Catamaran cruise in Mykonos with Meal, Drinks & Transport

A private catamaran is a fine way to trade Mykonos’s crowded lanes for open water. You sail past the island’s white houses, pause near ancient Delos, swim in a clear cove at Rhenia, and eat a freshly cooked Greek meal while the boat moves at an easy pace.

I like the choice between a morning cruise and a sunset sailing, since it lets you fit the boat trip around the rest of your Mykonos plans. I also like the private format for groups of up to 15, which makes the day feel more personal than a large excursion boat.

The main point to watch is the wind. The captain may need to change the route or skip a stop for safety, and the Aegean can become choppy. You also see Delos from the catamaran rather than entering the archaeological site.

Key points to know before booking

• Delos is viewed from the water: You stop in front of the archaeological site for photos and a short explanation, but admission to the island is not part of this cruise.
• Rhenia is the main swimming stop: The catamaran anchors in a small cove with clear turquoise water for swimming and snorkeling.
• The food is a real part of the outing: Expect grilled shrimp, pasta with red sauce, salad, stuffed vine leaves, kebab, tzatziki, and bread.
• The group limit is generous: One booking covers up to 15 people, making the price more appealing when shared among family or friends.
• Sunset adds a special finish: The afternoon option passes Little Venice and the windmills as the light fades over Mykonos.
• Villa pickup is not available: Hotel pickup is offered, but you must arrange your own way to the departure point if you are staying in a villa.

Leaving Mykonos New Port by catamaran

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned minivan. The operator does not provide transportation from villas, so check your accommodation before booking and make a plan for reaching the port if needed.

At Mykonos New Port, you meet the skipper and crew and board a modern sailing catamaran. The tour lasts about five hours, which is long enough for a proper swim, meal, and scenic cruise without taking up the whole day.

As the boat pulls away, Mykonos changes shape. The familiar white houses and dry hills look different from the sea, and the views are especially good for photographs. You can settle into a comfortable place on deck, feel the breeze, and watch the island recede.

The onboard drinks include bottled water, Coca-Cola, orange juice, traditional homemade wine, and raki, a strong homemade drink associated with Crete. The open bar is useful on a warm day, but remember that raki is potent. Drink slowly, especially if the sea is moving.

Passing Baos and approaching ancient Delos

The route heads across the northern part of Mykonos and passes the small island of Baos, also described as the pirates’ island. This is a brief scenic part of the cruise, but it gives you a sense of the scattered islands and rocky water routes around Mykonos.

The next major sight is Delos, one of the Aegean’s most important ancient sites. The catamaran pauses in front of the archaeological area so you can take photographs from the water. A hostess explains some of the island’s history while you look toward the ruins.

This is an important distinction when you plan your day. You do not go ashore at Delos, walk among the ruins, or receive a full archaeological tour. The stop is best understood as a scenic introduction and photo opportunity. If seeing the temples and excavations up close is a priority, you will need a separate Delos excursion.

Still, the water approach has its own appeal. You see the site in relation to the surrounding islands, which helps explain why Delos mattered as a central point in the ancient Aegean. The short explanation adds context without turning the cruise into a history lesson.

Wind and sea conditions can change this part of the route. If it is not safe to stop, the catamaran may pass by Delos instead. On one outing, the boat was able to explain the island’s history while passing but could not make a safe stop because of the wind. That is a reasonable trade for safe handling, though it is worth knowing before you book.

Swimming and snorkeling at Rhenia

After Delos, the catamaran heads to nearby Rhenia. Here the crew drops anchor in a small cove with clear turquoise water, and this is where the cruise becomes less about sightseeing and more about enjoying the sea.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat. The setting is quieter than a beach near Mykonos Town, and a private group may have the cove to itself, depending on the day and conditions. The clear water is a major attraction, especially for families and anyone who wants a break from sightseeing.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and this is one of the few practical items you need to remember. You should also be comfortable getting into the water from the boat, since the information provided does not describe a beach landing.

Snorkeling support may be limited. The crew is friendly and accommodating, but a dedicated snorkeling guide is not promised. If you want a detailed lesson or guided look beneath the surface, this may feel basic. If you mainly want to swim, float, and enjoy the cove, the arrangement works well.

The wind can affect this stop too. One outing had rough water on the way out and back, though the captain handled the catamaran safely. Another had calm conditions that made the cruise especially comfortable for someone prone to motion sickness. You cannot control the sea, but the twin-hull catamaran and experienced handling can make a difference.

A Greek lunch cooked on board

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. It is freshly prepared on board and served after the boat reaches the swimming area, so you can eat with the sea around you rather than stopping at a restaurant.

The menu includes:

• Grilled shrimp
• Spaghetti with red sauce
• Mixed green salad
• Vine leaves stuffed with rice
• Kebab
• Greek tzatziki
• Bread

The meal has enough variety for a mixed group. Seafood fans have grilled shrimp, while the pasta, salad, vine leaves, and tzatziki give you several alternatives. The kebab is listed simply in the menu, while the food served on one outing included chicken and lamb kebabs.

This is more substantial than the snack tray served on many short boat trips. It also changes the value calculation. You are paying not only for time on the water, but for private transport, crew, lunch or dinner, drinks, and a full afternoon or morning away from the island.

The food may also suit families well. The menu is familiar enough for children and teens, and the swimming break gives younger passengers something to do between scenic stops. The crew has allowed teens to play their own music through the boat speakers, though music arrangements can vary.

Little Venice, windmills, and the sunset route

On the return to Mykonos, the catamaran passes the famous windmills and Little Venice. These are two of the island’s best-known views, and seeing them from the sea gives you a clean photo angle that is difficult to find in the narrow streets.

The windmills are closely tied to Mykonos’s identity, while Little Venice is the waterfront row of old buildings facing the water. From the catamaran, you get a wider view of both the old town and the shoreline.

Choose the sunset departure if you want the most atmospheric version of the cruise. The return route is timed for golden light and, weather permitting, a Mykonos sunset. The sunset option is not just a later start. It changes the mood of the whole outing, replacing the bright midday water with softer light and evening views.

The morning departure makes more sense if you want the rest of the afternoon and evening free. It may also suit you if swimming is the main goal and you prefer to be on the water earlier in the day. The sunset cruise is the better choice for photographs, couples, and anyone who wants the boat trip to be the main event of the evening.

What the $2,161 group price means

The listed price is $2,161.32 for a private group of up to 15 people. At the maximum group size, that works out to roughly $144 per person, before considering any changes in group size. For a couple or a very small group, the per-person cost is much higher.

That price is easier to justify if you use the private capacity. A group of family members or friends can split the cost while sharing the same boat, crew, meal, drinks, and transport. You are also avoiding the feel of a large shared cruise.

The inclusions matter. Hotel pickup and drop-off, an approximately five-hour catamaran outing, a freshly cooked meal, open drinks, the crew, and the swimming stop are all part of the package. You do not need to buy lunch separately or arrange a taxi to and from the hotel, provided you are staying at a hotel covered by the pickup service.

For two or three people, compare the cost with a smaller shared cruise before committing. For a larger private group, the math becomes much more favorable. The cruise is best treated as a half-day private charter with food, not simply as a boat ride.

How the boat handles wind and motion

The Aegean is not always calm. Strong wind can create rougher water, alter the route, or make it unsafe to stop at Delos. The crew may reschedule the trip when conditions are poor, and you can receive a full refund if the operator cancels for weather.

This is worth taking seriously if you suffer from motion sickness. One calm outing was comfortable for someone who regularly gets seasick, but another had a choppy ride. The catamaran can offer a stable platform, yet no boat can remove all motion in rough water.

If you are sensitive to movement, choose a calm-weather day when possible, eat lightly before departure, and keep your expectations flexible. The crew’s priority is safe navigation, so the exact order of stops may change.

The weather policy gives you some protection. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the same type of alternative or refund applies.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos cruise most?

I would choose this outing for a group that wants several Mykonos experiences in one package: scenery, swimming, food, drinks, and a private boat. It works particularly well for families with teens, groups of friends, and cruise ship passengers looking for a change from land-based sightseeing.

It is also a good fit if you want time away from Mykonos Town without giving up the island’s best views. The return past Little Venice and the windmills keeps the cruise connected to the main sights.

You may want another tour if your main goal is to explore Delos on foot. This cruise only provides a view and short explanation from the water. It may also disappoint you if you expect formal snorkeling instruction, guaranteed calm seas, or a villa pickup.

The five-hour length is sensible for most schedules. It gives you enough time to relax rather than rushing from one stop to the next, while leaving room for dinner, nightlife, or more time in town.

Booking details worth checking

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Mobile tickets are accepted, and most people can participate. It is a private activity, so only your own group takes part.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Cutoff times use local Mykonos time, so keep that in mind if you are booking from another country.

The operator offers hotel pickup, but not pickup from villas. Confirm your accommodation type and pickup details before the day of the cruise. Finding the catamaran at the port can also take a little effort, so allow time to walk from the meeting area and follow the instructions carefully.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a private, food-inclusive half-day on the water and your group can make good use of the 15-person capacity. The clear Rhenia cove, generous Greek meal, friendly crew, and views of Delos, Little Venice, and the windmills give you a pleasant mix of relaxation and sightseeing.

Think twice if you need to walk through Delos, want a dedicated snorkeling guide, or are booking for only one or two people at the full group price. Also accept that wind may shorten or change the route.

For most larger groups, the value is strongest on the sunset departure. You get a swim, dinner, drinks, and a memorable view of Mykonos as the light fades. Choose the morning cruise if you prefer an earlier start and want the rest of the day free.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Can I choose a morning or sunset departure?

Yes. You choose between a morning cruise and a sunset cruise when booking.

Does the tour visit the archaeological site of Delos?

The catamaran stops in front of Delos for photographs and a short history explanation from the hostess. You do not go ashore, and admission to the archaeological site is not included.

Is food included?

Yes. The fresh meal includes grilled shrimp, spaghetti with red sauce, mixed green salad, stuffed vine leaves, kebab, tzatziki, and bread.

Is hotel pickup available from a villa?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, but transportation from villas is not provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise may be canceled or rescheduled if conditions are unsafe. You will be offered a different date or a full refund.