Catamaran cruise in Mykonos with Meal, Drinks & Transport

The best part of this Mykonos cruise is the freedom to leave the packed beaches behind and spend the day on the Aegean instead. You sail past the island’s white houses, stop for photos near Delos, then anchor at Rhenia for swimming, snorkeling, and a meal cooked on board.

I like the private group format, which lets your party of up to 15 enjoy the boat without sharing it with a large crowd. I also like the morning or sunset choice, plus the open bar and substantial Greek lunch. The main consideration is wind: rough water can change the route and may prevent a close stop at Delos.

Key points at a glance

• A five-hour private catamaran cruise: Your group of up to 15 has the boat experience to itself.
• Delos from the water: You get a photo stop and a short explanation of the archaeological site, not a full shore visit.
• Rhenia swimming cove: The main swimming stop offers clear water, snorkeling, and time to relax at anchor.
• Fresh Greek food on board: Expect grilled shrimp, spaghetti with red sauce, salad, stuffed vine leaves, kebab, tzatziki, and bread.
• Morning or sunset sailing: The later departure adds views of Little Venice, the windmills, and a Mykonos sunset.
• Hotel transport included: Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels, but not from villas.

Leaving Mykonos behind by catamaran

Mykonos is famous for narrow lanes, white buildings, beach clubs, and crowds. This cruise gives you a different view of the island. From the water, the town becomes a strip of bright houses and windmills, while the pace slows to the movement of the boat.

You leave your hotel in an air-conditioned minivan and go to Mykonos New Port. There, you meet the professional skipper and crew, board the modern sailing catamaran, and choose a comfortable place on deck. The boat then heads across the Aegean, with sea air, open views, and homemade wine or raki available as you sail.

I like this early part of the trip because it is not padded with a long list of formal stops. The point is simply to be on the water. You can sit in the sun, take pictures, listen to the sea, and watch Mykonos recede behind you.

The boat is private for your group, with a maximum of 15 people. That matters if you are traveling with family or friends and want more room to settle into your own day. It also makes the experience easier to shape around swimming, photos, food, and conversation instead of following a rigid sightseeing schedule.

The passage past Baos and toward Delos

The route first follows the northern side of Mykonos and passes the small island of Baos, also known as the pirates island. This is a scenic sailing stretch rather than a major shore excursion, so keep your camera ready and enjoy the changing views from the deck.

The cruise then heads toward Delos, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Cyclades. Delos was a major religious and commercial center in the ancient Aegean, and its ruins cover much of the island. This boat trip does not include entry to the archaeological site or time to walk among the remains.

Instead, the catamaran pauses in front of Delos so you can photograph the site from the water. The hostess gives a short explanation of the island’s past, adding useful context without turning the cruise into a formal history tour.

That distinction is important when you book. If you want to explore Delos on foot, see its monuments close up, and spend time among the ruins, you need a separate Delos visit. Here, Delos is a scenic and educational part of the sailing route, not the main event.

Wind can affect this stop. If the water is rough, the captain may pass by Delos rather than anchor or stop close to the site. You may still hear some history and take photographs, but the stop can be shorter than planned. This is one reason to think of the cruise as a sea outing first and a Delos tour second.

Rhenia, clear water, and time to swim

After Delos, the catamaran sails toward nearby Rhenia. The crew drops anchor in a small cove, where the focus shifts from sightseeing to swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and lunch.

Rhenia is the strongest reason to choose this trip if you want time in the water. The cove is described as having clear, turquoise water, and the boat can provide a pleasant change from Mykonos’s busier shore spots. Several details in the experience make this stop especially appealing: the group can have a quiet anchorage, the sea may be calm enough for people prone to motion sickness, and the boat gives you space to spend as long as conditions allow.

Still, the Aegean is not always gentle. Wind can make the ride choppy, especially on the way out or back. One account describes rough water but also notes that the captain handled the catamaran safely and everyone was able to swim and snorkel. Another describes a calm sea and an easy outing for someone who often gets motion sickness.

You should also set realistic expectations about equipment and help. Snorkeling is part of the plan, but the crew does not necessarily provide a dedicated snorkeling guide. If you want detailed instruction or a guided look at marine life, this may feel limited. If you are happy to swim from the boat at your own pace, the stop should suit you well.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and a wet swimsuit can make the ride home less comfortable. The supplied information does not specify other personal equipment, so you should confirm any special needs before departure rather than assume the boat carries everything you want.

A freshly cooked Greek meal at anchor

Lunch is served while the catamaran is anchored at Rhenia. The menu is generous for a half-day boat trip:

• Grilled shrimp
• Spaghetti with red sauce
• Mixed green salad
• Vine leaves stuffed with rice
• Kebab
• Greek tzatziki
• Bread

This is more than a light sandwich or a few snacks. The meal gives you a proper break during the swimming stop, and it fits the setting well: simple Greek flavors, cold drinks, and lunch with the sea around you.

The food has received some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. The salad, kebabs, and stuffed vine leaves have been singled out as particularly good, while the lunch as a whole has been described as a highlight. That matters because food quality can make or break an all-inclusive sailing trip. Here, the meal appears to be a real part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

Drinks are included, too. You get bottled water, Coca-Cola, orange juice, traditional homemade wine, and raki, a strong homemade drink associated with Crete. Alcohol is best enjoyed carefully, especially if the boat is moving or the water is rough.

The sunset option and Mykonos from the sea

When you book, you can choose a morning cruise or a sunset cruise. The morning departure suits you if swimming, snorkeling, and a midday meal are the main goals. It also leaves the rest of your day open for Mykonos town, a beach, or dinner.

The sunset departure gives the cruise a more relaxed, romantic feel. After the Rhenia stop and meal, the catamaran returns toward Mykonos and passes Little Venice, the windmills, and the old town. These are some of the island’s most recognizable views, and the water offers a broad angle that you cannot get from a crowded street.

If conditions cooperate, the boat pauses for sunset views and photographs. The golden light across the water and white buildings can be the most memorable part of the later sailing. On the other hand, sunset is not a guarantee of calm water or perfect visibility. Wind and weather still control the route and comfort level.

The return past Little Venice is useful even if you choose the morning option. You get a different perspective on Mykonos’s famous waterfront, where the old buildings sit close to the sea and the windmills rise above the town.

Crew, comfort, and what the reviews reveal

The crew is repeatedly described as friendly, accommodating, and careful with the boat. The catamaran is kept clean, and the skippers have handled choppy water well. That combination matters more than polished commentary on a day at sea. A safe captain and an attentive crew make the difference when wind changes the plan.

The experience also works well for families. Teenagers can enjoy the swimming, the open deck, and music through the boat’s speakers, while younger children may appreciate the room to move around compared with a small motorboat. The five-hour length is long enough to feel worthwhile, though some people may wish it lasted longer.

Finding the boat at the port may require attention. The meeting point is at Mykonos New Port, and it has been noted that a five-minute walk to the catamaran can be slightly difficult without someone there to guide you. Since hotel pickup is included, ask clearly where the minivan will leave you and how you will identify the boat or crew.

The transport applies to hotels, not villas. If you are staying in a villa, do not assume the pickup is included. You will need to confirm your own way to the port before booking.

Is $2,161.32 good value for up to 15 people?

The listed price is $2,161.32 per group of up to 15. If you fill every place, that works out to roughly $144 per person before any separate costs you may have for reaching the port from a villa. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly.

The value depends on how you use the private boat. For a full family or friend group, the cost buys a five-hour private sailing experience, hotel transport, crew, food, drinks, swimming time, and a flexible route. Compared with booking separate seats on a crowded boat, privacy can make the higher total price worthwhile.

For two or three people, the price is harder to justify unless having a private catamaran is central to your plans. You are paying for the boat and crew, not simply a transfer to Rhenia. The meal and open bar add value, but the main benefit is the private setting and control over the day.

The current score is 5 out of 5 from 29 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong signal, though the small number of ratings means you should still pay attention to the practical limits: weather, no towels, no villa transport, and no full walking visit to Delos.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend this catamaran to you if you want a break from Mykonos streets and beaches. It is especially well suited to:

• Families with older children or teenagers
• Groups of friends sharing the cost
• Couples choosing the sunset sailing
• People who enjoy swimming and time on the water
• Cruise ship passengers wanting a private change of pace from land tours
• Anyone who prefers a flexible sea day to a tightly scheduled sightseeing trip

You should think twice if Delos is your main reason for booking. You see the archaeological site from the catamaran, but you do not get a shore admission or walking tour. You may also want another option if you dislike choppy water, need a guided snorkeling session, or are staying in a villa and want included transport.

Weather is a genuine part of the decision. The tour can be canceled or rescheduled in poor conditions, with a different date or a full refund offered. If the wind rises during the cruise, the route may change for safety. That is not a flaw in the trip, but it does mean you should keep your schedule flexible.

The cancellation terms are straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and if the provider cancels for that reason, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your ideal Mykonos day includes clear water, a private boat, a good Greek meal, and time away from the crowds. The strongest features are the Rhenia swimming stop, the quality and size of the lunch, the friendly crew, and the choice between daytime and sunset sailing.

Just book it with the right expectations. Delos is viewed from the water, not explored on foot. Wind may make the ride rough or alter the route, snorkeling help is limited, towels are not supplied, and villa pickup is excluded. For a group that can share the cost, those trade-offs are reasonable. For a small party seeking a cheap boat ride, they are not.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, sailing, the Delos photo stop, the Rhenia swimming stop, and the meal.

Can I choose a morning or sunset departure?

Yes. You choose between a morning cruise and a sunset cruise when booking.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. This is a private activity for your group, with up to 15 people participating.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels using an air-conditioned minivan. Transportation from villas is not provided.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The catamaran sails to the archaeological site of Delos and stops in front of it for photographs and a short explanation of its history. Admission to the site and a walking visit are not included.

Where do you swim?

The boat anchors at a small cove near Rhenia, where you can swim and snorkel before or during the onboard meal.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes grilled shrimp, spaghetti with red sauce, mixed green salad, stuffed vine leaves, kebab, tzatziki, and bread. Drinks include homemade wine, raki, Coca-Cola, orange juice, and bottled water.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included, so you should bring your own.