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

The best part of this Mykonos cruise is simple: you trade crowded beaches for a catamaran, two quiet swimming stops, and a freshly cooked Greek meal on the Aegean. I especially like the private setting and the fact that lunch includes seafood, several Greek dishes, and an open bar rather than a hurried sandwich. The crew members, including Paris, George, and Michael on some departures, also seem to take real pride in hosting the day.

I like the weather backup plan, too. If strong wind makes Rhenia uncomfortable, the captain can follow the south coast of Mykonos and use sheltered coves instead. The main drawback is the price, listed at $796.48 per person, plus the lack of hotel transfer and beach towels. For a small party, that is a serious splurge.

Key points to know before you book

• Two swim stops: The usual route includes secluded coves around Rhenia, with time for swimming and snorkeling in clear water.
• Lunch is a major feature: The chef prepares an eight-flavor meal onboard, often including seafood, shrimp, calamari, chicken, feta dishes, salad, and tzatziki.
• The boat is private: Only your own group takes part, making this a better choice for families, couples, or friends who want space and control over the day.
• Wind can change the route: Rough conditions may send you along Mykonos’ south coast instead of toward the islands.
• Open bar is included: Beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water are available throughout the cruise.
• Bring your own towel: Snorkeling gear and Wi-Fi are provided, but beach towels are not.

Starting from Ornos Bay and settling into the catamaran

The cruise begins at Ornos Bay, on an unnamed road in Ornos. A hostess welcomes you at the dock, and the captain collects your party by tender boat before taking you out to the catamaran.

That short transfer is part of the fun, but it also means you should arrive ready for a boat change rather than expecting to step directly from the shore onto the main vessel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so arrange your own way to Ornos Bay unless you make a separate transfer arrangement.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing. Then the sails go up for roughly an hour of relaxed sailing across the Aegean. This is not a speedboat ride. You get the gentle movement of a sailing boat, the sound of the water, and a broad view back toward Mykonos.

The catamaran has room for shaded seating and open areas, according to the detailed accounts of the boat. One party of 13 found it comfortable for a final family day, while other bookings included groups of six, eight, and nine. Since this is a private activity, the number of people in your party matters greatly to the value. A large group can share the cost, while two people pay a steep amount for privacy.

Rhenia’s coves and the first swim

The usual route heads toward Rhenia, with Delos also included in the wider sailing plan. The most clearly described stops are sheltered coves around Rhenia, where the crew anchors so you can swim and use the provided snorkeling equipment.

Rhenia is appealing because the day is about water and quiet rather than a formal shore visit. You are not being led through a packed archaeological site or rushed from one photo stop to the next. Instead, you get time to jump in, snorkel, float, and enjoy the pale beaches and clear water from the boat.

Be aware of one detail before you book: the sailing plan does not promise a landing on Delos or Rhenia. The described activity centers on sailing, anchoring, swimming, and eating aboard. If your main goal is to walk around Delos and see its ruins, choose a dedicated archaeological excursion instead.

The first stop is described as an unspoiled cove. After swimming and snorkeling, the boat sails to a second cove with similarly clear water. The exact feel depends on wind and sea conditions, but the two-stop rhythm gives the half-day some shape: sail, swim, eat, swim again, then return to Mykonos.

The eight-flavor lunch prepared on board

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. The chef prepares an eight-flavor meal fresh on board, with seafood included. Specific meals described from different departures include calamari, shrimp, chicken with feta, Greek salad, several Greek side dishes, and tzatziki made from a family recipe.

That matters because food on a boat can easily become an afterthought. Here, it is treated as part of the main event. You eat after reaching a cove, with the boat anchored and the water around you. The setting turns lunch into more than a practical break from swimming.

The cooks are not always the same. George, Michael, Kyrlos, and other crew members have been praised for preparing generous Greek meals, while Paris has appeared as captain on several departures. Crew assignments can change, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will be aboard.

The food also helps explain the high overall rating of 4.9 from 84 ratings, with 96 percent recommending the activity. That does not guarantee that every menu or crew pairing will suit you, but the meal is clearly a central strength rather than a minor inclusion.

If you have allergies or special dietary needs, ask about them when booking. The supplied information confirms seafood and multiple dishes, but it does not give a full list of dietary substitutions.

Open bar, snorkeling, and the practical comforts

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. A welcome Prosecco is served at the start. This is a useful inclusion on a five-hour cruise, since drinks can add up quickly on a private charter.

Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth speaker are also available. You can connect to the speaker if your group wants music, though the day is just as much about water, sailing, and conversation. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, which saves you from packing masks and fins.

Bring a beach towel. It is specifically excluded, and you will want one after swimming. Comfortable swimwear, sun protection, and a light layer also make sense, especially in early or late season conditions. One October departure was breezy and cool, though the scenery remained impressive.

The catamaran has shaded areas, but the Greek sun can be strong. The crew can serve drinks and manage lunch, though the level of table service may vary. Most accounts describe attentive and friendly hosts, but one party felt the crew was distant and did not offer enough help with drinks. If you expect hotel-style service, set your expectations lower. This is a sailing day with a crew, not a formal yacht butler service.

What happens when Mykonos wind changes the plan

Mykonos is famously windy, and that matters here. If conditions are too rough for the usual Rhenia route, the captain may stay along the south coast of Mykonos and visit famous beaches and a sheltered cove.

This alternative route is designed for safety and comfort. It can still provide swimming and a view of Mykonos from the water, but it may feel less remote than the Rhenia plan. You may also spend more time anchored in one protected cove when the sea outside is unpleasant.

This is the main uncertainty of the cruise. You are paying for a private sailing day, but you cannot control the weather. One unhappy party felt that strong wind reduced the day to sitting in a cove. On the other hand, changing course is better than forcing an uncomfortable crossing simply to follow the advertised route.

The weather policy is fair: if the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Sailing back to Ornos Bay

After the final swim, the crew raises the sails for the return to Mykonos. The day lasts about five hours, so the cruise leaves enough time for sailing, two water stops, lunch, and a relaxed return without becoming an all-day commitment.

Several departures ended with a sunset or late-day sail, but you should not assume every start time will produce one. The available booking time determines what you see. A morning cruise gives you a full afternoon afterward, while a later trip may offer softer light on the way back.

The return is also when the private format pays off. Your group can talk, listen to music, or sit quietly without strangers competing for the best view. The boat gives you a different angle on Mykonos, with the island’s beaches and coastline seen from offshore rather than from a road or crowded beach club.

Is $796.48 per person good value?

At $796.48 per person, this is not a budget boat trip. You are paying for a private catamaran, captain and crew, a chef-prepared lunch, an open bar, equipment, and a five-hour sailing program. Group discounts are available, and the price becomes easier to justify when shared by a larger party.

For two people, I would compare this carefully with a small-group sailing cruise or a simpler private boat rental. For a family or group of friends celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or final day together, the private format can make more sense. You do not have to fit into a stranger’s schedule, and the cost covers an entire group rather than a single seat on a shared excursion.

The value also depends on what you want from Mykonos. If you want a beach club, nightlife, or a long archaeological visit, this is the wrong use of your money. If you want several hours on clear water, a good meal, and quiet coves without organizing a boat yourself, the package is much stronger.

A few parties described the boat as clean, spacious, and well maintained. One family even booked an additional sunset cruise after enjoying the daytime sailing. That suggests the boat and setting can support more than a single swim stop, though the standard activity remains about five hours.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it most for:

• Families who want a shared day away from busy beaches
• Groups of friends marking a birthday or special occasion
• Couples who value privacy and a meal prepared onboard
• People who enjoy swimming and snorkeling more than organized sightseeing
• Visitors with limited time who want sailing, food, and scenery in one outing

Teenagers also have plenty to do, with swimming, snorkeling, music, and room to move around the catamaran. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The child rate applies only when sharing with four paying adults, so check the final cost carefully.

This may not suit you if you dislike boats, get uncomfortable in wind, or need a guaranteed route. The sea can be cool, the boat can move, and the captain may change the plan. You should also skip it if your main goal is to tour Delos on foot.

What to confirm before paying

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. At booking, you must provide each participant’s passport number, full name, year of birth, and country.

I would confirm the meeting point, the pickup plan, and the expected departure time before the day itself. Hotel transport is not included, and the activity ends back at the Ornos meeting point. Bring towels, and ask about food concerns in advance.

The experience is offered in English. Most people can take part, and it is a private activity for your group only. Crew gratuities are not included, so budget for a tip if the captain and chef provide the warm, attentive service that many parties received.

Should you book the Mykonos private catamaran?

Book it if your ideal Mykonos day means sailing, swimming in quiet coves, and eating a generous Greek lunch on a private boat. The food, clear water, crew hospitality, and freedom from a shared tour schedule are the strongest reasons to go.

Think twice if $796.48 per person feels uncomfortable, especially for a small party. Also think twice if you need a fixed route to Delos or guaranteed sunshine. For a larger family or friend group celebrating something special, though, this is one of the better ways to turn a few hours in Mykonos into a complete day out on the Aegean.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Ornos Bay, at the listed meeting point on an unnamed road in Ornos, Greece.

Does the cruise include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The crew serves an eight-flavor lunch prepared fresh onboard by the chef, including fresh seafood.

What drinks are included?

The package includes a welcome Prosecco, unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Will the cruise always visit Rhenia and Delos?

The usual plan includes sailing toward Rhenia and the waters around Delos, but strong wind can change the route to Mykonos’ south coast and sheltered coves.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.