Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch

The best part of this Mykonos outing is the freedom to shape the day around the sea. You can choose among Ornos, Platys Gialos, Super Paradise, Elia, Agrari, and other southern beaches instead of following a fixed public-boat schedule. Private sailing for up to 10 people makes this a good fit for a family or small group that wants time in the water rather than a crowded deck.

I like the included lunch and drinks, which make the six-hour outing feel like a full day on the water rather than a simple transfer between beaches. I also like the personal touch from Basil and Captain Avengelo: Basil prepares the meal, while Avengelo has even spent serious time snorkeling to recover a child’s lost sunglasses. Bring your own towels, though, since they are not supplied.

At a glance: what makes this cruise useful

• Choose your beaches: The private format lets you focus on Ornos, Platys Gialos, Super Paradise, Elia, Agrari, or other southern spots.
• Lunch is part of the day: Beer, wine, hot drinks, and a meal are included, so you do not need to plan a separate beach lunch.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: You can explore the water without packing your own mask and equipment.
• A small group has room to move: The boat is reserved for your party, with space for up to 10 people.
• Water time comes first: Swimming is central, and a SUP is available when weather conditions permit.
• Pickup can be arranged: Hotel pickup and drop-off are available on request, while the standard meeting point is Mathios Tavern.

A private way to see Mykonos from the water

Mykonos is famous for beach clubs, sunbeds, and crowded roads leading to the coast. A private sailing cruise gives you another view of the island. From the boat, the southern beaches become a series of swimming stops, and you can decide how long to linger rather than rushing ashore for a short visit.

The cruise lasts about six hours and starts at 9:00 a.m. That early departure matters. It gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water, and it places the outing before the hottest part of the day. You meet at Mathios Tavern in Mykonos, or request hotel pickup and drop-off in advance.

Your group has the boat to itself, with a maximum of 10 people. That arrangement suits families, couples traveling together, and friend groups who want to share the cost. It also gives you more say over the rhythm of the day. You can spend an hour at one beach, swim off the boat, or move on when a spot feels too busy.

This is not a formal sightseeing tour packed with historical commentary. Its appeal is simple: sea air, swimming, beach views, lunch, and the ability to avoid some of Mykonos’ busiest public beach traffic.

What your €1,628.99 group price really covers

The listed price is $1,628.99 per group of up to 10 people. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $163 per person. For a smaller party, the individual cost rises quickly, so the value improves when you fill most of the available places.

That price includes a fully licensed English-speaking skipper, fuel, lunch, beer, wine, hot drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a SUP when weather permits. You are paying for a private boat and crew, not just a seat on a shared beach shuttle.

I see the strongest value in the combination of privacy and included food. A public cruise may cost less per person, but it will not give your group the same control over the stops. You also avoid having to buy lunch and drinks during the day, though you should still confirm any special food needs before booking because the available information does not specify menu choices.

The value is less convincing for one or two people. For a full family or friend group, the fixed group price is easier to justify, especially if you want one relaxed sea day without coordinating separate transport, beach chairs, lunch, and snorkeling rentals.

Ornos: an easy first beach stop

Ornos is known for shallow water and a family-friendly feel. It is also one of Mykonos’ most popular and fashionable beaches, so do not expect total quiet here. The cruise itinerary allows about an hour at each listed stop, giving you time for a swim and a look around without making Ornos the whole day.

I would see Ornos as a gentle opening stop. Families with children may appreciate the shallower water, while adults may enjoy the convenience and polished beach setting. The tradeoff is crowds. If your main goal is a remote-feeling swim, Ornos may not be your favorite stop, and the private format gives you a chance to request more time elsewhere.

Because the route is customizable, Ornos is an option rather than a promise that you must spend exactly an hour there. Discuss your priorities with the skipper at the start. If your group includes mixed ages, its easy water access may be worth keeping on the plan.

Platys Gialos: shallow water and beach activity

Platys Gialos is another accessible southern beach, with shallow, clear water suited to swimming and water sports. It offers a different mood from a quiet anchorage because the beach is a known base for activity.

This stop works well if your group wants an uncomplicated swim. The water depth makes it approachable for less confident swimmers, while the open setting gives everyone a chance to get in and cool off.

The downside is that popularity can bring more people and more organized beach activity. If you are hoping to spend the entire day alone with the sea, Platys Gialos may feel busier than the boat itself. I like having it as one stop among several, rather than as the sole destination.

Super Paradise: Mykonos’ famous beach

Super Paradise is described as Mykonos’ most famous beach, and its name tells you what to expect: this is a headline stop, not a secret cove. It is a useful choice for people who want to see one of the island’s best-known beaches from the water and perhaps swim nearby.

The benefit of including Super Paradise is variety. Your day is not limited to quiet swimming spots; you also get a feel for the beach culture that made Mykonos famous. It can be the right pick for a first visit when you want recognizable places as well as time at sea.

Fame also means less solitude. If your group is looking for calm, ask how much time to spend here and balance it with a quieter stop. The private arrangement is most useful when you treat the listed beaches as a menu, not a rigid checklist.

Elia: Mykonos’ largest beach

Elia is the largest beach on Mykonos and one of the island’s most attractive. Much of its sand is covered with umbrellas and sunbeds, though a smaller section remains available for people who prefer to sit directly on the sand.

Elia gives you a broad beach setting and a good chance to compare Mykonos’ organized shore life with swimming from the boat. An hour is enough to step onto the beach, swim, and take in the scene, but it may feel brief if you want a long, lazy stay onshore.

The umbrellas and sunbeds are worth noting. This is not a bare, untouched beach. If you want a simple towel-on-sand stop, look for the sunbed-free area or spend more of your day swimming away from shore. Since beach towels are not included, bring one from your accommodation.

Agrari and the value of choosing your own route

Agrari is among the other southern beaches you may be able to include. The key point is that the cruise is not limited to the four named stops. You can talk through the route with the skipper and build a day around swimming, beach access, or avoiding the busiest places.

The exact order and final choice depend on the day’s conditions and your group’s wishes. That flexibility is more valuable than it first sounds. Mykonos can feel very different from one beach to another, and a private boat lets you adjust instead of committing to a route that does not suit your group.

I would decide in advance what matters most: shallow water, a famous beach, a quieter anchorage, time on sand, or longer swimming stops. You may not fit every possible beach into six hours, especially if you want lunch and unhurried time in the water.

Lunch with Basil, plus drinks on board

Lunch is included, and Basil prepares the food. That removes one of the day’s small but annoying problems: deciding where to eat while wet, sandy, or far from your accommodation.

Beer and wine are included along with hot drinks. This gives the cruise a relaxed, meal-centered rhythm. Still, use sensible judgment with alcohol around the water, particularly if children are swimming or your group plans to use the SUP.

One especially personal detail is the care shown by the crew when a child lost sunglasses in the water. Captain Avengelo spent about an hour snorkeling to find them and eventually recovered them. That story suggests a crew willing to help beyond the bare minimum, though it is not a promise that every lost item can be retrieved.

Basil also acts as a host and guide during the day. You can expect an English-speaking crew, but the supplied details do not promise a formal lecture or a set menu. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask before you go.

Snorkeling and SUP: pack for water time

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. That is useful for casual swimmers who want to look below the surface without buying or renting equipment separately.

The cruise also includes a SUP, weather permitting. It gives your group another way to use the water when you want a break from swimming. Since availability depends on conditions, do not treat it as guaranteed.

Pack swimming clothes, sunscreen, and towels. Towels are specifically not included, and sunscreen is your responsibility. A waterproof pouch for phones and valuables would also be sensible, though it is not part of the supplied equipment list.

The boat is the main base for the day, so comfort matters. You will be moving between beaches, swimming, and eating on board. Bring only what you need, and keep personal items secure.

Timing, pickup, and weather rules

The meeting point is Mathios Tavern, with a 9:00 a.m. start. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available on request, so arrange that ahead of time rather than assuming it is automatic. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

The cruise is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The provided information does not give detailed access specifications for the boat, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask Set Sail Mykonos for practical details before paying.

Weather matters. This is a sailing and swimming day, so poor conditions can lead to cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. That deadline follows local Mykonos time.

Who should book this private Mykonos cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of four to 10 people that values privacy and wants a flexible day on the water. Families can choose beaches with shallow swimming, while friends can focus on snorkeling, drinks, and beach variety.

It also suits people who dislike crowded public boat tours. You still visit popular beaches, but you have a private setting and more control over how long you stay. The crew’s personal attention is another advantage, particularly for families who want help with swimming gear, food, or small problems at sea.

I would hesitate if you want a full sightseeing program, a historic tour of Mykonos, or a very low-cost outing for one or two people. The price is designed for a private group, and the focus is leisure rather than monuments or detailed island history.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your ideal Mykonos day means swimming, several southern beaches, a prepared lunch, and the freedom to change plans. The strongest reasons are the private boat, included drinks and snorkeling gear, and the chance to spend the day with a crew that includes Basil and Captain Avengelo.

The main cautions are the fixed group price, the chance of crowded beaches at Ornos, Platys Gialos, Super Paradise, and Elia, and the need to bring your own towels. Fill the boat with people you enjoy, confirm pickup and any food needs, and ask for a route that balances famous beaches with quieter water time.

FAQ

How long does the private sailing cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and begins at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at Mathios Tavern in Mykonos and ends back at the meeting point.

Can hotel pickup and drop-off be arranged?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available upon request.

Which beaches can the cruise visit?

Possible stops include Ornos, Platys Gialos, Super Paradise, Elia, and Agrari. The private format allows you to choose your beaches.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, beer, wine, and hot drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. A SUP is also available when weather permits.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.