Mykonos: Private Catamaran Cruise w/ Food, Drinks & Transfer

Rhenia is the star of this trip: a quiet island of clear water, small coves, and room to stretch out on a catamaran deck. You sail past Delos, stop for photos, then anchor for swimming, snorkeling, and a Greek lunch cooked and served onboard. It is a pleasant way to trade Mykonos’s busy shore for open sea.

I like the private boat and crew, since your group gets the catamaran rather than sharing a standard excursion vessel. I also like the easy hotel transfer and the included food, drinks, and snorkeling gear. The main caution is the price, $883 per person, and the weather. A May departure can feel cold and windy, so this is a much better bet when the sea is warm and calm.

Key points to know

• Rhenia is the main stop: Plan on about two hours near the island for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and free time.
• Delos is a photo stop only: You see the island from the boat and hear about its past, but entrance and a guided land visit are not included.
• The private format adds comfort: You travel with your own group, skipper, and crew rather than joining a large shared cruise.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect a Greek meal onboard, along with wine, beer, welcome refreshments, and an aperitif.
• Transfers simplify the day: An air-conditioned minivan collects you in Mykonos and returns you after the cruise.
• Weather matters: Wind can change the feel of the trip, especially early or late in the season.

Leaving Mykonos for the open Aegean

The day begins with pickup in Mykonos and a short, roughly 15-minute ride in an air-conditioned minivan to the island’s new port. That transfer is useful because getting around Mykonos can be awkward, especially if you are staying away from the port or do not want to arrange a taxi.

At the harbor, you meet the English-speaking skipper and crew before boarding the modern catamaran. A catamaran gives you more than a simple ride between islands. Its twin-hull design provides broad outdoor areas, so you can sit in the sun, find shade, or move around while the boat is under way.

As the vessel leaves Mykonos, look back toward the island. The familiar white houses and hillside buildings take on a different character from the water. You also get a good chance to photograph the famous windmills and Mykonos Town during the return journey.

The mood is relaxed rather than heavily programmed. You can enjoy the sea breeze, take pictures, and settle into the rhythm of the boat. Traditional Mykonos wine is available as you sail, with other drinks served during the day.

A small point about timing: five hours sounds generous, but it passes quickly once you include the transfer, departure, Delos photo stop, Rhenia visit, meal, and return sail. This is a good choice if you want a half-day on the water, not a full island-hopping expedition.

Seeing Delos from the boat

The catamaran passes by Delos, the famous sacred island near Mykonos, and pauses for about 15 minutes for photographs and an explanation from the guide. You do not go ashore.

That limitation matters. Delos is one of the Aegean’s major archaeological sites, with ancient sanctuaries, streets, and mosaics that require time on land to appreciate. This cruise gives you a quick look and some context, but it is not a substitute for a dedicated Delos visit.

Still, seeing the island from the sea has its own appeal. You get a broad view without spending your main swimming time walking through ruins under the sun. If you already visited Delos, this short stop is enough to refresh your memory. If Delos is high on your list, plan a separate excursion on another day.

The stop also breaks up the sailing time. You can take photographs, enjoy welcome refreshments, and listen to the guide before continuing toward Rhenia.

Rhenia’s clear coves and swimming stop

Rhenia is where most of the day’s action takes place. The boat anchors in a small cove with clear turquoise water, giving you about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and free time.

This is the heart of the cruise. You can jump into the sea, use the provided snorkeling gear, or stay aboard and enjoy the view from the deck. The appeal is simple: Rhenia offers a quieter setting than Mykonos, with no need to search for a beach chair or carry your own equipment down a crowded shore.

The water may look inviting, but conditions can vary. A May departure was described as cold and windy, which made swimming and relaxing less enjoyable. If you are sensitive to cool water or strong wind, keep your expectations tied to the weather rather than the photographs.

The sheltered cove helps, but it does not guarantee a calm day. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a light layer for the ride. Towels are not included, so pack your own. Bright colors are not allowed, and the activity also prohibits fishing, feeding animals, boots, and fireworks.

There is no fishing or wildlife encounter built into the trip. The focus is swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and eating. That makes the excursion easy to understand and easy to enjoy if you want a low-effort day at sea.

Lunch onboard with Greek wine and beer

While you swim or snorkel, the crew prepares lunch. The meal is served aboard the catamaran, so you do not lose time returning to shore or finding a restaurant on Rhenia.

Food and drinks are included in the price. The experience lists a Greek meal, wine, beer, welcome refreshments, and an aperitif. Traditional Mykonos wine is available during the sailing, giving the meal and the ride a local touch.

The food is a valuable part of the package because eating onboard keeps the day moving. You can step out of the water, dry off, and sit down to lunch without changing locations. It also adds to the social feel of a private cruise, even though your group has its own boat.

I would keep expectations sensible. One report found the food insufficient, even while praising the kindness and professionalism of the staff. That does not mean every meal will be inadequate, but it is a useful warning if you have a large appetite or specific dietary needs. The supplied details do not promise vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-friendly menus, so ask before booking if that affects your choice.

Drinks can also change how you plan the afternoon. Wine and beer are included, but you are still on a moving boat under the sun. Pace yourself, drink water, and do not treat unlimited wine as the main event.

The return sail past Mykonos windmills

After the Rhenia stop and lunch, the catamaran heads back toward Mykonos. The return portion lasts about two hours and includes sailing, sightseeing, wine, and an aperitif.

This is a good time to sit back rather than try to pack in more activities. You may see the island’s windmills and Mykonos Town from the water, a view that is especially useful for photographs. From offshore, the island’s white buildings form a clean, recognizable profile.

If you choose the sunset departure, the ride back can include golden light over the horizon. Sunset timing depends on the selected start time and season, so check availability before booking if that is important to you. The sunset option also changes the feel of the cruise, making it more suited to couples or a small group celebrating something.

The boat returns to the port, and the minivan takes you back to your hotel. That final transfer is a small but welcome convenience after several hours in the sun and on the water.

What the private format is worth

At $883 per person, this is an expensive half-day outing. The value depends heavily on how many people are in your private group and how much you care about privacy.

You are paying for a private catamaran, skipper and crew, hotel or port transfers, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, taxes, and a five-hour schedule. Those inclusions remove several extra costs and planning chores. You do not need to rent a boat, arrange a separate driver, buy lunch, or carry snorkeling gear.

The private setup is especially useful for a family, group of friends, or couple who want control over the mood. You can relax together without joining a crowded vessel or following the preferences of strangers. It is also a stronger choice for a special occasion, provided the price fits your budget.

For a solo visitor or a small group watching costs, the value is harder to defend. A shared boat or a separate beach day in Mykonos would likely cost less, though it would not offer the same privacy or onboard meal.

The high price also makes the weather more important. If wind or cool temperatures could spoil the swimming stop, you are taking a bigger financial risk than with a low-cost harbor cruise. Use the free cancellation option, which allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and check the forecast close to the deadline.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos cruise

I would recommend this experience most strongly to:

• Couples who want a private sea day with food and sunset options.
• Families with older children who can handle several hours on a boat.
• Friends splitting the cost of a private charter.
• Visitors who want swimming and snorkeling without planning transport.
• People who prefer a relaxed boat day to a long archaeological tour.
• Anyone who values an English-speaking crew and a simple hotel pickup.

It is less suitable for pregnant people, anyone with back or heart problems, babies under one year, children under 90 centimeters, people over 95, and anyone affected by altitude sickness according to the stated restrictions.

You should also think about motion and exposure to the elements. The information provided does not describe the boat’s motion or shade in detail, so anyone prone to seasickness should ask the operator before paying. Wind is a real consideration, especially outside the warmest part of summer.

The cruise is not designed for fishing, wildlife feeding, or a full visit to Delos. Choose it for the sea, the cove, the meal, and the private setting.

Small details that can improve the day

Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothing and pack a towel, since towels are not supplied. Add sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light layer for the ride back, when the wind may feel cooler.

Keep your camera ready when leaving Mykonos, passing Delos, and approaching the island again. The photo opportunities are brief, especially at Delos, where the stop lasts about 15 minutes.

Ask about meal portions and dietary needs before departure. One past experience found the food insufficient, while other comments praised the crew and called the day excellent. That mixed detail suggests the staff is a strong part of the experience, but the meal deserves a practical check if food is central to your plans.

The crew has received especially warm praise for being kind, helpful, and professional. That human side matters on a private cruise. A good crew can make the difference between a simple boat ride and a comfortable day when wind, timing, or meal service does not go perfectly.

Should you book this Rhenia catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a private, polished half-day on the Aegean and are comfortable paying a premium for privacy, transfers, drinks, and lunch. The combination of Rhenia swimming, onboard food, and views of Mykonos from the water gives you a pleasant break from the island’s busy center.

Think twice if your main goal is to explore Delos, since you only see it from the boat. Also reconsider if you are traveling on a tight budget, need guaranteed generous meal portions, or are visiting in a cool and windy month.

For the right group, this is a strong splurge. The crew’s kindness and professional service are repeatedly praised, and the private format makes the day feel easy. Just check the forecast, bring a towel, and confirm the food arrangements before committing to the high per-person cost.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts five hours, including the cruise and the scheduled stops. The transfer from Mykonos to the new port takes about 15 minutes by minivan.

Is the cruise private?

Yes. This is a private group experience with a private catamaran, skipper, and crew.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip pickup and drop-off from your Mykonos hotel are included. The transfer also serves the port.

Does the boat stop at Delos?

The catamaran passes Delos and makes a photo stop of about 15 minutes. Entrance fees and a guided land tour of Delos are not included.

How much time is spent at Rhenia Island?

The scheduled Rhenia stop lasts about two hours. It includes free time, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and lunch onboard.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. A Greek meal, wine, beer, welcome refreshments, and an aperitif are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included. Towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.