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

The best Mykonos views come from the water. This five-hour private catamaran cruise combines quiet coves and clear swimming water with a freshly cooked Greek lunch, unlimited beer, white wine, soft drinks, and bottled water. I especially like the private format, where only your group boards, and the onboard cooking, which turns a standard boat trip into a proper half-day outing. The main drawback is the price: at $796.48 per person, it makes the most sense for a group that values privacy, food, and service rather than simply getting out on the sea.

The route is built around Rhenia, with Delos included in the broader excursion plan, but wind can change the day. In rough conditions, the captain may keep you along Mykonos’ southern coast instead. That is a sensible safety choice, but it means you should book this for the sailing, swimming, meal, and time on the water, not as a guaranteed archaeological visit.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for your group: You are not sharing the catamaran with strangers, making this a strong choice for families, birthday groups, and friends traveling together.
• Rhenia swimming stops: The usual route includes two peaceful coves with clear water, snorkeling, and beaches that may feel wonderfully empty.
• A serious lunch onboard: The chef prepares an eight-flavor Greek meal, including fresh seafood, rather than serving a basic sandwich buffet.
• Open bar included: Beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water are unlimited during the cruise, with a welcome Prosecco to start.
• Wind can change the plan: The alternative route follows Mykonos’ south coast and famous beaches when conditions make the island route less comfortable.
• Bring your own towel: Snorkeling gear and WiFi are supplied, but beach towels are not.

Why this private Mykonos cruise costs so much

The listed price is $796.48 per person, which places this well above a typical shared boat trip. That sounds steep until you consider what the price covers: a private catamaran, captain and crew, a cooked lunch with seafood, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, and a five-hour route.

The value depends heavily on your group size and expectations. If you are a couple seeking the least expensive way to see the coast, this is hard to justify. If you are organizing a family celebration or a group of friends, the cost buys privacy and control that a large public cruise cannot offer.

That private setting matters. You can spend more time swimming, stay longer in a cove, or simply stretch out without working around a boatload of strangers. The crew can also tailor the mood of the day more easily. Several groups used the cruise for milestone birthdays, family time, and a final day in Mykonos.

The price also includes more food than I would expect from many boat excursions. The meal has been described as a spread of Greek dishes such as calamari, shrimp, chicken with feta, Greek salad, and other home-style specialties. One chef was praised for using his mother’s tzatziki recipe, which tells you more about the food style than a generic promise of Mediterranean cuisine ever could.

Starting at Ornos Bay with a tender boat

Your meeting point is on an unnamed road in Ornos, at Ornos Bay. A hostess welcomes you at the dock, and the captain comes to collect your group by tender boat. That short transfer is part of the setup, since the catamaran itself may be anchored just offshore.

The process is designed to be simple, but you should allow enough time to locate the correct dock and avoid arriving rushed. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the stated price. Transfers may be available as an option, but you need to arrange them separately and confirm the added cost.

Once aboard, the crew gives a standard safety briefing. This is followed by roughly an hour of sailing across the Aegean. The boat uses its sails when conditions permit, so the opening part of the trip is not just a fast ride to the first stop. It is a chance to settle into the pace of the sea.

A private boat also means you need to communicate clearly. If you want more swimming time, prefer shade, or would rather keep sailing, say so early. The crew has received strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and flexible, though one group felt its crew was too hands-off. Service style can vary by crew, so do not be shy about asking for what you need.

Rhenia’s coves and the best swimming time

The usual first swimming stop is an unspoiled cove near Rhenia. The water is described as crystal clear, and snorkeling equipment is provided. You can jump in from the boat, swim around the catamaran, and in some cases snorkel toward shore.

The appeal here is space and calm. Rhenia offers a sharp contrast to Mykonos’ famous beach clubs. You are looking at pale sand, open water, and quiet surroundings rather than music, sunbeds, and crowds. The boat gives you a way to enjoy the coast without committing your entire day to one developed beach.

A second cove follows, usually selected for good swimming conditions and shelter. This stop often becomes the heart of the outing. It is where lunch is prepared and served, and where you can linger over food, drinks, and another swim.

Do not expect a formal beach visit at every stop. The boat is the base for the day, and the activity is mainly swimming from the catamaran. One family was disappointed that it could not get off the boat at the islands, so clarify your expectations before booking. If your ideal excursion involves walking ashore or touring ancient ruins, this may not deliver that experience.

The water can also be cold or choppy depending on the date. A breezy October outing, for example, was still praised for its scenery, but the conditions were cool. Mykonos is famous for wind, and the same breeze that makes sailing pleasant can make swimming less inviting.

Delos, Rhenia, and the limits of the route

The excursion is promoted as a way to explore Delos and Rhenia, two islands with very different character. Rhenia is associated with quiet coves and swimming. Delos is the important archaeological island, known for its ancient remains and religious significance.

The practical detail is that the five-hour outing is not presented as a full guided Delos land tour. The day described by the operator focuses on sailing, coves, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch. In some departures, the captain may give background information about the islands while you pass them, but you should not assume you will have time to disembark and explore the ruins.

This distinction is important. If you want a dedicated Delos archaeological visit, book a tour built around landing on Delos and touring the site. If you want to see the islands from the sea, swim near Rhenia, and enjoy a private meal onboard, this cruise fits better.

Weather controls the route. Strong wind may lead the captain to choose Mykonos’ southern coast instead of sailing farther toward the islands. That alternate plan includes views of well-known beaches and a sheltered cove away from the busiest areas. It is less about checking off Delos and more about giving you a comfortable day on the water.

Lunch cooked aboard by the chef

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. The chef prepares an eight-flavor meal onboard, including fresh seafood. That cooking takes place during the trip, so lunch feels connected to the setting rather than being a meal packed hours earlier.

The descriptions of the food are unusually specific. Past menus have included calamari, shrimp, chicken with feta, Greek salad, feta dishes, tzatziki, and other Greek preparations. The meal has been called the best food of the trip by several groups, a high compliment in a country where excellent food is everywhere.

The cooking also adds a personal touch. Chefs named George, Michael, and Kyrlos received special praise, while captains including Paris, Alkis, Michael, and Nadav were singled out for their care and professionalism. Crew assignments can change, but the repeated praise for both cooking and hospitality suggests that food is not an afterthought here.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. This is a boat kitchen, not a restaurant with a full menu. The stated meal is included, but specific dishes, timing, and presentation may vary. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before departure rather than assuming the chef can adjust the menu.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. You also receive a welcome Prosecco. This is useful on a warm day, and it removes the small but irritating problem of paying separately for every drink. Beach towels are not included, so pack one.

A boat suited to families and celebrations

The private format works especially well for groups. A 13-person family used the cruise as a final day together in Mykonos, while another group included three teenagers who enjoyed the sailing and swimming. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. A child rate applies only when sharing with four paying adults.

The catamaran has been described as spacious, clean, comfortable, and well maintained. It includes shade, snorkeling equipment, WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. Those details matter on a five-hour trip. Shade gives you a break from the Greek sun, and the speaker lets your group set the tone without relying on a loud public boat.

For a birthday or anniversary, the boat provides a natural setting without requiring much decoration. One group celebrated a 15th birthday with a cake arranged by the captain on a separate sunset cruise. The crew has also helped make 60th birthday celebrations feel special.

The cruise is not only for large parties. A solo participant also described a warm, hospitable outing with helpful background about the islands and an authentic home-cooked meal. Still, the price is easier to defend when shared among several people.

Service is usually warm, but ask for what you need

The strongest pattern is friendly service. Captains and first mates are repeatedly praised for being polite, funny, attentive, and careful around swimmers. Crews have helped with drinks, swimming stops, local information, and small practical needs, including retrieving a hat blown into the sea.

But the experience is not automatically perfect. One group found the crew distant and felt it had to make its own drinks. That group also felt rushed after lunch, with the outdoor table being cleaned and closed before the sailing time was over. Another complaint concerned a paddleboard advertised elsewhere but not available onboard.

These points do not erase the many strong experiences, but they help you book with clear eyes. The listed inclusions specifically promise snorkeling gear, not a paddleboard. The bar includes drinks, but the exact level of table service is not spelled out. If you want active hosting, ask the crew for drinks or request that lunch remain set up outside.

The safety approach appears sound. Captains adjust the route when the wind rises and keep watch while people swim. That may mean less adventurous sailing, but it is the correct tradeoff for a private day with children, older adults, or mixed swimming ability.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

The cruise lasts about five hours. Some departures run in the morning, while others may fit a different part of the day. The itinerary returns to the same meeting point at Ornos Bay.

Mykonos weather can change the plan. If poor weather makes the trip impossible, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the captain can operate safely, the route may shift to the southern coast instead. That means you should not treat the island itinerary as guaranteed.

Pack a swimsuit, sun protection, a towel, and clothing for wind. A light layer is useful even in warm weather, especially after swimming or during a breezy return sail. Bring a waterproof case for your phone if you want to photograph the coves from the water.

You also need to provide each participant’s full name, passport number, year of birth, and country at booking. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and late changes are not accepted.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would choose this for a group that wants a private day with good food and swimming built in. It fits families, friend groups, birthday celebrations, and anyone who prefers a relaxed boat day to a packed sightseeing schedule.

It is also a smart choice for a final day in Mykonos. You can leave the island with a memorable meal, time in the sea, and broad views of the coast, without spending another day moving between beaches by road.

I would be more cautious if your top priority is visiting Delos on foot, paddleboarding, or receiving constant drink service. I would also compare the price carefully if you are booking for only one or two people. At 4.9 out of 5 from 84 ratings, with 96 percent recommending it, the overall record is strong, but the isolated complaints show how much the crew and wind can shape the day.

Should you book the Mykonos private catamaran?

Book it if you want privacy, swimming, sailing, and a generous Greek lunch in one outing. The seafood meal, open bar, clear-water coves, and warm crews make this more than a simple sightseeing ride.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed Delos landing, a low-cost boat trip, or a fully staffed luxury charter with every extra water toy. For the right group, though, this is one of the easier ways to turn a Mykonos beach day into a special occasion.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Ornos Bay in Ornos, Greece. The meeting point is listed on an unnamed road in Ornos.

Does the cruise include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the stated price. Transfer to Ornos Bay is also excluded.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are Delos and Rhenia included?

The excursion is designed around Delos and Rhenia, but the exact route can change with wind and sea conditions. The usual plan includes sailing toward Rhenia and stopping at coves for swimming.

What food is included?

You receive an eight-flavor lunch freshly prepared onboard by the chef, including fresh seafood.

What drinks are included?

The cruise includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water, plus a welcome Prosecco.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Beach towels are not included, so bring your own.