Catamaran Day & Sunset Cruises with meals Drinks and transportation

The best part of this Mykonos cruise is the long stop at Rhenia, where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply float beside the catamaran in clear turquoise water. I like the freshly cooked meal and the small-group feel, with a maximum of 15 people and crew members such as Dimitris, Iliana, and Margarita often praised for warm, attentive service.

I also like the practical hotel pickup and drop-off, especially if you are visiting Mykonos from a cruise ship and do not want to sort out taxis. The main caution is the wind. A rough Aegean day can shorten the route, cancel the Delos pass-by, prevent sailing under sail, and make the ride uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Rhenia is the main event: You get about two hours for swimming and snorkeling in a sheltered cove.
• Delos is viewed from the water: The catamaran passes the archaeological site, but does not dock there.
• Lunch is cooked onboard: Expect a traditional meal with seafood pasta and meat options.
• The catamaran carries no more than 15 people: That keeps the outing more personal than a large boat excursion.
• Morning and sunset departures are available: Pick a relaxed daytime swim or return beneath a Mykonos sunset.
• Weather controls the experience: The captain may change the route for safety, often staying near Mykonos beaches and protected coves.

A half-day at sea from Mykonos New Port

This is a five-hour catamaran outing built around water time rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. Your day begins with pickup in an air-conditioned van from an accessible meeting point, followed by the short transfer to Mykonos New Port at Tourlos.

Once aboard, you can settle into a modern catamaran and watch Mykonos Town recede. The familiar white houses, windmills, and waterfront views look different from the sea, and the open deck gives you room to take photographs without feeling packed into a large excursion boat.

The group limit of 15 matters here. You are not signing up for a floating party boat with dozens of people competing for deck space. The crew can pay closer attention to swimming comfort, food allergies, and anyone who begins to feel queasy. Names that appear regularly among the crew include Dimitris, Iliana, Margarita, Andreas, Nicos, Costas, Kristos, and Nikos, though the exact team may vary.

The mood is easygoing. You can sit in the sun, find shade, watch the coastline, or talk with the crew as the boat moves across the Aegean. Homemade rosé is included, and the crew provides masks and snorkels for the swimming stop.

Passing Baos and Delos from the catamaran

The route first takes you past the small island of Baos, sometimes described as a former pirates’ island. This is a passing view rather than a stop, so think of it as part of the sea journey, not a separate shore visit.

The boat then reaches Delos, one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades. According to Greek tradition, Delos is the birthplace of Apollo, and its archaeological remains spread across a largely open island. You will not walk among the ruins on this cruise. Instead, the catamaran pauses offshore so you can photograph the site while a hostess explains some of its history.

That distinction is important. If your main goal is to see the Temple of Apollo, the Terrace of the Lions, or the Delos museum, book a dedicated Delos excursion instead. This cruise gives you the setting and a short explanation, but no landing and no guided walk through the ruins.

Still, seeing Delos from the water has its own appeal. You get a sense of the island’s isolation and its place among the Cyclades without giving up the long swimming stop at Rhenia. For a half-day outing, that is a sensible trade.

The route is subject to wind and sea conditions. If the captain decides the original course is not safe, Delos may be skipped or seen only from farther away. The alternative can follow Mykonos’s south coast, with stops near famous beaches and a protected cove away from the strongest waves.

Two hours in the water at Rhenia

Rhenia is where the cruise slows down. The catamaran anchors in a small cove with clear water, and you have roughly two hours for swimming and snorkeling. This is generous by excursion standards. You are not being hurried back aboard after a quick twenty-minute dip.

You can jump from the catamaran, swim around the boat, snorkel with the supplied equipment, or swim toward shore. Some departures also have a paddleboard available. Bring a beach towel, since towels are not officially included, even though one account says towels were available onboard. I would not count on that. Pack your own.

The water stop suits different kinds of visitors. Strong swimmers can make the most of the open water, while less confident swimmers can stay close to the boat. Families should note the minimum age is six, and children need normal adult supervision around the deck and water.

Rhenia is also the best escape from the crowds of Mykonos Town. You are still close to the island network, but the day feels much less urban. The value here is not only the scenery. It is the time to actually enjoy the sea rather than photograph it and move on.

Wind can change the feel of this section. On a calm day, the cove may be the relaxed centerpiece you hoped for. On a rough day, reaching Rhenia can involve a hard, bumpy ride. Some people have felt seasick during the crossing, while the protected swimming area itself remained calm and pleasant.

If you are sensitive to motion, sit near the center of the catamaran rather than at the very front. The bow is exciting, but it gets wet and takes more of the motion. One practical tip from the boat is simple: ask the crew for help early if you start feeling ill. They are used to dealing with choppy water and can move you to a more comfortable spot.

A freshly cooked lunch with wine

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a basic sailing trip. The crew cooks onboard and serves a traditional meal with seafood pasta and meat choices. The exact menu can vary, but the food is more substantial than a packet of snacks or a simple sandwich.

The timing works well. You swim first, then eat while the boat is anchored or as the crew prepares the meal. You can enjoy the homemade rosé with lunch, and the crew has adjusted menus when food allergies were raised in advance.

Beer is not part of the standard drinks selection. Wine is included, so if you prefer beer, do not assume it will be available. The activity description specifies alcoholic beverages as homemade rosé, and one useful onboard tip is to bring your own preferred drink if permitted and needed.

The meal also helps make the price easier to judge. At about $133 per person, you are paying for transportation, a five-hour boat trip, crew, fuel, snorkeling equipment, wine, and a cooked meal. That is not a bargain-basement beach transfer, but it is reasonable for a small-group outing with two hours in the water.

A private family departure can offer even better value for the right group. Groups of six or eight have had the boat to themselves, making it easier to set the pace and return on time for a cruise tender. Do not assume every booking is private, but ask if that matters to you.

Choosing the daytime or sunset departure

The daytime option is best if swimming and snorkeling are your priorities. You have better light in the water, plenty of time to relax, and no need to rush the return for sunset photographs.

The sunset option changes the rhythm. You still get the swim and meal, but the return journey becomes part of the show. Mykonos’s windmills, Little Venice, and whitewashed town appear in warm evening light, and the sun sets over the Aegean as you approach port.

Sunset cruises can run from mid-afternoon into the evening, with one departure described as lasting from 3:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. The advertised duration is about five hours, so check the exact departure and return times for your date. This is especially important if you have dinner reservations, a ferry, or a ship departure to catch.

The sunset option is also more exposed to the day’s accumulated wind. The boat may need to stay close to port or use a protected route, so choose it for the atmosphere rather than a guarantee of a long open-water sail.

The wind is the real deciding factor

Mykonos is famous for its wind, and the cruise cannot separate itself from that fact. Strong gusts can affect the route, the use of sails, the length of the swimming stop, and your comfort on the crossing.

The captain has discretion to change the itinerary when conditions are poor. An alternate route may follow Mykonos’s south coast, visiting well-known beaches and a sheltered cove. This keeps the day on the water, but it may mean you do not reach Delos or Rhenia.

In especially rough conditions, the boat may remain close to the port area and spend more time anchored. That can be disappointing if you booked specifically for a long sail between islands. On the other hand, changing course is the sensible choice when the sea is unsafe.

Check the forecast before your cancellation deadline. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can receive another date or a full refund. But if you wait until the final 24 hours and the cruise still operates, you may lose the amount paid.

This is not a criticism of the crew. It is simply the key condition of any Mykonos boat trip. If you need a calm, predictable outing, a land-based beach day may suit you better.

Pickup, cruise-ship timing, and practical details

Hotel pickup and drop-off remove one of the day’s small headaches. The van is air-conditioned, and pickup is available from accessible meeting points. If you are staying in Mykonos Town or at a hotel with a clear meeting location, this can save you the cost and trouble of arranging a taxi to Tourlos.

Cruise-ship passengers need extra care. The pickup arrangement is useful for reaching the port, and some families have returned promptly for their tender. Still, you are responsible for allowing enough time before your ship leaves. A missed cruise departure is not covered if you fail to arrive on time or miss the activity because of ship delays.

Bring:

• A beach towel
• Swimwear and sun protection
• Dry clothing for the ride back
• Motion-sickness medication if you normally need it
• A waterproof phone pouch if you plan to photograph from the water

The front of the catamaran can get wet, particularly on the return ride. Choose the bow for the spray and fun, not for a dry journey.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives at booking. Most people can take part, but the minimum age is six. The maximum group size is 15, and the activity ends back at the port or with drop-off according to the pickup arrangement.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos cruise most

I would choose this outing if you want a mix of swimming, food, island scenery, and light sightseeing in one half-day. It works especially well for couples, families, and small groups who would rather spend time at sea than visit another crowded beach.

It also suits cruise-ship visitors who want more than a standard shore excursion. The hotel or port transport, small capacity, and flexible morning or sunset departure make the day easier to fit into a short Mykonos stop.

I would hesitate if your main goal is to tour Delos on foot. You will only see the archaeological site from the catamaran. I would also think twice if choppy water makes you miserable, since the Aegean crossing can be rough even when the swimming cove is calm.

The high rating of 4.9 from 760 ratings and recommendation by 96 percent of bookers reflect what this outing does best: friendly service, a good meal, a long swim, and a pleasant small-boat setting. They do not remove the weather risk, so use the forecast as part of your booking decision.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a well-rounded half-day on the water and value a cooked lunch, hotel transport, and a proper swimming stop. The strongest version of the experience is a calm day at Rhenia, with time to snorkel, eat, and return past Mykonos Town in the evening light.

Skip it if you need guaranteed access to Delos, perfectly calm water, or a fixed route. For everyone else, the combination of a small catamaran, two hours at Rhenia, homemade wine, and attentive crew makes the $133 price fair, especially when transport and lunch are included.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours. Sunset departures may have different exact start and end times, so check your booking details carefully.

Does the cruise stop at Delos?

No. The catamaran passes Delos and pauses offshore for photographs and a short explanation of the island. It does not dock, and admission to Delos is not included.

How much time is available for swimming?

The planned swimming stop at Rhenia lasts about two hours. You can swim, snorkel, relax on the boat, and possibly use a paddleboard.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared traditional meal is served onboard, with seafood pasta and meat options. Homemade rosé wine is included.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided for the Rhenia swimming stop.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered by air-conditioned luxury van, but transportation is only possible from an accessible meeting point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The captain may change the route for safety, often using Mykonos’s south coast and a protected cove. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.