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

A private catamaran cruise from Mykonos gives you something the island itself cannot: quiet water, empty coves, and a broad view of the Aegean. You sail from Ornos Bay toward Rhenia and Delos, stop for swimming and snorkeling, then eat a full Greek meal cooked aboard the boat.

I like the fresh eight-dish lunch, which includes seafood rather than the usual boxed boat meal. I also like the flexible route: on calmer days you can reach Rhenia and enjoy views toward Delos, while windy weather brings an alternative cruise along Mykonos’ southern coast.

The main consideration is the price, about $796.48 per person. That makes sense for a private charter with food, drinks, and crew, especially for a larger group, but it is a serious splurge for two people. Wind can also change the route, and the water may feel cool outside the warmest summer weeks.

Key Points Before You Book

• Private catamaran setting: Only your own group participates, so you can enjoy the boat without sharing it with strangers.
• Two swimming stops: The usual route includes clear-water coves around Rhenia, with snorkeling equipment provided.
• Fresh Greek cooking: The chef prepares an eight-flavor meal onboard, including fresh seafood, salads, feta dishes, and other Mediterranean food.
• Open bar included: Beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water are available throughout the cruise, along with a welcome Prosecco.
• Five-hour schedule: The cruise fits well into a half-day plan, though you should allow extra time if arranging transport to Ornos Bay.
• Wind-sensitive route: Strong winds may send the boat along Mykonos’ southern coast instead of toward Rhenia and Delos.

Why This Cruise Works So Well for a Mykonos Day

Mykonos is famous for white buildings, beach clubs, and summer crowds. From the water, you get a different island. The shore opens up, the beaches look less developed, and the bright Aegean gives you space to breathe.

This is not mainly a sightseeing cruise with a long list of monuments. It is a slow half-day on the water, built around sailing, swimming, food, and time in the sun. You may get some background about the islands, but the real pleasure is simple: sit on deck, watch the sails, jump into clear water, and eat lunch without rushing to the next stop.

The private format matters. Your group can settle into its own rhythm, and the crew can adjust the day to your needs within the limits of weather and the five-hour schedule. Families, couples, and groups of friends have all used the boat for birthdays, final days in Mykonos, and relaxed afternoons between sightseeing plans.

The high rating, 4.9 out of 5 from 84 ratings, reflects the elements that receive the most consistent praise: the food, the boat, the scenery, and the crew. Names that come up in the experience include Captain Paris, George, Captain Michael, Captain Alkis, Christos, Massimo, Nadav, and Kyrlos. Crew assignments can vary, but the cooking and hospitality are central parts of the offering.

Starting at Ornos Bay and Getting Underway

The meeting point is on an unnamed road at Ornos, south of Mykonos Town. You meet the hostess at the dock, then take a tender boat out to the catamaran, where the captain gives a safety briefing.

That short tender ride is worth noting. You do not simply walk up a gangway from the shore, so wear shoes you can remove easily and keep phones, cameras, and other loose items secure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, although optional transfers may be available when arranged separately. The cost of reaching Ornos Bay belongs in your planning.

Once aboard, the crew welcomes you with Prosecco and prepares the boat for sailing. The first hour is generally spent moving across the Aegean under sail. The pace is gentle, and that is the point. You are not being rushed from one photo stop to another.

The catamaran has room to sit in the sun or shade, according to the boat setup and weather. WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker are included, useful if your group wants music during the cruise. Bring a beach towel, since towels are not supplied.

Rhenia, Delos, and the First Swim

The usual route heads toward Rhenia, an island known here for quiet coves and clear water. The first stop is chosen for swimming and snorkeling, not for a formal shore visit. You use the equipment provided by the crew and swim from the boat in an unspoiled setting.

This is one of the cruise’s strongest moments. Mykonos beaches can be busy and highly organized, with loungers, music, and watersports. A cove around Rhenia offers a more natural break. You can float, snorkel, or simply sit on the boat and look into the water.

The itinerary also includes Delos, the ancient sacred island near Mykonos, when conditions and timing permit. The boat’s description presents Delos as part of the sailing area rather than a guaranteed land excursion. That distinction matters. You should not book this expecting time to walk through the archaeological site or step ashore for a museum visit.

Instead, think of Delos as part of the wider Aegean setting. You may see the island from the water and gain some context from the crew, while the main activity remains sailing and swimming. If visiting ancient ruins is your top goal, arrange a separate Delos trip.

A Second Cove and Lunch Cooked on Board

After the first swim, the boat sails to another sheltered cove. Here the crew serves the main meal, freshly prepared onboard by the chef. The food is one of the biggest reasons this cruise earns its price.

The meal is described as an eight-flavor lunch with fresh seafood. Specific dishes mentioned by diners include calamari, shrimp, chicken with feta, Greek salad, and a feta dish. George has also prepared tzatziki using his mother’s recipe. The meal is not just a plate of grilled food dropped in front of you. It is presented as a spread of Greek dishes, giving you a chance to sample several flavors.

That style suits a boat day. You can eat slowly, share dishes, and return to the table after a swim. Several groups have called it one of their best meals in Mykonos, which is notable in a destination with plenty of good restaurants.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. You also receive a welcome sparkling drink at the start. This is useful for a private group, since the cost of drinks can quickly add up on a charter. Still, the listed bar is limited to those beverages. If you want cocktails or spirits, do not assume they are included.

Service can depend on the crew assigned to your boat. Many descriptions of the experience emphasize attentive hosts who refill drinks, explain the area, and keep a watchful eye while people swim. One less positive account describes a crew that felt distant and did not offer enough help with drinks or the outdoor dining setup. I would treat this as a reminder to speak up. Ask for the table arrangement you want, request help when needed, and clarify the plan at the start.

The Last Swim and Sail Back to Mykonos

After lunch, there is time for another swim before the return to Ornos Bay. The repeated water stops make this a better choice for people who want to swim than for anyone seeking a packed sightseeing schedule.

The catamaran provides snorkeling gear, but the details of other water equipment should be confirmed before booking. One account expected a paddleboard but found none available. A paddleboard is not listed among the included items, so you should count on snorkeling gear rather than extra toys.

The return sail gives you a final stretch of open water and Mykonos views. Depending on the timing and conditions, the light can be especially attractive late in the day. One birthday group described a sunset on the way back, but sunset should not be treated as guaranteed on every departure. The standard experience lasts about five hours, and the end point is the original meeting point at Ornos.

What Happens When the Meltemi Wind Arrives

Mykonos is exposed to the Aegean winds, especially during the summer season. Wind is not a small technical detail here. It can affect comfort, sailing speed, swim stops, and the route itself.

When conditions are too windy for the Rhenia and Delos plan, the crew may follow the southern coast of Mykonos instead. The alternative route visits some of the island’s well-known beaches and a sheltered cove away from the thickest crowds. It is designed to reduce waves and keep the trip comfortable and safe.

This route can still be enjoyable, but it may not match the picture in your head of sailing to remote islands. One dissatisfied account described spending too long in a cove and feeling that the day lacked enough movement. That is the fair warning: a weather-adjusted cruise can mean more time anchored and less time sailing.

The crew’s safety choice is reasonable. A catamaran cannot order the wind to calm down, and the Aegean is not a swimming pool. If the route changes, try to judge the day by comfort and water time rather than by whether it followed the original map exactly.

Is $796.48 Per Person a Fair Price?

At $796.48 per person, this is an expensive Mykonos activity. The value improves if you are booking for a large private group and would otherwise pay for a boat charter, restaurant lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and transport separately.

The price includes the catamaran, captain and crew, Prosecco, the full lunch, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling gear, WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. It does not include gratuities, beach towels, or transport to Ornos Bay. Those omissions are easy to manage, but you should budget for them.

For a group celebrating a birthday or sharing a final day together, the private setting may justify the cost. The boat becomes both transportation and venue. You are not paying only to see a beach. You are paying for several hours of private use, a cooked meal, crew service, and a flexible day on the water.

For a couple, the calculation is tougher. If you mainly want a swim and a look at the coast, a shared boat or a shorter cruise may cost less. If you care about privacy, food, and a special occasion, this charter makes more sense.

The booking pattern, averaging 71 days in advance, suggests that you should not leave it until the last minute, especially if your group needs a specific date. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

Who Will Enjoy This Best?

I would recommend this cruise most strongly for:

• Families with older children and teenagers who want swimming rather than a full day of ruins.
• Groups of friends who will share the private charter cost.
• Couples marking a birthday or anniversary.
• People who value a long Greek meal as much as the sailing.
• Visitors with only half a day available for a water excursion.

The experience may be less suitable if you dislike wind, boat movement, or swimming from a vessel. It is also not the right choice if your main goal is a guided visit inside Delos’ archaeological site.

Most people can participate, and children must be accompanied by an adult. A child rate applies only when sharing the boat with four paying adults. At booking, you must provide each participant’s full name, passport number, year of birth, and country.

Practical Advice for a Better Day

Bring your own beach towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a dry bag for valuables. Keep a light layer handy because the boat can feel cool when it is windy, even under strong sun. Early October conditions may be breezy and cool, and the sea can feel cold outside high summer.

Ask the crew at the beginning which route is planned and how many swim stops you can expect. If you have a strong preference for eating outside, say so before lunch is set up. The crew can only respond to requests they hear.

Allow time to reach Ornos Bay, and do not schedule a tight appointment immediately after the cruise. Wind, tender boarding, and the return to the dock can affect the exact timing.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book the Mykonos Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a private, food-focused day on the Aegean and your group is comfortable sharing a premium price. The strongest parts are the fresh Greek lunch, quiet swimming coves, open bar, and the chance to see Mykonos from beyond its busy beaches.

Think twice if you want a guaranteed visit ashore at Delos, a fixed route, or the lowest-cost way to get on the water. Wind can change the plan, and the quality of service may vary with the crew.

For a birthday, family reunion, or final Mykonos day, I can see the appeal. Bring a towel, confirm the route, and book well ahead. This is less a transport trip than a private Greek afternoon built around good water, good food, and time together.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and ends back at the meeting point in Ornos Bay.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Ornos Bay, at Unnamed Road, Ornos 846 00, Greece. A hostess meets you at the dock, and a tender boat takes you to the catamaran.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price. Transport to Ornos Bay is your responsibility unless you arrange an optional transfer separately.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your own group participates.

Does the tour visit Delos and Rhenia?

The usual plan sails toward Delos and Rhenia, with stops at coves around Rhenia for swimming and snorkeling. The route can change because of wind and weather, and a land visit to Delos is not specified.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a welcome Prosecco and an eight-flavor lunch prepared onboard, including fresh seafood. Unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Beach towels are not provided, so you should bring your own.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Strong wind may also lead to an alternative route along Mykonos’ southern coast.