Mykonos: Catamaran Cruise With Meal and Drinks

Rhenia is the star here. After a hotel pickup and a short ride to Mykonos’s new port, you sail to a quiet cove for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and time in the sun. I like the clear turquoise water and the fact that your meal, drinks, and snorkeling gear are already handled. I also like the smaller feel reported on some sailings, including one boat with only eight guests.

The main consideration is the fixed five-hour schedule. You get a good taste of the islands, not a full day at sea, and towels are not provided. Pickup is advertised for hotels only, so confirm your address before booking. The cruise costs $176 per person, which is fair if you value transport, food, drinks, and sunset views in one package.

Key points to know before you book

• Rhenia’s swimming cove: You get about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, photos, lunch, beer, wine, and free time in clear Aegean water.
• Hotel pickup included: An air-conditioned minivan takes you to the new port and returns you to your hotel afterward.
• A real meal at sea: The crew prepares a traditional lunch onboard, with Greek wine available throughout the cruise.
• Sunset option available: The afternoon departure adds golden evening light and views of Mykonos Town and its windmills.
• Shared or private format: You can choose between a group cruise and a private outing, though the atmosphere and cost will differ.
• Bring your own towel: Towels are not supplied, and you should also pack a jacket for the ride home.

Sailing from Mykonos’s new port

Your day begins with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minivan. The drive to the new port takes about 20 minutes, although the exact pickup time depends on your hotel and the day’s arrangements. You need to provide your hotel name and address, plus each participant’s full name, nationality, age, and passport or ID details because of port rules.

At the port, allow about 15 minutes for the safety briefing and welcome refreshments. This is also when you meet the English-speaking host, skipper, and crew. The audio guide is in English, but this is not a formal lecture-heavy excursion. The focus is sailing, swimming, food, and scenery.

As the catamaran leaves Mykonos, look back toward the island’s white houses. The view gives you a different sense of Mykonos than you get from the crowded lanes of town. The boat moves far enough offshore for the coast to make sense as a whole, while still passing views of Mykonos Town and its famous windmills later in the day.

I like this opening because it removes two common holiday hassles: finding the port and arranging a taxi back. The minivan transfer also gives you a little breathing room before boarding. One important warning: pickup is available from hotels only, and one booking had trouble because the stated pickup arrangement did not match the guest’s hotel. Check the confirmation email carefully and ask ahead if your accommodation is eligible.

What the catamaran day feels like

The boat is described as modern and comfortable, with room to sit, take photos, and enjoy the breeze. Exact capacity can vary, but the experience may feel pleasantly uncrowded. One group of eight had the boat to themselves apart from six other people, while another group of 18 found there was still plenty of room.

That difference matters. A shared cruise gives you a social atmosphere, music, and the chance to meet other people. It also means you cannot control the group’s mood or size. A private trip gives your own party more say in the pace and atmosphere, but the price may be higher. If personal space is a major concern, select the private option rather than assuming every shared departure will be small.

The crew is a big part of the experience. Names associated with different sailings include Antonis, Fanis, Dimitrii, Anesto, and Vog. Their roles can include guiding, serving lunch, navigating, and keeping an eye on swimmers. On some departures, the crew has also offered stand-up paddleboarding in addition to snorkeling and swimming, though that should not be treated as guaranteed unless it is confirmed for your date.

Music and an easygoing onboard mood are part of the appeal. This is not the right trip if you want a silent sailing or a highly detailed archaeological tour. It is better suited to people who want a relaxed day on the water with enough structure to avoid feeling lost.

Rhenia’s cove is the main event

The catamaran reaches nearby Rhenia, where it anchors in a small cove. The water is the reason to book this cruise. It is described as crystal clear and turquoise, making it well suited to swimming, snorkeling, and photographs from the boat.

You have around two hours at the Rhenia stop. That sounds generous, and it is by excursion standards. You can swim first, then snorkel, eat lunch, and return to the water without spending the whole stop watching the clock. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting a mask and fins separately.

The boat remains your base. You are not promised a guided walk across Rhenia or a visit to ruins. The stop is about the water and the quiet setting, not a long shore excursion. If you want archaeology, you would need to arrange a separate Delos tour, since a guided visit to Delos is not included.

Pack a towel. This small omission matters after repeated swims, especially if you choose an afternoon cruise and still have a cool ride back to the port. You should also bring sunscreen, a sun hat, swimwear, and a jacket. The jacket is useful after sunset, when the breeze can feel much cooler than it did at midday.

For children, the age rule is clear: the activity is not suitable for children under three. Pregnant women are also excluded. No additional accessibility details are provided, so you should ask the operator directly if you have mobility concerns or need help boarding.

Lunch, wine, and the practical value of the price

Lunch is prepared by the crew while you swim. The meal is described as traditional and fresh, with enough food to satisfy most people. One assessment called the lunch average, while several other sailings received praise for the meal. That tells me to expect a good, straightforward onboard lunch rather than a polished restaurant meal.

The food is part of the value, but the drinks add even more. Traditional Mykonos wine is available throughout the cruise, with beer and wine listed at the Rhenia stop and an aperitif on the return. One guest found the drink selection could have been broader and wanted the option to bring preferred beverages. If you are particular about what you drink, ask what is included before you go.

At $176 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. It becomes a more reasonable purchase when you add the hotel transfers, five hours on the water, snorkeling equipment, lunch, wine, beer, and the sunset option. You are also paying for the convenience of having the crew handle navigation, anchoring, food preparation, and cleanup.

The value is strongest for a first visit to Mykonos, when you want one organized half-day that covers several experiences. It is weaker if you already have a boat, prefer to bring your own food and drinks, or mainly want an inexpensive swim.

Choosing a morning or sunset departure

The cruise is offered with a sunset option, and timing changes the character of the day. A daytime sailing gives you bright conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and photos. The water may look its clearest under strong daylight, and you have more time to dry off before returning.

The afternoon and sunset version adds a second act. After time at Rhenia, the catamaran heads back toward Mykonos with an aperitif, wine, coastal views, and the chance to watch the sun drop over the horizon. The windmills and Mykonos Town take on warmer light, which makes the return trip feel less like transport and more like part of the outing.

Sunset cruises also bring tradeoffs. You will spend part of the return in lower light, and the sea breeze may feel chilly. Bring the jacket listed in the instructions. If sunset photography matters most to you, choose the later departure. If swimming is your main goal, compare the available start times and choose the option that gives you the most useful daylight.

The exact start time varies, so check availability for your date. The full activity lasts five hours, including the transfer to the port, safety briefing, sailing, Rhenia stop, and return.

What the return sail gives you

The return leg lasts about an hour and a half, including the boat cruise and sightseeing. This is not dead time. You get views back toward Mykonos, with the town and windmills visible from the water, plus wine and, on sunset departures, a golden finish.

The trip ends at the port, followed by hotel drop-off. That final transfer is worth remembering when planning dinner or another evening activity. The cruise is scheduled for five hours, but you should avoid booking something immediately afterward because port timing, sea conditions, and hotel transfers can affect the exact finish.

The boat’s movement can also vary with the day’s conditions. One sailing was described as relaxing despite challenging and refreshing water, while another praised the crew for handling the route well. You should expect the sea to have a natural rhythm, not a perfectly smooth ride. If you are prone to motion sickness, take sensible precautions before boarding.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience to couples, friends, families with older children, and first-time Mykonos visitors who want a simple day on the water. It works particularly well for people who value convenience. Hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, equipment, and return transport remove much of the planning.

It also suits anyone who prefers a social boat outing. Music, a friendly crew, and shared swimming time make it easy to settle into the day. The private option is better for a birthday, small group, or occasion where you want a more personal pace.

You may want another type of excursion if your priority is Delos, serious snorkeling, a long beach stay, or a gourmet meal. This cruise offers a pleasant sample of each, but it does not specialize in any one of them. The snorkeling is a bonus within a broader sailing day, not a technical guided session.

I would also think twice if you dislike alcohol-centered outings. Wine is a major part of the offering, though you are not required to drink. The cruise may be less appealing if you want a quiet, family-focused boat with no emphasis on onboard drinks.

Booking details worth checking

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mykonos plans are still shifting.

Before confirming, provide the requested identity details for every participant and check the pickup email. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, towel, and jacket. Since the tour operates in English, it is best for people comfortable receiving safety instructions and practical information in that language.

The tour provider is Dolphin Navigation. The overall rating is 4.6 from 131 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the crew, clear water, relaxed atmosphere, food, and generous time for swimming. Those are also the parts I would use to judge the booking. The experience succeeds when you want an easy, sociable sea day, not when you expect a formal island tour.

Should you book the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want to combine Rhenia swimming, Greek food, drinks, and sunset scenery without arranging each part yourself. The clear water and two-hour cove stop are the strongest reasons to go, while hotel transfers and included equipment make the $176 price easier to justify.

Choose the private option if you care about space and control. Choose a sunset departure if the return views matter most, and a daylight trip if swimming is your priority. Confirm hotel pickup, pack a towel, and keep your evening schedule loose.

I would skip it if your main goal is Delos, a quiet boat with no music or drinks, or the lowest possible price. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded half-day on the Aegean, with enough time in the water and enough food and scenery to feel like a real Mykonos experience rather than a short harbor cruise.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The activity lasts five hours, including hotel pickup, the ride to the port, the boat trip, the Rhenia stop, and hotel drop-off.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport by air-conditioned minivan are included, but pickup is available from hotels only. Check your email for the exact pickup time.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel transportation, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Are towels provided?

No. You should bring your own towel, along with swimwear, sunscreen, a sun hat, and a jacket.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and you can use it during the swimming stop at Rhenia.

Is a visit to Delos included?

No. A guided tour of Delos is not included in this cruise.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.