Mykonos Catamaran Private Day Cruise, Full Lunch & Open-bar

Catch the Aegean at its best. This private Mykonos catamaran cruise pairs clear-water swimming with a freshly cooked Greek lunch, making five hours on the sea feel like a proper holiday rather than just a boat transfer. I especially like the two swimming stops and the choice of a Rhenia and Delos route or a south-coast Mykonos plan when wind makes the open sea rough.

The crew can also turn the outing into a special family event, as several groups celebrated birthdays and anniversaries aboard. My main caution is the price, listed at $796.48 per person, and the fact that the experience depends heavily on wind, crew style, and sea conditions. Hotel transfers and beach towels are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Rhenia swimming stops: Expect clear water, quiet coves, and time to swim or snorkel from the boat.
• Delicious onboard lunch: The chef prepares an eight-flavor Greek meal, including fresh seafood, rather than serving basic packed food.
• Private boat experience: Only your group participates, so you can often shape the pace and atmosphere.
• Wind changes the route: Rough conditions may send you along Mykonos’ south coast instead of toward the islands.
• Open bar included: Beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water are available throughout the cruise.
• Bring your own towel: Snorkeling gear and Wi-Fi are supplied, but beach towels are not.

Five hours between Mykonos and the open sea

The day begins at Ornos Bay, where a hostess meets you on the dock. A tender boat takes you from shore to the catamaran, an easy arrangement that avoids the awkward scramble of boarding from a shallow beach.

Once aboard, the captain gives a safety briefing. Then the sails go up for roughly an hour of sailing across the Aegean. This is the part I like most for setting the mood. You get time to watch Mykonos recede, feel the wind, and enjoy the water without rushing straight from one swimming stop to the next.

The boat is described as clean, spacious, and well maintained. The reviews include praise for boats such as Supernova and Kymo, though the exact catamaran may vary. Shade is available, and the boat carries snorkeling equipment, noodles, Wi-Fi, and a Bluetooth speaker.

This is still a sailing trip, not a floating hotel. Wind can make the ride cool or choppy, especially in the morning or early October. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever normally helps you and choose your seat with care.

Rhenia’s quiet coves and crystal-clear water

The first main stop is an unspoiled cove around Rhenia. The appeal is simple: clear water, fewer people, and the chance to swim straight from the catamaran rather than queue for a crowded beach.

You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment, although the experience is more about swimming in beautiful water than a guaranteed underwater wildlife show. Some groups snorkeled toward shore, while others stayed close to the boat. The crew kept an eye on swimmers and adjusted the stop according to conditions.

The second cove provides another swim and snorkel break. This extra stop matters because five hours can feel short if lunch takes up a large part of the schedule. You get two separate chances to cool off, float, and enjoy the sea without spending the whole trip sitting at a table.

Rhenia is also the setting for the quietest part of the day. The island’s empty beaches and pale shoreline provide the kind of scenery that is difficult to find around the more popular beaches of Mykonos. You do not need a long speech about the islands here. The view does most of the work.

One point deserves clarification. The experience is promoted as including Delos and Rhenia, but the detailed plan centers on sailing, coves, and swimming stops. No shore visit to Delos is specified. If stepping onto the archaeological site is important to you, ask before booking. This is primarily a sailing and swimming excursion, not a guided Delos archaeology tour.

A Greek lunch prepared on the catamaran

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. The chef prepares an eight-flavor meal on board, with fresh seafood included. Dishes described in the experience include calamari, shrimp, chicken with feta, Greek salad, and tzatziki made from a family recipe.

That is a meaningful difference from the usual boat excursion lunch. You are not simply handed a sandwich after swimming. The meal is part of the outing, and the cooking becomes one of the day’s main events.

Several crew members receive especially warm praise for their cooking, including George, Michael, and Kyrlos. George is repeatedly singled out for home-style Greek food, and one group called the meal the best of its entire Greek Islands trip. That may sound grand, but the consistent praise for the seafood, feta dishes, salad, and tzatziki is a useful sign.

The dining setup can vary with conditions and crew preference. One family had to request an outdoor table, while others described relaxed meals in a pleasant open-air setting. If eating outside matters to you, say so clearly at the start rather than waiting until lunch is being served.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. A welcome Prosecco is also included. You will not find spirits listed, so do not book this expecting a full cocktail bar.

Private means more control, but crew style matters

The catamaran is reserved for your group. That makes the trip a strong choice for families, birthday groups, couples, and friends who want time together without sharing a boat with strangers.

A private boat also gives you more room to shape the day. The crew may offer choices about the route, swimming spots, and how long to stay in a cove. Groups of six, eight, nine, and even 13 people have used the experience for family occasions.

The crew names praised in the feedback include Paris, George, Captain Michael, Captain Alkis, Christos, Nadav, Massimo, Argus, and Mikey. The best accounts describe friendly service, attentive safety checks, useful background about the islands, and an easygoing sense of humor. One group even asked George to beatbox, which tells you this can be a lively outing rather than a formal cruise.

Still, service is not perfectly predictable. One family found the crew distant and felt they had to handle their own drinks. They also felt rushed when the table was cleaned soon after lunch. That criticism is worth taking seriously because the crew shapes almost everything on a private charter.

If you expect restaurant-level table service, state that expectation early. If you prefer privacy and do not want staff hovering, you may appreciate a quieter crew. The private format gives you space, but it does not guarantee the same personality or service rhythm on every departure.

What happens when Mykonos wind picks up

Mykonos is famous for wind, and the operator does not pretend otherwise. If the sea is too rough for the planned island route, the captain may follow the south coast of Mykonos instead.

That alternative route visits famous beaches and a sheltered cove away from the main crowds. You still get sailing, swimming, lunch, and the open bar, but the scenery changes from Rhenia and Delos to the southern shoreline.

This is a sensible safety choice, but it can disappoint you if your main goal is to reach the neighboring islands. One unhappy passenger described spending much of the day in a cove because of wind. The company explained that the captain had used the normal alternative route to reduce waves and keep the boat comfortable.

The practical lesson is simple: book this for the experience of being on the sea, not for a guaranteed postcard itinerary. The operator requires good weather and may offer another date or a full refund if weather causes cancellation. Wind alone may change the route without canceling the cruise.

Early October can also feel breezy and cool, even when the scenery is excellent. Pack a light layer, especially if you are joining a morning departure or plan to sit in the shade.

Getting to Ornos Bay and planning your day

The meeting point is on an unnamed road in Ornos, and the activity ends back there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the stated rate, so you need to arrange your own way to Ornos unless a separate transfer has been organized.

One group arriving from a cruise ship reported that its transfer bus was punctual, but that should not be confused with standard inclusion. Confirm any transfer arrangement in advance.

Allow extra time to find the dock. The hostess meets you there, then the tender carries you to the catamaran. This two-step start is normal for the outing, but it means you should not arrive at the last second.

The cruise lasts about five hours. A typical flow includes:

• Welcome drink and safety briefing at the catamaran
• About an hour of sailing
• First Rhenia swimming and snorkeling stop
• Sailing to a second cove
• Freshly prepared lunch and open bar
• Final swim
• Return sailing to Ornos Bay

The exact order can change with wind, meal preparation, and the captain’s judgment. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel. Beach towels are specifically excluded. Passport number, full name, year of birth, and country are required for everyone at booking.

Is $796.48 per person good value?

At $796.48 per person, this is not a casual add-on. It makes financial sense mainly when you are sharing the private boat with a larger group and value privacy, fresh food, and a half-day on the water.

The price includes the catamaran, crew, welcome Prosecco, eight-part lunch, seafood, unlimited beer and wine, soft drinks, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, and a speaker. There is no separate admission charge for the sailing portion, but crew gratuities and transport to Ornos are extra.

For a couple, the cost may feel steep unless the private setting is the main point. For a family or group celebrating a birthday, the cost can compare more favorably with separate private boat arrangements, restaurant meals, and several smaller activities. Group discounts may also be available, so check the final rate for your party rather than judging only by the headline figure.

The strongest value comes from combining several things in one outing: sailing time, swimming, a substantial meal, drinks, and personal space. The weakest value comes if bad wind changes the route and you mainly want to visit Delos or a particular beach.

The activity is booked, on average, 71 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and a weather cancellation brings a new date or full refund.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would point families toward this cruise if the children are comfortable around water and an adult can supervise them. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the child rate applies only when sharing with four paying adults, so check the group math before assuming a discount.

It also suits:

• Friends marking a birthday or anniversary
• Families wanting a private day together
• Couples who place a high value on food and scenery
• People who prefer swimming from a boat to crowded public beaches
• Small groups wanting a flexible, social outing

It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed Delos shore visit, dislike wind, require hotel transportation, or expect polished waiter service throughout the day. It may also disappoint you if you want a packed sightseeing schedule. Much of the pleasure comes from slowing down in a cove.

Should you book the Mykonos private catamaran?

I would book it if your ideal Mykonos day includes sailing, two swims, a generous Greek lunch, and time with your own group. The food receives unusually strong praise, and the private setting gives birthdays and family gatherings a real sense of occasion.

Before paying, confirm the exact route, boat, pickup plan, and outdoor dining setup. Ask specifically how Delos fits into the day, since a shore visit is not clearly included. If you can accept a wind-related route change and the high price fits your group, this is one of the more memorable ways to trade crowded Mykonos beaches for open water.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours, including sailing, swimming and snorkeling stops, lunch, and the return to Ornos Bay.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at Ornos Bay in Mykonos, at the listed meeting point on an unnamed road. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the stated price. Transportation to Ornos Bay must be arranged separately unless a specific transfer has been organized.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a welcome Prosecco, an eight-flavor lunch prepared on board with fresh seafood, unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Strong wind may also lead to an alternative route along Mykonos’ south coast.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Beach towels are not included. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth speaker.