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

The best part of this private Mykonos catamaran cruise is the change of pace. You leave Ornos Bay, trade crowded beaches for open Aegean water, and stop in quiet coves where swimming and snorkeling become the day’s main event. The freshly cooked Greek lunch, including seafood, is a real feature rather than an afterthought.

I especially like the two swimming stops and the practical weather backup along Mykonos’ south coast. I also like that the crew can make the outing feel personal, with cooks such as George and captains including Paris and Alkis earning repeated praise. The main catch is price: at $796.48 per person, this is a serious splurge, particularly for a small group.

Key things to know before you book

• Rhenia is the main water stop: Expect quiet coves, clear water, swimming, and snorkeling rather than a land-based island tour.
• The lunch is freshly cooked aboard: The spread can include seafood, calamari, shrimp, chicken, feta dishes, tzatziki, and Greek salad.
• The open bar is included: Beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water are available throughout the cruise.
• The route depends on wind: Rough conditions can send the boat along Mykonos’ south coast instead of toward Rhenia.
• Ornos Bay is the meeting point: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though an optional transfer may be available.
• Bring your own beach towel: Snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, and a Bluetooth speaker are provided.

Leaving Ornos Bay for the Aegean

Your day begins at a dock on Ornos Bay. A hostess meets you there, and the captain collects your group by tender boat before you board the catamaran. That short transfer is worth noting because you do not simply walk up a gangway from the beach.

After a safety briefing, the crew raises the sails for about an hour of sailing. This is the part that gives the outing its character. You are not just being motored from one swimming spot to another. You get time on open water, with the boat moving under sail when conditions allow.

The cruise is private, so only your group takes part. That matters for families and groups of friends who want to decide how much time to spend swimming, eating, or sitting in the shade. It also makes the $796.48 price easier to assess if several people are sharing the experience, though the listed price is per person and group discounts may apply.

The catamaran includes Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth speaker, which are useful extras for a relaxed group outing. Still, the main attraction is the sea, not onboard entertainment. You will want to spend much of the sailing time looking outward rather than checking your phone.

Rhenia coves and the first swim

The planned route heads toward Rhenia, an island known here for its quiet coves and clear water. The first stop is described as an unspoiled cove, giving you a chance to swim and use the provided snorkeling equipment.

Do not expect a guided snorkeling lesson or a formal beach tour. This is a boat-based stop. You swim from the catamaran, and the supplied gear lets you look below the surface without having to pack your own mask and snorkel.

Several details make this stop especially appealing. You can swim in water away from Mykonos’ busy beach clubs, and the boat gives you a comfortable base between swims. Families with older children and teenagers should find the format easy to enjoy, provided everyone is comfortable entering the water from the boat.

The word unspoiled should not lead you to expect a completely private island or a guaranteed empty cove. Conditions and other boats can change the feel of the stop. Still, the route is designed to get you away from the most crowded parts of Mykonos, which is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion.

A second cove and a serious Greek lunch

After the first swim, the catamaran sails to another cove with clear water. This is where lunch is served, freshly prepared aboard by the chef. The meal is described as an eight-flavor spread, with fresh seafood included.

The exact dishes can vary, but the food praised in past outings includes calamari, shrimp, chicken with feta, Greek salad, tzatziki, and other Mediterranean-style dishes. One especially memorable detail is the tzatziki recipe associated with George’s mother. That kind of home-style touch gives the meal more personality than a standard boxed lunch.

The food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. Several groups describe it as among their best meals in Greece, and that is important when you compare this outing with a basic boat ride that provides only snacks. You are paying for a full meal prepared on board, not simply for transportation between coves.

The meal may be served under cover or outside depending on the setup and conditions. If dining in the open air matters to you, ask the crew about the table arrangement early in the trip. One family found that getting the outside table ready took some prompting, so it is reasonable to speak up about where you want to eat.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the return sail

After lunch, you get another chance to swim before returning to Mykonos. The timing gives the day a natural rhythm: sail, swim, eat, swim again, then return.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. A welcome Prosecco is also provided at the start. The selection is suited to a long, relaxed lunch rather than a cocktail-focused party boat, so do not expect a full spirits menu.

The crew keeps an eye on swimmers, but you remain responsible for your own comfort and safety in the water. Bring a beach towel, since towels are not included. Sunscreen, a hat, and a dry change of clothes are sensible additions for a five-hour outing in strong Greek sun.

A few groups have described a sunset on the return sail, but this is not guaranteed by the standard five-hour daytime schedule. If you book a later departure or a separate sunset cruise, the light can add a lovely finish. For this day cruise, think of the return as more sailing time and a final look at the coast rather than a promised sunset event.

The windy-day route along Mykonos’ south coast

Mykonos is famous for strong winds, and that can change the route. If conditions make the Rhenia crossing less comfortable, the crew may follow an alternative itinerary along the south coast of Mykonos.

This route visits well-known beaches and a sheltered cove away from the crowds. You still get sailing, swimming, lunch, and the open bar, but the character is different. Instead of crossing toward Rhenia, you spend more time seeing Mykonos from the water.

That flexibility is a practical safety feature, but it can also affect expectations. One disappointed passenger felt the alternative route meant spending too long sitting in a cove. The operator explained that the captain chose a sheltered stop to avoid waves and keep the trip comfortable.

I would book this cruise only if you can accept that the sea, not a fixed sightseeing checklist, controls the day. If reaching Rhenia is your main reason for booking, ask about the forecast before departure. If you mainly want a comfortable boat, good food, and swimming in clear water, the backup route still fits the purpose.

Crew service can shape the whole day

The crew is central to this experience. Captains and crew members named in past outings include Paris, George, Michael, Alkis, Christos, Argus, Nadav, Kyrlos, and others. George is often praised both for cooking and for his playful personality, while Paris is frequently described as a warm and capable captain.

The strongest accounts describe attentive service, helpful explanations about the islands, and a crew that makes families feel at ease. A group of 13 found the two-person crew accommodating, and another group with teenagers said the hosts handled different ages well.

That said, service is not perfectly consistent for every group. One family felt the crew was distant, did not proactively refill drinks, and seemed eager to clean up lunch before the cruise had ended. This is useful to know because a private charter creates high expectations. At this price, you may expect restaurant-level attention as well as safe boat handling.

You can improve the odds of getting the day you want by telling the crew what matters to you. Say if you prefer lunch outside, want more sailing time, or would like to stay longer at a swimming stop. The private format gives you room to ask, but it does not mean every detail happens automatically.

Is $796.48 per person good value?

This is not a budget boat trip. At $796.48 per person, the price needs to cover more than a view of the coast. The value comes from combining a private boat, captain and crew, sailing time, two swim stops, snorkeling equipment, a substantial lunch, and an open bar.

For a large group, the cost may make more sense, especially with group discounts. A family celebration, milestone birthday, or final day in Mykonos can justify the expense because the boat becomes the day’s main activity. Several groups used the cruise for birthdays and family occasions, and the private setting suited those plans well.

For two people, the cost is harder to defend unless you place a high value on privacy and a chef-prepared meal. A shared boat excursion or a simpler sailing trip would likely cost less, though it would not offer the same control over the group or the same private setting.

I would compare the total cost with other private charters before booking. Check whether transport to Ornos Bay is included, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the stated price. If you need a transfer, add that cost to your calculation.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This outing suits you if you want a relaxed day on the water rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. It is particularly good for:

• Families with children and teenagers who enjoy swimming
• Groups of friends who want a private boat and open bar
• Couples celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• Food-focused visitors who value fresh Greek cooking
• Cruise ship passengers with limited time in Mykonos, provided the timing works
• People who prefer quiet coves to crowded beach clubs

It is less suitable if you want a detailed archaeological visit to Delos. The experience is presented as a way to explore Delos and Rhenia, but the detailed route centers on sailing and swimming around Rhenia, with a south-coast alternative when the wind requires it. You should not book this expecting a long guided walk among ruins.

It may also disappoint you if you dislike wind, boat motion, or entering the sea from a catamaran. The water can be cool, especially in early October, and one outing took place in breezy conditions. The boat is comfortable, but this remains a sea excursion first.

Booking details that matter

The meeting point is at Ornos Bay, on an unnamed road in Ornos, Greece. The activity ends back at the same meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though the tour highlights optional transfer arrangements, so confirm this before paying.

You must provide each participant’s passport number, full name, year of birth, and country at booking. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the child rate applies only when sharing with four paying adults.

Most people can participate, but the practical demands are simple and clear: you need to board by tender, move around a boat, and be comfortable swimming if you want the full experience. Bring towels because they are not supplied.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. A late cancellation or late change is not accepted, so do not wait until the morning of departure if your plans are uncertain.

My final take: book it for the boat day, not a history tour

I would recommend this cruise to groups that want one special day built around sailing, swimming, and a generous Greek lunch. The food, clear coves, private setting, and friendly crew members such as Paris and George are the strongest reasons to book.

I would hesitate if you are traveling on a tight budget, need a guaranteed Rhenia route, or expect a formal Delos sightseeing visit. Confirm the weather, transfer arrangements, likely crew, and lunch setup before committing. If those points suit you, this can be one of the most memorable ways to spend five hours in Mykonos.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at the meeting point in Ornos Bay and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the stated package. Optional transfer arrangements may be available, so confirm them before departure.

What food is served on board?

You receive a freshly prepared eight-flavor lunch, including fresh seafood. Dishes mentioned for this experience include calamari, shrimp, chicken with feta, Greek salad, tzatziki, and other Greek-style dishes.

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What happens if the weather is too windy?

The crew may use an alternative route along Mykonos’ south coast, visiting beaches and a sheltered cove. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted.