Terms & Conditions
Sunset Horizon Boats — Rethymno, Crete, Greece · Last updated: April 2026 · By completing a booking you agree to these terms in full.
About us & the service
Sunset Horizon Boats is a family-run boat rental business operating from Rethymno Marina, Crete, Greece (74100), VAT 803217510, GEMI 192334250000.
We rent self-drive motorboats — the Poseidon Blue Water 170 — to tourists and visitors for licence-free coastal exploration along the northern coast of Crete.
These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern all rentals, bookings, and use of our website at rentboatrethymno.gr. They form a legally binding agreement between Sunset Horizon Boats ("we", "us", "our") and any person making a booking or using our service ("you", "the customer").
By completing a reservation — online, by phone, WhatsApp, or email — you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms.
Bookings & reservations
Reservations can be made via our website with secure online payment, by phone, or by WhatsApp. A booking is confirmed once you have received a written or digital confirmation from us.
When booking you must provide accurate information including the name of the designated captain, number of passengers (including children), and any relevant medical conditions or special requirements.
- We recommend booking at least 1–2 days in advance; 3–5 days during July and August.
- Same-day bookings may be available outside peak season — call us to check.
- We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion.
- All three boats are identical Poseidon Blue Water 170s. Specific boat requests will be accommodated where possible but cannot be guaranteed.
On the day of your rental, come to our service point at Rethymno Marina at your confirmed departure time. Bring your booking confirmation (digital or printed). Nikos or a member of our team will meet you there.
Payment
All online bookings are paid in full by secure card payment at the time of reservation. No deposit is required — the full rental amount is charged when you book. Bookings made by phone or WhatsApp will have payment details arranged directly with our team.
Fuel is not included in the rental price. The boat departs with a full tank and must be returned at the same level. Fuel used is charged at €2.30 per litre, payable at the harbour on return (cash or card). Extensions beyond the booked duration are charged at €20/hr and settled at the harbour.
All prices are in euros (€) and inclusive of applicable Greek VAT where required. No hidden charges apply.
Cancellation & refund policy
We understand that plans change. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
- More than 48 hours before departure: Full refund to the original payment method. No charge.
- 24–48 hours before departure: 50% refund. The remaining 50% is retained as a cancellation fee.
- Less than 24 hours before departure: No refund. The full rental amount is forfeited.
- Weather cancellations initiated by us: Full refund or free rescheduling in all cases — see Section 10.
To cancel, contact us by phone or WhatsApp as early as possible. Refunds for online payments are processed within 5–10 business days to the original card.
We are a small family business and consider every situation individually. If exceptional circumstances arise, please speak to us directly — we will always try to find a fair solution.
No-show policy
A no-show occurs when the customer fails to arrive at the agreed departure time and location without prior notice. In the event of a no-show:
- The rental is forfeited and no refund will be issued.
- We will attempt to contact you by phone within 15 minutes of the scheduled departure time.
- If you are delayed, please call us as soon as possible. We will accommodate late arrivals where the remaining time permits, but cannot guarantee the full rental duration.
If you know you will be late or cannot make it, always contact us. We would much prefer to reschedule than apply a no-show charge. Prompt communication is always appreciated.
Licences & eligibility requirements
Our boats are fully compliant with Greek maritime regulations for licence-free operation. No boat licence or prior experience is required to rent or captain one of our vessels.
- Minimum captain age: 18 years. The designated captain must be at least 18 years old and present a valid government-issued photo ID (passport or national ID card) on the day of departure.
- Passengers of all ages are welcome. Life jackets are provided in all sizes including infant.
- The captain must not be under the influence of alcohol or any substance that impairs judgement or reaction at the time of departure or during the rental.
- Only the registered captain may operate the engine. Passengers may not take the helm unless they are also a registered adult customer.
Every rental begins with a mandatory 20–30 minute safety briefing with Nikos covering engine operation, steering, anchoring, docking, emergency procedures, and life jacket fitting. This briefing cannot be skipped.
Safety & conduct at sea
The safety of all passengers is our highest priority. By accepting these terms you agree to comply with all safety instructions provided during your briefing and the following rules:
- Life jackets must be accessible at all times. Children must wear life jackets whenever the engine is running.
- The boat must remain within the coastal zone shown on your destinations map. Do not exceed the designated area.
- Adhere to posted speed limits in harbours and near beaches (typically 5–6 knots).
- Do not operate the boat after dark unless expressly agreed in writing.
- Do not carry more than 6 passengers per boat at any time.
- Smoking is not permitted below deck or near the fuel point.
- In an emergency, dial the Greek Coast Guard on 108 or call our direct number provided on your emergency card.
We reserve the right to refuse departure or request early return if we have reason to believe the captain is unfit to operate the vessel safely.
Fuel & boat return
The boat departs with a full fuel tank. You are responsible for returning it to the same fuel level. Fuel is available at our harbour pump at €2.30 per litre and must be topped up before handing the boat back.
The boat must be returned to our service point at Rethymno Marina by the agreed return time. Extensions must be agreed by phone before the scheduled return. Unauthorised late returns are charged at €20 per hour (or part thereof) and may affect other customers' bookings.
The boat must be returned in the same condition it was provided — clean, with all equipment present and undamaged.
Damage & liability
You are responsible for any damage to the boat, equipment, or third-party property caused during your rental period as a result of negligence, misuse, or failure to follow safety instructions. A brief inspection is conducted before departure and on return.
- Accidental damage caused by normal, careful use will be assessed fairly and discussed with you.
- Damage resulting from reckless or negligent use will be charged at the full cost of repair or replacement.
- Loss of equipment (life jackets, anchor, safety kit) will be charged at replacement cost.
Sunset Horizon Boats is not liable for personal injury, loss of personal belongings, or any indirect losses arising from use of our rental service, except where required by applicable Greek law.
Weather & force majeure
Your safety comes first. We monitor weather conditions daily. If conditions are deemed unsafe for departure — typically winds exceeding Beaufort Force 4 (~28 km/h) or adverse sea state — we will contact you as early as possible to reschedule or issue a full refund.
- Weather cancellations initiated by us: Full refund or free rescheduling, at your choice.
- Customer-initiated cancellation due to weather concerns (against our assessment): Standard cancellation policy applies.
- Force majeure events (natural disasters, port closures, strikes, etc.) will be handled with full refunds where the rental cannot proceed.
The northern Cretan coast enjoys very calm sea conditions throughout the summer season. Weather cancellations are uncommon, but we will never prioritise revenue over your safety.
Website use
The website rentboatrethymno.gr and all its content — including text, photographs, illustrations, pricing, and branding — is the property of Sunset Horizon Boats and is protected by applicable intellectual property law. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use any content from this website without our prior written consent.
We take all reasonable steps to ensure the information on our website is accurate and up to date. However, we cannot guarantee it is always complete or error-free. Pricing, availability, and operational details may change — always confirm details at the time of booking.
Our website may contain links to third-party services (booking platforms, maps, etc.). We are not responsible for the content or practices of those external sites.
Online payments are processed through a secure third-party payment provider. We do not store your card details. Transactions are encrypted using industry-standard SSL/TLS technology.
Governing law & disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Hellenic Republic (Greece). Any disputes arising from or related to a rental or these Terms shall first be addressed by direct communication with Sunset Horizon Boats. We will make every effort to resolve matters amicably.
If a resolution cannot be reached, disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Rethymno, Crete, Greece.
These Terms do not affect any statutory consumer rights you may have under applicable Greek or EU law.
Contact
If you have any questions about these Terms, your booking, or our service, please get in touch:
Ready to Set Sail?
Book in minutes. Choose your boat, pick your date, and get ready for the finest sea day Rethymno has to offer. €70 for the first hour, €20 for each extra hour. No license required — captain must be 18+. Need a skipper? Add one for €25/hr.