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

Mykonos looks best from the water. This five-hour catamaran cruise gives you a relaxed way to see the island, the ruins of Delos, nearby Rhenia, and the famous windmills near Little Venice without arranging boats, food, or transport yourself. I especially like the choice of a morning or sunset departure, plus the freshly cooked meal and included drinks.

The cruise also keeps its group size limited to a maximum of 18 people. That is a major improvement over a crowded excursion boat, and several outings have had a friendly, social feel. The main concern is value: at $192.23 per person, the experience depends heavily on good weather, a comfortable sea, and a crew that stays engaged.

I also like the practical hotel pickup from Platis Gialos and the fact that mobile tickets are accepted. Keep in mind that the boat does not drop you at Delos, towels are not included, and strong Aegean wind can make the ride rough or chilly.

Key points to know before booking

• Delos is a photo stop, not a shore excursion: You see the archaeological site from the catamaran and hear a short explanation, but admission and a landing on the island are not included.
• Rhenia is the main swimming stop: The boat anchors in a clear-water cove where you can use the provided snorkel equipment before lunch or dinner.
• You can choose morning or sunset: The morning trip is better for a full day afterward, while the later sailing adds golden-hour views near Mykonos.
• Food is cooked onboard: The meal may include meat, salad, pasta, bread, grape leaves, fruit, and seafood, though food quality has not been perfectly consistent.
• The sea can be rough: Mykonos is famously windy. Bring a warm layer, and consider motion sickness medicine if you are sensitive.
• The boat is semi-private, not private: The maximum group size is 18, with one reported outing carrying 11 people.

Leaving Mykonos New Port by catamaran

Your day begins with pickup by air-conditioned minivan from your hotel in Platis Gialos. From there, you head to Mykonos New Port, meet the skipper and crew, and settle onto the modern sailing catamaran.

The transport is a useful part of the package. Mykonos roads and port traffic can be awkward, especially in high season, so having the ride arranged saves you from working out a taxi or parking plan. Still, pay close attention to the pickup message on the morning of the cruise. One departure had a last-minute change to the requested ready time, which caused confusion for people who had planned around the original schedule.

I would be ready earlier than the stated pickup time and keep your phone close. The operator provides mobile tickets, so you do not need to print anything. The confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity is offered in English.

Once onboard, the views open quickly. White Mykonian houses recede behind you, and the noisy port gives way to open Aegean water. The catamaran offers space to sit, stretch out, and watch the coastline from a much better angle than you get on land.

The boat is advertised as modern, but its condition may vary. Some outings found it clean and comfortable, while one report noted that two things broke and the crew handled them with professional workarounds. I would not book this expecting a flawless luxury yacht. Think of it as a comfortable shared sailing trip with food and drinks included.

Passing Baos, the old pirate island

The first stretch takes you along the north side of Mykonos and past Baos, sometimes called the pirates island. This is less a formal stop than a scenic passage, but it adds a little character to the route.

The crew serves homemade wine and a traditional Cretan drink called raki during the sailing. Soft drinks and other alcoholic beverages are also included. The relaxed drink service is one of the more popular parts of the outing, although wine selection is limited and not everyone has been impressed with it.

The open water is also where you will notice the wind. On a calm day, the catamaran can feel peaceful and smooth. On a windy day, the ride may become choppy, and a few people have felt seasick. Mykonos is not the place to assume that a boat trip will be glassy.

I would bring a light jacket, even in warm weather. One couple found the boat cold for much of the day, and sea breezes can be surprisingly sharp when you are sitting still. If you know you get motion sickness, take sensible precautions before departure.

Seeing the ruins of Delos from the sea

The catamaran then sails toward Delos, one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades. In Greek mythology, Delos is linked with Apollo and Artemis, and the island later became a major religious and commercial center in the ancient Aegean.

This cruise gives you a short stop in front of the archaeological site. You can take photographs from the boat while the hostess explains some of the island’s story. It is a good introduction and a scenic way to appreciate Delos, especially with the ruins set against a bare island horizon.

But be clear about what you are buying. You do not go ashore, and there is no archaeological-site admission included. The itinerary specifically excludes drop-off at Delos, so this is not a substitute for a dedicated Delos walking tour.

That limitation may be perfect for you if you want a quick look without spending hours among the ruins. If ancient sites are a central reason for your visit to Mykonos, choose a tour that includes landing and entry instead. Here, Delos is one piece of a broader day on the water.

The view from the catamaran has its own appeal. You get to frame the ruins, sea, and surrounding islands in one photograph, and you avoid committing your entire outing to an archaeological visit. The explanation is brief, so do not expect a long history lecture.

Anchoring at Rhenia for clear water and lunch

After Delos, the boat heads to nearby Rhenia and anchors in a small cove. This is the active part of the trip. You can swim, use the included snorkel equipment, and enjoy the turquoise water away from Mykonos town.

The swimming stop is often the highlight. The water has been described as exceptionally clear, and the quiet setting gives the cruise a welcome break from the island’s busy beaches. You are not simply looking at the sea from a deck. You have time to get in and enjoy it.

The exact number of swim stops is worth understanding. The main plan describes one primary stop at Rhenia, and some people expected more than that. If you want a packed itinerary with several beaches, this cruise may feel slow. If you would rather spend proper time in one attractive cove, the pace works better.

Snorkel equipment is supplied, but towels are not. Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a dry layer for the ride back. The supplied details do not promise a paddleboard for passenger use, so do not count on extra water toys.

The boat serves a full meal while anchored. Depending on the departure, this is lunch or dinner. Dishes have included meat, salad, pasta, bread, grape leaves, prawns, and sliced pears and apples. Several outings found the food delicious, with the captain preparing a particularly well-liked lunch.

The food is not a guaranteed high point. Some meals have been judged only average, with reheated sausages, oily prawns, or overcooked pasta. Wine quality has also received mixed reactions. I would treat the meal as a convenient onboard spread rather than a reason to compare the cruise with Mykonos’s best restaurants.

That said, eating on the catamaran is still valuable. You do not need to leave the cove, search for a beach taverna, or pay separately for a meal and drinks. The crew also handles the practical work, giving you more time to swim and talk with the people onboard.

Returning past Little Venice and the windmills

On the return to Mykonos, the catamaran passes Little Venice, the waterfront quarter known for its old buildings, sea-facing balconies, and lively sunset atmosphere. From the water, you also get a strong view of the Mykonos windmills and the old town.

This final stretch is ideal for photographs. The island’s famous sights can look familiar in brochures, but their position becomes clearer from offshore. You see how the town rises above the water and how the windmills mark the edge of the historic center.

The sunset departure adds another layer. As the boat heads back, the light can turn the coast and white buildings warm gold. If the sky is clear, this may be the most memorable part of the outing. A French-speaking couple even reported seeing dolphins on one sunset return, though wildlife sightings are never promised.

The afternoon option has a tradeoff. You get a more atmospheric end to the trip, but the timing is more dependent on weather and light. The morning trip gives you the rest of the day after drop-off and may suit you better if you have dinner plans or a busy sightseeing schedule.

The tour finishes back at the port, followed by hotel drop-off. The full experience lasts about five hours, though one account put the actual time closer to four hours. Allow extra flexibility around the stated duration if you have a flight, ferry, or fixed dinner reservation.

How semi-private feels at $192.23

At $192.23 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The price includes transport in an air-conditioned van, fuel surcharge, skipper or driver-guide service, the catamaran, a meal, wine, soft drinks, raki, other alcoholic beverages, taxes, and snorkel equipment.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a taxi to the port, a restaurant meal, drinks, and a boat trip. You also get a smaller group than a standard large excursion boat. The maximum is 18 people, and one reported sailing had 11, which gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable spot and getting some attention from the crew.

The price feels less convincing if food quality matters greatly to you or if you expect a private yacht. This is shared sailing, not an exclusive charter. The crew quality can also shape the day. Captains and mates named in positive accounts include Adonis, Fanis, Matt, Dimitris, Stefanos, Giannis, Juglio, and Sotos. Strong crews have cooked good meals, explained the sights, and created a friendly mood.

Other sailings have felt more average because the crew interacted less. That difference matters on a five-hour trip. A warm, active crew can make shared seating feel easy and social. A quiet crew can leave the outing feeling like transport, lunch, and one swim stop.

I would also keep the boat’s condition in mind. Most experiences describe a clean, pleasant vessel, but the report of minor equipment problems shows that this is a working boat exposed to sun and salt, not a showroom yacht.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos cruise most

I think this cruise suits you if you want several Mykonos highlights in one easy package. You get island views, Delos from the water, a Rhenia swim, food, drinks, and hotel transport without having to coordinate each piece.

It works especially well for couples, families, and solo visitors who like meeting people. One sailing had people from different countries sharing lunch and music, and the limited group size helped create a social atmosphere without feeling packed.

It also suits you if you prefer scenery to formal sightseeing. Delos receives only a short explanation, and the focus stays on sailing, swimming, eating, and taking photographs.

I would hesitate if you are very prone to seasickness, need a warm and sheltered boat, or want a detailed archaeological tour. I would also hesitate if you are paying mainly for a premium meal. The food has been good on some trips and disappointing on others.

For the smoothest day, I would:

• Choose the morning option if you want flexibility afterward.
• Choose sunset if the evening light matters more than a longer day.
• Bring a towel, jacket, sunscreen, and motion sickness supplies.
• Keep your phone available for pickup updates.
• Arrive ready early, since pickup timing can change.
• Avoid scheduling a ferry, flight, or important dinner too tightly after the stated finish.

Free cancellation is available until 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 a full refund. The company also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation is possible if that minimum is not reached.

Should you book this catamaran trip?

I would book it if you want an easy, sociable half-day on the Aegean and value the combination of transport, food, drinks, and swimming. The best parts are the small-group feel, the clear cove at Rhenia, the views of Delos from offshore, and the chance to see Mykonos from a fresh angle.

I would not book it as a private luxury charter or a serious food tour. The vessel may show some age, the meal can be uneven, and rough weather can change the mood quickly.

For most people, the decision comes down to expectations. Bring a towel and warm layer, accept that Delos is a photo stop, and think of the included meal as a useful part of the package rather than a fine-dining event. With those expectations, this can be a relaxed and memorable way to spend five hours around Mykonos.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours, although one account described the actual experience as closer to four hours. Allow some extra time for pickup and drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Platis Gialos. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned van.

Where does the cruise depart?

After hotel pickup, you travel to Mykonos New Port, where you meet the skipper and crew and board the catamaran.

Can I choose a morning or sunset cruise?

Yes. You choose a morning or sunset departure when booking.

Do I get off the boat at Delos?

No. The cruise stops in front of the archaeological site so you can take photographs and hear a short explanation. Drop-off at Delos is not included.

Is admission to Delos included?

No. Admission is not included, and the tour does not take you onto the island.

Where do I swim?

The catamaran anchors in a cove near Rhenia, where you can swim and snorkel.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are towels included?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes lunch or dinner, wine, soft drinks, and a traditional alcoholic drink called raki. The meal is freshly prepared onboard.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 18 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.