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

Mykonos is best seen from the water, and this private catamaran cruise gives you a generous half-day of open Aegean views, quiet swimming coves, and a freshly cooked Greek meal. The boat leaves from Ornos Bay, then heads toward Rhenia and, when conditions permit, the waters around Delos.

I especially like the combination of private space and real onboard cooking. Your chef prepares an eight-flavor lunch, including fresh seafood, rather than handing you a cold picnic. I also like the flexibility of two swimming stops, snorkeling gear, and an alternative route along Mykonos’ southern coast when wind makes the outer islands less comfortable.

The main drawback is the price: $796.48 per person is a serious splurge. It makes far more sense for a family or group sharing a private boat than for a solo visitor. Also, hotel transport and beach towels cost extra or must be arranged separately.

Key points before you book

• Rhenia’s quiet coves: The usual route includes a swimming and snorkeling stop near the unspoiled coves of Rhenia.
• An eight-course-style Greek lunch: The chef cooks onboard, with fresh seafood and dishes such as calamari, shrimp, chicken, feta preparations, salad, and tzatziki mentioned as favorites.
• Private boat, private group: Only your own party participates, which makes the day easier for families and groups of friends.
• Wind can change the route: Rougher conditions may send the catamaran along Mykonos’ south coast instead of toward Rhenia and Delos.
• Open bar included: Beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water are available without an added drink charge.
• Bring your own towel: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but beach towels are not.

Why this cruise works so well for a Mykonos day

Mykonos has plenty of beach clubs, but a catamaran gives you a different view of the island. From the water, the busy beach scene falls away. You see low, dry hills, bright coves, white buildings in the distance, and the broad blue sweep of the Aegean.

I like this tour because it does not try to pack too much into five hours. You sail, stop to swim, eat lunch, and sail back. That sounds simple, but it is exactly the right pace for a hot island day.

The boat is private, so you are not sharing the experience with a large mixed group. A family can settle into its own rhythm. A group of friends can swim, eat, listen to music, and enjoy the open bar without negotiating every choice with strangers.

The company has been operating day tours for 24 years, and the experience is built around a captain and a small crew. Names vary by sailing, but crew members praised in the supplied material include Paris, George, Michael, Alkis, Christos, Nadav, and Kyrlos. The most frequently praised pair is Paris and George, while chef George and chef Michael receive special credit for the food.

Meeting the boat at Ornos Bay

Your day begins at an unnamed road meeting point in Ornos, at Ornos Bay. A hostess welcomes you at the dock, and the captain collects you with a tender boat before you board the catamaran.

That tender transfer matters. You do not simply walk up a gangway from the beach. Wear shoes that are easy to remove and keep your phone, camera, and passport details secure during the short boat transfer. The exact pickup arrangement should be confirmed when you book, especially if you are staying outside Ornos.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price. The tour information presents transport as an optional arrangement in one place, but also says the transfer to Ornos Bay is extra. I would treat transport as a separate cost and confirm it before paying.

Once aboard, the crew gives a standard safety briefing. You receive a welcome Prosecco, then the sails go up for about an hour of smooth sailing when the wind cooperates.

Sailing toward Rhenia and Delos

The main route heads across the Aegean toward Rhenia, with Delos included in the overall outing. The value here is not a long archaeological visit. The published plan focuses on sailing, coves, swimming, and views of the islands.

If you want to walk through Delos’ ancient ruins, ask about that before booking. This is primarily a water-based cruise, and the detailed schedule does not promise a shore visit or an archaeological tour. One family group also noted that its time was spent aboard the boat, apart from swimming.

That is not a flaw if you want a relaxed day on the sea. It is a mismatch if your main goal is to step ashore on Delos and study its temples. For ancient sites, book a dedicated Delos excursion. For quiet water and island scenery, this catamaran is the better fit.

Rhenia is the more important stop for the advertised experience. The island is known here for uncrowded coves and clear water rather than developed facilities. You anchor in a sheltered spot, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, and swim directly from the boat.

You should not expect a beach club, changing room, or line of cafés. That is the point, but it also means you need to be comfortable with a boat-centered outing. A beach towel is not provided, and you should bring one.

Two swimming stops in clear water

The first stop is described as an unspoiled Rhenia cove. After swimming and snorkeling, the catamaran sails to another beautiful cove with clear water, where lunch is served onboard.

The schedule gives you two useful kinds of relaxation. The first stop gets you into the water before lunch, while the second combines food, shade, drinks, and more time to swim. You can expect the captain to choose the exact anchorage based on wind and sea conditions.

The water can be cool, especially in early October. One group also found the weather breezy and a little chilly, though the scenery remained impressive. Pack a light layer for the sailing portions, even in summer, since wind can make the boat feel cooler than the beach.

The snorkeling equipment is included. WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker are also available, so you can play music during the cruise. I would keep the music at a level that suits your own group, since the best part of these stops is often the quiet.

The cruise is not advertised as a specialist snorkeling trip. You get equipment and swimming time, but the main appeal is the full day pattern of sailing, coves, food, and company. If you want marine-life instruction or a guided underwater tour, look for a more focused snorkeling outing.

The onboard Greek lunch is a major reason to go

The food earns unusually strong praise in the supplied comments. Several groups called it their best meal in Mykonos, and one party specifically enjoyed calamari, shrimp, chicken with feta, and Greek salad. Another singled out a family tzatziki recipe, while feta dishes and home-style cooking also received attention.

The meal is described as an eight-flavor lunch freshly prepared onboard by the chef. That makes the tour more than a boat ride with snacks. The crew cooks during the cruise, then serves a substantial spread at the cove.

The exact menu can change, so do not book expecting a fixed restaurant-style tasting menu. Fresh seafood is included, along with Greek dishes and other meal items. If anyone in your group has allergies or dietary needs, ask about them at booking rather than waiting until lunch.

The setting adds much of the pleasure. You eat on a catamaran surrounded by open water, with the boat anchored in a quiet cove. One group requested an outdoor table and had it arranged, though a less satisfied party felt the crew began cleaning and closing the table too quickly after eating. That detail points to an important truth: the crew can shape the day as much as the boat or menu.

Open bar, music, and the feel of a private charter

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. The welcome Prosecco is served at the start. This is useful for a group that wants a few drinks with lunch without tracking every bottle on the bill.

The bar is not described as a full cocktail service. Think simple, practical drinks rather than a floating nightclub. Bring your own expectations in line with the offering.

The Bluetooth speaker adds a party option, while the catamaran itself gives you room to sit in the sun or find shade. The boat has been described as spacious, clean, comfortable, and well maintained. Some parties sailed on boats referred to as Supernova or Kymo, but the assigned vessel may vary.

Because the boat is private, you can shape the mood. A family with children can focus on swimming. A birthday group can make lunch the centerpiece. A group of friends can use the music and open bar for a more festive afternoon.

The crew also keeps an eye on swimmers. One group appreciated the watchful approach to safety while children and adults played in the water. The captain remains responsible for the route and conditions, so you should follow instructions around the tender, sails, and swimming stops.

Wind, weather, and the alternate Mykonos route

Mykonos is famously windy. That is good news for sailing, but it can make the route less predictable. If the conditions are too rough or uncomfortable for the outer-island plan, the captain may take you along Mykonos’ southern coast instead.

The alternative itinerary visits some of the island’s famous beaches and a sheltered cove away from the crowds. You still sail, swim, eat, and use the boat, but you may not reach Rhenia or see the route you pictured.

This is a safety and comfort choice, not a hidden substitution. The alternative route has been used for years, and it can be the better day when the open water is rough. Still, one dissatisfied party felt that sitting in a cove for a long time made the experience feel limited. I would book this only if you are happy with the basic pleasure of being on the water, not if you need a rigid sightseeing checklist.

The experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because of poor conditions, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. A cancellation you make yourself must be completed at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. After that, the amount paid is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Is the $796.48 price worth it?

At $796.48 per person, this is not a budget excursion. The price includes the private catamaran, captain and crew, Prosecco, the cooked lunch, open bar, snorkeling equipment, WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. It does not include the transfer to Ornos Bay, beach towels, or crew gratuities.

For one or two people, the cost is hard to justify unless a private boat day is a top priority. For a larger party, the calculation improves because the boat and crew are shared across your group. Group discounts may also be available, so ask about the final total rather than assuming the displayed per-person rate tells the whole story.

The food matters in the value calculation. You are not paying only for transport from one beach to another. You receive a freshly prepared meal, drinks, crew service, and a private setting that would cost a great deal to arrange independently.

I would compare it with the cost of a standard shared cruise. A cheaper group boat may give you similar water views, but it will not offer the same privacy or control over the day. If you are marking a birthday, anniversary, family milestone, or final day in Mykonos, the private format can make the premium worthwhile.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the cruise to families, groups of friends, and couples who place a high value on privacy, swimming, and food. It also suits people with only half a day available, since the five-hour schedule leaves room for other Mykonos plans.

Teenagers tend to fit the format well. They can swim, snorkel, listen to music, and move around the boat rather than spending hours in a formal sightseeing group. Younger children must be accompanied by an adult, and the child rate applies only when sharing with four paying adults.

This is less suitable for someone who dislikes boats, gets uncomfortable in wind, or wants to spend the day walking ashore. It is also not the best match if you need a guaranteed Delos ruins visit or a fixed list of beaches.

The experience is described as suitable for most people, but the material does not give detailed accessibility information. If a member of your group has mobility needs, ask the operator about the dock, tender transfer, boarding, and movement around the catamaran before booking.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring a beach towel. That is the most obvious omission from the included equipment.

I would also pack swimwear, sunscreen, a light jacket, sunglasses, a hat, and shoes that are practical for a dock and tender transfer. Keep valuables protected from spray, especially during boarding.

Have passport details ready for every participant. At booking, the company requires each person’s passport number, full name, year of birth, and country. Confirmation is issued within 48 hours, subject to availability.

If you are visiting from a cruise ship, allow enough time to reach Ornos Bay and confirm the transfer plan. One birthday group found the arranged transfer punctual and the journey to the catamaran straightforward, but transport is not automatically included.

Should you book this Mykonos catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a private day built around clear-water swimming, a generous Greek lunch, and easy time on the Aegean. The strongest parts are the onboard cooking, the quiet coves, the open bar, and the freedom that comes with having the boat to yourselves.

I would be cautious if you are booking mainly for Delos archaeology, a guaranteed route, or a low price. Wind can change the plan, and the boat does not promise a shore visit. For a group celebrating something special, though, this is one of the more appealing ways to spend five hours in Mykonos, provided the cost fits your budget and you pack for a windy boat day.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Ornos Bay, at the meeting point on Unnamed Road, Ornos 846 00, Greece.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the stated inclusions. Transfer to Ornos Bay is an additional arrangement.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes a freshly prepared eight-flavor lunch, including fresh seafood, plus unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Beach towels are not provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The child rate applies only when sharing with four paying adults.