The best part of this cruise is the combination of private sailing and a chef-prepared meal. You leave Ornos Bay on a large catamaran, spend time under sail on the Aegean, swim from the boat, and eat food cooked aboard rather than settling for a basic packed lunch.

I like the open bar with unlimited beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water. I also like the choice of water toys, especially the SUP and sea scooters, which give you something to do between swims. The crew, led by Mike on the featured sunset trip, also adds local history and explains the plan clearly.

The main consideration is the price: $1,052.80 per person is a serious spend, even for a private five-hour outing. Wind can also change the route, so Rinia Island is not guaranteed. If conditions are rough, the captain may keep you along Mykonos’s south coast instead.

Key points to know before booking

• A private five-hour catamaran: Only your group takes part, giving you more space and a calmer pace than a shared boat trip.
• Rinia Island depends on the weather: In good conditions, you sail to a quiet cove there. Strong wind can bring an alternative route along Mykonos’s south coast.
• A full meal is cooked onboard: The chef prepares seven or eight flavors, including fresh seafood, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices available.
• Swimming equipment is included: You can use snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, and sea scooters without paying extra.
• Sunset trips add a special finish: The return ride takes place during twilight, when the sea and Mykonos begin to soften in the evening light.
• The price covers a lot, but not everything: Drinks, food, WiFi, and equipment are included. Hotel transfers and beach towels are not.

Setting out from Ornos Bay

Your cruise begins at the dock in Ornos Bay, at the Mykonos Catamaran meeting point. A hostess welcomes you there, and the captain comes to shore with a tender boat to bring you aboard the catamaran.

That short transfer is worth noting. You do not simply walk onto the main boat from a standard marina berth. You meet at the stated Ornos Bay location and follow the crew’s instructions for boarding. Since hotel pickup is not included, you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.

The crew starts with a traditional safety briefing. This is routine, but useful. You will learn how the boat works and what to expect before the sails go up. The experience is designed for most people to participate, though you should be comfortable getting aboard by tender and moving around a boat.

The catamaran itself is described as large and well kept. That matters on a five-hour cruise. A private boat can feel cramped if there is nowhere to sit or stretch out, but a larger catamaran gives your group more room to spread around the deck. The featured experience also received strong praise for its clean, immaculate boat, so expectations are high here.

One smooth hour under sail

After the safety briefing, the crew hoists the sails for roughly an hour of sailing across the Aegean. This is the part of the trip that makes it more than a floating lunch with a swim stop.

With the engine quiet and the sails doing the work, you get time to watch Mykonos recede and take in the open water. The description promises a smooth and safe ride, but remember that a sailing trip still depends on wind and sea conditions. A calm day may give you the gentle glide you want. A windy day can force the captain to alter the route.

The crew also shares information about the area. Mike is specifically praised for explaining the history and itinerary in detail on a private sunset cruise. That personal guidance can make a difference. You are not left guessing where you are going or why the captain has chosen a particular cove.

I would treat this first hour as a chance to settle into the day rather than rush for the water toys. Find your place on deck, enjoy the welcome Prosecco, and let the crew explain the plan. The route can change later, but the sailing itself is a central part of the experience.

Rinia Island and the first swim

When wind and sea conditions allow, the catamaran heads for Rinia Island. The boat stops in an unspoiled cove, where you can enjoy the Greek sun and swim in the blue Aegean water.

Rinia offers a different feel from Mykonos’s famous beach areas. The appeal is not a long list of sights or organized beach facilities. It is the sense of reaching a quieter piece of the Cyclades by boat, away from the main flow of the island.

You can use the snorkeling equipment here, although the supplied information does not promise a particular marine life sighting or underwater attraction. The main reward is the chance to swim directly from the catamaran in clear water. The SUP gives you a slower way to explore the cove, while the sea scooters add a more playful option.

Bring a swimsuit and sun protection. Beach towels are not included, so pack your own towel as well. The Greek sun can be strong, and the boat’s open deck offers plenty of exposure even when a breeze makes the temperature feel comfortable.

Rinia is not guaranteed. The captain has final say based on wind and sea conditions. That is not a minor detail. If Rinia is the main reason you are booking, you need to accept that the sea decides the itinerary.

The south-coast alternative

If the weather is too windy for Rinia, the captain often follows Mykonos’s south coast. This route visits some of the island’s famous beaches and includes a protected cove away from the crowds.

The alternative is less remote than Rinia, but it can still make a good day on the water. You see Mykonos from offshore and stop in a sheltered place for swimming and relaxation. The protected cove is especially practical when open-water conditions are less pleasant.

This route also gives you a broader look at the island’s coastline. Instead of spending the day at one busy beach, you pass several well-known stretches from the water and get a quieter stop of your own. The tradeoff is simple: you may lose the feeling of reaching a separate island, but you gain a route that can work better when wind makes the original plan unsafe.

I appreciate this kind of flexible planning. A captain who changes course for safety is doing the right job, not failing to deliver. Still, you should book this for the whole sailing experience, not only for one promised cove.

A seven or eight-flavor meal at sea

After the swimming stop, the catamaran sails to another cove with clear water. While you enjoy the boat and the surroundings, the chef prepares a seven or eight-flavor meal onboard.

This is one of the cruise’s strongest features. Many boat excursions include food, but there is a big difference between a simple sandwich and a meal cooked during the trip. Fresh ingredients are used, and fresh seafood is part of the menu. The meal is meant to be part of the experience, not just fuel between activities.

The menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free courses. You should still tell the captain about your dietary needs at the beginning of the trip, so the cook can prepare accordingly. Since the captain asks directly and passes the information to the cook, speak up early rather than waiting until food is served.

The meal is also important when judging the price. At $1,052.80 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. You are paying for a private charter, a captain and crew, a chef, a multi-course meal, an open bar, and water equipment. For a group celebrating a special occasion, the private format may make the cost easier to justify. For a couple or small group watching expenses, it may feel excessive.

The supplied price is listed per person, and group discounts are available. That means you should check the final cost for your party rather than judging the experience only by the headline figure. A larger group may get better value from a private boat than two people would.

Drinks, water toys, and time between stops

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. The welcome Prosecco gives you a celebratory start, while the rest of the drinks cover the main meal and the time spent sailing.

There is no mention of spirits or cocktails, so do not book expecting a full cocktail bar. The included selection is straightforward and well matched to a daytime meal on the water.

The snorkeling gear, SUP, and sea scooters are included too. That keeps the day simple. You do not need to rent equipment at the cove or decide whether another activity is worth an extra charge.

WiFi and Bluetooth speakers are also provided. These are useful extras, though they should not become the focus of the day. The best moments will come from the sea, the food, and the private space. Use the speakers if your group wants music, but keep the volume considerate when the crew is explaining safety or the route.

Because the cruise lasts about five hours, the variety matters. You have sailing, a swim stop, food, drinks, and time to sit back. The program does not appear rushed, though the exact timing will depend on the route and sea conditions.

Choosing between daytime and sunset

The daytime and sunset versions share the main structure: a five-hour private catamaran trip, sailing, swimming, food, drinks, and water toys.

The sunset option adds the return during twilight. That changes the mood of the cruise. Instead of heading back in full afternoon light, you watch the sea darken and the coastline take on softer colors. It is the better choice for a birthday, anniversary, proposal, or simply a more romantic outing.

A daytime trip may suit you better if swimming and sunbathing are your top goals. You get brighter conditions for time in the water, and some people prefer not to finish an active boat trip after dark. The information provided does not specify exact departure times, so confirm the start time when booking.

The sunset version received particularly strong praise for its atmosphere, the clean catamaran, the food, and Mike’s detailed explanation of the route. Those details point to a well-rounded evening rather than a short sunset photo stop.

What the private format changes

This is a private tour, so only your group participates. That gives you a degree of privacy that shared cruises cannot match.

You can spend more time swimming if conditions and the schedule allow, settle into the deck space you prefer, and enjoy the meal with your own group. The captain still controls the route and timing, but you are not sharing the boat with a large crowd of unrelated people.

Private also means you should think about your group’s mix. If everyone wants a relaxed meal and swimming, the format should work well. If some people want constant activity and others want quiet sailing, discuss that before departure. The crew can manage the day, but the sea and the five-hour schedule limit how much can be done.

The private setting is especially useful for families, close friends, and couples marking an occasion. It may be less attractive if you enjoy meeting new people on group excursions or if you mainly want the cheapest way to get on the water.

Practical details that affect your day

You need to reach the meeting point at Ornos Bay on your own. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the cruise returns to the same meeting point at the end.

At booking, you must provide each participant’s passport number, full name, year of birth, and country. Have that information ready so the reservation does not stall. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability.

The activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the experience involves boarding by tender, using a catamaran, and spending several hours at sea. The provided information does not give detailed accessibility guidance, so contact the operator before booking if you need specific assistance.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The cruise requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who will get the best value

I would choose this cruise if you want a private day on the water with food and drinks handled for you. It suits people who value space, a polished boat, and a complete program more than a low price.

It is also a strong choice for a special occasion. The welcome Prosecco, chef-prepared meal, private setting, and sunset option give the outing a celebratory shape without requiring you to plan separate activities.

Families and mixed-age groups may like the range of choices. One person can sit with a drink, another can use the SUP, and someone else can swim or snorkel. Dietary needs are easier to manage than on many standard excursions because the meal includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free courses.

I would hesitate if you dislike changes of plan, have a tight budget, or mainly want a guaranteed visit to Rinia. The captain may need to use the south-coast route, and the per-person price is high. You also need to bring your own towels and arrange transport to Ornos Bay.

Should you book this Mykonos catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a private, food-focused sailing day and are happy to pay for comfort, crew service, drinks, and equipment in one package. The best reasons to choose it are the large catamaran, the fresh seafood meal, the private group setting, and the option to finish with a sunset at sea.

Before paying, confirm the total group price, the departure time, and the likely route for the forecast. Go in knowing that Rinia depends on conditions and that the captain may choose the south coast instead.

For a special celebration, this is an easy experience to justify. For a low-cost beach day, it is the wrong tool. Choose it for the sailing, the meal, and the relaxed private setting, not for one fixed stop.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin and end?

The cruise begins at the Mykonos Catamaran meeting point at Ornos Bay, Mykonos, Greece. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is food included?

Yes. A seven or eight-flavor meal is freshly prepared onboard by the chef, and the menu includes fresh seafood. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free courses are available.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes unlimited beer, white wine, sodas, and bottled water. A welcome Prosecco sparkling drink is also included.

What happens if the weather is too windy for Rinia Island?

The captain may change the route. The alternative is often a sailing trip along Mykonos’s south coast, with visits to famous beaches and a protected cove. If poor weather causes the entire activity to be canceled, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.