Captain your own boat with no licence hassles. From Notos Mare – Marine Adventures Marathi in Crete, you rent a 5.5m, 30hp motorboat for the day and get hands-on guidance before you head out. I love the no-licence setup and the calm, clear help from the staff. The main thing to watch: fuel is not included, so your total cost will depend on how far you go.
You also get a practical sailing day, not a rigid cruise schedule. The boat fits up to six, includes a sunroof for shade, and the team gives recommendations and tech support so you can feel confident. One possible consideration is that you’re making the choices, so a little planning helps if you want specific coves or swim time.
In This Review
- Key highlights you should know before you go
- Captain Without a Licence: The 30hp Marathi Boat Experience
- Where You Start: Notos Mare in Marathi (and the 9:00am Kickoff)
- What Happens First: ID Check, Briefing, and a Real-Time App
- Your Day on the Water: Freedom to Choose Coves, Caves, and Swim Stops
- The Water Time: Swimming, Anchoring, and What to Expect in Different Seasons
- Boat Comfort on Hot Days: Sunroof Shade and Easy Handling
- Cost and Value: How $261.88 Works for Up to 6 People
- Fuel, Insurance, and Practical Planning (Without the Guesswork)
- Who This Boat Rental Is Perfect For
- Should You Book This Licence-Free Boat Rental in Marathi?
- FAQ
- Do I need a motorboat licence to drive?
- How many people can the boat carry?
- Where does the boat rental start, and what time?
- Is fuel included in the price?
- Is insurance included?
- What do I need to bring?
- What if the weather is bad?
Key highlights you should know before you go

- Licence-free driving of a 30hp boat (your own captain day without a motorboat licence)
- Briefing plus phone navigation help for real-time map awareness and where you can go
- Up to 6 passengers per boat rental, one group price
- Sunroof shade to make hot Cretan sailing more comfortable
- Time for swimming and anchoring/tie-offs in clear water near cliffs and caves
- Optional damage insurance available on the day, if you want extra peace of mind
Captain Without a Licence: The 30hp Marathi Boat Experience

This is a great fit if you want the freedom of a private boat day, but you don’t want to deal with the stress of getting a licence first. The operator’s model is simple: you rent a 5.5m boat with a 30hp outboard and they handle the “teach you how to do it safely and confidently” part through training and guidance.
The boat is designed for comfort for a day on the water. It’s built to carry up to six passengers, and it has a sunroof, which matters on Crete when the sun is strong and you still need a break from full exposure.
One detail I appreciate is that the process isn’t just a quick handoff. You get a detailed briefing and recommendations before you head out, so you’re not starting the day blind.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Crete
Where You Start: Notos Mare in Marathi (and the 9:00am Kickoff)
The day starts at Notos Mare – Marine Adventures Marathi on an unnamed road in Marathi 731 00, Greece, with a 9:00am start. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not doing any awkward end-of-day transfers.
The meeting point is also close to public transportation. That’s useful if you’re not driving and you’re building a day around the rental rather than planning a whole logistics chain.
If you’re arriving by cruise, it helps to know that people have used a cab to reach this kind of marina-area setup. In plain terms: it’s reachable, and you won’t likely waste your day figuring out where the harbor is.
What Happens First: ID Check, Briefing, and a Real-Time App

Before you get control of the boat, you’ll need a valid ID or passport. That’s a straightforward requirement, but it’s worth having your document ready early so you’re not scrambling right when the day starts.
Then comes the part that often makes or breaks self-drive rentals: the staff briefing. Here, it’s thorough enough that you come away understanding what’s expected and how to handle the outing confidently. They also help you plan where to go, rather than giving you vague directions and sending you off.
A standout is the phone-based navigation help. You’ll get an app that shows a real-time map, and it also helps clarify where you can and can’t go. For me, that’s the difference between feeling like you’re exploring and feeling like you’re guessing.
Also, the staff can use the app to locate you if you need support. That lowers the anxiety factor a lot on a day when you’re out on your own.
Your Day on the Water: Freedom to Choose Coves, Caves, and Swim Stops

Once you leave the marina, your job is basically this: enjoy the coastline at your pace. This rental is built for an active day—cruising along, finding spots, and stopping to swim.
The best moments tend to come when you’re not following a group schedule. With the navigation app and staff guidance, you can steer toward coves and easy-to-reach areas where the water looks clear and inviting. You can also tie off or anchor in places surrounded by cliffs, caves, and mountains, which makes the scenery feel close and dramatic.
There’s also something a bit playful about the day. On at least one outing, people spotted mountain goats in the area—exact details depend on the season and location, but the point is that the coastline can surprise you.
The Water Time: Swimming, Anchoring, and What to Expect in Different Seasons

This kind of rental works best when you treat it like a day with breaks, not nonstop cruising. You’ll want to plan for swim time, especially because some spots offer an easy on/off feel.
One practical detail from experience with this setup: there can be a swim-friendly beach area right near shore, with restaurants nearby. That’s ideal if you want a simple rhythm—sail, stop, dip, grab food, then head back out when you’re ready.
If you’re going in spring, keep expectations realistic. In May, for example, the water can be chilly, so think of it as a quick swim, not a long sit-in-the-tide moment.
Boat Comfort on Hot Days: Sunroof Shade and Easy Handling
Cretan sun can be relentless. The sunroof is a small feature that can matter more than you’d expect. It gives you shade when the deck gets too hot, and it makes it easier to enjoy time on the boat instead of rushing into the water just to cool off.
The boat itself is described as simple and easy to drive, which is exactly what you want on a licence-free rental. The “simple to drive” part matters because you don’t want your day hijacked by learning to manage throttle, turns, and maneuvering.
And because the staff provides the necessary briefing and info, you get a head start on confidence. You’re still driving, but you’re not guessing.
Cost and Value: How $261.88 Works for Up to 6 People

Price is listed as $261.88 per group, with capacity for up to six people. That’s important: you’re paying for the boat rental, not per person.
If you fill the boat with six, the math is about $43.65 per person (based on the full group price). Even if you don’t fill it completely, the pricing is still structured to feel more reasonable than per-person day cruises—especially because you’re getting control of your own schedule.
What’s not included is where you’ll want to plan:
- Fuel is not included, so your final cost depends on how much you run the engine.
- Skipper is not included, so this is truly self-captained.
There’s also optional damage insurance that you can decide on the day of rental for an additional cost. If you’re worried about accidental scrapes or you’re with first-timers, that option can be worth considering. If you’re experienced with small boats and careful handling, you might choose to skip it.
Bottom line: this price can be strong value when you go with a group and make the day full. It can be less of a bargain if you end up driving little and still paying for the group boat cost. But if you’re aiming for a true coast day—coves, swims, and a couple of anchor-style stops—this pricing model fits.
Fuel, Insurance, and Practical Planning (Without the Guesswork)
Because fuel isn’t included, you should think about it like this: your “total budget” is boat rental plus fuel, plus optional insurance.
If you’re trying to keep costs predictable, choose a route and stop strategy before you start running the engine. The navigation app helps a lot here because it shows where you can go. That reduces the temptation to wander endlessly just because you can.
Insurance is optional for damage. You’ll decide on the day, so don’t assume it’s automatically included. If you want peace of mind, ask early and decide based on your comfort level and experience.
Also bring a realistic expectation for weather. This experience needs good weather. If conditions aren’t right, the operator will offer a different date or a full refund.
Who This Boat Rental Is Perfect For
This fits best if you:
- want a self-drive boat day without a motorboat licence
- like making your own choices on timing (swim when you want, not when a bus says so)
- have a group and can split the boat cost up to six
- enjoy coastal scenery with cliffs, caves, and quiet water stops
It’s also a smart pick if you’re the type who likes hands-on guidance. The staff briefing and phone navigation help you feel set up, not just handed keys.
If you want a fully guided experience with someone steering and telling you where to stop every minute, note that a skipper is not included.
Should You Book This Licence-Free Boat Rental in Marathi?
I’d book it if you want a real coast adventure and you’ll use the freedom. The biggest strengths are the licence-free access, the clear briefing, and the real-time navigation app that reduces uncertainty.
If your main priority is getting pampered by a guide while someone else runs the boat, this probably won’t feel as satisfying. And if you’re trying to control budget tightly, remember fuel isn’t included, so your total will move based on how active your day becomes.
Overall, this is one of those setups where preparation pays off: show up with your ID ready, listen carefully during training, and plan stops so you get the most out of your one-day window.
FAQ
Do I need a motorboat licence to drive?
No. This rental is designed for people without a motorboat licence to captain a 30hp boat.
How many people can the boat carry?
The boat can accommodate up to six passengers.
Where does the boat rental start, and what time?
It starts at Notos Mare – Marine Adventures Marathi on an unnamed road in Marathi 731 00, Greece, with a 9:00am start time. It ends back at the same meeting point.
Is fuel included in the price?
No. Fuel is not included.
Is insurance included?
Damage insurance is optional. You can choose to add it for an additional cost per day on the day of rental.
What do I need to bring?
You’ll need a valid ID or passport. A mobile ticket is used for the experience.
What if the weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the start time.




























