Mykonos: Catamaran Cruise with Lunch, Drinks and Transfer

The best part of this Mykonos catamaran cruise is the long stop at Rhenia, where you can swim from the boat in clear water before sitting down to a Greek meal cooked onboard. I like the generous two-hour water stop and the easygoing crew, with guides such as Margarita, Dimitris, Iliana, and Nikos often praised for keeping the mood warm and personal.

I also like that the $123 price includes hotel transfer if selected, snorkeling gear, a SUP, drinks, fruit, and a proper lunch. The main drawback is simple: you do not visit Delos. You pass it by for photos, and the catamaran may run under motor rather than sail, so this suits a relaxed sea day more than a serious sailing or archaeological excursion.

Key points at a glance

• Rhenia is the real centerpiece: You get about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, floating, and relaxing in a sheltered cove.
• Delos is a photo stop only: You will see the island from the catamaran, but there is no landing or archaeological visit.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect seafood pasta, meat, vegetarian choices, salad, bread, seasonal fruit, and drinks.
• Small groups make a difference: Recent departures have commonly had around 10 to 15 people, leaving room to spread out.
• The crew adapts to the weather: On windy days, the captain may choose a calmer cove or a south-coast route around Mykonos.
• The price covers plenty: At $123, the package includes fuel, crew, food, wine, equipment, and optional hotel transport.

What this Mykonos catamaran cruise is really like

This is a half-day outing built around sea time, not a packed sightseeing schedule. You spend roughly five hours moving between Mykonos, Delos, and Rhenia, with the longest pause reserved for swimming and lunch.

I would describe it as a floating Greek lunch party with a scenic boat ride attached. Music plays through a Bluetooth speaker, homemade rosé is served during the trip, and the crew checks in often without turning the outing into a formal lecture.

The atmosphere depends partly on the group. A smaller departure with 10 or 12 people can feel roomy and social. A group of 15 still works, but you will notice the difference when everyone wants a place at the rail or space on the front deck.

This is not the best choice if you want an in-depth tour of ancient Delos, a fast-paced island-hopping trip, or a quiet sailing lesson. It is a good choice if you want to get out of Mykonos town, swim in clear water, eat well, and let someone else handle the day.

Leaving Mykonos by van and catamaran

If you select hotel pickup, a van collects you from your Mykonos hotel. You should wait in the lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time, since the driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes. The transfer to the boat takes about 15 minutes, with return transport taking about 20 minutes.

Without pickup, the meeting point is outside Mathios Tavern. The base manager waits there by 8:30 each day, though you should check your selected departure time because the cruise offers different starting options.

Once onboard, the crew gives a safety briefing and offers welcome refreshments. You can choose a place to sit, but it is wise to move around during the trip. The front offers more open views and more motion, while the rear can feel calmer when the sea is choppy.

The catamaran has a bathroom, which matters on a five-hour outing. Towels are not supplied, so bring one from your hotel or pack a compact beach towel.

Passing Delos without going ashore

The first major sight is Delos, the sacred island near Mykonos. The route passes by the island for about an hour and a half, including the time spent sailing in that area, taking photos, and enjoying wine.

You will not step onto Delos. That point deserves attention because the island is one of Greece’s great archaeological sites, and some visitors may assume this is a combined boat trip and ruins visit. It is not. For the actual site, you need a separate excursion that includes a landing and guided walk.

From the water, you can still get a useful sense of Delos as an isolated, sun-baked island with major importance in ancient Greek religion and trade. The crew may share background as you pass, and guides such as Margarita and Chris have been praised for explaining the area and answering questions.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long viewing stop at the ruins. The boat route is about the sea and the islands, not close study of columns, mosaics, or the archaeological museum.

Rhenia, the place to swim

Rhenia is where the cruise earns its place on your Mykonos schedule. The catamaran anchors in a small cove with clear turquoise water, often away from the busiest beaches.

You get around two hours here for swimming, snorkeling, floating, and relaxing. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with a SUP and other simple flotation aids. The water is the star, but do not book this as a serious marine-life expedition. One account described the sea as beautiful but noted that there were not many fish.

You may be able to swim toward shore or simply stay beside the boat. The exact setup depends on the cove and sea conditions. The crew may move to a calmer area if wind and waves make the original plan uncomfortable.

This flexibility is important in the Aegean. Mykonos can be windy, and a rough day may mean bigger waves during the crossing. One departure encountered strong wind and choppy water, but the captain chose a protected cove so the group could still swim and snorkel. Another had to modify the route because the conditions were too poor for the planned visit.

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. The sun reflects hard off the water, and the boat offers little reason to stay indoors. If you are prone to seasickness, ask the crew about the available Dramamine. A few passengers have appreciated having it on hand, but you should not depend on the boat for personal medication.

Lunch served on the boat

Lunch arrives after the swimming stop, though the exact timing can change with the route and conditions. The meal is substantial for a half-day cruise and is one of the strongest reasons to consider the price.

The published choices include seafood pasta, meat, vegetarian dishes, and seasonal fruit. Details reported from individual meals include shrimp pasta, lamb, salad, bread, and other meat dishes. You should tell the crew about your preference or dietary needs when possible, since the team has shown flexibility with different appetites.

The meal is served onboard rather than at a beach taverna. That gives you a different kind of Greek dining experience: plates on the catamaran, open sea around you, and the boat moving back toward Mykonos.

Drinks include homemade rosé, beer, soft drinks, and water. The wine is a major part of the outing, and the crew keeps it available throughout the cruise. Drink sensibly, especially if you have been swimming in the sun. The relaxed mood is appealing, but dehydration and alcohol are not a good pairing.

The food is not fine dining, and you should not expect a restaurant kitchen or a long menu. It is fresh, filling boat food with Greek touches, prepared to suit a mixed group. For most people, that is exactly right.

The return route and sunset option

After Rhenia and lunch, the catamaran heads back toward Mykonos. The return leg takes about an hour and a half, with chances to photograph Mykonos town, the island’s windmills, and the coast from the water.

Some departures pass near Little Venice, giving you a different angle on one of Mykonos town’s most photographed areas. The view is especially useful if you have already wandered the narrow lanes on foot and want to see how the town sits along the shore.

If you choose a sunset departure, the ride back becomes the visual high point. The sun drops over the horizon, and the white buildings and windmills take on warmer light. Sunset timing varies by season, so check the available start time when booking.

The boat may use its motor for much or all of the route. That is worth knowing if the word catamaran makes you picture a silent sail with canvas raised. You still get the stable, broad platform and sea views, but this is primarily a powered cruise.

How the crew shapes the day

The crew gets unusually high marks for warmth and practical care. Names that have come up across different departures include Dimitris, Iliana, Nikos, Chris, Margarita, Adonia, Andre, and Manos.

You should not expect the exact same guide team every day. Still, the pattern is clear: the crew handles transfers, explains the route, serves drinks and lunch, helps with equipment, and watches the conditions.

That matters when the sea changes. The captain has discretion to alter the itinerary when wind or waves make the planned route unsafe or uncomfortable. In rough weather, the alternative may run along Mykonos’s south coast, with stops at famous beaches and a protected cove.

This is a safety feature, not a failure of the tour. You may miss part of the original route, but you are more likely to get worthwhile swimming time in calmer water. If visiting Delos is your top priority, remember that the island can be passed by or skipped when conditions are poor.

Is $123 good value?

At $123 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Mykonos. Small boat rentals and basic beach transfers may cost less, especially if you are traveling with a large group and can split a private charter.

The value improves when you count what is included:

• About five hours on the water
• Optional hotel pickup and drop-off
• Fuel
• Crew and skipper
• Homemade rosé
• Beer, soft drinks, and water
• A fresh lunch with several food types
• Seasonal fruit
• Snorkeling equipment
• SUP access
• A long swimming stop
• Use of the boat’s bathroom

A restaurant meal, drinks, beach access, and a separate boat trip could quickly approach the same total. You also avoid arranging transport and deciding where to stop.

I think the price is fair for a first-time visitor who wants an easy, all-in sea day. It is less compelling if you do not drink, dislike group activities, or mainly want to reach Delos for its ruins.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it for couples, families with older children, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and small groups looking for a shared outing. Children aged 8 and 10 have taken part successfully, and the swimming, music, food, and relaxed format can work across generations.

It is also a good break from Mykonos town. After time among the island’s narrow lanes, shops, restaurants, and busy beaches, a day on the water gives you room to breathe.

You should think twice if you have a mobility impairment, since the activity is not suitable for people with mobility limitations. You should also be comfortable boarding a boat, walking around a moving deck, and getting in and out of the water if you want the full experience.

The cruise is not designed around formal sailing. If you want to learn how to handle a yacht or spend the day under sail, choose another outing. If you want a friendly crew, clear swimming water, a generous lunch, and an uncomplicated route, this one fits.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Pickup is optional, so confirm whether your selected price includes the van.

Bring your own towel. Also bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a camera. The crew provides snorkeling gear and a SUP, but personal sunscreen and any medication you need should come from you.

The host language is English. Starting times depend on the option you choose, and the captain can change the route when weather or sea conditions require it.

Should you book it?

Book this Mykonos catamaran cruise if you want a sociable, food-focused day on the Aegean with a real chance to swim in Rhenia’s clear water. The crew, lunch, drinks, and flexible handling of rough weather give it strong practical value at $123.

Skip it if your main goal is to walk through Delos, sail under canvas, or avoid group outings. For everyone else, especially anyone needing a break from Mykonos’s crowded streets, the combination of Rhenia, onboard lunch, and sunset views makes this a sensible half-day choice.

FAQ

Do I visit Delos Island on this cruise?

No. The catamaran passes by Delos and stops for photos and sightseeing from the water. You do not go ashore or take a hike on the island.

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts about five hours, not including the optional van transfers. The route includes time near Delos, a swimming stop at Rhenia, lunch, and the return to Mykonos.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option. Otherwise, the meeting point is outside Mathios Tavern, where the base manager waits by 8:30 each day.

What food is served onboard?

Lunch includes seafood pasta, meat, vegetarian options, and seasonal fruit. Meals may also include salad and bread. Tell the crew about your food preference when possible.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Homemade rosé wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included. The cruise also offers welcome refreshments.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and a SUP are included. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The captain may change the itinerary when wind or sea conditions are not suitable. The alternative can include Mykonos’s south coast, famous beaches, and a protected cove for swimming.