The best part of this Mykonos cruise is the balance: you get open-sea sailing, a glimpse of Delos, a long swim stop at Rhenia, and a full Greek meal without having to arrange transport or pack a picnic. Choose the morning trip for bright water and an easy start, or the afternoon sailing for windmills and sunset over Mykonos Town.

I like the hotel-to-port transfers, which remove a small but real hassle on an island where port logistics can be confusing. I also like that snorkeling gear, wine, soft drinks, and raki are included, while the small group size is capped at 15 people. The main consideration is timing: five hours is not enough for a full visit to Delos, and the boat only pauses there for photos and a short explanation.

At a glance

• Choose your mood: Sail in the morning for a daytime swim, or in the afternoon for golden-hour views and sunset.
• Swim at Rhenia: Anchor in a clear-water cove for swimming and snorkeling with equipment supplied on board.
• See Delos from the sea: Hear a short introduction to the archaeological site, but do not expect to go ashore.
• Eat Greek food on board: Lunch or dinner, wine, soft drinks, and traditional raki are included.
• Keep transport simple: An air-conditioned minivan picks you up from your Mykonos hotel, except villas, and returns you afterward.
• Expect a small group: The maximum is 15 people, giving the cruise a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.

Why this five-hour Mykonos cruise works well

A day on Mykonos can easily become a tangle of taxis, beach plans, port schedules, and restaurant bookings. This cruise gathers several popular island experiences into one package. You sail from the New Port at Tourlos, look back at Mykonos Town from the water, pass the small island of Baos, pause near Delos, swim at Rhenia, and eat aboard the catamaran.

That combination matters. You are not spending the whole outing moving from one attraction to another by road. Once the catamaran leaves the port, the pace slows down. The sea breeze, the white houses receding behind you, and the quiet cove at Rhenia provide a pleasant break from Mykonos Town.

The price is $118.29 per person. That is not the cheapest way to spend five hours on the island, but it includes round-trip hotel transport, a skipper and crew, a cooked meal, drinks, fuel charges, taxes, and snorkeling equipment. If you would otherwise pay separately for a taxi, lunch, a boat trip, and equipment rental, the total begins to look reasonable.

Still, value depends on what you want. If your priority is walking through the ruins of Delos, this is the wrong boat trip. If you want a relaxed day on the water with food and swimming, the package makes more sense.

From your hotel to Mykonos New Port

Pickup is offered from hotels across Mykonos, with villas excluded. You travel by air-conditioned minivan to the New Port in Tourlos, where you board the modern catamaran and meet the skipper and crew.

This transfer is one of the most useful parts of the arrangement. The port is away from the center of Mykonos Town, and finding your own ride can take time during a busy holiday period. A coordinated pickup also helps if you are staying outside the town center.

The cruise can work for people arriving by ship as well. One booking was coordinated around a pickup from a cruise ship tender, so tell the operator your ship details when arranging the trip. Do not assume that a late ship arrival will be covered, though. A missed tour caused by a late or non-arriving cruise ship is not refundable.

The group limit is 15 people. That is large enough to keep the boat social, but small enough that you should not feel lost in a crowd. The exact seating arrangement is not specified, so arrive ready to find a comfortable place on board rather than expecting an assigned seat.

Leaving Mykonos behind

As the catamaran pulls away, you get a view of Mykonos that is easy to miss from land. The island’s small white houses spread along the shore, and the port gradually becomes part of the wider Aegean setting.

This is a good point to settle into the trip. You can sit back, take photographs, and enjoy the wind while the crew handles the route. Unlimited traditional Mykonos wine is available during the sailing, along with soft drinks and raki. Drink sensibly, especially on a moving boat and during the warmer part of the day.

The cruise passes Baos, described as a small pirate island, before heading toward Delos. The passage gives you a sense of the nearby islands and the sea routes that link this part of the Cyclades. The attraction here is not a formal lecture or a long guided tour. It is the combination of views, short commentary, and time on the water.

Delos from the catamaran

Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Cyclades, but this experience does not include a landing. Instead, the catamaran stops in front of the island so you can photograph the site from the sea while the hostess explains some of its history.

That approach has a clear advantage: you see Delos without spending the rest of the afternoon walking around an archaeological area. It also has a clear limit. You will not see the ruins up close, visit the museums, or walk along the ancient streets.

Think of this as an introduction, not a substitute for a dedicated Delos excursion. The photo stop is useful if you want a taste of the island or have already visited it. It is less satisfying if Delos is high on your must-see list.

The lack of a shore visit is also why the five-hour schedule can include Rhenia and a full meal. The boat does not lose time organizing a landing, and you remain on a simple coastal route.

Swimming and snorkeling at Rhenia

The main leisure stop is Rhenia, a nearby island where the catamaran anchors in a small cove. The water is described as clear and turquoise, and you have time to swim and snorkel before or around the meal service.

Snorkeling equipment is provided free of charge. That saves you from bringing your own mask and fins, though you should not expect a full dive operation or a long guided snorkeling session. The activity is designed as a casual swim stop. You can get in the water, look around, and cool off before returning to the boat.

The cove is likely to be the highlight for anyone who prefers water time to sightseeing. It also gives families and mixed-age groups a flexible part of the day. People who want to swim can do so, while others can remain aboard and enjoy the view.

Weather matters here. The cruise requires good conditions, and the operator may cancel for poor weather. That policy protects the sailing experience, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Mykonos schedule.

A Greek meal served at sea

The cruise includes lunch on the morning departure or dinner on the sunset departure, with drinks included. The meal is freshly cooked on board and described as a sampling of Greek cuisine.

That detail changes the value of the trip. You are not simply buying a boat ride and then paying for a meal at the port. Food is part of the experience, and the reviews specifically praise both the cooking and the drinks. You can expect wine, soft drinks, and traditional raki as part of the included beverages.

The exact dishes are not provided, so do not book this expecting a fixed menu or a particular specialty. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking. The available information does not confirm vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or child-specific meal arrangements.

The timing of the meal should fit the sailing. On the morning cruise, lunch follows the route toward Rhenia. On the sunset cruise, dinner gives the afternoon sailing a more leisurely feel. Eating on a catamaran also means accepting movement, wind, and a less formal setting than a restaurant.

Two crew names are especially useful to know. Dania is identified as the guide, and Adonis as the captain. Their attentive and friendly service was singled out in one account, and that personal touch matters on a small boat. A good captain keeps the route smooth and the schedule moving, while a good guide helps the short Delos stop feel worthwhile.

Morning sailing or sunset cruise?

Your choice of departure time shapes the whole outing.

The morning option is the practical pick if you want the brightest conditions for swimming and snorkeling. It also leaves your evening open for dinner in Mykonos Town, a walk around Little Venice, or another island plan. If you prefer to make the most of the water before the day grows late, choose this departure.

The sunset option has a different appeal. After the Rhenia swim and meal, the catamaran returns toward Mykonos as the light softens. The route passes Little Venice and the windmills, offering photo views from offshore, followed by a sunset if conditions cooperate.

Sunset trips can feel more special, but the light is less predictable than a timetable. Clouds, wind, or the boat’s exact return position may affect the view. You should choose the afternoon cruise because you want an evening at sea, not because you expect a guaranteed perfect sunset photograph.

The sunset choice also means dinner replaces lunch. That can help you avoid booking a separate evening meal, though you may still want time afterward for a walk or drink ashore.

The return past Little Venice and the windmills

The final stretch brings the catamaran back toward Mykonos, passing the famous Little Venice area and the island’s windmills. From the water, you get a useful perspective on the town’s shoreline and a chance to photograph the landmarks without standing in the usual streetside crowds.

This part of the route is particularly well suited to the sunset departure. The white buildings, windmills, and sea take on warmer colors as the day ends. On the morning sailing, the same passage works as a final sightseeing segment before docking.

Once back at the port, the minivan takes you to your hotel. The transfer completes the practical side of the package, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from Tourlos.

What the $118.29 price really includes

The strongest value comes from the number of separate costs bundled together:

• Air-conditioned hotel pickup and return, except for villas
• Catamaran sailing with a professional skipper and crew
• Lunch or dinner freshly prepared on board
• Wine, soft drinks, and raki
• Snorkeling equipment
• Fuel surcharge, taxes, fees, and handling charges

The price is easier to justify if you want both transport and a meal included. It is also attractive for a cruise ship schedule, since transport to the port can be coordinated and the outing lasts about five hours.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick swim or if you are happy using a public beach and arranging your own food. You are paying for the complete outing, not just access to the water.

Souvenir photos are not included and may be available to purchase. Delos shore access is not included either. Those exclusions are important because they define the trip clearly: this is a sailing and swimming day with an archaeological view, not a full island tour.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward day on the Aegean without handling each detail yourself. It suits couples, families, friends, and first-time visitors who want a mix of scenery, swimming, Greek food, and a little culture.

The small group limit is helpful if you dislike large party boats. The transport is useful if you are not staying near Tourlos. The included meal and drinks make budgeting easier, and the two departure choices give you some control over the shape of your day.

I would be more cautious if your main aim is archaeological sightseeing. You will only see Delos from the boat, and the explanation is brief. I would also check the meal arrangements in advance if you have food allergies or specific dietary needs, since the menu and substitutions are not described.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made later are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

My call: book it for the sea, not for Delos

Book this cruise if you want five easy hours built around a swim, a Greek meal, and wide views of Mykonos from the water. The combination of hotel transfers, a maximum of 15 people, free snorkeling gear, and included drinks gives the price solid value.

Skip it if walking through Delos is your main reason for going, since you will not leave the catamaran there. For most people comparing Mykonos boat trips, the morning departure is the safer all-purpose choice, while the sunset version is the better pick for photographs, dinner at sea, and a slower evening return.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, including hotel pickup, the catamaran sailing, the Rhenia stop, and the return transfer.

Can I choose between a morning and sunset cruise?

Yes. You choose a morning or afternoon sunset departure when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are offered from Mykonos hotels, except villas. Transport is provided by air-conditioned minivan.

Does the tour visit Delos?

The catamaran stops in front of Delos for photographs and a short historical explanation. Drop-off on Delos Island is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available on board at no extra charge.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The morning cruise includes lunch, while the sunset cruise includes dinner. Wine, soft drinks, and traditional raki are also included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.