From Ornos: Mykonos Delos Catamaran Cruise with Meal & SUP

Clear water, quiet coves, and a full Greek lunch make this five-hour cruise an easy way to enjoy the Aegean. From Ornos, you sail past Delos, stop near Rhenia for swimming and snorkeling, and return with views of Mykonos town and its famous windmills. I especially like the small group of up to 10 people and the fact that food, drinks, towels, snorkel gear, and a paddle board are included.

The crew is another strong point. Demitris, the captain, and Emil, who prepares the meal, received special praise for their warm service, safety-minded approach, and excellent cooking. The main consideration is that this is a scenic sea outing, not a proper Delos visit, and one person felt the swimming stop could have been at a more distinctive beach.

Key points at a glance

• Five hours from Ornos: A compact half-day cruise that gives you a real taste of Mykonos from the water.
• Rhenia swimming stop: The main action takes place in a quiet cove with clear water, snorkeling, and paddle boarding.
• Delos from the deck: You pass the island and have time for photos, but no shore visit or archaeological tour is included.
• Greek meal prepared onboard: Fresh food, seasonal fruit, water, wine, and soft drinks are part of the package.
• Small group format: With no more than 10 participants, the catamaran should feel more personal than a large day boat.
• Sunset option: The later departure adds golden-hour views and a memorable ride back toward Mykonos.

Setting out from Ornos for a five-hour Aegean ride

The meeting point is at the dock in Ornos, where a base manager waits for you. If you select the pickup option, hotel transfers are available, but they are not included in the basic price. It is worth checking that detail before you pay, since Ornos itself is the starting point.

Once aboard, you can choose a place on the catamaran’s spacious deck. The setup is made for looking outward rather than sitting in a fixed row: you get open views, sea air, and room to stretch out while the boat moves between islands. Bluetooth music is available, although the best soundtrack may simply be the water and the wind.

The group limit of 10 matters here. A catamaran can feel crowded when every seat is taken, but this small-group size gives you a better chance to move between the deck, swimming area, and shaded spots without constant jostling. It also makes it easier to ask the crew for help with the snorkeling equipment, paddle board, or lunch.

Bring a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a camera. Beach towels and snorkeling equipment are supplied, so you do not need to pack bulky gear. The sun can be strong even when the breeze feels cool, and the open deck offers little protection from it.

Passing Delos without leaving the boat

The first major section of the route takes you toward Delos. The timing allows roughly two hours for the boat cruise, scenic views, snorkeling opportunities, and, if selected, sunset scenery. The actual plan can vary with conditions, but Delos is treated as a view from the sea rather than a walking stop.

That distinction is important. Delos is one of the Aegean’s great archaeological sites, but this cruise does not include a landing, admission, or guided tour there. You pass by and use the deck as your photo spot. From the water, you get a different sense of the island, with the open sea around it and Mykonos behind you.

I like this arrangement for anyone who has already visited Delos or mainly wants a day on the water. It keeps the outing relaxed and avoids the heat and walking involved in a land visit. If seeing the ancient ruins is your main reason for going, book a separate Delos trip instead, or choose an excursion that clearly includes time ashore.

Wine is served during the sailing, along with water and soft drinks. The mention of unlimited traditional Mykonos wine makes the drinks package generous, but use a little judgment in the sun. Swimming, boat movement, and alcohol are not always a clever combination.

Rhenia’s cove is the main event

Rhenia Island is where the cruise shifts from sightseeing to free time. The catamaran anchors in a secluded cove, giving you a chance to swim, snorkel, paddle board, or stay on deck with a drink. The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the stop is meant to be calm rather than packed with scheduled activities.

The snorkeling equipment and paddle board are included, which adds real value to the $165 price. You can try both without renting gear on the beach or paying extra at the stop. Beach towels are also provided, a small detail that makes the transition from water to lunch much easier.

The swimming stop will suit you if you like unstructured time. You are not pushed through a long list of activities. You can take a swim, float near the boat, try the board, or simply sit in the sun and look across the cove.

There is one fair limitation. Rhenia is chosen for its quiet water and pleasant setting, not necessarily for a dramatic, postcard-perfect beach. One person expected a more special beach, so keep your expectations sensible. This is a boat-access swimming stop, not a visit to a famous sandy shoreline with a full range of facilities.

If you have mobility limitations, take the access issue seriously. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the boat-based format requires getting aboard and moving around the vessel. It is also not suitable for people over 95 according to the activity information.

Lunch onboard, with Emil handling the cooking

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. The crew serves a fresh Greek meal onboard, along with seasonal fruit, water, wine, and soft drinks. The meal turns a simple swim stop into a fuller half-day outing, and you do not need to search for a restaurant after returning to shore.

Emil received particularly warm praise for the cooking, with specific mention of fresh, flavorful Greek dishes. Another participant described the typical Greek food as very good, while other comments called the food exceptional. That gives you a useful sense of the meal: it is not just a basic sandwich service, but a serious part of the experience.

Exact dishes are not listed, so I would not book this expecting a particular menu item. What you can count on is a Greek-style meal prepared by the crew, plus fruit and drinks. If you have dietary needs, ask before booking because no special dietary arrangements are specified.

The timing also works well. Swimming first gives the meal a natural place in the day, and the relaxed setting makes lunch feel less like a scheduled stop and more like a shared onboard occasion. The small group helps here too. Ten people can eat and talk together without the detached feeling of a large excursion boat.

Returning past Mykonos windmills and town

The final hour is a cruise back toward Ornos. The route offers views of Mykonos town and the island’s famous windmills, giving you a water-level look at the white buildings that define the island’s visual style.

This return section is not a separate attraction with a landing or guided walk. Its value is the changing view. After spending time beside Rhenia, you see Mykonos from a broader angle, with the town and shoreline appearing across the water.

Choose the sunset departure if you want the ride back to be the visual high point. The sky can take on strong evening colors over the horizon, and the combination of open water, the catamaran deck, and Mykonos in the distance gives the trip a clear finale. Sunset timing depends on the departure available that day, so check the start time carefully.

The sunset option may also affect how much daylight you have for swimming and snorkeling. The activity description includes sunset as an option, but the exact balance between daylight water time and evening sailing is not spelled out. If swimming matters more to you than sunset photos, ask for the timing before booking.

Is $165 a fair price?

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Mykonos. It is also not just a boat ride. Your price includes a five-hour cruise, an experienced crew, a small group capped at 10, a Greek meal, seasonal fruit, water, wine, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, beach towels, and fuel and tax costs.

That bundle makes the price easier to justify. Separate rentals for a paddle board, snorkeling gear, and a boat outing can add up quickly, while a meal in Mykonos is rarely a minor expense. The small group is especially valuable if you dislike the feel of a large tour boat.

The value drops if you mainly want to visit Delos itself. Since there is no shore tour or archaeological visit included, you would still need a separate ticket and excursion for the ruins. The cruise is best priced as a relaxed sea day with food and swimming, not as a complete Delos sightseeing trip.

Hotel transfer is only included if you select that option. Read the booking choice closely so you know if you must reach Ornos on your own. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility, especially when wind or weather could affect your plans.

What the strongest praise tells you

The most consistent positive points are the crew, food, relaxed pace, and swimming. Demitris is described as professional, friendly, and reassuring at the helm, while Emil’s cooking is a major part of the day rather than an afterthought.

That combination matters. A boat trip can look perfect on paper but feel awkward if the crew is distant or the meal is poor. Here, the human side receives unusually strong attention. The service is described as warm and genuine, and that helps explain the very good 4.6 rating from 23 ratings.

The swimming stop also earns clear approval. If you want to get into the Aegean rather than simply photograph it, this cruise gives you the gear and the time to do so. The sunset option adds another strong memory for people who like evening light.

At the same time, the positive experience depends on what you want from the day. You will likely be happy if you want quiet coves, good food, and open-water views. You may feel less satisfied if you expect a famous beach, a full archaeological visit to Delos, or a highly active water-sports program.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want an easy half-day at sea without organizing several separate activities. It also suits anyone who values food and service as much as scenery.

The small group makes it a better choice for you if large boat tours feel impersonal. The included gear helps if you want to swim or snorkel but do not want to pack equipment. The sunset option is a good match for photographers and anyone looking for a calm end to a Mykonos day.

I would choose something else if your priority is the ancient site of Delos. This cruise only passes the island. I would also pause if you need step-free access or a more structured itinerary with frequent land stops.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours, beginning and ending at the dock in Ornos.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The catamaran passes Delos and provides time for photos from the deck, but a visit and tour on Delos are not included.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the cruise to Rhenia, an experienced crew, paddle board, beach towels, snorkeling equipment, seasonal fruit, water, wine, soft drinks, a fresh meal onboard, and tax and fuel costs. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if that option is selected.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are included, along with beach towels.

How many people are in the group?

The cruise is limited to 10 participants.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a camera. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or people over 95.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a polished, social half-day on the Aegean, with a good meal, helpful crew, swimming time, and a small group. The strongest reasons are the attentive service from Demitris and Emil, the included equipment, and the chance to enjoy Rhenia without planning the day yourself.

Skip it if Delos ruins are your main goal or if you want a famous beach as the centerpiece. For most people seeking a relaxed boat day from Mykonos, though, $165 is a fair price for five hours of sailing, food, drinks, and water time, especially with the sunset option.