Rineia is the star of this five-hour private cruise. The tiny, uninhabited island sits close to Mykonos but feels far removed, with clear aquamarine water, old temple ruins, and a quiet bay reached by yacht. You can swim, paddleboard, kayak, or snorkel without sharing the boat with other groups.

I like the private catamaran and the crew setup: a captain handles the route, a hostess tends to the day, and a chef cooks lunch onboard. I also like that the price covers hotel, villa, or cruise-port pickup, drinks, fuel, WiFi, and the water gear, so fewer costs appear after booking.

The main drawback is the firm five-hour window. Rineia takes up most of the outing, and Delos is only a view from the water if weather allows. You must also bring or arrange your own swim towel, and boarding happens from a tender boat rather than directly from the shore.

Key points to know before booking

• Rineia is the main stop: Plan on a long swim and beach-bay break in a quiet island setting.
• The boat is fully private: Only your own group of up to 15 people takes part.
• Lunch is cooked onboard: A chef prepares a three-course meal, with wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water included.
• Water activities are ready to use: SUP boards, kayaks, and snorkeling equipment are provided.
• Delos is weather dependent: You may pass near the UNESCO World Heritage Site and view its monuments from the sea.
• Boarding takes a tender boat: This matters if you prefer simple, step-free access or have mobility concerns.

A private catamaran day from Mykonos

This cruise is designed for a group that wants its own time on the water rather than a fixed public boat schedule. Up to 15 people can share the catamaran, which makes the experience especially useful for families, couples traveling together, or a group marking a special occasion.

The five-hour length gives you enough time for a real stop at Rineia, not just a quick photo pause. Still, this is a half-day outing, not a full circumnavigation of Mykonos or a long island-hopping trip. You should book it for quiet water time, food, and swimming rather than for a packed sightseeing route.

A captain, hostess, and chef are available for the group. Their roles give the day a more personal feel than a basic boat transfer. The captain manages the sailing and weather decisions, the hostess can help with the onboard experience, and the chef prepares the meal while you enjoy the stop.

No individual crew names are provided, so you should not expect a named guide-led history tour. This is chiefly a sailing and leisure experience, with the scenery and time in the water doing most of the work.

Rineia, a quiet island beside Mykonos

Rineia, also written as Rhenia, is a small island with no permanent inhabitants. Its proximity to Mykonos makes the contrast striking. You can leave one of Greece’s best-known islands and soon find yourself anchored beside a much quieter shore.

The boat stops in an idyllic bay with translucent aquamarine water. The main activity is simple and worthwhile: get in the sea, swim, and spend time using the supplied water equipment. You can choose a stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or snorkeling gear, depending on the conditions and your mood.

The island also has ancient temple ruins. These are part of the setting rather than a formal archaeological visit, since the schedule centers on the bay and water activities. If you want a long guided explanation of the ruins, this cruise may feel light on history. If you prefer to see old remains from a peaceful anchorage, the balance works well.

Rineia’s lack of inhabitants is important to the experience. There are no listed shops, cafes, or shore facilities to break up the quiet. That means you get a more secluded setting, but you also need to rely on what is brought aboard. The included food, drinks, and water gear matter here.

The scheduled stop is listed as about four hours, leaving roughly one hour for sailing and route changes within the five-hour outing. Exact timing can shift with wind and sea conditions. The long Rineia stop is a benefit if you want to swim, but less useful if your priority is seeing several islands in one day.

Delos from the sea, weather permitting

The captain may pass by Delos if the weather allows. From the catamaran, you can view the UNESCO World Heritage Site and its archaeological monuments from the water.

This is a scenic glimpse, not a land visit. You should not book this outing as your main way to explore Delos, because no shore admission or walking tour is included in the information provided. The value here is the chance to add a famous historical island to your sailing route without giving up most of the day at Rineia.

Weather is a practical factor in both the sailing plan and the Delos view. The captain has discretion over the route, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation or a different date. That is sensible for a boat trip, but it means your planned route is not completely fixed.

Lunch cooked on board

The three-course lunch is one of the strongest practical features. A chef prepares it on the catamaran, so you do not need to leave the bay in search of a restaurant or carry a packed meal for the afternoon.

The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. The useful point is the format: freshly cooked food, served during a private cruise, with wine and beer included alongside soft drinks and bottled water.

Food can make a major difference on a five-hour boat outing. Swimming and time in the sun can leave you hungry, and an included meal keeps the day from turning into a series of extra purchases. It also allows your group to stay together onboard instead of splitting up for lunch.

One highly positive comment about the experience singled out the food, the boat, the views, and the staff. That matches the design of this trip: it is not only transport to Rineia, but a service-led day with meals and refreshments built into the price.

You may still want to mention dietary needs when booking, since no special-diet details are provided. The available information confirms a chef and a three-course lunch, but it does not state how menus are adapted.

Water toys for a more active afternoon

The included SUP, kayak, and snorkeling equipment give you several ways to use the Rineia stop. You can paddle near the catamaran, try a kayak, or look beneath the surface with the provided snorkeling gear.

This variety helps groups with different energy levels. One person can swim, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay onboard with a drink. You are not locked into one activity, and there is no separate rental charge listed for the equipment.

The quality and quantity of the gear are not specified, so a full group of 15 may need to take turns. That is worth keeping in mind if your party is large and everyone wants the same activity at once.

The water is described as clear and aquamarine, but sea conditions still control how comfortable the activities will be. The captain can adjust the plan for safety. Do not assume that snorkeling conditions will be perfect on every departure.

What the private format is worth

The advertised cost is $3,067.47 per group of up to 15 people. That is a substantial total, but the right way to judge it is by the group size and what is included.

At the maximum of 15 people, the listed price works out to about $204.50 per person. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises sharply. A group of five would pay more than $600 per person, so this option makes the most financial sense when several people share the boat.

The price includes hotel, villa, or cruise-ship port pickup and return, a chef-prepared three-course lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, fuel, WiFi, and the water equipment. Those inclusions reduce the number of add-on costs you need to calculate.

The private format is also the main reason to pay more than you would for a standard shared cruise. Your group controls the social atmosphere, and you do not have to organize your day around strangers. For a birthday, family outing, or group of friends, that privacy can be worth more than a lower-cost public boat.

For two people or a small party, the value is harder to defend unless privacy and service matter more to you than price. In that case, compare the total with other private sailing options before committing.

Pickup, boarding, and what to bring

Pickup is offered from a hotel, villa, or cruise-ship port, followed by return to the starting point. The exact pickup time comes from the transfer company, so keep your schedule flexible until that time is confirmed.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. The information also notes that embarkation and disembarkation use a tender boat. In plain terms, you will transfer between shore and the catamaran by a smaller boat.

That arrangement is common for yacht outings, but it is not the same as walking straight from a pier onto the catamaran. If you have mobility limitations, trouble with steps, or young children who need close help, ask for details before paying.

Bring a swim towel. It is the one clearly listed item not included. The cruise provides bottled water, drinks, lunch, WiFi, snorkeling equipment, a kayak, and an SUP, but no towel is supplied.

The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. It is also near public transportation, though pickup is offered. Confirmation is received at booking, which helps with planning, but the pickup time is supplied later by the transfer company.

Weather, cancellations, and timing risks

This cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the departure, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The standard cancellation rule is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. That makes travel insurance and careful scheduling worth considering, especially if you are booking well before your Mykonos stay.

The cruise is typically reserved about 27 days ahead, so it is not an outing to leave until the last morning during a busy visit. If this is important to your group, reserve early and keep a backup plan for a weather change.

The operator also states that it is not responsible for emergencies or travel disruptions before or after the activity, and missed services are not refunded. Avoid scheduling this immediately before a flight or ferry when a delay would create a serious problem.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to a group that wants comfort, privacy, and a slow afternoon at sea. Families can spread out, friends can share lunch and drinks, and couples can enjoy the boat without joining a large public excursion.

It also suits people who want a mix of relaxation and light activity. You have the option to swim, kayak, paddleboard, or snorkel, but you can also stay onboard and enjoy the views.

It is less suitable for someone seeking a packed cultural program. Delos is only a possible view from the water, and the Rineia ruins are not presented as a guided archaeological visit. The day is about the island setting, the sea, and time together.

It may also be a poor fit if your budget is tight or your group is small. The private price is easier to justify when divided among many people. Solo travelers or couples should look closely at the numbers.

Should you book the Rineia catamaran?

Book it if you want a polished private outing with a new luxury catamaran, a three-person service team, fresh onboard lunch, and several hours in a quiet bay. The strongest reasons are the private setting, the four-hour Rineia stop, and the fact that food, drinks, fuel, and water equipment are already covered.

Think twice if your main goal is to walk around Delos, visit several islands, or keep costs low. Delos may only be seen from the sea, the route depends on weather, and the non-refundable policy demands firm plans.

For a group of up to 15, this is a well-loaded half-day package. Bring your towel, confirm the tender-boat boarding details, and book only when your schedule can handle a weather change. If those conditions suit you, this cruise offers a quiet side of Mykonos that is hard to find on land.

FAQ

Where does the cruise take place?

The cruise departs from Mykonos and sails mainly toward Rineia, also called Rhenia. Weather permitting, the captain may also pass by Delos.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours. The Rineia stop is listed as about four hours.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The private catamaran accommodates a group of up to 15 people. Only your own group participates.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return are offered from hotels, villas, and cruise-ship ports. The exact pickup time is provided by the transfer company.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A chef prepares a three-course lunch onboard. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water are also included.

Are kayaks and snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The cruise includes an SUP, a kayak, and snorkeling equipment.

Can I visit Delos during this experience?

No land visit to Delos is specified. Weather permitting, the captain may pass by the island so you can view the UNESCO World Heritage Site and its archaeological monuments from the water.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. A swim towel is not included, so bring your own.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The experience requires good weather, and the route may also change according to conditions.