Luxury Catamaran Semi private cruise with meals & drinks and transportation.

The best part of this Mykonos catamaran cruise is the change of pace. You leave the island’s busy roads behind, sail past white houses and the small island of Baos, pause near ancient Delos, then anchor off Rhenia for swimming and a meal cooked on board. I especially like the small group size, capped at 18, and the choice between a morning sail and a sunset departure. The hotel pickup in Platis Gialos also removes a bit of Mykonos transport fuss.

I also like that the cruise gives you more than a boat ride: you get wine, soft drinks, raki, snorkeling gear, and lunch or dinner in the price. The main caution is the Aegean itself. Wind and waves can make the ride rough, and some people have felt seasick or cold. Food quality and crew involvement can vary, too, so this is best for people who value the setting and social atmosphere more than a polished luxury-yacht standard.

Key points to know before booking

• Delos is viewed from the water: You stop near the archaeological site for photos and a short explanation, but you do not go ashore.
• Rhenia supplies the swim stop: The catamaran anchors in a clear-water cove where you can swim and use the included snorkeling equipment.
• Lunch or dinner is cooked onboard: Menus can include salad, pasta, bread, meat, prawns, stuffed grape leaves, and fruit, though quality is not always consistent.
• The ride is semi-private, not secluded: The maximum group size is 18, with some departures smaller than that.
• Morning and sunset versions feel different: Morning suits swimmers and a full day on the water; sunset adds views of Mykonos, Little Venice, and the windmills in golden light.
• Bring protection from the elements: Towels are not included, and wind can make the boat feel chilly even in warm weather.

Leaving Mykonos New Port by catamaran

Your day begins with pickup by air-conditioned van, with hotel collection offered in Platis Gialos. You then travel to Mykonos New Port, meet the skipper and crew, and settle onto the catamaran. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you do not need to print anything.

The first minutes on the water are pleasantly simple. Mykonos pulls away behind you, its small white houses bright against the dry hills, while the boat gathers speed across the Aegean. You can sit, stretch out, take photos, or chat with the other people on board. The social side matters here. This is not a private yacht charter, so you share the boat and meal with a small mix of couples, families, and solo people.

The maximum is 18, though some departures have had around 10 or 11 people. That is a useful distinction. You get room to move around and a more personal feel than on a large excursion boat, but you should not expect an empty deck or complete privacy.

Wine, soft drinks, and a traditional Cretan spirit called raki are served during the cruise. Some descriptions refer to homemade wine and a homemade drink, so the bar offering is casual rather than a formal wine-tasting experience. If you care strongly about wine quality, keep expectations in check. Several people enjoyed the drinks, while others found the wine selection underwhelming.

Passing Baos and ancient Delos

The route crosses the northern part of Mykonos and passes Baos, sometimes described as the pirates’ island. The boat then heads toward Delos, one of the Aegean’s most important ancient sites.

This is a scenic stop, not an archaeological tour on land. The catamaran pauses offshore or in front of the site, giving you time to photograph the ruins from the water. A hostess explains some of Delos’s story, but there is no admission to the archaeological site and no drop-off on the island.

That limitation is important. If your main aim is to walk among Delos’s temples, streets, and statues, book a separate Delos excursion. This cruise gives you an attractive outside view and a little context without taking up the hours needed for a land visit. I see it as a bonus within a sailing day, not a replacement for visiting Delos properly.

The water-level view has its own appeal. You see the island in the wider setting of the Cyclades rather than from a museum path, and you avoid spending the whole day on a guided archaeological visit. The trade-off is less detail and no chance to explore the ruins yourself.

Swimming and snorkeling off Rhenia

After Delos, the catamaran sails toward nearby Rhenia and anchors in a small cove. This is the active center of the cruise. You can jump into the clear turquoise water, swim near the boat, and use the provided snorkeling equipment.

The exact conditions depend on wind and sea state. On a calm day, the cove can feel like the picture-perfect Mykonos escape people hope for. On a rougher day, getting into the water may still be enjoyable, but the boat ride itself can be tiring. The tour includes snorkeling gear, but not towels, so pack your own.

Some descriptions refer to several possible stops, while the actual experience can amount to one main swimming stop. That is worth knowing if you are comparing this with a longer island-hopping cruise. You get one strong swim opportunity rather than a full day of moving from cove to cove.

The boat has also carried a paddleboard, but you should not assume it will be made available. If snorkeling and swimming are your priorities, the included equipment should cover the basics. If you are booking mainly for paddleboarding, confirm that detail before paying.

The onboard meal: convenient, social, and uneven

Lunch on the morning cruise or dinner on the sunset cruise is served after the boat anchors. The meal is freshly prepared on board, and the captain or another crew member may handle the cooking. Past menus have included salad, pasta, bread, meat, prawns, stuffed grape leaves, and sliced pears and apples.

At its best, this is one of the pleasures of the day. You eat outside, surrounded by open water, with wine or soft drinks at hand. The meal also helps people mingle. Several departures have had an easy, friendly atmosphere, with solo people, couples, and families sharing food and conversation.

Food quality is less predictable than the setting. Some meals have been called delicious, with especially good pasta, meat, salad, and fresh fruit. Other meals have included reheated sausages, oily prawns, or overcooked pasta. If you do not eat prawns, the alternatives may not fully satisfy you, so ask the crew about the menu when you board.

I would not book this cruise as a fine-dining event. At $192.23 per person, the food is part of the value, but the boat, fuel, drinks, equipment, guide service, and transport also make up the price. The package works best when you see the meal as a practical onboard lunch or dinner in a beautiful setting, not as a restaurant meal at sea.

Morning sailing or sunset cruise?

You choose your departure when booking, and the two versions suit different kinds of days.

The morning cruise gives you the broadest stretch of daylight for sailing and swimming. It is the better pick if you want to spend the rest of the afternoon at the beach, explore Mykonos Town, or avoid returning late. Morning light is also useful for photos of Delos, Rhenia, and the coast.

The sunset cruise is more atmospheric. After the swimming stop and meal, the return route passes Little Venice, the Mykonos windmills, and the old town. The late light can turn the familiar Mykonos view into the day’s best photo opportunity. One departure even had dolphins visible on the return, though that is a lucky sighting, not something to expect.

Sunset also brings cooler air. Mykonos is famously windy, and the boat can feel cold once the sun drops. Bring a light jacket, even if the day starts hot. If you are prone to seasickness, an afternoon with changing wind may also feel different from a calm morning. The sea decides more than the timetable does.

The crew makes a real difference

Crew members have included captains and guides named Adonis, Fanis, Matt, Dimitris, Stefanos, Giannis, Juglio, and Sotos. The exact team depends on the departure, but the best experiences have involved crew who cooked well, explained the sites, helped with swimming, and kept the mood relaxed.

Good crew service is especially valuable on a semi-private boat. With up to 18 people sharing a deck, a warm captain or first mate can make the group feel like a friendly outing rather than a scheduled transfer. A few people have been impressed by the crew’s quick help when seasickness struck, including providing bags and paper towels without fuss.

The standard is not always uniform. Some departures have had crew members who offered little historical explanation or interaction. If you want a detailed lecture about Delos, this may feel light. You are buying a sailing day with some guiding, not a dedicated history tour.

The boat itself is another variable. It is described as modern and comfortable, and several people found it clean and pleasant. At least one departure had equipment problems, though the crew handled the issues professionally. Another account described the catamaran as showing its age. I would call it comfortable enough for a day on the water, but not a guaranteed luxury yacht in the high-end charter sense.

What $192.23 really gets you

The price looks high beside a basic harbor cruise, but the comparison is not quite fair. You are paying for hotel transport, fuel, a roughly five-hour sailing trip, a maximum group size of 18, food, wine, soft drinks, raki, snorkeling gear, and crew service.

The value improves if you use several parts of the package. A person who wants a swim, a meal, drinks, hotel pickup, and a small boat will likely find the price reasonable for Mykonos. You also avoid arranging separate transport to the port.

The value drops if you mainly want to see Delos on land, expect premium food, or want multiple swimming stops. Delos admission is not included because you do not disembark there. Towels are not provided, and the meal is not consistently at the level of a restaurant.

I would also compare the cost in your own currency before booking. One person who paid about AU$250 per person felt disappointed by the food and limited swim time. That does not make the cruise poor value for everyone, but it shows why your priorities matter. The scenery, boat time, and all-in convenience must be worth a large part of the fare.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Mykonos from the water without organizing several separate pieces. It works well for couples, families, solo people comfortable meeting others, and small groups that want a relaxed half-day away from the town.

It is also a good fit if you want a swim in clear water but do not need a packed schedule. The pace includes sailing, a short Delos stop, lunch or dinner, and time at anchor. The social atmosphere can be a plus, particularly on a smaller departure.

You may want another option if you dislike wind, rough seas, or shared boats. The Aegean can be choppy, and two people on one departure became seasick. You may also be disappointed if you expect several coves, a luxury-level vessel, a carefully selected wine list, or a full Delos tour.

Pack a towel, a light jacket, swimwear, sun protection, and any motion-sickness remedy you normally use. Confirm pickup details carefully, too. One departure had a last-minute change to the morning pickup time, so do not rely only on the original start time. Keep your phone available on the day.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your ideal Mykonos day means open water, a friendly small group, one beautiful swim stop, an onboard meal, and views of Delos and the old town. The crew often adds warmth and practical help, and the hotel pickup makes the day easy.

Skip it if you want to walk through Delos, visit many beaches, or receive a polished luxury-yacht dining experience. For the best chance of enjoying it, choose based on your priorities: morning for daylight and flexibility, sunset for atmosphere, and either option only if you are prepared for wind and waves.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of people can also lead to a new date or a full refund. That flexibility matters for a boat trip in the Aegean.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and return transport by air-conditioned van are offered for hotels in Platis Gialos.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 18 people. Some departures may be smaller.

Can I choose a morning or sunset departure?

Yes. You choose a morning or sunset cruise when booking.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The catamaran stops in front of Delos so you can take photos and hear some information about the island. You do not get dropped off at Delos, and admission to the archaeological site is not included.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. The morning cruise includes lunch, while the sunset cruise includes dinner. Wine, soft drinks, and raki are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided. Towels are not included, so bring your own.