Mykonos Catamaran Private Day Cruise, Full Lunch & Open-bar

Mykonos looks best from the water, and this private catamaran cruise gives you a full half-day of sailing, swimming, and freshly cooked Greek food. I especially like the secluded Rhenia coves and the unusually generous lunch, which can include seafood, calamari, shrimp, chicken, feta dishes, salad, and homemade tzatziki. The open bar and snorkeling gear are useful extras, too.

You’ll start at Ornos Bay, then sail for about an hour before stopping to swim. I also like the private format: only your group joins the boat, so you can travel with family or friends instead of sharing the day with a large crowd. The main drawback is the price, $796.48 per person, which only makes sense if you value privacy, food, and a special occasion.

Key points at a glance

• Two swim stops near Rhenia: Expect clear water, quiet coves, and time for snorkeling from the boat.
• A real cooked lunch: The chef prepares an eight-flavor meal on board, often with fresh seafood and Greek family recipes.
• Private boat for your group: You do not share the catamaran with unrelated passengers.
• Weather changes the route: Wind may send the captain along Mykonos’ south coast instead of toward Rhenia and Delos.
• Ornos Bay is the meeting point: Hotel transfers are optional at extra cost, and beach towels are not provided.
• Strong overall rating: The experience is rated 4.9 out of 5, with 96 percent of participants recommending it.

Why this cruise works so well in Mykonos

Mykonos can feel crowded on land, especially around the famous beaches and town streets. A catamaran lets you leave the traffic behind and see the island from a calmer angle. For five hours, your main view is open Aegean water, white shorelines, and low, rocky islands rather than restaurants and beach clubs.

The private setup matters. If you are traveling with a family, a birthday group, or a few couples, you can settle into your own rhythm. You can swim when you want, eat without rushing, and enjoy the shade or sun without negotiating space with strangers.

The experience also has a pleasing balance. This is not only a scenic boat ride. You get sailing time, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a little local background about the islands. The crew names vary by departure, but Captain Paris, George, Michael, Argus, Nadav, Kyrlos, and others have been praised for warm service and careful handling of the boat.

Starting at Ornos Bay with a tender ride

The meeting point is on an unnamed road in Ornos, at Ornos Bay. Your hostess welcomes you at the dock, and the captain collects you with a tender boat. That short transfer takes you from the beach area out to the catamaran.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing. The sails then go up for about an hour of smooth sailing across the Aegean. You will feel the boat move under sail rather than simply motor along, though the exact amount of sailing depends on the wind and sea conditions.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard price. You can request a transfer, but you should confirm the cost and timing before booking. If you are arriving from a cruise ship or staying outside Ornos, build in enough time to reach the bay. The company has handled cruise ship schedules for some groups, but you should still communicate your arrival details early.

Rhenia’s quiet coves and the swimming stops

The first planned swim stop is in an unspoiled cove near Rhenia. The appeal is simple: clear water, a quiet shore, and fewer signs of the busy Mykonos beach scene. You can swim from the boat and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

A second cove follows. The boat anchors in another area with clear water, and this is where lunch is served. The exact swimming time depends on the weather, the captain’s judgment, and how the group wants to use the five hours. You should not expect a long shore excursion. The information provided describes swimming and snorkeling from the catamaran, not a guaranteed walk on Rhenia.

The water may be cool, especially early or late in the season. Wind can also make the sea choppy. One group found the conditions breezy and the water cold, but still enjoyed the scenery and swimming. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a light layer for the ride back. Bring your own beach towel, since towels are not supplied.

The waters around Delos are part of the appeal of this outing, but the stated program does not promise a land visit or guided tour of the archaeological site. If walking through Delos is a priority, choose a dedicated Delos excursion instead. This cruise is built around sailing, coves, food, and time in the water.

The wind plan along Mykonos’ south coast

Mykonos is famous for strong winds. That can be a nuisance for beach plans, but it is also one reason the captain may change the route. If the sea is too windy for the planned crossing, the boat can follow the south coast of Mykonos and stop at famous beaches and a sheltered cove.

This alternative is not a failure or a shortened trip. It is the company’s standard way to keep the outing comfortable and safe. You may see more of Mykonos’ beach-lined coast instead of sailing toward Rhenia. The trade-off is that you could spend more time anchored in a protected cove and less time making a long open-water crossing.

The route change deserves honest attention. One unhappy participant felt the alternative plan meant sitting in a cove for too long. Another group enjoyed the same type of south-coast route and considered it an excellent way to see Mykonos from the water. Your experience will depend heavily on wind, expectations, and how much you enjoy relaxing on a boat.

If you want a flexible day rather than a fixed sightseeing checklist, this works in your favor. If you want guaranteed destinations and a firm schedule, the weather-based route may frustrate you.

Why the lunch is a major part of the value

The food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. The chef prepares an eight-flavor lunch on board, including fresh seafood. The meal can include Greek salad, feta dishes, calamari, shrimp, chicken, and other Mediterranean plates. Homemade tzatziki, including a recipe connected with the chef’s family, has also been part of the meal.

This is not a sandwich-and-chips boat trip. The food is presented as a generous spread, and several groups called it one of their best meals in Greece. That matters when you compare the price with a basic sailing charter. You are paying for a cook, ingredients, preparation, and service as well as the boat.

Lunch is served during the second cove stop. You can eat with the sea around you, then return to swimming afterward. If outdoor dining matters to you, tell the crew early. One group had to request that the outside table be opened, while most other accounts describe a comfortable and well-prepared meal.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. You also receive a welcome Prosecco. Red wine and spirits are not listed, so do not assume they are available. WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker are included, which can be handy for a private group that wants background music.

The boat, crew, and service style

The catamaran has been described as spacious, clean, comfortable, and well maintained. There is room to sit in the sun or seek shade, though the precise layout depends on the boat assigned to your group. Boats named in the descriptions include Supernova and Kymo.

Crew service appears to be the biggest variable. Many groups found the captains and cooks friendly, funny, attentive, and careful around swimmers. Paris and George receive especially warm praise, as do Captain Michael and several other crew combinations. For birthdays and family occasions, the crew has helped create a festive day, including arranging a birthday cake on one reported sunset cruise.

Still, you should not expect the same service style from every crew. One group felt neglected, had to get its own drinks, and found the staff too eager to clean up lunch before the cruise had ended. That is a useful warning. The crew may be warm and engaged, but the level of personal attention can vary.

The private format gives you a chance to speak up. Tell the crew if you want the outside table, more time in the water, a quieter ride, or help with drinks. Clear requests are more useful than hoping the staff will guess your preferences.

What the five hours really include

Five hours sounds generous, but the time passes quickly. A typical day includes:

• Welcome and tender transfer from Ornos Bay
• Safety briefing
• About one hour of sailing
• First cove for swimming and snorkeling
• Sailing to a second cove
• Freshly prepared lunch and open bar
• Another swim
• Sail back to Ornos Bay

The exact balance changes with the wind and with your group. The boat may spend more time in a sheltered cove if the sea is rough. You should think of this as a relaxed half-day on the water, not a tightly timed sightseeing tour.

That makes it a good choice for your last day in Mykonos, when you want a memorable finish without exhausting yourself. It also suits a birthday, anniversary, family reunion, or small group of friends. Teenagers have plenty to do with swimming and snorkeling, while older family members can stay aboard and enjoy the meal and scenery.

Is $796.48 per person fair?

This is an expensive activity. At $796.48 per person, it is far above a shared boat ride or a basic beach cruise. The price becomes easier to justify when you divide it among a private group and consider what is included: a catamaran, captain, crew, two swim stops, snorkeling equipment, a cooked seafood lunch, open bar, WiFi, and private use of the boat.

It is especially good value for a larger group that would otherwise book several tables, taxis, and separate activities. A group of six to thirteen people can turn the day into a shared celebration. For one or two people, the price is much harder to defend unless privacy and a luxury-style outing are central to your plans.

You should also budget for transportation to Ornos Bay and crew gratuities. Beach towels are not included. The child rate applies only when sharing with four paying adults, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The experience has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 84 ratings, and 96 percent of participants recommend it. Those numbers suggest a strong level of satisfaction, but they should not hide the price or the weather risks. This is a premium private charter, not a bargain excursion.

Who should book this private catamaran

I would point this toward you if you want:

• A private day for family or friends
• Swimming in quiet coves rather than crowded beaches
• A full Greek lunch instead of simple boat snacks
• A celebration with a flexible, personal feel
• A mix of sailing, food, music, and swimming
• A way to see the Mykonos coast without spending the day in town

I would hesitate if you dislike wind, boat movement, or cool water. I would also choose another activity if you mainly want archaeological sightseeing at Delos, since a shore visit is not clearly promised here.

You should be comfortable with plans changing. The captain may choose the south coast route for safety, and the sea may limit swimming time. For most people, that flexibility is part of a responsible boat day. For anyone expecting a fixed route, it is the main caution.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. You need to provide each participant’s passport number, full name, year of birth, and country at booking, so have that information ready.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cruise requires good weather, and if poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. Since this is a private tour, only your own group joins the boat. Ask about the exact boat, pickup, food needs, and route before departure if those details matter to you.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a special Mykonos day built around private sailing, clear water, and excellent food. The freshly cooked lunch is a real strength, and the private boat makes the outing feel personal rather than mass-produced.

Skip it if the price feels uncomfortable, if you need a guaranteed Delos shore visit, or if you would be disappointed by a wind-related route change. For a birthday, family day, or final afternoon in Mykonos, I think the combination of secluded coves, open bar, and a proper Greek meal can justify the cost, provided you understand that the sea sets the schedule.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours, including the tender transfer, sailing, swimming stops, lunch, and return to Ornos Bay.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at Ornos Bay in Mykonos and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price. Transfers to Ornos Bay may be available separately.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes an eight-flavor lunch prepared fresh on board by the chef, including fresh seafood.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. A welcome Prosecco is also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Beach towels are not provided, so you should bring your own.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If it is windy but safe to sail, the captain may use a south-coast Mykonos route instead of sailing toward Rhenia.