Mykonos: Private Catamaran Cruise w/ Food, Drinks & Transfer

Rhenia is the star of this five-hour cruise. You leave Mykonos by private catamaran, pause for views of Delos, then anchor in a quiet Rhenia cove for swimming, snorkeling, and a Greek meal served on board. It is a pleasant way to trade Mykonos crowds for open water and small island views.

I like the private format, which gives your group a more personal day than a large shared boat. I also like the easy hotel pickup, onboard food and drinks, and the chance to see Delos from the sea without spending the day on a formal archaeological visit.

The main catch is price: at $883 per person, this is a major splurge. Weather matters, too. A June or August cruise may feel very different from a windy May outing, when swimming and sitting outside can be less comfortable.

Key points at a glance

• Rhenia swimming stop: Anchor in a clear-water cove for about two hours of swimming, snorkeling, free time, and lunch.
• Delos from the water: Stop for roughly 15 minutes of photos and a short historical explanation, but no island entrance or guided land tour is included.
• Private catamaran setting: Your group has a private boat, skipper, and crew rather than joining a large public excursion.
• Greek food and drinks: Lunch is cooked and served onboard, with wine, beer, welcome refreshments, and an aperitif included.
• Hotel-to-harbor convenience: An air-conditioned minivan takes you from Mykonos to the new port and brings you back afterward.
• Weather is part of the deal: Wind and cooler temperatures can reduce the pleasure of the cruise, especially early in the season.

Leaving Mykonos by private catamaran

The day begins with pickup in Mykonos, followed by an air-conditioned minivan ride of about 15 minutes to the new port. That transfer is a real help on an island where getting to the harbor can otherwise add stress, especially if you are staying away from Mykonos Town.

At the port, you meet the English-speaking skipper and crew before boarding the modern catamaran. The exact boat layout and seating arrangement are not specified, but the experience is designed around relaxing on deck, watching the coast, and enjoying the sea breeze.

As Mykonos slips behind you, you get views of the island’s white houses and famous shoreline. The catamaran offers a different look at Mykonos than a walking tour. From the water, the island becomes a bright strip of buildings, hills, and windmills rather than a maze of narrow lanes.

This is a private cruise, but private does not necessarily mean silent or formal. The crew handles the sailing, food, drinks, and swimming stop while you settle into the rhythm of the day. The strongest praise for this outing centers on the staff. Several people specifically found the crew kind, helpful, professional, and enjoyable to be around.

A short look toward Delos

The route passes near Delos, one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades. You do not go ashore. Instead, the boat makes a short stop in front of the island, giving you time for photographs and a brief explanation from the guide.

This is a useful distinction when planning your day. Delos is not a full archaeological excursion here, and entrance fees and a guided land tour are not included. If walking among ancient ruins is your main goal, book a dedicated Delos visit instead.

If you want a quick historical layer added to a swimming day, the stop works well. From the boat, you can photograph the island without giving up much of your time at sea. Keep your expectations in check: the stop lasts about 15 minutes, so it is a scenic introduction rather than a serious site visit.

Welcome refreshments and wine are available around this part of the cruise. The drink service helps set a leisurely mood, but keep in mind that the sea can be windy even when the sun is bright. Hold onto hats, phones, and loose belongings while taking pictures from the deck.

Rhenia’s clear coves and swimming time

After passing Delos, the boat continues to Rhenia. The island is the practical heart of the excursion. The catamaran anchors in a small cove with clear turquoise water, and you get about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and eating.

This is where the private setup earns its keep. You are not simply ticking off a photo stop. You have time to get in the water, climb back aboard, dry off, and spend part of the afternoon resting in the sun.

Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to pack your own equipment. The supplied information does not promise particular marine life or underwater sights, so treat snorkeling as a pleasant option rather than the main event. The strongest appeal is the clean water, secluded setting, and freedom to choose your own pace.

Towels are not included. Bring one from your accommodation if permitted, or pack your own beach towel. You should also bring practical sun protection and a secure bag for small items, though those packing suggestions are common sense rather than stated inclusions.

The water stop is not equally comfortable for everyone. A May departure can be cold and windy, as one person discovered, making it harder to enjoy the swim and deck time. The conditions may be more favorable in midsummer, but no cruise can guarantee calm seas or warm air. If you are sensitive to wind, choose the warmest available date and keep a light layer handy.

Greek lunch served on board

While you swim or relax, the crew prepares lunch. The meal is described as a Greek meal cooked and served on the catamaran, with drinks included. Wine, beer, welcome refreshments, and an aperitif are part of the overall offering.

Eating on the water is one of the nice details here. You do not lose time searching for a restaurant, and the meal fits naturally into the anchorage. You can return from the water, dry off, and eat with the cove around you.

There is one useful caution. One person found the food insufficient, even while praising the staff. That does not prove every serving is too small, but it suggests that hearty eaters may want a small snack before pickup or bring something permitted by the operator. Do not assume that a boat lunch will match a full restaurant meal.

The drink package also needs a little judgment. Unlimited traditional Mykonos wine is offered during the sailing, and beer and wine are available around lunch. The Aegean sun, wind, and movement of the boat can catch up with you quickly, so alternate drinks with water if water is available and you plan to swim.

The return route past Mykonos windmills

After the Rhenia stop, the boat sails back toward Mykonos. The return portion takes about two hours and includes views of the island’s windmills and Mykonos Town from offshore.

I like this part because the scenery changes as the light shifts. The outward journey is about leaving the port and reaching open water. The return gives you a broad view of the island you may have explored on foot, including the white buildings and windmills that define the Mykonos skyline.

A sunset option is available. On that departure, the ride back becomes the scenic finish, with the sun dropping toward the horizon. Sunset timing changes by season, so check the available start times rather than assuming every five-hour sailing ends at sunset.

The exact amount of time spent sailing can feel long if your group wants constant activity. This is not a fast transport service. The point is to sit, talk, watch the sea, take pictures, and enjoy the boat. If you prefer a packed schedule of sites, the relaxed pace may test your patience. If you like unhurried time outdoors, it is a strength.

What the $883 price really buys

At $883 per person, this cruise is expensive. The value depends heavily on how many people are in your private group and how much you value privacy.

The price covers the catamaran, skipper and crew, hotel pickup and return, food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and taxes and handling charges. You are paying for a full service day, not just a boat seat. The hotel transfer also removes the need to arrange separate transport to the new port.

Still, the price does not cover everything connected with Delos. There is no Delos entrance fee or guided land visit included because you only stop offshore. Towels are also excluded, and the food may not feel generous to every appetite.

I would compare this cost with the price of a private boat charter for your group, not with a standard shared ferry or beach excursion. For a honeymoon, birthday, family occasion, or small group that wants control over its own day, the private format may feel worthwhile. For one or two people focused mainly on reaching Rhenia cheaply, it is harder to justify.

The high rating of 4.8 from nine recorded ratings fits the broad pattern here: the crew receives the warmest praise, and the overall day is often described as excellent. The less glowing experiences point to practical issues rather than a weak concept, mainly cold or windy weather, transport capacity concerns, and a lunch that may be too light for some.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to people who want the sea to be the main attraction. Couples can settle into a scenic half-day without organizing every detail. Families with older children can combine swimming, snorkeling, food, and sightseeing, though the age and height rules matter.

The cruise is not suitable for babies under one year, children under 90 centimeters, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems. It is also not suitable for people over 95 years old or anyone with altitude sickness, according to the stated restrictions.

Children must be comfortable around open water and a moving boat. The operator specifically excludes fishing, feeding animals, boots, bright colors, and fireworks. Some of those rules may seem unusual, but they are part of keeping the boat and sea environment orderly.

You should also consider mobility and comfort. Back problems can make a boat day unpleasant even when the view is beautiful. The supplied information does not describe step-free boarding, seating, or restroom arrangements, so ask the provider directly if those details affect your decision.

Practical planning for a better day

Check the weather before you go, especially outside the warmest part of summer. The June, July, and August experiences were generally described positively, while the May outing was affected by cold and wind. The crew cannot control the Aegean weather, and a clear forecast does not always mean calm water.

Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothes and bring a towel. Pack sun protection, a light layer, and a secure way to protect your phone during the photo stop and swim break.

Keep your schedule flexible around the five-hour duration. Pickup, the 15-minute drive, boarding, the Delos stop, two hours at Rhenia, and the sailing back make this a half-day commitment. Add a little margin around the stated time if you have a dinner reservation or another timed activity afterward.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but one past outing had a transport problem related to the number of people booked. That appears to have been an isolated logistical issue, yet it is sensible to confirm your pickup time and vehicle details before departure.

The English-speaking host is useful for basic communication and the Delos explanation. No guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular named captain or historian. The crew’s helpful manner is one of the better reasons to expect a smooth day, but the exact team may vary.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. That helps when the weather forecast is uncertain, though you should still check the departure time and availability before making other plans.

Is this private Mykonos catamaran cruise worth booking?

Book it if you want a polished, private half-day on the Aegean, with swimming at Rhenia, food and drinks on board, a short look at Delos, and transport handled for you. The crew, privacy, and unhurried pace are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if $883 per person feels uncomfortable, if you want a serious Delos visit, or if you need a large, filling meal and guaranteed calm weather. For the right group, this is a memorable sea day. For a budget-minded visitor, a shared boat or separate beach outing may leave more money for Mykonos dinners and historic sites.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours. The transfer from Mykonos to the new port takes about 15 minutes each way, and the Rhenia stop lasts about two hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup from your Mykonos accommodation and return transport are included in an air-conditioned minivan.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The catamaran passes by Delos and makes a short photo stop of about 15 minutes. Entrance fees and a guided land tour of Delos are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek meal is cooked and served onboard. Food and drinks are included, though one past experience found the meal insufficient, so you may want to plan a small snack if you usually eat large meals.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes wine, beer, welcome refreshments, and an aperitif. Traditional Mykonos wine is available during the sailing.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included. Towels are not included.

Is this a private group activity?

Yes. The cruise is operated as a private group experience with a skipper and crew.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.