Reviewed · MYKONOS CATAMARAN & YACHT CRUISES
Mykonos Catamaran Private Day Cruise, Full Lunch & Open-bar
Mykonos on a private catamaran is pure payoff. You get swim stops in clear Aegean water, a freshly cooked lunch on board, and an open bar—all wrapped into about 5 hours off the beach and out on the sea. The best part is that the crew plans around wind, so you’re still likely to get your best water time.
I love that the meal isn’t a sad add-on. It’s an 8-flavor spread, cooked on board, with fresh seafood and plenty of classic Greek flavors. I also like the practical touches—snorkeling gear is included, plus WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker, so the boat feels like a floating hangout, not a chore.
One possible drawback: the day can shift based on conditions. If it’s windy, the route may change to the south coast of Mykonos rather than the island-focused plan, and your time on land (if any) may be limited compared with what you imagined.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Zoom In On
- The Big Idea: A Private Cruise That Acts Like a Day at Sea
- Ornos Bay Meeting Point: Simple Start, Realistic Timing
- Sailing Time + Safety Briefing: What “Private” Feels Like on the Water
- Rhenia and Delos: The Island Goal, With a Swim-First Style
- Lunch on Board: Fresh Greek Food, Cooked During the Cruise
- A detail to plan for
- Snorkeling Equipment + Swim Stops: Why the Water Time Is the Main Event
- When It’s Too Windy: The South-Coast Alternative Plan
- Crew Impact: Captains and Chefs Named Often (and Why That Matters)
- WiFi and Bluetooth: Not Why You Came, but Still a Nice Perk
- Price and Value: What $796.48 per Person Buys You
- Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Hesitate)
- Should You Book This Mykonos Catamaran Day Cruise?
- FAQ
- Is hotel pickup included?
- What’s included in the open-bar and drinks?
- Does the cruise include snorkeling equipment?
- Where do we meet and where does the tour end?
- What if it’s too windy during the day?
- How long is the tour?
Key Things I’d Zoom In On

- Chef-cooked lunch on board: an 8-flavor meal, prepared during the cruise
- Open bar without fuss: beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water included
- Snorkeling gear included: you don’t have to shop or pack extra equipment
- Wind-ready itinerary: swap to more sheltered waters if conditions get rough
- Crew-first service: multiple captains and chefs are named in past experiences
- Bring your own beach towel: it’s not included
The Big Idea: A Private Cruise That Acts Like a Day at Sea
This isn’t a long, slow tour bus day with forced stops. It’s a private catamaran day cruise that’s built around one simple formula: time on the water, swimming and snorkeling, then eating well while you’re still sailing.
At this length (about 5 hours), you’ll feel the change of pace right away. You’ll start with boarding, then settle into sailing, then anchor for swims, and finish with the return sail back to Mykonos. It’s the kind of plan that helps you avoid the Mykonos traffic-and-crowds trap.
A full day under sail: more Mykonos catamaran and yacht cruises
Ornos Bay Meeting Point: Simple Start, Realistic Timing

The tour meets at Ornos Bay (listed as Ornos 846 00). You’ll be welcomed on the dock, then transferred by tender to the catamaran after the safety briefing.
Two practical notes I’d plan around:
- Hotel pickup isn’t included, so you’ll want to be clear on how you’re getting to Ornos.
- The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you can plan your next meal or sunset plans without guessing where you’ll be dropped.
If you’re traveling with a group, this is a good setup. It keeps the schedule clean: everyone gathers in one place, then you move together.
Sailing Time + Safety Briefing: What “Private” Feels Like on the Water

Once you step aboard and the captain runs the safety briefing, you’ll hoist the sails and settle into the ride. In calmer conditions, the itinerary includes about an hour of sailing on open Aegean waters.
That sailing window matters. It’s not just travel time to the next stop—it’s when the catamaran feels like a catamaran. You get that wide-open sea feeling, plus the sun time you came for in the first place.
Rhenia and Delos: The Island Goal, With a Swim-First Style
The highlight is Delos and Rhenia, and the on-water plan is clearly aimed at the kind of experience you remember: clear water, swimming, and the luxury of doing it privately.
In the standard plan, you’ll stop in a cove on Rhenia island for a snorkeling session. Then the cruise continues to another cove with crystal-clear water where the lunch is served on board.
Here’s the useful way to think about this: this experience is optimized for being in the water. If your idea of exploring Delos is a full, foot-on-the-ground visit, know that the itinerary details provided focus heavily on anchored swim coves. In windy weather, the plan shifts again (more on that below), so the exact island-time balance can vary.
Lunch on Board: Fresh Greek Food, Cooked During the Cruise
If food is part of your Mykonos checklist, this one lands hard—in a good way. Lunch is described as a freshly prepared 8-flavor meal, including fresh seafood, cooked on board.
You’re also not drinking with the awkward timing of bring-a-cooler-on-your-own. The open-bar setup is included: beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. Plus there’s a welcome prosecco sparkling drink at the start.
From what’s been praised, the meal tends to go beyond the usual boat-tour buffet. Chefs (names like George and others) are called out for flavor and effort. You’ll get that home-style Greek vibe that pairs with salt air and sun—plus the practical benefit of not having to hunt for lunch near the harbor.
More boats slipping out of the Mykonos ports
A detail to plan for
Beach towels are not included. If you show up with only a swimsuit, you’ll end up improvising. Bring a towel, or at least a dry cloth you’re okay getting sandy.
Snorkeling Equipment + Swim Stops: Why the Water Time Is the Main Event
Snorkeling equipment is included, and the itinerary includes more than one swim moment. You’ll anchor in sheltered, clear coves where the crew supports you as you get in, swim, and snorkel.
This is where the private feel shows up. The boat isn’t a floating queue. You can stay in the water as long as conditions allow, then come back for lunch and drinks without packing and repacking.
If you’re visiting in shoulder season, the deck can feel cool once the wind picks up—some people specifically noted breezy, cooler water in early October. A light layer (something you can throw on over swimwear) makes the difference between enjoying the cruise and shivering on the sail back.
When It’s Too Windy: The South-Coast Alternative Plan
Mykonos is beautiful, but wind is real. The cruise is designed for that, too. If it’s too windy for the island-focused plan, the crew runs an alternative route along the south coast of Mykonos.
In that alternative itinerary, you may visit famous beaches (as stated) and also stop at a beautiful cove away from the crowds. The goal is safety and comfort, with the same idea of anchored swim time.
One important consideration: in some conditions, the experience may feel more “swimming from the boat” than “wandering on land.” If you want lots of onshore walking, consider that the itinerary as provided is built around cove stops and water time.
Crew Impact: Captains and Chefs Named Often (and Why That Matters)
On a private charter, the crew is the difference between a good trip and a great one. Here, the names show up repeatedly in past experiences:
- Captains like Michael and Paris are mentioned.
- Chefs like George are praised for cooking done on board.
- Other crew names also come up, including first mates and sailors paired with chef service.
What’s consistent in the feedback is not just friendliness—it’s competence. People describe clear safety focus during swimming, attentive service on the water, and food that arrives when it should rather than after a long delay.
Even if you don’t care about personalities, you should care about the crew’s workflow. On a 5-hour charter, timing is everything: swim windows, meal pacing, and when you get that final sailing back to harbor.
WiFi and Bluetooth: Not Why You Came, but Still a Nice Perk
This cruise includes WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker. It’s not essential, but it’s handy when you want to:
- share a few photos while the moment is still fresh,
- play music during calmer sailing,
- or keep teens (and yourself) entertained without leaving the boat.
If you’re the type who plans your day by mapping beach photos and sending them to friends, having WiFi on board can be a real convenience.
Price and Value: What $796.48 per Person Buys You
$796.48 per person is not cheap. But this price is buying something specific: a private-style catamaran experience (not a group excursion), with a full meal and an open-bar package.
Here’s what that means for value:
- Food + drinks are included (welcome prosecco, 8-flavor lunch, beer/white wine/sodas/water). Boat days can get expensive fast once you start paying for lunch and alcohol separately.
- Snorkeling gear is included, which saves you the last-minute cost and stress.
- Time efficiency matters: 5 hours is long enough for real water time and a proper lunch, but not long enough to burn your whole day traveling between multiple regions.
Your main “extra” costs to plan for are the ones that aren’t included: transfer to Ornos Bay and crew gratuities. Beach towels are also on you.
If you’re a solo traveler, this may feel like a splurge. If you’re traveling in a group, it can start to look like good sense because you’re paying for privacy and for meal-and-drink convenience in one package.
Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Hesitate)
This cruise is a strong fit if you want:
- a private catamaran feel without spending all day on logistics,
- a day built around swimming and snorkeling, not just sightseeing,
- a chef-prepared Greek lunch and included drinks so you don’t have to think about food plans.
It may be less ideal if you:
- expect a heavy, on-land Delos walking tour during the island portion (the provided itinerary emphasizes cove time and onboard service),
- hate weather-driven changes (because wind can swap the route),
- need every listed activity you might see on a platform elsewhere—one past comment raised a paddle board mismatch, and the safest move is to ask the operator directly if that matters to you.
Should You Book This Mykonos Catamaran Day Cruise?
I’d book it if your priority is the water. The combination of anchored swim coves, snorkeling gear, and an on-board 8-flavor lunch with open-bar turns Mykonos from a crowded walking city into a sun-and-sea day.
I’d hesitate if your ideal day is mostly on land, or if you’re the kind of traveler who gets stressed by route changes due to wind. The good news is the cruise is built with an alternative plan, so the day rarely turns into a write-off.
If you do book, pack for the practical reality: bring a towel, a light layer for breeze, and expect that the best memories will come from the water time and the meal served while you’re still sailing.
FAQ
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to plan your own way to the Ornos Bay meeting point.
What’s included in the open-bar and drinks?
The open bar includes sodas, bottled water, beer, and white wine. A welcome prosecco sparkling drink is also included.
Does the cruise include snorkeling equipment?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the itinerary includes swim and snorkeling stops in coves.
Where do we meet and where does the tour end?
The tour meets at the Ornos Bay meeting point listed as Unnamed Road, Ornos 846 00, Greece. It ends back at the same meeting point.
What if it’s too windy during the day?
If it’s too windy, the crew uses an alternative itinerary along the south coast of Mykonos and visits beaches and a cove away from the crowds.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 5 hours (approx.). The meal and sailing are scheduled within that timeframe.
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