Mykonos: South Beaches Cruise

Mykonos’s south coast is best seen from the water, where you can look back at the island’s white buildings and golden coves instead of fighting for a patch of sand. This cruise brings you past Psarou, Paraga, and Super Paradise, then gives you time to swim from the boat or go ashore.

I like the relaxed wooden caique, and I like that lunch is served onboard rather than treated as an afterthought. The crew, including Christos on some departures, adds a personal touch with friendly conversation and attentive service. The catch is that six hours may feel shorter in practice if late departures, weather changes, or a fast return cut into your time on the water.

Key points

• Two swimming stops: Spend about 30 minutes near Paraga and about two hours at Super Paradise.
• A traditional caique: You sail on a wooden Greek boat rather than a standard motorized excursion vessel.
• Lunch included: Expect a Greek-style meal, with the advertised menu including souvlaki, tzatziki, salad, fruit, drinks, and chilled Greek wine.
• Boat or beach choice: Swim from the caique for more privacy, or use the tender to reach Super Paradise Beach.
• Crowds are part of the deal: Super Paradise can be packed in peak summer, especially around its organized beach area.
• Plan your transport: The new Mykonos Port is opposite Olia Hotel, and transfers cost €8 one way or €16 return per person.

Why a South Coast Cruise Makes Sense in Mykonos

Mykonos is famous for its beaches, but the most popular ones can be hard work at ground level. Sunbeds fill quickly, beach clubs charge heavily, and roads toward the southern coves can be busy in summer. From a boat, you get a different view and a little breathing room.

This six-hour outing follows the island’s western side before turning south. You pass Agios Ioannis, Psarou, Platys Gyalos, and Ornos before reaching the main swimming stops. That route gives you a useful coastal sampler, even though the boat does not stop at every beach.

I especially like the choice built into the day. You can stay aboard, stretch out on the caique, and swim from the side. Or you can go ashore at Super Paradise and spend time on the sand. You are not locked into one style of beach day.

The boat is a traditional wooden caique, which gives the trip a more Greek feel than a large sightseeing vessel. That also means you should expect an open-air ride, spray, sun, and movement. Bring a towel, swimwear, and protection from the sun. If you are prone to seasickness, the return ride may require some thought.

From Mykonos Port Toward Agios Ioannis

The meeting point is at the new Mykonos Port marina, directly opposite Olia Hotel. This is not the old port in Mykonos Town, so check your route carefully before setting out. A one-way transfer costs €8 per person, or €16 for a return trip.

Once aboard, the cruise rounds the island toward the west and passes Agios Ioannis. This beach is known for its open view toward Delos and its connection with the film Shirley Valentine, though the cruise focuses on the coastline rather than a shore visit.

The early part of the trip is useful for seeing how varied Mykonos can look from the sea. Psarou has a polished, high-end reputation. Platys Gyalos is one of the island’s best-known organized beaches. Ornos is another popular cove, with a compact shape that becomes easy to appreciate from offshore.

You do not get a long stop at each of these places. Think of them as a coastal procession, not a series of beach visits. The value is in seeing the coves without spending your day moving between them by road.

Paraga Beach and the First Swim

The first planned stop is Paraga Beach, near the well-known Scorpios beach club. The caique pauses offshore for roughly 30 minutes, giving you time to swim from the boat.

This is a short stop, so I would treat it as a refreshing break rather than a full beach visit. The boat gives you privacy and a clear view of the coast, while the water offers the main attraction. If you want to step onto the sand and explore, the time may feel tight.

Paraga is one of the busier and more fashionable beaches on this side of the island. Seeing it from offshore helps you understand its appeal without requiring you to pay for a beach-club setup or search for a free place on the sand.

The swimming setup is simple: jump or climb into the sea from the caique, then return to the boat. The water is clear, but it may feel cold, especially early or late in the season. Bring a towel that dries quickly and keep your belongings secure while you swim.

Super Paradise: Two Hours for Water and Lunch

After passing Paradise Beach, the cruise reaches Super Paradise. This is the main stop, with about two hours set aside for swimming and lunch.

Super Paradise sits in a beautiful cove framed by the characteristic Cycladic scenery. The water is clear, and the sand is soft and golden. The organized section has sunbeds and parasols, but it can become very crowded in July and August.

If you dislike sitting shoulder to shoulder with other people, head toward the right side of the beach. That section remains more open and less developed. The tour’s tender can take you ashore, so you do not have to swim all the way from the caique.

You can also stay on the boat. This is one of the strongest parts of the outing for anyone who prefers a quiet swim away from the packed beach. Jumping from the caique gives you direct access to the water, and you can return aboard when you have had enough sun.

The two-hour stop is long enough to make the beach feel like a real part of the day rather than a quick photo stop. It is also where the cruise’s flexibility matters most. Beach lovers can go ashore, swimmers can use the boat, and anyone who simply wants lunch and a shaded break can remain onboard.

What Lunch Is Really Like

The advertised lunch is a Greek-style barbecue with souvlaki, tzatziki, Greek salad, and fruit. Drinks and chilled Greek wine are included, along with a welcome drink at the start.

The food is a practical advantage because you do not need to leave the beach in search of lunch. On an outing like this, a meal served onboard keeps the day moving and gives you more time at the swimming stop.

The actual menu can vary. Recent departures have included pasta with shrimp and Greek salad, and another meal included pasta with shrimp, salad, and melon earlier in the day. That is worth knowing if you are booking mainly for the barbecue menu. You should expect a substantial meal, but not necessarily the exact dishes listed in advance.

Several crew members have received praise for warm hospitality, including Christos, Maria, and other members of the caique team. Christos has been especially noted for chatting with passengers and helping create an informal atmosphere. That personal attention is part of what makes this feel more like a Greek boat outing than a simple transfer between beaches.

The Return Ride: Scenic, Fast, and Sometimes Rough

After Super Paradise, the boat returns to the original port. This is where the experience can vary most.

On calm days, the ride back should offer another view of the south coast and the open Aegean. On windy days, the caique may move quickly and spray can reach much of the boat. Some passengers have found the ride bumpy enough to feel seasick, even when sitting toward the back or inside the cabin.

That does not make the trip unsuitable for everyone, but it is an important practical point. Mykonos is famously windy, and an open wooden boat is more exposed than a large ferry. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are sensitive to rough water, this may not be the right excursion.

The advertised duration is six hours, but actual time can be affected by late arrivals, weather, or itinerary changes. One departure returned about an hour earlier than expected, and the trip back was made at speed. I would avoid booking this immediately before an important dinner, ferry, or flight.

Is €100 a Fair Price?

At €100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a Mykonos beach. You could spend less by taking local transport to one cove and renting a beach chair, especially if your main goal is simply lying on the sand.

The comparison changes when you count what is included. You receive a six-hour boat outing, a welcome drink, lunch, drinks, chilled Greek wine, a cruise escort, and two planned swimming stops. You also see several famous beaches in one day without arranging separate transport.

I think the price works best for people who want the boat experience itself. The wooden caique, the view from offshore, the chance to swim away from the sand, and the included meal add real value. If you only want a quiet beach and dislike group outings, the cost is harder to justify.

The transfer is extra, at €8 each way per person. That should be included in your budget. The meeting point is at the new port, not central Mykonos Town, so the added cost and travel time matter.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want to combine sightseeing, swimming, and lunch in one half-day outing. It suits couples, friends, and families who are comfortable with sun, wind, and a moving boat.

It is also a good fit if you want to see the famous southern beaches without committing to a full day at a single beach club. The choice between staying onboard and going ashore gives you more control than a standard beach transfer.

You may want to skip it if you need a precise six-hour schedule, dislike crowded beaches, or are easily affected by rough water. Super Paradise is not a quiet, empty cove in high season, and the caique can be lively under windy conditions.

The cruise is offered daily from April 1 through October 31. Spring and autumn may offer a calmer feel, though the sea can be cooler. Summer brings warmer swimming conditions but also the heaviest crowds at Super Paradise.

Booking Details Worth Knowing

You need to send passport information at least 12 hours before departure. The required details are each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport number, and gender. This is mandatory for the port authorities’ passenger list.

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, and a towel. Pets and scooters are not allowed. The cruise is offered in Greek and English.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Weather may change the route, as happened on a windy departure when the planned schedule was altered.

Should You Book the South Beaches Cruise?

Book it if you want a sociable Greek boat day with clear-water swimming, a traditional caique, an included meal, and views of Mykonos’s best-known southern coves. The strongest features are the two swim stops, the friendly crew, and the freedom to choose the boat or the beach.

Think twice if you expect a polished luxury cruise, a perfectly fixed timetable, or a quiet beach all day. The ride can be rough, Super Paradise can be crowded, and the menu or route may change with conditions.

For most visitors, this is good value when treated as a boat-and-swimming day, not simply transport to a beach. Go prepared for sun, spray, and some motion, and you will get the most from it.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the new Mykonos Port marina, directly opposite Olia Hotel.

How long does the cruise last?

The advertised duration is six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which beaches does the cruise pass?

The route passes Agios Ioannis, Psarou, Platys Gyalos, Ornos, Paraga, Paradise Beach, and Super Paradise.

Where does the boat stop for swimming?

The planned swimming stops are near Paraga Beach and at Super Paradise Beach.

Can I go ashore at Super Paradise?

Yes. A tender can take passengers ashore, or you can remain on the caique and swim from the boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and drinks are included. The advertised meal includes souvlaki, tzatziki, Greek salad, and fruit, though the menu may change. Some departures have served pasta with shrimp and Greek salad.

Does the price include transportation to the port?

No. A transfer costs €8 per person one way or €16 per person return.

What identification information is required?

You must provide each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport number, and gender at least 12 hours before the cruise.

When does the cruise operate?

It operates daily from April 1 through October 31. It is offered in Greek and English, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.