostas is the skipper named in the available tour details and past guest feedback. His role is more than steering. He decides when it is safe to approach the caves, where the water is calmest, and how the route should change if the sea turns rough. That flexibility matters on Crete’s exposed north coast.

Before leaving, you receive a safety briefing and safety equipment. People who do not swim must wear life jackets. Masks and snorkels are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer a particular fit.

The 30-minute run to Spilies Beach

The first journey takes about 30 minutes. From the water, the northern coast looks different from the view you get along the road. Rocky walls, small coves, and open stretches of sea pass by as the boat heads toward Spilies.

Spilies is known for its cliffs and caves. The RIB stops outside the cave area, then you can swim with a mask and snorkel toward the openings if conditions are suitable. You may also stay near the boat and simply look around from the water.

The planned snorkeling time is about 45 minutes, but the exact arrangement depends on the sea. The skipper allows entry into the caves only when it is safe. This is important: wave movement can make a cave entrance risky even on a bright, calm-looking day.

The water is described as clear, with fish visible in the snorkeling areas. Past outings have included sightings of garfish and fire worms, though you should treat those as possible encounters rather than a promise. The appeal here is the setting and the freedom to explore at your own comfort level, not a guided marine biology lesson.

If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the skipper before getting in. You can use a life jacket, remain close to the boat, or skip the water altogether. The tour is active, but it does not require everyone to snorkel.

A private beach reached only from the water

The next stop is the tour’s main prize: a small beach accessible only by boat. The beach has fine sand mixed with pebbles, clear blue water, and rocky sides that may provide shade depending on the season and the position of the sun.

This is the kind of place where the boat itself improves the visit. You avoid a road approach and arrive directly from the water. You can swim from the RIB, climb onto the beach, or stay aboard and enjoy the cove from a floating viewpoint.

The beach stop allows time for several simple pleasures:

• Swimming in clear water
• Snorkeling close to shore
• Sunbathing on the sand or pebbles
• Jumping from the boat into deeper water
• Taking photographs around the rock formations

The natural arch known as Kamarola is the visual highlight. It gives you a strong photo frame, especially with the boat or swimmers in the foreground. Ask Kostas about the best angle before you start taking pictures. A private boat makes this easier because you are not trying to fit your photo stop around a large group schedule.

The beach is not a developed resort. Do not expect loungers, changing rooms, shops, or a broad strip of sand. Its appeal comes from its small size and remote access. That also means you should bring anything you need for personal comfort, including sun protection and any preferred snacks, even though bottled water and refreshments are provided on board.

Swimming, snorkeling, and sea conditions

The tour is built around time in the water, so weather affects nearly every part of it. Wind can change the ride, make the caves inaccessible, or reduce the comfort of swimming from the boat.

The operator can reschedule or refund the trip if conditions prevent the boat from running. That is a sensible policy for a coastal outing, but it means you should avoid placing this tour on the final few hours of your Crete stay if possible. Leave room for another date if the sea does not cooperate.

People prone to severe sea sickness should think carefully before booking. The RIB is smaller and faster than a large sightseeing boat, and movement may feel sharper in choppy water. The tour information advises taking motion sickness medicine before departure if needed.

Mobility also matters. You must be able to manage a boat boarding and swimming or beach access with limited assistance. Anyone with mobility issues should notify the operator before the tour. It is not recommended for people with serious mobility limitations.

Geropotamos and refreshments on board

After the main beach stop, the boat passes Geropotamos Beach, known here for its turquoise water. The plan includes time to enjoy the view while having snacks and drinks on board.

This part adds a useful change of pace. The first stops focus on getting into the water and exploring the rocks. Geropotamos gives you a chance to sit back, dry off, and watch the coast without needing to swim again.

The exact snack and drink selection is not specified, so think of this as light onboard refreshment rather than a full meal. Bottled water is included. Past outings have also included food and drinks, and some longer private trips arranged with Kostas included a sunset aperitif or a birthday cake. Those extras were part of customized arrangements, so ask in advance if you want a special celebration or a particular menu.

Returning past Fortezza Castle and the Old Town

The return to Rethymno takes about 30 minutes. Instead of simply retracing the outward route, the trip finishes with a view of the city from the sea.

Fortezza Castle sits above the western side of Rethymno and is one of the city’s most recognizable sights. From the boat, you see the fortress, the waterfront, the Old Town coastline, and the lighthouse near the harbour. This gives the tour a pleasant closing scene. You begin with open water and rocky coves, then return to the historic center by a completely different route.

Keep your camera ready as the harbour comes into view. The boat can stop for photographs in front of the lighthouse, subject to conditions and timing. This is also a good point to ask for a final portrait of your group. Since the boat is private, you are not competing with dozens of other people for a quick picture.

What the $634 price really means

At $634, this is not a cheap swim stop. You also pay €40 for fuel in cash after the tour, so the total cost is higher than the headline price.

The value depends heavily on your group size. For two people, it is a major splurge. For four to six people sharing a private boat, the cost per person becomes easier to justify, especially if you value privacy and flexible timing.

You are paying for more than transport. The price covers the RIB, a licensed skipper, safety equipment, a briefing, masks and snorkels, WiFi, and bottled water. You also get access to a beach and coastal points that are not part of a normal road-based visit.

I would compare this with the cost of a standard group cruise only if your priorities are different. A larger boat may cost less, but it will not give your group the same control over the swim stops. This trip is strongest for a family, couple, or group of friends that wants a private half-day feel in a short two-hour format.

The duration is worth checking carefully before you pay. The listed tour lasts about two hours, with roughly 30 minutes out, around 45 minutes at the cave area, time at the private beach, and 30 minutes back. The stop descriptions also mention Geropotamos and a return photo stop, so timing can be tight. Ask how the operator plans to divide the time on your chosen date.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip for a small group that wants water time without spending a full day at sea. It suits strong swimmers, casual snorkelers, families with older children, couples marking a special occasion, and friends who want their own boat.

It is also a good fit if you care about photographs. Kamarola, the caves, the Old Harbour, the lighthouse, and Fortezza all offer different backdrops. Kostas has been praised for finding good photo positions and adapting the outing for birthdays, family celebrations, and sunset plans.

Families should discuss the plan before booking. Children need to be comfortable around open water and follow safety instructions. Anyone who cannot swim must wear a life jacket, and non-swimmers may find the boat and rocky beach less relaxing than a standard organized beach visit.

I would choose another activity if you want a long beach day, a full meal, easy access for serious mobility limitations, or a completely steady ride. This is a compact coastal adventure, not a leisurely resort transfer.

Practical details before you book

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity ends back at the starting point. The meeting point is Nearchou 33 in Rethymno, near public transportation.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag for phones or cameras. The supplied information confirms masks, snorkels, safety equipment, WiFi, and bottled water, but it does not specify towel rental or changing facilities.

Service animals are allowed. People with mobility issues should contact the operator before booking. Severe sea sickness is a concern, and the operator advises using motion sickness medicine beforehand if necessary.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Within 24 hours, changes are not accepted and the payment is not refunded. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a refund or move the trip to another available date.

Should you book the Secret Beach RIB tour?

Book it if you want a private boat, clear water, sea caves, and a boat-only beach in a short outing from central Rethymno. The personal service, flexible approach, and photo stops make it more special than a simple coastal ride.

Think twice if $634 plus €40 fuel feels high for two hours, or if you dislike smaller boats in open water. For a group of four or more, the cost is easier to defend. For two people, it is best treated as a special occasion purchase.

Before confirming, ask how much time will be given to Spilies, the private beach, and Geropotamos, and check the weather forecast. If you are comfortable with those conditions and want your own pace, this is one of the more personal ways to see the coast around Rethymno.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Nearchou 33, Rethymno 741 31, Greece, at the Old Venetian Harbour area.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

What type of boat is used?

The tour uses a private 7-meter RIB boat with a licensed skipper.

Is fuel included in the price?

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

Are masks and snorkels provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, along with safety equipment and a safety briefing.

Can non-swimmers join?

Yes, but people who do not know how to swim must wear life jackets.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip may be rescheduled or refunded if weather prevents safe operation. An alternative time or program may be offered when possible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.