Catamaran cruise in Mykonos with Meal, Drinks & Transport

The best Mykonos views come from the water. I like this cruise for its flexible morning or sunset departure and its private feel for groups of up to 15. I also like the full Greek meal, open drinks, swimming stop, and hotel pickup, all packed into about five hours. The main catch is weather: wind can make the ride choppy and may prevent a safe stop at Delos.

This is not a land tour of ancient Delos. You view the archaeological site from the catamaran while a hostess explains some of its story, then continue to Rhenia for swimming and snorkeling. Also note that pickup is offered from hotels, but villas are excluded, and you must bring your own towel.

Key points to know before you sail

• Delos is a photo stop from the sea: You do not go ashore, but you get a clear view of the famous archaeological island without joining a crowded ferry.
• Rhenia is the main swim stop: The boat anchors in a small cove with clear turquoise water, conditions permitting.
• The meal is cooked onboard: Expect grilled shrimp, spaghetti with red sauce, salad, stuffed vine leaves, kebab, tzatziki, and bread.
• Sunset departures change the mood: The afternoon option finishes with views of Mykonos windmills, Little Venice, and the setting sun.
• The price works best for a full group: At $2,161.32 for up to 15 people, the cost is about $144 per person when full.
• Wind matters: The crew may alter the route or skip Delos if the sea becomes rough.

Leaving Mykonos behind by catamaran

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned minivan. You ride to Mykonos New Port, meet the skipper and crew, and settle onto a modern sailing catamaran.

The port transfer matters more than it may seem. Mykonos can feel confusing around the harbor, especially if you are trying to find a boat among several piers and tour vessels. One family found the catamaran difficult to locate and suggested having someone meet passengers at the port. The walk to the boat was only about five minutes, but clear directions would make the start easier.

Once onboard, the cruise quickly trades port activity for open Aegean views. As the catamaran pulls away, you can look back at Mykonos’ small white houses and watch the island recede. This is a pleasant counterpoint to a day spent walking narrow lanes and crowded shopping streets.

The boat gives you room to spread out, sit in the sun, or find shade as the crew handles the sailing. The exact seating arrangement is not specified, so you should expect to choose a comfortable spot rather than receive an assigned seat.

The route passes the small island of Baos, also called the pirates island, before heading toward Delos. The homemade wine and traditional Cretan raki are available as you sail. Soft drinks, orange juice, Coca-Cola, and bottled water are also included, so you are not limited to alcohol.

Seeing Delos without a crowded ferry

Delos is one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades, but this cruise approaches it in a different way from a regular archaeological excursion. The catamaran pauses in front of the island, allowing you to photograph the ruins from the water.

A hostess gives a short explanation of the island’s history during the stop. That adds useful context, but you should set your expectations correctly: this is a sightseeing pause, not a guided walk through the ruins. You will not explore the temples, streets, or museums on land during this five-hour cruise.

That limitation is also part of the appeal. You avoid spending much of your day on a ferry and do not have to give up your swimming time for a long shore visit. If your main goal is to study Delos’ ancient remains up close, book a dedicated archaeological visit instead. If you want a broad view, photos, and a relaxed day at sea, the water approach is a good compromise.

Wind can change this part of the outing. On one cruise, the crew passed Delos and explained some of the island’s story but did not stop because the conditions were not safe. That is a sensible call, though it means the route may not match your preferred plan exactly.

Rhenia’s clear water and the main swim break

After Delos, the catamaran continues to nearby Rhenia. The crew anchors in a small cove for swimming and snorkeling, with lunch served onboard.

This is likely to be the centerpiece of the day. The cove is described as having clear turquoise water, and one group had a private-feeling beach and anchorage to itself. The feeling is less about checking off a famous sight and more about having time to float, sunbathe, and enjoy the sea away from Mykonos’ busy shore.

The swimming stop depends on the sea and the schedule. Rough water may shorten or change the stop, and the cruise may not provide a dedicated snorkeling guide. If you want formal instruction or a guided look at marine life, this is not that kind of outing. Bring your own towel, since towels are not included.

Conditions can be surprisingly different from one departure to another. Some groups found the sea calm and comfortable even with a history of motion sickness. Others dealt with choppy water caused by wind. A catamaran generally offers more stability than a smaller single-hull boat, but nobody can guarantee a smooth ride in the Aegean.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking your usual precautions and choosing a morning departure if that better suits you. The supplied information does not promise a particular sea condition at either time, so weather remains the deciding factor.

A Greek lunch served on deck

The onboard meal is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You receive a freshly prepared spread of grilled shrimp, spaghetti with red sauce, mixed green salad, vine leaves stuffed with rice, kebab, Greek tzatziki sauce, and bread.

This is more substantial than a snack between swims. It gives the cruise a proper Greek character, especially when paired with homemade wine. Several groups praised the food, with particular affection for the salad, chicken and lamb kebabs, and stuffed grape leaves. One family called the grape leaves the best they had eaten.

The meal also adds value for families. You do not need to leave the water to find a restaurant, and the children can eat while the boat remains anchored. Teens may appreciate the relaxed setting and the fact that the crew allowed them to play music through the speakers.

The food is served as part of the all-inclusive setup, along with alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, juice, and bottled water. The details specifically name lunch, while the sunset option is described as including a meal as well. If the timing of your afternoon cruise matters, confirm the exact meal arrangement when booking.

Sunset views of windmills and Little Venice

The afternoon departure gives the cruise a different rhythm. Instead of returning in full daylight, you make your way back toward Mykonos as the sun drops.

On the return route, the catamaran passes the famous windmills and Little Venice. These are two of Mykonos’ most photographed sights, and seeing them from the sea gives you a clean, wide view that is hard to get from the crowded waterfront.

The sunset option is especially useful if you want a slower evening without committing to a restaurant reservation at once. You can watch the colors change over the island, take photos, and finish the outing at the port before your hotel drop-off.

The sunset choice also has a tradeoff. You give up some daylight for swimming and may find the sea cooler later in the day. If swimming is your top priority, a morning cruise gives you the clearest daylight window. If photos, atmosphere, and a peaceful finish matter more, the sunset departure makes more sense.

What the wind can change

The Aegean is not a swimming pool, and the wind deserves serious attention when you plan this outing. The crew may reschedule the cruise, alter the route, or skip a stop if conditions become unsafe.

One group had to reschedule because of wind and then stopped only at Rhenia. The ride was choppy, but the skippers handled the catamaran safely. Another group described rough water at the beginning and end while still calling the outing memorable.

This is not necessarily a flaw in the operation. A responsible skipper should avoid stopping at Delos or anchoring in a cove when the sea is unsafe. Still, you should book with some flexibility, particularly if seeing Delos up close from the water is essential.

The weather policy protects you if the experience is canceled for poor conditions. You can receive a different date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not met, you are offered a different date or experience or a full refund.

Is the $2,161.32 price good value?

The listed price is $2,161.32 per group of up to 15 people. That works out to roughly $144 per person for a full group.

For a large family, wedding party, or group of friends, that is a reasonable way to buy a private boat day with transport, a meal, drinks, crew, swimming time, and a flexible route. You are not paying only for transportation. The price covers the boat experience itself and removes the need to arrange lunch or find your way to the port.

For a small group, the calculation changes. Four people would pay about $540 each if the total price remains fixed. Two people would pay more than $1,000 each. That makes this much easier to justify when you can fill most of the 15-person capacity.

The private format is a real advantage for groups with mixed interests. Some people can sunbathe while others swim. Families can play their own music, and the crew can adjust the mood more easily than on a large public excursion. The supplied information says only your group participates, which gives the cruise a more personal feel.

You should compare the price with what a large public catamaran or ferry-based trip would cost, but do not compare them as identical products. The private boat, hotel transfer, onboard cooking, and open drinks are the main reasons to pay more.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos cruise most?

I would point this experience toward groups that want a break from Mykonos town. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, cruise ship passengers, and anyone who would rather spend a half-day on the water than follow another land-based sightseeing route.

It is particularly good for:

• Groups large enough to share the fixed price
• Families with children or teenagers
• People who want swimming and sunbathing more than a long archaeological visit
• Visitors who like a private setting and flexible pacing
• Anyone who wants Mykonos photos from the sea
• People who enjoy a meal and drinks without leaving the boat

It is less suitable if you need a detailed Delos tour, guaranteed calm water, formal snorkeling instruction, or a fully fixed route. You should also think twice if you are uncomfortable on boats or cannot adjust your plans around weather.

The cruise is offered in English, confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. Pickup is available from hotels, but not from villas. Since towels are not supplied, pack one before leaving your room.

Practical ways to get more from the five hours

Choose the departure time around your priority. Morning is the safer choice for a longer-feeling swimming session and full daylight. Afternoon or sunset is better for golden-hour photos of the windmills, Little Venice, and the Mykonos coast.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a towel. The tour includes bottled water, but you may still want a small personal water bottle for comfort between drinks and meals.

Keep your phone or camera ready as the boat leaves the port. The views back toward the white houses can disappear quickly, and the return pass by Little Venice and the windmills is another strong photo moment.

Do not plan a tight appointment immediately after the cruise. The experience lasts about five hours, and weather can affect the sailing time. Hotel drop-off is included, but the exact return time may vary with the conditions and route.

If someone in your group is hoping to snorkel with a guide, clarify expectations before booking. The cruise includes a swimming and snorkeling stop, but a dedicated snorkeling guide is not specified.

Final decision: should you book it?

Book this cruise if you have a group to share the cost and want an easy, food-filled escape from Mykonos’ busy streets. The best features are the private catamaran, Rhenia swim stop, generous Greek meal, open drinks, hotel transport, and sunset views.

Skip it if your main goal is to walk through Delos’ archaeological site, if you need calm seas guaranteed, or if your party is too small to make the fixed price comfortable.

For the right group, this is a relaxed and memorable half-day. Just treat Delos as a scenic stop, bring a towel, leave room for weather changes, and let the crew make the final call on safety.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours, including hotel pickup, sailing, the Delos viewing stop, the Rhenia swimming stop, the meal, and return transport.

Can I choose a morning or sunset departure?

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

Do I visit the archaeological site of Delos on foot?

No. The catamaran stops in front of Delos so you can take photos, and the hostess explains some of the island’s history. The experience does not include a land visit to the archaeological site.

Where do I swim?

The catamaran anchors in a small cove near Rhenia. Swimming and snorkeling are offered there, subject to sea and weather conditions.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes grilled shrimp, spaghetti with red sauce, mixed green salad, vine leaves stuffed with rice, kebab, Greek tzatziki sauce, and bread. Drinks include homemade wine, traditional homemade raki, Coca-Cola, orange juice, and bottled water.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from hotels are offered using an air-conditioned minivan. Transportation from villas is not provided.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts.