RIB boats make Crete feel close. I love the privacy of a small 7-meter RIB with a licensed skipper, and I love that snorkel-ready gear is handled for you with masks and snorkels plus safety equipment on board.

This trip is built around real time on the water, not just sitting and admiring, with stops at Spilies Beach and the boat-only Secret Beach, plus cave viewpoints and photo-friendly coastline passes from Rethymno.

The one thing to factor in is that this is a weather-dependent outing, and cave snorkeling is only allowed if conditions are safe. If you are prone to sea sickness, you’ll want to plan carefully.

Key highlights to look for on this Rethymno RIB tour

• Private 7-meter RIB with a licensed skipper, so you control the pace and photo breaks
• Spilies Beach and cave area are reached by boat, with snorkeling time only when safe
• Secret Beach is boat-only, with fine sand and pebbles plus rock shade depending on season
• Kamarola natural arch gives you an easy “wow” photo moment without extra hiking
• Geropotamos Beach stop for turquoise water viewing, plus snacks and drinks on board
• Fortezza Castle from the sea for a different angle on Rethymno Old Town

Why this private RIB format feels worth the money

At $634 for a private tour, you are paying for two things that matter on a day like this: access and attention. You are not sharing the boat with random strangers, and you have a skipper who can read conditions and steer you to the best swimming windows.

The boat itself is small and nimble, which is exactly what you want when Crete’s best swimming coves are spread along the coast. It’s also the kind of setup where you can go from “shore view” to “right there in the water” quickly, without wasting your day on long bus rides and parking.

On top of that, the included add-ons are practical. You get bottled water, WiFi on board, and the snorkel kit (masks and snorkels). For me, that turns it from a nice idea into an easier plan for your actual vacation day.

Meeting at Nearchou 33, then out of the harbor and into swim mode

You meet at Nearchou 33, Rethymno 741 31, Greece and the tour returns to the same point. That matters more than people think, because you avoid the “where do we end up?” stress that can happen on coastal tours.

From the start, the rhythm is simple: cruise out, swim, relax on the boat, then more sea time. The travel time to the first swim area is about 30 minutes, then you get a dedicated snorkel window (about 45 minutes) when conditions allow. After that, the time on each stop stays focused, so you feel like you are getting real value from your 2 hours or so on the water.

If you are the type who likes a plan but still wants flexibility, this setup fits. In the guide’s approach (skipper Kostas is specifically mentioned), the day is adjusted to keep you in the best conditions for enjoying the sea.

Spilies Beach: cliffs, caves nearby, and the reality of safe snorkeling

Your first major stop is Spilies Beach, an area known for cliffs and multiple caves close to shore. The boat doesn’t park inside the cave mouths, which is common here. Instead, you stop outside the cave area and you can snorkel toward the caves or just spend your time swimming and wandering the shoreline waters.

Here is the key practical point: cave snorkeling is subject to weather conditions, and the skipper only allows it if it is safe. That safety decision is not a small detail. In rougher sea states, “close enough” can still mean tricky currents and waves. So even if you came specifically for cave time, I’d go in with a flexible mindset: if the caves are a no-go, you still have a beautiful beach-water experience.

What I like about Spilies as a first stop is that it sets the tone. You start with open-water views, then move into a more protected feel once you are near the beach. It’s a good place to gauge your energy level before the Secret Beach portion.

The Secret Beach stop: why boat-only sand and shade is so special

The star of this trip is the Secret Beach portion, because it is accessible only by boat. That alone changes the whole experience. Instead of fighting for room at a crowded shoreline, you get a more private feeling at the waterline.

The beach itself is described as fine sand and pebbles, surrounded by rocks that provide shade during the day, depending on the season. That is huge for comfort. In Crete, sun can turn a relaxing swim into a “survive the heat” mission. Shade from the surrounding rocks helps you stretch your time there without constantly retreating to the boat.

You also get options that work well for mixed groups:

• You can swim and enjoy the water from the boat
• You can snorkel
• You can sunbathe directly on the beach

A natural arch called Kamarola is part of what makes this stop so photogenic. You don’t need a hike or a long walk to get a great picture. The angle comes naturally as you settle in and take your time.

If you are traveling with family, Secret Beach tends to be a win because it offers something for different energy levels, water time for swimmers and quiet sun time for people who just want to relax.

Snorkel gear on board, and what to do with the “safe only” rules

You are not bringing anything. The tour includes masks and snorkels, plus safety equipment and a briefing. That helps a lot if you do not travel with your own gear, or if you are trying to pack light.

Two more practical points from the rules:

• If you don’t know swimming, you are obliged to wear life jackets
• If you have severe sea sickness, this is not recommended (and motion sickness medicine is required prior if you still go)

These are not meant to scare you off. They are meant to keep the outing smooth. A small boat trip can amplify motion, and nausea ruins everything fast. If you are even slightly unsure, I’d take the “prepare early” approach seriously, rather than hoping your stomach will cooperate.

Also, since cave snorkeling depends on conditions, I’d plan your expectations around a spectrum: sometimes you get more, sometimes you get less, but the overall swim-and-shore experience stays on track.

Snacks, drinks, and the Geropotamos Beach turquoise pause

Between swimming stops, you get a stretch on the boat with snacks and drinks while looking toward Geropotamos Beach and its turquoise water. This is one of those “small included comfort moments” that makes a private tour feel more like a day out with people, and less like a scheduled ride.

Geropotamos doesn’t replace the main swim stops, but it adds variety. You get another color of sea, another coastline angle, and a chance to refuel without having to hunt for food onshore.

If you care about value, this is worth noting. Many boat tours skip food or just give you a token snack. Here, you get a real pause, and it pairs nicely with a slower pace in the middle of the trip.

Fortezza Castle views from the sea: Rethymno from a different angle

On the way back, you look at the Venetian Fortezza and the coastline of Rethymno Old Town from the water. The boat also passes by views near the lighthouse for photo opportunities before you head back to the harbor.

I actually think this part matters. It’s easy to see Rethymno from streets and viewpoints, but the fortress is meant to be looked at from multiple angles. From the sea, you get a sense of how the coastline and defenses fit together.

Travel time back to port is about 30 minutes, so this return section doesn’t drag. It’s quick, scenic, and a nice way to close the day without the “now what” feeling.

Skipper Kostas: flexibility and photo-friendly decision making

The reviews consistently circle around skipper Kostas, and the pattern is what I’d want as a customer. He is described as warm and friendly, and also very flexible about what the group wants to do during the day.

That flexibility tends to show up in two ways:

1. Choosing the timing and approach that makes swimming and snorkeling work best
2. Helping you get better photo opportunities along the route

On a private tour, a guide’s decision-making is part of the product. If the sea is choppy, the “plan A” changes fast. If it is calm, you might get more cave time or better angles. Kostas is specifically praised for steering toward the best outcomes, including adjustments around weather.

One review also notes a date change to chase better conditions, plus a partial refund after the trip turned shorter than expected. That kind of “we’ll fix it” behavior builds trust when boat trips are inherently weather-linked.

Price and what you still need to budget

The headline price is $634 for a private tour. That can sound steep until you break down what’s being included: private boat, licensed skipper, snorkel gear, safety equipment and briefing, bottled water, and WiFi on board.

Also, there is an extra cost you must plan for: fuel is 40 euro, paid in cash after the tour. That is not hidden, but it is easy to miss if you only look at the main price. Add it to your budget and you won’t get surprised at the end.

So, is it good value? For me, it is when:

• you want a private setup rather than a shared group
• you care about swimming and snorkeling time, not just coastal sightseeing
• you can benefit from a skipper who makes smart calls based on sea conditions

If you are primarily sightseeing from shore viewpoints and you have a low interest in water time, you might decide a different tour fits better. But if the sea is the point, this format is hard to beat.

Who should book this Secret Beach RIB tour?

This tour fits best if you:

• want private time on the water and a skipper who can adjust on the fly
• care about swim stops like Spilies and a boat-only Secret Beach
• like a mix of snorkeling, sunbathing, and scenic cruising

It also tends to work well for families, including honeymoon celebrations and group days, because the stops are time-based and you can keep it relaxed. If you have kids, the rules about life jackets for non-swimmers are a practical safety layer.

Where you should be cautious:

• If you have serious mobility issues, the tour is not recommended
• If you get severe sea sickness, it is not recommended

If you are worried, you can message ahead since the tour notes that people with mobility issues should notify the operator prior.

Should you book this Rethymno to the Secret Beach RIB tour?

I’d book it if your ideal day in Rethymno includes real water time, a boat-only beach, and a skipper who keeps decisions grounded in safety. The combination of Spilies cave area access, Secret Beach comfort with natural shade, Kamarola for photos, and Fortezza views from the sea makes it feel like more than a single swim stop.

But if weather is iffy during your dates, keep expectations flexible. This is a sea-first experience, so your best move is to plan your schedule with at least a little slack and be ready for cave snorkeling to be limited if conditions are not right.

If you do have motion sickness concerns, handle that upfront. A private boat day is only great if you can actually enjoy the water.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Private RIB Boat Tour to the Secret Beach?

The tour lasts about 2 hours (approximately), with travel time of around 30 minutes to Spilies Beach and about 30 minutes back to the harbor.

What places does the boat visit during the tour?

You’ll go to Spilies Beach (including the cave area outside), then the Secret Beach, then you’ll pass by Geropotamos Beach for views, and you’ll see the Venetian Fortezza and Rethymno Old Town coastline on the way back.

What is included in the price?

Included are use of the 7m private RIB boat with a licensed skipper, masks and snorkels, safety equipment and a safety briefing, WiFi on board, and bottled water.

Is snorkeling in the caves guaranteed?

No. Snorkeling and entering the caves depend on weather conditions and the skipper will allow it only if it is safe.

What if I do not know how to swim?

If you do not know swimming, you are obliged to wear life jackets.

What extra cost should I expect?

Fuel is not included and costs 40 euro, paid in cash after the tour.