REVIEW · MYKONOS
Semi Private Cruise with luxury Catamaran in Delos and Rhenia islands
Book on Viator →Operated by Mykonos Cruises, Yacht Sailing Tours, Mykonos Catamaran, Dolphin Navigation · Bookable on Viator
The best part of this Mykonos cruise is the chance to leave the island’s busy shore behind and reach quiet water around Rhenia and Baos. You’ll sail past Delos, rather than tour its ruins, then stop for swimming and snorkeling before lunch is served aboard the catamaran.
I like the small maximum group of 15, which should feel far more personal than a large party boat. I also like the practical package: hotel pickup is offered, lunch is included, and wine and raki flow with the meal. The main catch is simple: Delos is a pass-by sight, not a shore visit, and there is only one clear swimming stop.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Leaving Mykonos for a quieter Aegean
- Baos Island and the pirate-island story
- Seeing Delos without visiting the ruins
- Rhenia brings the main swimming break
- Lunch, wine, and raki on the catamaran
- The return past Little Venice
- Is $208.16 a fair price?
- Group size, comfort, and the cruise mood
- Weather, timing, and what to bring
- Who should book this catamaran cruise?
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- How long does the cruise last?
- Where does the activity start?
- Where does the cruise end?
- Is hotel pickup available?
- Does the cruise stop at Delos?
- Where is the swimming stop?
- What food is included?
- Are drinks included?
- How many people can join the cruise?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key points to know before booking

- Delos is viewed from the water: This is a scenic sailing experience, not an archaeological tour of the island.
- Rhenia provides the main swim stop: Bring your own towel for swimming and sunbathing.
- Lunch is served on board: Expect spaghetti with red sauce, grilled shrimp, tzatziki, salad, stuffed vine leaves, bread, and fruit.
- Drinks are part of the fare: Traditional wine and raki are included.
- The boat carries up to 15 people: That is more intimate than a large cruise, though space can still feel limited.
- The outing lasts about five hours: Pickup is offered, and the cruise returns to the meeting point at Mathios Tavern.
Leaving Mykonos for a quieter Aegean
This is a half-day sailing trip built around the pleasure of being on the water. From Mykonos, the catamaran heads toward less developed islands and open Aegean views, with the white-and-blue buildings of Mykonos gradually becoming part of the distance behind you.
You are not signing up for a packed sightseeing schedule. The point is the ride itself, the breeze, the low coastline, and time to sit in the sun or shade while the crew handles the route. That makes the cruise a good fit if you want a break from Mykonos town, beach crowds, and shopping streets.
The boat is described as luxurious, but the practical meaning is more useful than the label. You get a smaller sailing platform, a professional skipper and crew, a meal, drinks, and access to places that are awkward to reach on your own. Do not expect a private yacht charter at this price. With a maximum of 15 people, the boat is intimate, but it is still a shared excursion.
Hotel pickup is offered, although the stated meeting point is Mathios Tavern in Mykonos. Confirm the pickup details when you book, especially if your accommodation is outside the main town. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so plan the rest of your day from there.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Mykonos
Baos Island and the pirate-island story

One of the cruise’s more unusual stops is Baos, a remote and isolated island associated with stories of pirates. The appeal is not a long list of monuments. Baos is about the feeling of getting away from the developed parts of Mykonos and seeing a rougher, quieter side of the Cyclades.
The exact amount of time spent at Baos is not clearly set out, so think of it as part of the sailing route rather than a guaranteed shore excursion. You may approach the island, sail around it, or pause near it depending on the skipper’s route and conditions. If you need a formal landing and guided walk, this cruise may not meet that goal.
Still, this section adds variety. You are not simply sailing straight to a beach. The route brings you near a place with a strong local legend, while the crew points the catamaran through waters that most independent visitors would not easily reach. Keep your camera ready, but also allow time to watch the sea. The scenery changes quickly when viewed from a boat.
Seeing Delos without visiting the ruins

Delos is the most important historical sight on the route, but this is where booking expectations matter most. The catamaran passes by the archaeological island. It does not stop so you can walk among the temples, mosaics, and ancient streets.
That distinction caused real disappointment for at least one passenger who expected to visit both Delos and Rhenia. The cruise description makes the pass-by nature clear, but it is still worth confirming before you pay. If Delos is your priority, book a dedicated Delos excursion instead. You need an archaeological-site visit, not just a view from the sea.
From the catamaran, Delos works as a visual part of the sailing day. The island has major mythological, historical, and archaeological importance, and seeing its position in the Cyclades helps explain why it matters. You get context from the water, not the full experience of walking through the ruins.
I consider this a bonus rather than the central reason to choose the trip. The main value comes from sailing and the Rhenia swim stop. Delos adds interest to the route, but it cannot replace a proper visit.
Rhenia brings the main swimming break
Rhenia is the cruise’s key destination for getting into the water. It is described as quiet and largely untouched, making it a pleasant contrast to Mykonos beaches where chairs, music, and crowds can dominate the day.
The boat stops so you can swim and snorkel. The water is presented as clear Mediterranean water, and the swimming break is the part most likely to make the fare feel worthwhile. You can cool off, spend time on deck, and then return to the boat for lunch.
There is only one stated swim stop. That is important. Some people imagine a catamaran cruise with several coves and repeated swimming breaks, but this outing appears to offer one main stop at Rhenia. The amount of time there can also depend on weather and the sailing schedule.
Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and the boat’s deck can become awkward for sitting in wet swimwear. You will also want practical sun protection, though the supplied information specifically calls out the towel as the item you must provide yourself.
The snorkeling is part of the swim stop, but no equipment details are provided. Ask the operator if you need gear supplied. Do not assume that masks and fins are included simply because snorkeling is offered.
Lunch, wine, and raki on the catamaran
The included meal gives this cruise more substance than a basic boat ride. Lunch consists of spaghetti with red sauce, grilled shrimp, Greek tzatziki, mixed green salad, vine leaves stuffed with rice, bread, and fruit. It is a generous Greek-leaning spread, with enough variety for a relaxed meal after swimming.
Wine and raki, the traditional Greek spirit, are included as well. Traditional wine is described as available without a stated limit, but drink responsibly. Alcohol on a moving boat can feel stronger than expected, especially after sun exposure and swimming.
The meal is served on board, which saves you the trouble of finding a restaurant during a half-day away from Mykonos. It also keeps the day flowing. You swim, dry off, eat, and sail back rather than losing time to a shore transfer.
Food quality can vary with preparation and sea conditions, so I would not book this as a gourmet dining event. The value is in the full package: a hot meal, seafood, familiar Greek flavors, fruit, and drinks while you are already out on the water. For the price, that makes more sense than paying separately for lunch after a shorter boat trip.
If you have dietary restrictions, ask before departure. The supplied details do not explain vegetarian, allergy, or special-diet arrangements.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Mykonos
The return past Little Venice
The cruise returns toward Mykonos after the Rhenia stop and meal. Near the end, the route passes by Little Venice, one of Mykonos town’s most recognizable waterfront areas.
Seeing Little Venice from the water gives you a different angle on the island. The low buildings and waterfront balconies look especially attractive from a boat, and this is a good time for photographs. It also helps tie the quiet outer-island portion of the day back to the familiar Mykonos scene.
A sunset may be part of the return depending on the departure time and season, but it is not guaranteed by the core itinerary. One passenger particularly valued the cruise and sunset, while another wanted more music and entertainment. That tells you something useful about the mood: this is better suited to scenery, conversation, food, and swimming than to a high-energy party atmosphere.
Music and organized onboard entertainment are not promised. If you want dancing, loud music, and a party crowd, choose a different boat trip. If you prefer a calm ride with a meal and a swim, the quieter format may be exactly right.
Is $208.16 a fair price?

At $208.16 per person, this is not a budget boat outing. The price makes more sense when you count the pieces included: about five hours on a catamaran, a small group capped at 15, hotel pickup offered, lunch, wine, raki, and a route toward Baos, Delos, and Rhenia.
You are paying for access and convenience as much as for the boat. Reaching Rhenia independently is not as simple as walking to a Mykonos beach, and the cruise combines transport, crew, food, and sightseeing in one booking. That can be good value if you want an easy half-day with no restaurant planning.
The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a quick swim. Mykonos has many beaches, and a lower-cost beach day may give you more time in the water. It is also poor value for someone who expects a guided Delos visit, several swim stops, or a lively party cruise. Those are not the strengths of this experience.
I would judge the fare favorably for couples, small groups, and first-time visitors who want a polished day at sea without chartering a private boat. I would compare carefully if you are booking for a large family, since the supplied information does not explain child pricing or special arrangements.
Group size, comfort, and the cruise mood

The maximum group of 15 is one of the strongest practical features. A small boat usually gives you easier access to the crew than a large cruise ship, and the skipper can provide a more personal feel while navigating the route.
Small does not mean spacious. A catamaran has room to move around, but 15 people plus crew still means shared seating, shared sunbathing areas, and limited privacy. One very negative account described uncomfortable crowding around the crew, while the overall score of 4.1 from nine ratings suggests a mixed but generally workable experience. I would treat that as a reminder to set realistic expectations about personal space.
The crew receives clear praise in the available feedback, even from a passenger who disliked the itinerary. That matters. Good crew service can make a weather change or a less-than-perfect swim stop easier to handle. Still, crew quality does not change the fact that Delos is a pass-by sight and that the cruise has only one main swimming stop.
Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. No special accessibility details are provided, so ask directly if boarding, stairs, or movement on the catamaran could be difficult for you.
Weather, timing, and what to bring
This is a weather-dependent sailing activity. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. Conditions can also affect the exact route, the swimming stop, and how comfortable the ride feels.
Wear clothing suited to sun, wind, and wet conditions. The one item specifically excluded is a towel, so bring one for swimming and sitting on deck. A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking.
The stated duration is approximately five hours. That is long enough to feel like a real outing but short enough to leave part of the day for Mykonos town. Because pickup is offered and the trip returns to Mathios Tavern, confirm the exact pickup time and meeting instructions before you set off.
Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, no refund is provided, and late changes are not accepted. The cut-off uses local Mykonos time.
Who should book this catamaran cruise?
I would choose this trip if you want a small-group sailing day, a proper meal, Greek drinks, and one good swim away from Mykonos. It suits couples, friends, and anyone who values a calm route over loud entertainment.
It is also a useful choice if you want to see Delos from the water but do not have time for a full archaeological visit. Baos adds an uncommon destination, while Rhenia supplies the actual beach and swimming appeal.
I would skip it if your main goal is to explore Delos on foot. I would also skip it if you want multiple swim stops, guaranteed sunset views, or a party atmosphere with music and dancing.
Should you book it?
Book this cruise if you see it as a five-hour Aegean outing with a scenic route, one major swim stop, included food and drinks, and a smaller group. At $208.16, it is a convenience-and-access purchase, not the cheapest way to sit by the sea.
Before booking, make one decision clear: are you happy to pass Delos rather than land there? If yes, bring a towel, expect a relaxed mood, and this can be a memorable way to see the quieter side of Mykonos. If no, choose a dedicated Delos tour instead.
FAQ
How long does the cruise last?
The cruise lasts approximately five hours.
Where does the activity start?
The stated meeting point is Mathios Tavern, Mykonos 846 00, Greece.
Where does the cruise end?
The activity ends back at the meeting point.
Is hotel pickup available?
Yes. Pickup is offered, but you should confirm the exact pickup details for your accommodation.
Does the cruise stop at Delos?
No shore visit to Delos is included. The catamaran passes by the archaeological island.
Where is the swimming stop?
The cruise approaches Rhenia Island for swimming and snorkeling.
What food is included?
Lunch includes spaghetti with red sauce, grilled shrimp, Greek tzatziki, mixed green salad, rice-stuffed vine leaves, bread, and fruit.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Wine and raki are included. Towels are not included, so bring your own.
How many people can join the cruise?
The maximum group size is 15 people.
What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.
































