Catamaran cruise in Mykonos with Meal, Drinks & Transport

Mykonos is much easier to appreciate from the water, where the white houses, windmills, and crowded shoreline become part of a wider Aegean view. This private catamaran cruise gives you five hours to sail toward Delos and Rhenia, swim in a clear cove, and enjoy a freshly prepared Greek meal on board.

I like the flexible route and the fact that the whole boat is reserved for your group, up to 15 people. I also like the easy package: hotel pickup, lunch or dinner, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. The main caution is wind. Rough seas can change the route, prevent a safe stop at Delos, or make the ride uncomfortable for anyone prone to motion sickness.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 15 people: A good setup for families and groups who want their own space and music.
• Delos viewed from the sea: You stop near the archaeological site for photographs and a short explanation, but this is not a shore visit.
• Rhenia is the main swimming stop: The catamaran anchors in a small cove with clear turquoise water.
• Greek food is cooked on board: Expect grilled shrimp, spaghetti with red sauce, salad, stuffed vine leaves, kebab, tzatziki, and bread.
• Morning or sunset timing: The sunset option adds views of Little Venice, the windmills, and the sun going down over Mykonos.
• Weather matters: Strong wind can make the crossing choppy and may require a changed route or date.

Why the Mykonos shoreline looks better from a catamaran

A boat gives you a useful break from Mykonos town. Instead of squeezing through narrow streets or searching for a beach chair, you can settle on deck and watch the island recede. The small white houses look especially neat from the water, and the pace is slow enough for photographs without turning the trip into a hurried sightseeing run.

The route begins with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned minivan. From there, you go to Mykonos New Port, meet the skipper and crew, and board a modern sailing catamaran. The entire outing lasts about five hours, including transport, sailing, swimming, the meal, and the return to port.

Because this is a private activity, you can enjoy it with your own group rather than sharing the boat with a large crowd. That matters most if you are traveling with children, want a quieter afternoon, or simply prefer not to make small talk with strangers for five hours. The crew has also allowed teenagers to play music through the speakers, subject to the practical limits of being on a boat.

The first sail past Baos and toward Delos

Once the catamaran leaves the port, the first part is about settling into the rhythm of the sea. You can sit back, take in the breeze, and photograph Mykonos from an angle that is impossible from land. The boat passes the small island of Baos, also called the pirates island, before continuing toward Delos.

The crew serves homemade wine and raki, a traditional drink associated with Crete. Soft drinks, orange juice, and bottled water are also included. If you do not drink alcohol, you will still have something available, but anyone choosing the wine or raki should remember that the boat ride and sun can make alcohol feel stronger than expected.

The boat does not take you ashore at Delos. Instead, it stops in front of the archaeological site so you can photograph it from the catamaran while the hostess explains some of the island’s history. This is a useful compromise if your priority is time on the water, but it is important to set expectations. You will not walk among the ruins, visit the museum, or spend time exploring the site on land.

Delos is one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades, so even a view from the sea adds context to the route. Still, if seeing the ruins up close is your main goal, you need a separate shore excursion. This cruise treats Delos as a scenic and historical waypoint, not as the central visit.

Rhenia gives the trip its best pause

After Delos, the catamaran continues to nearby Rhenia. Here, the crew drops anchor in a small cove with clear turquoise water. This is the point where the cruise changes from sightseeing to proper relaxation.

You can swim and snorkel directly from the boat, then return to the deck for lunch. Bring your own towel, since towels are not included. The swimming stop depends on sea and wind conditions, so it may be shortened or moved if the water becomes rough.

The setting can feel wonderfully private when the boat reaches a quiet cove. You have no fixed beach schedule and no need to rush back to a bus. You can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the open space at your own pace. Families with teenagers may find this especially appealing, since the swimming and music give younger passengers something to do beyond looking at scenery.

There is one practical catch: the Aegean can be rough. On windy days, the ride out and back may be choppy even if the cove itself is calm. The skipper may decide not to stop at Delos or may alter the route for safety. One reported outing passed Delos and included its history from the boat, but used Rhenia as the only swimming stop because conditions made the original plan unsafe.

That is not a failure of the cruise. It is simply part of sailing around Mykonos. The schedule has room for a route change, but not every stop can be guaranteed in every kind of weather.

A freshly cooked Greek meal on board

The food is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Lunch includes grilled shrimp, spaghetti with red sauce, mixed green salad, vine leaves stuffed with rice, kebab, Greek tzatziki sauce, and bread. The menu gives you a broad taste of familiar Greek dishes rather than a single snack or sandwich.

The meal is served after the boat anchors, which makes practical sense. You can swim first, dry off, and then sit down while the catamaran remains in the cove. Reviews specifically praise the salad, kebabs, and stuffed vine leaves, with one meal described as among the best grape leaves the diner had eaten. Chicken and lamb kebab were also served on at least one outing.

Do not expect a restaurant dining room. You are eating on a moving vessel, and the wind may affect how comfortable the meal feels. On calm days, that is part of the charm. On rougher days, you may prefer to eat slowly and keep one hand free. The crew’s effort to cook a full meal on board makes this feel more substantial than a standard boat trip with a box lunch.

Wine, raki, Coca-Cola, orange juice, and water are included. The open bar is convenient, but it is wise to pace yourself, especially in direct sun.

The afternoon route back to Little Venice

After the swimming stop and meal, the catamaran heads back toward Mykonos. The return route passes the famous windmills and Little Venice, giving you some of the island’s most recognizable views from the water.

Little Venice is attractive from shore, but the boat provides a different perspective. You can photograph the old town, the windmills, and the waterfront without standing in a crowded lane. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches the area, since the best angle may not last long.

For the sunset departure, this final section becomes the visual high point. The golden light softens the white buildings and makes the windmills especially photogenic. The exact sunset experience depends on the time of year and the day’s cloud and wind conditions, but the afternoon option is the better choice if you want warm evening light rather than a morning start.

A sunset trip also changes the feel of the meal. Dinner on board followed by the return past Little Venice can make the cruise feel like a special occasion. A morning departure is better if swimming time and bright water matter more to you.

How the private price works out

The listed price is $2,161.32 per group of up to 15 people. That is a large total if you are only two or three people, but the calculation changes with a full group. Split among 15 people, the cost is roughly $144 per person before considering the included transport, food, drinks, crew, and private boat.

For a couple, this is a premium outing. You are paying for privacy, not just transportation to a swimming spot. For a family or group of friends, the value is easier to see because the fixed price can be divided among everyone. The included meal and drinks also remove several extra costs that can add up during a long day on the island.

The private format is most valuable if you care about having the boat to yourselves, want to set a relaxed pace, or are traveling with children. If you simply want a low-cost swim from a shared boat, this is probably more than you need.

The experience is often booked about 77 days ahead, so early planning is sensible, particularly for a group seeking a specific morning or sunset departure. The booking confirmation is issued at the time of reservation.

Pickup, port details, and what to bring

Hotel pickup is included, using an air-conditioned minivan. Transportation is not provided from villas, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point if you are staying in one. Confirm the pickup details carefully before the day of departure.

The boat leaves from Mykonos New Port. One practical weakness is that finding the catamaran at the port can be slightly confusing. The walk to the boat may take only about five minutes, but a meeting person at the port would make the start easier. Allow extra time rather than arriving at the last minute.

Bring:

• A towel
• Swimwear
• Sun protection
• A phone or camera
• Clothing suitable for wind
• Any personal motion sickness treatment you normally use

The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. Since the experience depends on sea conditions, a flexible attitude helps. If the wind rises, the crew may change the route, delay the trip, or cancel for safety.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This is a strong choice for families, couples celebrating a special occasion, and groups of friends who want a private day on the Aegean. It works particularly well for people who have already seen Mykonos town and want a quieter change of pace.

You will get the most from it if swimming, food, and scenery matter more to you than detailed archaeology. The Delos stop is brief and viewed from the boat, so anyone wanting extensive ruins should choose a dedicated Delos visit instead.

The cruise also suits people who normally get motion sickness, but only when the sea is calm. One outing had smooth water and was comfortable for someone who regularly feels sick on boats. On another day, wind made the ride choppy even though the skipper handled the catamaran safely. Conditions are the deciding factor.

The activity is not ideal if you need a guaranteed itinerary, dislike wind, or want a long beach stop on land. It is also less attractive for a very small party if the group price stretches your budget.

Cancellation and weather considerations

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met, although this is a private activity for your own group.

That policy is worth noting before you build a tightly packed Mykonos schedule. Keep some flexibility around the sailing day, especially if you are visiting during a windy period.

Should you book this Mykonos catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a private half-day on the water, a full Greek meal, swimming at Rhenia, and the chance to see Delos, Little Venice, and the windmills without spending the entire day in town. The food, friendly crew, clean boat, and private format are the main reasons this experience earns its strong reputation.

Think twice if your main goal is to explore Delos on foot, keep costs low for a small party, or avoid rough water at all costs. The best booking choice is simple: choose the morning for swimming and bright sea views, or the sunset departure for photographs and a more memorable finish. Just pack a towel and leave room in your schedule for the Aegean to make the final decision.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, including hotel pickup, sailing, the swimming stop, the meal, and the return to port.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels in an air-conditioned minivan. Transportation is not provided from villas.

Can I choose a morning or sunset departure?

Yes. You can choose a morning or sunset cruise when booking, depending on availability.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The catamaran sails to Delos and stops in front of the archaeological site for photographs and a short explanation from the hostess. You do not go ashore to explore the ruins.

Where do you swim?

The catamaran anchors at a small cove near Rhenia, where you can swim and snorkel in clear water, subject to sea conditions.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes grilled shrimp, spaghetti with red sauce, mixed green salad, rice-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.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The route may change, or the cruise may be canceled if conditions are unsafe. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.