The best thing about this private Mykonos sailing cruise is the freedom to shape the day around your group. You can spend more time swimming at a quiet anchorage, stop at the southern beaches you care about, or pass on a crowded shore without following a fixed public-boat schedule.

I like the small private setting and the fact that lunch, drinks, fuel, snorkeling gear, and a licensed skipper are included. I also like the practical human touch: Basil cooked lunch on one trip, while Captain Avengelo spent an hour snorkeling to recover a child’s lost sunglasses. The main drawback is the price, which makes the most sense when shared by a larger group.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 10 people: You share the cruise only with your own group, with room to adjust the beach stops.
• Four southern beaches in about six hours: Ornos, Platys Gialos, Super Paradise, and Elia are the planned highlights, with Agrari and other options available.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect lunch, beer, wine, and hot drinks without paying separately on the boat.
• Snorkeling gear comes aboard: You can swim and explore without packing your own mask and fins.
• SUP depends on the weather: A stand-up paddleboard is available when conditions allow.
• Bring your own towel: Towels are not included, and sunscreen and swimwear are essential.

A private way to see Mykonos from the water

Mykonos is famous for its beaches, but the popular ones can feel very busy once you arrive by road. A private boat changes the rhythm. Instead of driving from shore to shore, you spend the day on the water and choose where to stop.

The cruise lasts about six hours and begins at 9:00 a.m. at Mathios Tavern. It returns to the same meeting point unless hotel pickup and drop-off have been arranged in advance. The early start gives you a useful block of time for swimming and lunch before the strongest afternoon crowds and heat become a factor.

The boat is operated by a fully licensed English-speaking skipper. Because the cruise is private, your group can discuss the order and length of the stops rather than simply accepting a set schedule. That flexibility matters most if your party has mixed interests. Strong swimmers may want more time in the water, while others may prefer a slower lunch or a short stop on shore.

You should still think of this as a beach-hopping cruise, not a formal sightseeing tour of Mykonos. The focus is swimming, sun, shore access, and time at sea. If you want detailed archaeological commentary or a long walking tour, this is not the right format.

Ornos: easy swimming with a lively feel

Ornos is the first listed stop, with about an hour planned there. The beach is known for shallow water and a family-friendly setting, but it is also one of Mykonos’ most popular and crowded shores.

That combination makes Ornos useful for a mixed-age group. The water is approachable for a casual swim, and the beach has a polished, popular feel. If some people in your party want an easy first dip while others are still settling into the day, Ornos is a sensible opening stop.

The tradeoff is privacy. Do not expect Ornos to feel remote. Since this is a private cruise, you can ask to spend less time there if the beach looks too busy from the water. The value of the stop is convenience and easy swimming, not solitude.

Platys Gialos: shallow water and water sports

Platys Gialos is another roughly one-hour stop. Its shallow, clear water suits relaxed swimming, and the beach is also associated with water sports.

I would make this a good choice for a group that wants a straightforward swim without immediately moving into deeper water. It is also a useful place to use the provided snorkeling equipment, though the quality of underwater viewing can depend on wind, visibility, and the exact anchoring spot.

Platys Gialos is popular, so the private nature of the boat is especially helpful here. You can enjoy the water without needing to organize transport between beaches or carry your belongings along the shore. The boat lets you treat the beach as one stop in a larger day rather than making it your entire beach plan.

Super Paradise: famous, social, and not especially quiet

Super Paradise is listed as the most famous beach on Mykonos. That reputation brings energy and attention, but it also means this stop may not match the promise of a quiet escape.

The cruise gives you the chance to see the beach from the water and decide how much time you want to spend nearby. If your group wants the classic Mykonos beach scene, this is an obvious stop. If your priority is peace, swimming away from crowds, or a more open stretch of sand, you may prefer to keep this visit short.

That is one of the strengths of booking privately. You are not committed to staying for a full hour simply because it appears on a public tour schedule. You can discuss the conditions with the skipper and shift the balance toward less crowded spots.

Elia: Mykonos’ largest beach

Elia is described as the largest beach on Mykonos and one of the island’s most beautiful. The shore is largely covered with umbrellas and sunbeds, although a smaller section remains free of them for people who prefer to lie directly on the sand.

Elia works well when your group wants a longer, classic beach stop. The size of the shore gives it a different feel from smaller, more tightly packed beaches, even though much of the sand is organized around rented loungers.

You should know what to expect before arriving. This is not an untouched beach. If you want a bare patch of sand, the available space may be limited, and the boat’s position may not put you directly beside the quietest section. Still, Elia offers a strong mix of swimming, beach time, and scenery.

The standard plan allows about an hour at each named beach, but the private format means the day can be adjusted. You might prefer two longer stops instead of four equal ones. Agrari and other southern beaches can also be considered, depending on the group’s wishes and conditions.

Lunch on board adds real value

Lunch is included, along with beer, wine, and hot drinks. That is more important than it may sound. A six-hour boat day can become inconvenient if you must interrupt the cruise to find food, search for a beach restaurant, or carry a full picnic.

One particularly useful detail is that Basil prepared lunch on a reported trip. He was also described as a gracious host, which suggests that the meal is part of the social side of the cruise rather than just a packaged item handed over without ceremony. The exact menu is not specified, so you should not book expecting a particular dish or a special dietary arrangement unless you confirm it in advance.

Beer and wine suit a relaxed afternoon on the water, while hot drinks are useful during the cooler parts of the morning. Pace yourself if you plan to swim often. Alcohol, bright sun, and a moving boat can catch up with you quickly.

The lunch inclusion also improves the price calculation. At $1,628.99 per group, the cost is high for two people, but the figure becomes $162.90 per person if all 10 places are filled, before considering the value of the boat, skipper, fuel, food, and drinks. For five people, it works out to about $325.80 each. That is still a serious expense, but it may compare more favorably with several separate beach transfers, meals, and rented water equipment.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the optional SUP

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. That makes spontaneous swimming easier. You can step into the water when the boat anchors rather than treating snorkeling as a separate paid activity.

The cruise also includes a stand-up paddleboard when weather permits. The phrase weather permitting matters. Wind and sea conditions can affect how useful or safe a paddleboard is, particularly around open beaches. Treat it as a welcome extra, not the central reason to book.

Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a towel. Beach towels are not included. You should also pack any personal items you need for several hours in the sun, since the supplied information only confirms the listed equipment and refreshments.

The most striking practical detail from one trip involved a pair of lost sunglasses. A child dropped them while the group was anchored for a swim, and Captain Avengelo spent an hour snorkeling before finding them. You should not count on a crew member recovering every lost item, but the story gives you a useful sense of the personal attention possible on a private outing.

What the private format is really worth

The price is easiest to justify when your group has several people and values control over the day. A private boat for up to 10 people means you are not sharing the schedule with strangers. You can also make choices that are difficult on a standard group cruise, such as staying longer at Elia, shortening Super Paradise, or adding Agrari if conditions and timing allow.

The value is less clear for a couple or a small group of three. At $1,628.99 total, the per-person cost rises sharply. You might still consider it for a special occasion, but you should compare the price with other private boat options before booking.

The included fuel charges help protect you from one common boating surprise. Lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear also reduce add-on costs. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available on request, but you should arrange this rather than assume it is automatic. Otherwise, plan to reach Mathios Tavern for the 9:00 a.m. departure and return there at the end.

The tour is booked an average of 52 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early if your Mykonos dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. The cruise requires good weather, and if poor conditions cause cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience most for families, groups of friends, and multigenerational parties that want a relaxed day without coordinating beach taxis. It also suits people who would rather swim from a boat than spend the day moving between crowded roads and beach entrances.

The private setup is useful for families because the group can control the pace. It also helps if some people want snorkeling while others want lunch, drinks, or time on shore. An English-speaking skipper keeps communication simple, and the named crew members are Basil and Captain Avengelo.

This is less attractive for a solo visitor or a couple focused on keeping costs low. It may also disappoint you if you expect every beach to be quiet. Ornos, Platys Gialos, Super Paradise, and Elia are well-known places, and several are among the island’s busiest.

You should also be comfortable with a weather-dependent plan. The sea determines how much of the cruise is possible, including use of the SUP. A flexible attitude will make the experience easier.

Practical details before you reserve

The start point is Mathios Tavern in Mykonos, Greece. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off can be requested.

The duration is approximately six hours, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Confirmation is received at booking, and the tour is described as suitable for most people. It is a private activity, so only your own group participates.

Pack these basics:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Beach towels
• Any personal medication or sun protection you need
• A phone or camera secured against splashes

Do not assume towels are waiting on board. Also remember that a private cruise does not guarantee empty beaches. Its real advantage is that you can choose how long to stay and make better use of the water between stops.

Should you book the Mykonos beach cruise?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want a flexible day centered on swimming, lunch, and time on the water. The included drinks, snorkeling equipment, fuel, and optional SUP make the package easier to manage, while the private schedule lets you avoid spending equal time at beaches that do not suit your group.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget or if your main goal is a quiet, untouched beach. The named stops are popular, and the total price is substantial.

For a family or group of friends, though, this is a strong way to turn several Mykonos beach visits into one organized day. Bring your own towel, reserve early, and agree before departure on whether your group values famous beaches, longer swims, or quieter stops. That small bit of planning will help you get the most from the private format.

FAQ

How long is the private Mykonos sailing cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and starts at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at Mathios Tavern in Mykonos and ends back at the same meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available upon request.

Which beaches can the cruise visit?

The listed stops are Ornos, Platys Gialos, Super Paradise Beach, and Elia Beach. Since the cruise is private, you can also choose other southern beaches, including Agrari.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with beer, wine, and hot drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. A stand-up paddleboard is also available when weather conditions permit.

What should I bring?

Bring your own beach towel, sunscreen, and swimming clothes. Towels are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.