Catamaran food at sea is hard to beat. I like the 8-flavor Greek meal cooked onboard and the easy flow of unlimited open-bar drinks, served while you sail between Aegean islands. One thing to keep in mind: weather rules everything here, so the plan can shift and the Delos stop only happens in very calm seas.

This is a small-group cruise on a comfortable catamaran (up to 16 people), starting from the Ornos Bay marina. You’ll get a safety briefing, then real time in the water with gear provided, plus optional extras like a paddleboard or sea scooters, depending on conditions.

Quick reasons this cruise works

• Ornos Bay departure: simple start, ends back where you began
• Rhenia coves time: swimming, snorkeling, and water toys on a calmer schedule than big-group tours
• Delos from the water: a short UNESCO site view when seas are calm
• Chef-prepared 8-flavor lunch: Greek dishes served as you’re sailing, not after you’re hungry
• Unlimited drinks: beer, white wine, soda, plus bottled water
• Small group cap: a more relaxed feel on deck

Entering Ornos Bay: your 5-hour catamaran rhythm

If you’re used to Mykonos being all about crowds and quick photo stops, this cruise feels like the reset button. You meet at Ornos Bay marina and climb aboard a catamaran that’s built for staying comfortable while the sea does its thing. After a safety briefing, sails go up and you ease out onto the wide Aegean.

The schedule is built around momentum, not rushed sightseeing. There’s an early stretch where you settle in on deck, then you reach the first main area for swimming and snorkeling. The whole experience runs about 5 hours, and you can choose a daytime or sunset departure, which changes the vibe of the trip more than you might expect. Sunset cruises tend to feel more like a slow unwind, while day sails are more “water play first, food in the middle.”

A practical note: transfers aren’t included, but bus transfers can be arranged for an extra fee if you ask ahead. If you’re staying near Ornos, that’s easy. If you’re farther out, plan time to get to the marina so you don’t start the day stressed.

Rhenia and secret cove time: swimming, snorkeling, and sea play

Rhenia (spelled Rineia on the tour name) is the first real payoff. This part of the day is designed for water time: a sail out, then anchored moments where you can actually use the sea gear, not just look at it.

You’ll get the chance for a snorkeling and swimming stop at an unspoiled beach cove with snorkeling equipment provided. The water is the point here. You’ll want swimwear ready, because once the boat anchors, you’re meant to jump in. If you like exploring underwater without the hassle of planning, this is a smart way to do it from the deck.

And then there are the toys. This cruise can include:

• SUP (stand-up paddle board) if conditions allow
• Sea scooters (x2) used under crew supervision
• WiFi on board, which is handy but you’ll probably use it less than you think

From the tone of the trip feedback, the sea scooters are a big crowd-pleaser because they make moving through the water feel fun even if you’re not an elite swimmer. You get help and supervision, and that matters if you’d rather avoid white-knuckle snorkeling.

If wind changes the plan

Mykonos can be windy, and the itinerary has a built-in “don’t fight the sea” approach. If it’s too windy, the captain may swap the cove focus for sailing along the south coast of Mykonos and visiting beaches plus a protected cove away from the crowds. You still get water time, but it’s a different kind of scenery day.

That flexibility is a real value. Instead of canceling your fun, they adjust to what’s safe and doable.

Delos from the water: when calm seas make it happen

Delos is the headline archaeological name, but the important detail is this: the cruise’s Delos stop is weather dependent and only offered in very calm seas. When the sea cooperates, you’ll get a short offshore stop with a panoramic view of the ruins from the water, plus history shared by the captain.

You’re not landing on the island here. You’re seeing Delos the way most people never do: from the sea, where the scale feels different. The tour frames Delos as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in Greek mythology, and it’s also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Even with just a short view, it’s the kind of stop that gives your day more meaning than another shoreline photo.

The practical takeaway: if Delos is your top reason for booking, keep your expectations flexible. If the seas aren’t calm enough, you’ll miss that exact moment, but you’ll still have the core cruise experience—coves, swims, and onboard meal—staying intact.

Also, since the captain can modify the itinerary when conditions aren’t good enough for the original plan, don’t plan your day around catching Delos at all costs. Treat it as a bonus if the sea allows it.

The 8-flavor onboard lunch and open bar: the real value

This is one of those rare boat days where food isn’t an afterthought. You get a multicourse Greek lunch prepared onboard by a sailor-chef. It’s described as an 8-flavor Mediterranean feast, and the menu is classic Greek with a mix of salads, seafood, and meat dishes.

You can expect course types like:

• tzatziki with fresh herbs (a starter)
• grilled prawns / shrimp
• calamari in white wine sauce
• meat and vegetables sautéed with balsamic vinegar

Some trips also include extra variety you can’t always count on, like dips, zucchini toast, baked feta, and fresh breads. The consistent theme is freshness and portions that keep coming, not a single boxed sandwich situation.

Then there’s the drinks. You get unlimited beer, white wine, and soft drinks (soda), plus bottled water. A welcome drink like Prosecco is included too. This matters for value because you’re paying for time on the water anyway, and food + drinks are the parts that usually make summer excursions expensive.

How the timing makes it work

The best part is when the meal arrives. Since you’re already in “vacation mode,” lunch feels like the reward mid-cruise instead of a pause that kills your momentum. And because you’re eating while the boat is moving or anchored, the day feels continuous.

If you like your boat day simple—sun, swim, eat well, repeat—that’s exactly this format.

Sunset vs daytime: picking the right departure for your mood

Choosing between daytime and sunset is less about geography and more about pacing.

A sunset cruise tends to deliver that classic Mykonos ending: softer light, cooler air, and a more social deck atmosphere as the day winds down. One detail that people really rate is how the sunset lines up with the end of the tour timing, so it doesn’t feel like you’re leaving before the best light.

A daytime cruise can feel more energetic. You’ll likely enjoy longer, more straightforward swim windows and more daylight for the Delos view if conditions allow. It’s a good match if you want your archaeology moment early and still have the evening open back on land.

Either way, you’re in the same core experience: sailing out, water time, multicourse lunch, open bar, then return to Ornos Bay.

What you’ll notice on board: small group feel and comfort choices

This cruise caps at 16 travelers, so it doesn’t feel like a cattle-car catamaran. That smaller size tends to make crew attention feel more personal, especially around water activities.

You’ll also get:

• English on board
• a mobile ticket
• WiFi (included, though you may not use it much)
• a clean, well-kept boat (based on the tone of trip feedback)
• an option for people who want shelter from wind, since there’s inside seating

If you’re coming as a first-timer to European boating, the crew’s safety briefing and hands-on help in the water are a key part of why this tour is comfortable for beginners and non-swimmers. They’re set up to make it feel safe to join in, not like you’re being judged for hesitation.

One extra practical perk: if you care about staying connected, WiFi helps you handle the basics, though the sea time is the main event.

Price and logistics: what you’re paying for at $181.39

At about $181.39 per person for roughly 5 hours, the value comes down to what’s included. You’re not just renting a boat seat. You’re getting:

• onboard chef-prepared 8-flavor meal
• unlimited beer, white wine, soda, plus bottled water
• snorkeling equipment
• possible SUP and sea scooters
• a UNESCO site look from the sea when conditions allow
• WiFi and a welcome Prosecco

If you add up those components individually in Mykonos, it starts to look like a day with “paid extras” already baked in. And because the group is relatively small, you’re not paying for a big-group compromise.

Logistically, you should plan for the fact that hotel pickup isn’t included. If you’re staying outside easy reach of Ornos Bay, decide whether you want to arrange transportation or keep your travel day simple and taxi-friendly.

You’ll also be asked for passport details (full name, birth year, country, passport number) when booking, so have that ready.

Who should book this catamaran day-sunset tour

This is a great fit if you want:

• food that’s actually good (not just snacks)
• a day with real swimming and snorkeling
• a small-group feel on a larger boat
• the chance to see Delos from the water without cramming museum time into your schedule
• water toys beyond a basic swim stop

It may not be your best choice if you need guaranteed Delos landing or you hate itinerary shifts. The Delos view and some water activities depend on sea and wind conditions, and the captain may change stops for safety.

Should you book it or skip it?

I’d book this if your ideal Mykonos day includes a proper meal at sea and time to play in the water without over-planning. The combination of an onboard multicourse lunch, unlimited drinks, and structured water activities makes it feel like more than a standard sightseeing cruise.

Skip it only if you’re the type who needs everything to happen exactly as scheduled, especially the Delos timing. If you can handle a plan that adapts to the Aegean, you’ll likely feel like you got a lot for the money.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

It runs for about 5 hours.

Where is the meeting point, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Ornos Bay marina in Mykonos, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

What food and drinks are included?

You get a welcome Prosecco, an onboard 8-flavor Greek/Mediterranean meal, unlimited beer, white wine, soft drinks (soda), and bottled water.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the trip includes a swimming and snorkeling stop when conditions allow.

Is the Delos stop guaranteed?

No. Delos is only offered when weather is permitting and only in very calm seas, and the captain may adjust the itinerary based on conditions.

What happens if it’s windy or the sea conditions are poor?

The itinerary can be modified by the captain when conditions aren’t good enough for the original plan. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.