5 Hour Private Day or Sunset Cruise in Large & Majestic Catamaran

The best part of this Mykonos cruise is the combination of open water, quiet coves, and a chef cooking aboard a large private catamaran. You start at Ornos Bay, ride out by tender, then spend about five hours sailing, swimming, eating, and watching the Aegean change color.

I especially like the fresh seafood meal prepared on board and the freedom to use SUPs, snorkeling equipment, and sea scooters. The sunset option adds a fine final touch, with the return ride timed for twilight. The main drawback is the price: at $1,052.80 per person, this is a serious splurge, not a casual half-day outing.

Key points to know

• Rinia Island is the main prize: When wind and sea conditions cooperate, you sail to an unspoiled cove on Rinia for swimming and sun.
• The food is a real part of the experience: A chef prepares a seven to eight flavor meal during the cruise, with fresh seafood and options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners.
• The tour is fully private: Only your group takes part, so the pace and atmosphere are more personal than on a shared boat.
• Captain Mike sets the tone: He explains the route and local background, while the crew handles the sailing and service.
• Wind can change the plan: If Rinia is too exposed, the boat follows Mykonos’ south coast and stops at a sheltered cove.
• The sunset departure costs you no extra time: You still get about five hours, but the return includes twilight views from the water.

Leaving Ornos Bay by tender boat

Your meeting point is at Ornos Bay, at Mykonos Catamaran, near the listed location C8CG+P3 in Ornos. The hostess welcomes you at the dock, but your catamaran does not pick you up directly from shore. Instead, your captain comes in a tender boat and carries your group out to the main vessel.

That small transfer is worth noting when you plan your day. You need to arrive at the stated meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity also ends back at the same meeting point, so you can arrange dinner, a taxi, or another Mykonos plan from Ornos afterward.

Once aboard, the crew gives a traditional safety briefing. This is practical rather than decorative. You are heading into open Aegean water, and the crew needs everyone to understand how to move around the boat and use the equipment.

Captain Mike has been specifically praised for explaining the route, the timing, and the background of the places you pass. That makes a difference on a private cruise. You are not just handed a drink and pointed toward the horizon. You get a sense of where you are going and why the captain may adjust the plan.

One smooth hour under sail

After the briefing, the crew hoists the sails for roughly an hour of sailing. The appeal here is the quiet rhythm of a catamaran under sail. You get the sound of the water, the broad view across the Aegean, and the pleasant feeling of moving without the constant noise of a motor.

The word smooth matters for a catamaran. Its wide design gives you room to spread out and can make the ride feel steady, although no boat trip is entirely free of motion. If you are sensitive to seasickness, sit where the crew suggests and keep the open-water conditions in mind.

The sailing section is also the first chance to settle into the private format. You can talk with your own group, listen to music through the Bluetooth speakers, or simply sit with a welcome Prosecco in hand. WiFi is included as well, though the strongest reason to bring a phone is probably the view rather than the connection.

This part of the cruise is less about reaching a landmark and more about the feel of the sea. You are given time to enjoy the boat before the swimming and meal stops begin.

Rinia Island when the wind allows

The planned destination is Rinia Island, where the crew looks for an unspoiled cove. This is the most appealing stop for anyone hoping to get away from Mykonos’ famous beach crowds.

At the cove, you can soak up the sun, swim in clear water, and use the included water gear. Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and sea scooters are provided. The data does not specify how long you remain at each activity, so expect the captain to shape the stop around the weather, sea conditions, and your group’s pace.

Rinia offers a different feel from a beach club. You are not arriving for rows of loungers, music, or a busy shorefront. The attraction is open water, a protected swimming area, and time spent outdoors. Bring a willingness to get wet and move around. Beach towels are not included, so you need to pack your own.

There is one important condition: Rinia is available only when the wind and sea are suitable. This is not a minor footnote. In the Cyclades, wind can shape the entire day, and a captain who changes course is making a safety decision, not cutting corners.

The south-coast alternative on windy days

If Rinia cannot be reached, the cruise usually follows the south coast of Mykonos. The alternative route visits well-known beaches and includes a stop at a protected cove away from the crowds.

This route gives you a different kind of Mykonos view. Instead of crossing toward a quieter island, you see the famous beach side of Mykonos from the water. You may recognize the beaches, but the boat provides a new angle and a chance to swim in a calmer place.

I would not treat this backup plan as a failed version of the cruise. It is simply less remote than Rinia. The advantage is flexibility. You still sail, stop for swimming, use the water toys, eat on board, and enjoy the open bar. The captain can choose a safer cove rather than forcing a fixed itinerary in rough conditions.

The route is at the captain’s discretion when wind and sea conditions are poor. That means the exact beaches and timing are not guaranteed. If you need a fixed schedule and named stops, this may frustrate you. If you prefer a safe day on the water, the flexibility is useful.

A seven to eight flavor meal made at sea

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise at its price. The chef prepares a seven to eight flavor meal on board, using fresh ingredients and including fresh seafood. This is not described as a simple sandwich lunch or a tray of snacks. The meal is intended to be part of the main experience.

The kitchen works while you sail and swim, which adds a pleasant sense of occasion. You get a meal connected to the sea around you, rather than leaving the boat to eat at a restaurant. The exact dishes are not specified, so do not book expecting a particular fish or recipe.

Dietary needs can be handled. The menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free courses. You should still state your needs at the start of the cruise when the captain asks, so the cook can prepare accordingly.

Captain Mike and the crew received especially strong praise for their warmth and hospitality, and the food was described as first class. The catamaran was also described as beautiful and immaculate. Those details matter because a meal at sea depends on more than the menu. Clean surroundings, good timing, and an attentive crew help turn lunch into a memorable part of the day.

Open bar, music, and water toys

The included open bar covers unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. The welcome drink is Prosecco. There is no mention of spirits or cocktails, so do not assume they are part of the package.

The drink selection suits a long sailing day. You can have wine with the meal, beer after swimming, or water throughout the trip. Since the sun and sea can wear you out, bottled water is particularly useful.

The water equipment adds value for an active group. You can use snorkeling gear, SUPs, and sea scooters without arranging separate rentals. The description does not promise a guide for snorkeling or a particular number of scooters, so expect shared use within your private group rather than a formal watersports lesson.

Bluetooth speakers are included, giving your group control over the mood. Keep in mind that the boat remains a shared space within your own party. If you want a peaceful cruise, use the music lightly. If you are celebrating, the speakers help make the catamaran feel like your own floating base.

Choosing the daytime cruise or sunset departure

Both options last about five hours. The daytime version gives you bright water and strong sun for swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. It is the clearest choice if water time is your priority.

The sunset departure builds the evening into the trip. After the swimming and meal, you return across the sea as the light softens. The twilight portion is described as romantic, making it a good fit for couples or a special celebration.

Sunset also changes the practical feel of the cruise. You may spend part of the outing in full heat and finish in cooler light. The tour does not state the exact departure hour, so check the available start time when booking. The sunset option is best chosen for the atmosphere, not because it includes a longer route or extra services.

What the $1,052.80 price really buys

At $1,052.80 per person, this is one of the more expensive ways to spend five hours around Mykonos. The price is easier to understand when you consider what is bundled: a private catamaran, captain and crew, a chef-prepared meal, fresh seafood, Prosecco, unlimited listed drinks, water equipment, WiFi, and music.

The private format is the key point. You are not paying only for transportation to a cove. You are paying for the boat to belong to your group, with the crew adapting the route to the weather and your party enjoying the meal and equipment without a public excursion crowd.

Still, value depends heavily on group size and priorities. For a couple, the price is a major luxury purchase. For a larger family or celebration group, the cost may feel more reasonable when spread across the people sharing the private boat, though the listed price is per person.

I would book this only if the boat day itself is a major highlight of your Mykonos visit. If you mainly want a quick swim or a cheap way to see the coast, there are less costly choices. If you want privacy, food, service, and time on the water in one package, the high price has a clear purpose.

Practical details before you commit

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking and is subject to availability. At booking, you must provide each participant’s passport number, full name, year of birth, and country.

This is a private activity, and most people can participate. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Ornos Bay. Bring a beach towel, since one is not supplied.

Weather is central to the experience. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

The captain may alter the itinerary for safety. That means the trip is best for someone who values a good day on the water more than a guaranteed visit to one exact island.

Who should book this Mykonos catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to couples marking a special occasion, families who want their own space, and groups who care about food as much as swimming. It also suits people who prefer a polished boat day with service rather than arranging a boat, lunch, drinks, and watersports separately.

The trip is less suitable if you are watching your budget, dislike open-water motion, or need a firm list of stops. It may also be more than you need if your main goal is simply to see Mykonos beaches from the shore.

For the best fit, choose the daytime trip for maximum light and water activity. Choose the sunset trip if the final return across the sea matters most. Either way, pack a towel, share all dietary needs early, arrive at Ornos Bay on time, and leave room in your plan for wind to change the route.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a private, food-focused day at sea and are comfortable paying a luxury price for it. The strongest features are the spacious catamaran, fresh seafood meal, attentive crew led by Captain Mike, included water toys, and the chance to reach Rinia when conditions allow.

Skip it if $1,052.80 per person feels hard to justify or if you need a guaranteed island itinerary. The most honest way to view this experience is as a complete private celebration on the Aegean, not as a simple boat transfer. For the right group, that distinction makes the cost worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at Mykonos Catamaran in Ornos Bay, at the listed location C8CG+P3, Ornos 846 00, Greece.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise ends back at the meeting point in Ornos Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Is the cruise private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

What happens if the weather is too windy for Rinia Island?

The captain may change the route. The alternative commonly follows the south coast of Mykonos, visiting famous beaches and a protected cove.

Is food included?

Yes. A chef prepares a seven to eight flavor meal on board, with fresh ingredients and fresh seafood included.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes. The menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free courses. Tell the captain about your needs at the start of the cruise.

What drinks are included?

The cruise includes a welcome Prosecco and unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water.

Are water activities included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a SUP, and sea scooters are included. Beach towels are not provided.

What information is needed when booking?

You must provide the passport number, full name, year of birth, and country for every participant.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.