Review · MYKONOS

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

★ 4.5 · 41 reviews 5 hours (approx.) From $192 per person Operated by Mykonos Cruises, Yacht Sailing Tours, Mykonos Catamaran, Dolphin Navigation · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Mykonos catamaran cruise is the change of pace. You leave the crowded beaches behind, pass the little island of Baos, pause near ancient Delos, then anchor at Rhenia for swimming and a meal cooked on board. The small-group setting, capped at 18 people, gives the trip a more relaxed feel than a large boat excursion.

I like the choice of a morning or sunset sailing, and I like that the fare includes hotel transport, snorkeling gear, food, wine, soft drinks, and raki. The crew often earns high marks for being warm and helpful, with captains and mates such as Adonis, Fanis, Matt, Dimitris, Stefanos, and Giannis named positively. The main caution is the sea itself: Mykonos can be windy, and some people have felt seasick or cold on the ride.

What makes this Mykonos sailing trip worth considering

Luxury Catamaran Semi private cruise with meals & drinks and transportation. - What makes this Mykonos sailing trip worth considering

  • Delos from the water: You stop in front of the archaeological site for photographs and a short explanation, but you do not go ashore.
  • Rhenia swimming stop: The catamaran anchors in a clear-water cove for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.
  • Morning or sunset choice: Pick a daytime meal cruise or a later sailing with views of Mykonos at golden hour.
  • Food and drinks included: Expect a freshly prepared full meal, wine, soft drinks, and the traditional Cretan spirit raki.
  • Hotel transport: Air-conditioned van pickup and return are included from hotels in Platis Gialos.
  • A genuinely social trip: The limited group size encourages conversation, while still leaving room to sit quietly and watch the sea.

Leaving Mykonos by air-conditioned minivan

Luxury Catamaran Semi private cruise with meals & drinks and transportation. - Leaving Mykonos by air-conditioned minivan

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel in Platis Gialos. The transfer runs by air-conditioned minivan to Mykonos New Port, where you meet the skipper and crew before boarding the catamaran.

The transport is useful because Mykonos port connections can be awkward, especially during a busy summer day. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the harbor or work out where to meet the boat. Just keep your mobile ticket ready. Paper tickets are not required.

Pay close attention to the pickup message on the day of departure. One reported problem involved a changed morning pickup time sent only a short while before departure. For that reason, I would be ready earlier than the original time and keep your phone close. The trip lasts about five hours, but the exact time spent on the water can shift with weather, sea conditions, and harbor arrangements.

Sailing past Baos and the northern coast

Luxury Catamaran Semi private cruise with meals & drinks and transportation. - Sailing past Baos and the northern coast

Once everyone is aboard, find a comfortable place on the modern sailing catamaran and watch Mykonos recede. The famous white houses look different from the sea, where the island’s dry hills and bright buildings form a clean backdrop.

The first section is about enjoying the boat. You can sit in the sun, find shade, talk with other passengers, or watch the crew handle the sailing. Homemade wine and raki are available, along with soft drinks. The inclusion of drinks matters here because this is not simply a short transfer to a swimming beach. The ride itself is a major part of the experience.

The Aegean can be rough around Mykonos. Several people have found the waves powerful enough to cause motion sickness, and one account described two people becoming ill. If you are sensitive to movement, take the warning seriously. Sit where the motion feels manageable, avoid drinking too much early in the trip, and bring any medication you normally use for seasickness.

Wind can also make the boat feel cold, even on a bright day. Pack a light layer. A swimsuit alone may be fine in the cove, but it is not always enough for the crossing.

A photo stop in front of ancient Delos

The catamaran sails toward Delos, one of the Aegean’s most important ancient sites. You stop offshore, facing the archaeological remains, while the hostess gives a short explanation of the island’s past.

This is a scenic history stop, not a full archaeological visit. Admission to Delos is not included, and the tour does not drop you on the island. You stay aboard and take photographs from the water. That distinction is important if Delos is a top priority for your trip. A separate land-based excursion is the better choice if you want to walk among the ruins, see the mosaics, and spend time at the site itself.

Still, seeing Delos from the catamaran has a clear advantage. You get a view that many visitors miss, with the ancient remains set against open sea rather than viewed only from the paths on land. The pause also breaks up the sailing and gives you a reason to keep your camera ready.

The quality of the explanation may depend on the crew member leading the trip. Some sailings have included a useful presentation about the places along the route, while other accounts describe the historical commentary as limited. I would treat the talk as a pleasant introduction, not as a substitute for a professional archaeological tour.

Swimming and lunch in a Rhenia cove

Luxury Catamaran Semi private cruise with meals & drinks and transportation. - Swimming and lunch in a Rhenia cove

After Delos, the catamaran heads to nearby Rhenia. The crew drops anchor in a small cove with clear turquoise water, and this is the point when the day shifts from sightseeing to pure relaxation.

Snorkeling equipment is provided. Towels are not, so bring your own. You can swim, snorkel, sit on the boat, and enjoy the quiet setting. The plan describes one main swimming stop, so do not book this expecting a series of separate beaches or coves. The stop is long enough to be a central part of the trip, but the number of swimming locations may feel limited if you want constant activity.

The lunch or dinner is prepared on board. Accounts of the food vary, but the strongest praise goes to the freshly cooked meal and the way it is shared at the table. Menus have included meat, salad, pasta, bread, grape leaves, prawns, and sliced fruit. Some passengers found the meal delicious and generous. Others found certain items oily, overcooked, reheated, or disappointing for the price.

That mixed record is worth keeping in mind. Food quality can vary by sailing and crew, and expectations matter. You are paying for a boat outing with a meal, not booking a high-end restaurant at sea. The inclusion of wine, soft drinks, and raki adds value, particularly if you would otherwise buy lunch and drinks separately at a beach venue.

If you have dietary restrictions, the information provided does not explain what substitutions are available. Ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the onboard meal can be changed.

What the crew adds to the day

Luxury Catamaran Semi private cruise with meals & drinks and transportation. - What the crew adds to the day

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Captains and mates named in feedback include Adonis and Fanis, Matt and Dimitris, Stefanos and Giannis, and crew members such as Julio and Sotos. Several accounts describe the staff as attentive, welcoming, and quick to help.

One captain immediately assisted a passenger who became seasick. Another crew member prepared lunch and shared information about the places along the route. These small actions matter on a boat, where the crew controls your comfort, safety, food, and schedule.

The service is not perfectly consistent. Some accounts describe a crew that seemed quiet or less involved in explaining the sights. If you want a highly structured guided tour with constant narration, this may feel too casual. If you prefer time to lounge, swim, eat, and chat without a running commentary, that relaxed approach may suit you well.

The social side is also part of the value. With up to 18 people, the group is large enough to feel lively but much smaller than a ferry or party boat. Solo passengers can meet people, while families and couples still have room to sit together. The atmosphere depends on the group, but the shared meal tends to encourage conversation.

Returning past Little Venice and the windmills

Luxury Catamaran Semi private cruise with meals & drinks and transportation. - Returning past Little Venice and the windmills

On the way back, the catamaran passes Mykonos Town, Little Venice, and the island’s famous windmills. This is an excellent time for photographs because you see the town from an angle that is impossible from the waterfront streets.

The sunset departure adds another layer. You sail back as the light softens over Mykonos, and the final part of the trip can be especially attractive for photographs. One evening sailing even had dolphins visible on the return, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and should not be a reason to book the tour.

A sunset sailing is not automatically better than the morning option. Choose the morning if you want the clearest chance of a full swimming period and a daytime view of the water. Choose the afternoon or sunset option if you care more about warm light, a slower mood, and seeing the coast after the day’s strongest heat.

The boat then returns to the port, followed by hotel drop-off. Again, the advertised duration is about five hours, not a full day. That makes this a manageable choice if you want time afterward for dinner, a walk through Mykonos Town, or another reservation.

Is $192.23 a fair price?

Luxury Catamaran Semi private cruise with meals & drinks and transportation. - Is $192.23 a fair price?

At $192.23 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend time on the water. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: air-conditioned transport from Platis Gialos, fuel, crew, snorkeling equipment, a cooked meal, wine, soft drinks, raki, and the catamaran ride.

I see the value most clearly if you want convenience. You do not need to arrange transport, pack a separate lunch, rent snorkeling gear, or find your own boat to Rhenia. You also get a smaller group than a standard sightseeing cruise.

The value is weaker if your main goal is visiting Delos itself. You only see the archaeological site from the boat, and admission is not included. It is also less convincing if you expect restaurant-level food or a luxury yacht with flawless equipment. One account noted that the boat was beginning to show its age, with two things breaking during the trip, though the crew handled the problems professionally.

Think of this as a comfortable, social sailing day with food and swimming, not a private yacht charter. The word semi-private can sound more exclusive than it is. Group size is limited to 18, but you will share the boat with other people.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

Luxury Catamaran Semi private cruise with meals & drinks and transportation. - Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, solo visitors, and small groups who want to see Mykonos from the sea without managing the practical details themselves. It is especially suited to people who value a cooked meal, included drinks, hotel transport, and a friendly shared atmosphere.

You should be comfortable with open water, wind, and a moving boat. Anyone prone to seasickness should plan ahead. Bring a towel, a warm layer, swimwear, sun protection, and a phone or camera for Delos, Little Venice, and the windmills.

This is less suitable if you need step-free certainty, want a private boat for your own party, or expect a detailed guided visit to Delos. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed mobility specifications, so ask before booking if that is important to you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund. The experience also needs a minimum number of participants, so the operator may offer another date or experience if that minimum is not reached.

Should you book it?

Book this Mykonos catamaran cruise if you want a well-organized half-day on the Aegean, with swimming at Rhenia, a view of Delos, onboard food, drinks, and transport from Platis Gialos. The crew and small group are the main strengths, while the sea conditions, mixed food reports, and boat age are the main cautions.

I would choose the sunset option for atmosphere and photographs, and the morning sailing for a straightforward swim and lunch. If you can accept that Delos is a photo stop rather than a shore visit, and that the meal may be good rather than outstanding, the package offers a convenient and sociable way to get beyond Mykonos Town.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours, including the sailing, Delos photo stop, swimming and snorkeling at Rhenia, meal service, and return to the port.

Can I choose a morning or sunset departure?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and return transport are included from hotels in Platis Gialos. Transport is provided by air-conditioned van.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The catamaran stops in front of Delos so you can take photographs and hear a short explanation. You do not get off the boat, and admission to Delos is not included.

Is food included?

Yes. The cruise includes lunch on the morning sailing or dinner on the sunset sailing. The meal is prepared on board.

Are drinks included?

Wine, soft drinks, and a traditional alcoholic drink called raki are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

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