Sailing on a catamaran makes Mykonos feel real. What I like most is the 8-flavor Greek lunch made onboard and the unlimited open-bar drinks while you’re cruising between islands. The one thing to keep in mind is the itinerary depends on wind and sea state, so the Delos stop only happens in very calm conditions.

You meet the crew at Ornos Bay marina, climb aboard a comfortable catamaran, and spend a few hours doing the three things Mykonos does best on the water: views, swimming, and food. If you’re going on the sunset option, you’re set up to watch that famous Aegean light change color as the cruise returns.

My advice: book this if you want a smooth, premium day on the water without fighting for beach time or spending your whole vacation in transit.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Small premium group (max 16), so the boat feels lively but not chaotic.
• Two-route plan for wind: Rhenia and a swim cove when seas cooperate, plus a south-coast alternative when they do not.
• Delos only when seas are calm, with a short water-level view and captain talk from offshore.
• Water toys included (snorkeling gear, SUP when weather allows, sea scooters under crew supervision).
• Chef-cooked lunch onboard, presented as an 8-flavor Mediterranean meal, not a basic snack situation.
• Unlimited drinks all cruise, including beer, white wine, sodas, plus bottled water.

Entering Mykonos Waters the Easy Way, From Ornos Bay

This cruise starts at Ornos Bay marina in Mykonos. You do a safety briefing, then settle in and watch the catamaran get moving as the sails go up. It’s the kind of outing where the logistics stay simple: you show up, get onboard, and the day unfolds on the water.

If you are staying in town or on another part of the island, you might arrange bus transfers to the marina for an added fee. That is worth asking about, especially in peak season, because Ornos is calmer than Mykonos Town but it still takes a bit of effort to reach.

I also like that this is offered as either a daytime or sunset cruise. Same general format, different mood. Daytime is about sun and swimming. Sunset is about slowing down and letting the scenery do the talking.

The 5-Hour Flow, and Why Timing Matters for Swims

The experience runs about 5 hours. That timing is the sweet spot for Mykonos: long enough to feel like a real “day out,” but short enough that you do not burn your whole afternoon.

Most of the action happens in two phases:

1) a sailing leg with a scenic pass and a water stop,

2) then an onboard meal and drinks, followed by another swim and the return toward Ornos Bay.

That pacing matters. You get time to cool off, eat while you are still in vacation mode (not starving by the time the food arrives), and then end with more water time and views of Paros and Naxos on the way back.

Rhenia Stop: Secret-Cove Swimming and Water Toys

The cruise’s first stop focuses on Rhenia. The emphasis here is on secluded coves and time in the water. If seas are cooperative, you sail toward these quieter spots and anchor long enough for swimming, snorkeling, and play.

You get provided snorkeling equipment, plus options like a SUP (weather permitting) and sea scooters under crew supervision. Sea scooters are a big deal in practice because they help you move through the water with less effort than classic freestyle swimming. It is also a safer way to explore around the surface, especially if you want the fun part without overthinking it.

One practical note: if the weather is windy, this first stop can shift. The plan stays seaworthy, but the exact coast and cove you visit may change to match conditions.

Delos from Offshore: UNESCO Views When It’s Calm

The Delos stop is the “culture moment,” but with a boat reality check. It only happens if conditions allow very calm seas, and the stop is short, about 20 minutes. That means you should not plan on getting off the boat and doing a full archaeological tour. This is a viewpoint from the water.

From offshore, you get panoramic views of the ruins connected with Delos and the birthplace story tied to Apollo and Artemis in Greek mythology. Your captain shares the history, and you experience it as something alive and changeable, not as a static museum scene.

The benefit of this approach is time. Delos is famous, but the boat format lets you appreciate it without turning your day into logistics. The tradeoff is simple: you must accept that this stop can be skipped or replaced when the sea is rough.

Lunch Is Not an Afterthought: The 8-Flavor Greek Meal

If you only remember one thing about this cruise, make it the food. The onboard meal is described as an 8-flavor Mediterranean feast prepared right on board by a dedicated chef. That matters because it sets the tone: you are not waiting for a packaged lunch, and you are not eating cold food on a schedule.

From the menu details, you can expect items like tzatziki as a starter, along with dishes such as grilled prawns, calamari in white wine sauce, and meat and vegetables sautéed with balsamic vinegar. The broader menu is built around typical Greek flavors and shared plates.

In real terms, this is a good way to eat well while also spending the whole day outside. You get a meal that fits the setting, not the usual “we fed you so you can move on” approach.

Drinks, Prosecco, and the Open-Bar Flow

Drinks come early. You start with a welcome prosecco sparkling drink, then enjoy an open bar with unlimited beer, white wine, and sodas, plus bottled water.

That unlimited part is not just a nice-to-have. It changes how the day feels. You are more likely to stay relaxed during the sailing stretches, and you are not rationing drinks while you wait for the next swim stop.

One practical tip: still pace yourself. With sun, saltwater, and movement, you will feel the effects faster than you would on land. Sip, don’t chug, and you’ll enjoy both the scenery and the swimming.

Snorkeling and Sea Scooters: What You’ll Actually Do in the Water

This cruise is built around water time. There is a dedicated snorkeling and swimming stop at a beach cove with crystal-clear water, and you get provided snorkeling gear.

The sea scooters and snorkeling setup are under crew supervision, which is reassuring if you want to try something new. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the experience, because you can choose your comfort level. If you just want to float and soak up the sun, there is also time for that on deck.

If you are traveling as a family or in a mixed group, this is one of the reasons the tour earns high marks. The water play options are varied, so not everyone has to do the same exact thing at the same exact moment.

Windy-Day Reality: The South Coast Alternative Route

Mykonos wind is not a rumor. If the sea gets too rough, the captain can adjust the itinerary at discretion. That includes skipping the original plan when needed and switching to a protected south-coast route.

In that alternative itinerary, you still sail along the south coast of Mykonos, including famous beaches and a beautiful protected cove away from the crowds. The overall vibe stays similar: sailing plus swimming plus food and drinks.

Just know what can change:

• the Delos offshore viewpoint can be canceled when seas are not calm,
• snorkeling conditions might shift based on where you anchor,
• and water toy use can depend on how choppy it gets.

The upside is that the boat does not freeze your day. It adapts so you still get your time at sea.

Views You Get Without Chasing Them All Day

On the return voyage toward Ornos Bay, you get views of Paros and Naxos. That is part of the value here. A lot of Mykonos day trips force you to pick between scenery and comfort. This one ties both together.

Also, there’s a reason a catamaran feels different from a motorboat for this route. The ride tends to feel smoother, and you have space to spread out between sun deck and sheltered seating if you want a break from wind or salt.

Crew and Service, Including Real Personal Touches

The crew is a big reason this feels premium. Expect a friendly captain and team that handle the day like they have done it a hundred times, including the safety briefing and keeping the pace comfortable.

In particular, the captain and crew names show up in the experience, like captain Paris. You might also run into hosts like Mario, who keeps the atmosphere welcoming. And if something goes missing onboard, the team can be the kind that helps you track it down, even the next day.

That kind of service matters because it reduces friction. You spend less time managing little concerns and more time enjoying the water.

Price and Value: Is $181.39 Fair for What You Get?

At $181.39 per person, this is not a budget tour. But it also does not try to be one. You are paying for a premium catamaran day with a real meal and open-bar drinks, plus equipment and water toys.

Here is how I think about the value:

• Time on the water for about 5 hours, with sailing and multiple scenic moments.
• Lunch cooked onboard as an 8-flavor meal, not a generic sandwich.
• Unlimited beer, wine, sodas, plus bottled water, which is rare on many cruises.
• Provided snorkeling equipment, plus sea scooters and SUP when possible.
• Small group size (maximum 16), which usually means less crowding at the water stop and on deck.

If your plan in Mykonos is to do one “big” water day, this price can make sense. If you were only planning to swim for an hour and have a drink, you would pay less elsewhere. But the reason this tour ranks well is that it delivers a full day package without requiring extra add-ons.

Who This Tour Fits Best, and Who Might Want Another Option

This is a strong match for:

• first-time visitors to Mykonos who want a classic Aegean day without getting stuck in traffic,
• groups who want a fun boat atmosphere but still care about food quality,
• people who want water toys and guided equipment use,
• families with mixed ages, because not everyone has to be in the water at the same intensity.

It might be less ideal if you:

• want a land-based Delos walkthrough, because the Delos stop is brief and only from offshore,
• hate changes to plans due to wind, since the itinerary adjusts when conditions are not right,
• plan to spend the whole day in a strict, fixed sequence, since sailing, swim time, and viewing time depend on sea state.

Should You Book This Mykonos Catamaran?

I think you should book it if you want a premium, low-hassle day that combines sailing, swimming, and a proper Greek meal in one smooth package. The high rating makes sense because the core elements are all there: thoughtful timing, onboard cooking, small-group feel, and water play that goes beyond just jumping in once.

I would book sooner rather than later. This kind of cruise is often in demand, and it is showing average advance bookings around 34 days, so planning ahead helps.

If wind is a concern in your travel week, do not let that scare you off. The day is designed with an alternative route in mind, so you still get a great sea day even when the sea is grumpy.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and end?

The tour meets at Ornos Bay marina in Mykonos, and the experience ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the Mykonos catamaran tour?

The duration is about 5 hours (approx.).

Does the tour include lunch and drinks?

Yes. You get an 8-flavor Mediterranean feast served onboard, plus unlimited beer, white wine, and soft drinks from an open bar, along with a welcome prosecco drink.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided. The itinerary also includes a snorkeling and swimming stop at a beach cove when conditions allow.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

Delos can be included on the way back if weather and sea conditions are very calm. It is a short offshore stop with a panoramic view.

What happens if the weather is windy?

The captain can modify the itinerary when wind and sea conditions are not good enough for the original plan. If it is too windy, the cruise often sails along the south coast of Mykonos and visits beaches and a protected cove away from the crowds.

Is there a sunset option?

Yes. The experience offers a choice of a daytime or sunset cruise.

How many people are on the boat?

The maximum group size is 16 travelers.

Do you need a passport for booking?

Yes. Passport number, full name, year of birth, and country are required at time of booking for all participants.

What is the cancellation and weather policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.