From Ornos: Mykonos Delos Catamaran Cruise with Meal & SUP

The best part of this five-hour cruise is the simple mix of open-sea sailing and quiet swimming time. You pass Delos for photos, then anchor near Rhenia Island, where the main event is clear water, a paddle board, snorkeling gear, and a Greek meal served aboard.

I like the small group limit of 10, and I like that lunch, wine, soft drinks, towels, and equipment are included rather than added one by one. Captain Demitris and Emil have earned especially warm praise for careful service and excellent cooking. The main thing to consider is that this is a scenic cruise, not a guided visit to Delos, and Rhenia may feel less remarkable if you expect a dramatic, secluded beach.

Key points to know before you book

• Rhenia is the swimming stop: You get time to swim, snorkel, paddle board, or stretch out on the catamaran near a clear-water cove.
• Delos is viewed from the boat: The cruise passes the island for photos, but a shore visit and archaeological tour are not included.
• The food is a major part of the outing: Emil prepares a fresh Greek meal, with seasonal fruit, water, wine, and soft drinks included.
• The boat holds no more than 10 people: That makes the five-hour trip feel more personal than a large-group excursion.
• Sunset sailing is available: On the later departure, you can watch the sun drop over the Aegean on the return to Mykonos.
• Transfers are optional: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select that option.

Setting out from Ornos for a five-hour sail

You meet the base manager at the dock in Ornos, listed as Ornos Ntokos, then join the skipper and crew on a modern catamaran. The boat gives you room to sit in the sun, take photos, or find shade while Mykonos slips behind you.

The first hour is part of the pleasure. From the water, the familiar white houses of Mykonos look clean and bright against the dry Aegean setting. You also get views of the island’s famous windmills and the town on the return leg, when the angle from the sea gives you a different view than you get on land.

This is not a rushed boat transfer. The cruise lasts five hours, with roughly two hours devoted to the Delos and Rhenia portion and another hour sailing back toward Mykonos. The exact starting time depends on availability, and a sunset departure changes the mood without changing the basic route.

The catamaran’s spacious decks matter here. A five-hour trip can feel cramped on a small motorboat, but the wider deck gives you somewhere to sit, stretch out, and move around. You should still bring a sun hat and sunglasses. There is little reason to spend this day at sea without protection from the sun.

Passing Delos without going ashore

Delos is one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades, but this cruise does not include a landing or guided tour. You pass the island by boat and have a chance to take photos from the deck.

That distinction is important when you compare this trip with a dedicated Delos excursion. If you want ruins, temples, mosaics, and a guide explaining the island’s ancient role, you need a separate tour. Here, Delos is part of the wider sea setting and a photo stop, not the main destination.

I like this arrangement for a relaxed half-day on the water. You get a glimpse of Delos without giving up swimming time or spending the day walking around an archaeological site in the sun. If ancient history is your main reason for visiting the area, though, this cruise will not meet that need on its own.

The route also gives you time for scenic sailing and snorkeling. The experience is built around being on the Aegean, rather than ticking off a long list of shore stops.

Rhenia Island and the clear-water stop

Rhenia is where the cruise shifts from sightseeing to leisure. The catamaran anchors in a cove, and you can choose how active you want to be. Swim from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, try the paddle board, or stay on deck with a drink and watch the water.

The sea is described as clear and turquoise, and swimming is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. You should bring swimwear, a camera, and a towel is already supplied. The crew also provides snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins.

Do not expect a full beach day on land. The information provided describes a boat-based stop, a photo opportunity, and time in the water, not a guided walk or a long stay on a named beach. One person found the beach setting less special than expected, which is useful to keep in mind. Rhenia offers peace and clear water, but the appeal is the whole pause at sea, not necessarily one spectacular strip of sand.

The paddle board adds a bit of variety. You can swim for a while, then climb aboard the board for a slower look around the cove. With only up to 10 people, there is a better chance of getting time with the equipment than on a crowded boat, though no fixed schedule for its use is provided.

Lunch cooked aboard the catamaran

The meal is more than a basic snack between swims. Emil prepares a fresh Greek meal on board, and the food has drawn some of the strongest praise attached to this cruise. Dishes are described as typical Greek cooking, flavorful, fresh, and beautifully prepared.

That makes the price easier to judge. You are not paying only for transport to Rhenia. The $165 cost also covers the crew, fuel and tax, a full meal, seasonal fruit, water, wine, soft drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and the paddle board. Hotel transfer costs extra unless you select the pickup and drop-off option.

The drinks are part of the relaxed rhythm of the trip. Traditional Mykonos wine is available as you sail, along with water and soft drinks. The wording says unlimited pours of wine during the cruise, but you should still pace yourself in the strong sun, especially if you plan to swim.

I appreciate that the meal is served while you remain in the setting that brought you out here. You do not have to leave the cove, find a restaurant, or cut short your swim to eat. The tradeoff is that the exact menu is not specified, so you should not book expecting a particular dish.

Captain Demitris and the small-group feel

The crew is a key part of the outing. Captain Demitris handles the boat, while Emil is associated with the cooking and onboard service. Their roles give the trip a personal touch, and the feedback about them is notably warm: professional, friendly, attentive, and careful.

A maximum of 10 participants is a real advantage. You can ask questions without shouting across a packed deck, and the crew can keep an eye on the group during swimming and snorkeling. It also makes the lunch service feel more like a shared meal than a buffet line.

English is the listed language, and the host or greeter is English-speaking. If you need another language, the supplied details do not promise it. The crew’s hospitality appears to be a major reason the experience receives a 4.6 rating from 23 reviews, with several five-star ratings praising the service, food, and relaxed pace.

There is also a Bluetooth speaker for your music. That can add to the mood, though you should expect the sound level to suit a small shared group rather than a private party. This is a social cruise with a calm feel, not a club boat.

Sunset sailing back toward Mykonos

A sunset option gives the return journey a stronger finish. As you sail back, the sky changes over the horizon, and the view toward Mykonos includes the town and windmills.

Sunset timing can make the five-hour schedule especially appealing. You get the warmest, brightest part of the day for swimming, then spend the final stretch in softer light. It is a good choice if you want photographs and a more romantic mood.

The sunset is not guaranteed to look identical every day. Weather, cloud cover, and the departure time will shape what you see. Still, the route gives you a clear reason to choose the later sailing if you have already spent your mornings exploring Mykonos on foot.

You should bring your camera, but protect it around the water. The catamaran provides scenic views throughout the cruise, not only at one formal photo stop.

Is $165 a fair price?

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Mykonos. It becomes better value if you use the inclusions: a five-hour catamaran cruise, a fresh meal, wine and other drinks, fruit, snorkeling gear, a paddle board, towels, crew service, and fuel and tax.

The small group helps justify the price. A boat carrying only 10 participants offers more space and a quieter feel than a large shared excursion. You are also paying for the crew’s time during the swimming stop, not simply for a ride between islands.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to see Delos. Since you do not go ashore, you would need to pay for a separate archaeological visit. It is also less compelling if you dislike swimming or plan to remain seated for most of the trip, because the experience is built around the sea, the cove, and the meal.

Optional hotel transfer is another cost to check before booking. The package includes pickup and drop-off only when that option is selected. If you are already near Ornos, meeting at the dock keeps the arrangement simpler.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for someone who wants a relaxed half-day with a mix of scenery, water time, and food. Couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy swimming should find the format easy to like.

It also suits you if you want a taste of boating around Mykonos without committing to a full-day sailing trip. Five hours gives you enough time to reach the islands, stop for water activities, eat, and return without giving up the whole day.

Families should check the swimming and mobility requirements carefully. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is not recommended for people over 95. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so families should confirm that point before booking.

This is less suitable for anyone seeking a serious Delos history tour, a guaranteed private beach, or an active itinerary packed with many stops. The schedule has room for rest, which is exactly its strength and its limitation.

Practical details for a smoother day

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a camera. Towels, snorkeling equipment, fresh seasonal fruit, water, wine, soft drinks, and lunch are supplied.

You meet the base manager at the dock. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not automatic, so check that option during booking if you need transport to Ornos.

The experience is conducted in English and is limited to 10 participants. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

The cruise is subject to sea conditions and availability, though no specific weather policy is provided. Keep your plans slightly flexible around the starting time, since available departure times can vary.

Should you book the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want good food, clear-water swimming, and a small-group boat day more than a formal sightseeing tour. The strongest reasons are the personal service from Captain Demitris and Emil, the fresh Greek meal, and the range of included extras.

Skip it if your priority is walking around Delos or finding a truly dramatic beach. You will see Delos from the water, and the Rhenia stop is best understood as a peaceful swimming cove rather than a major land excursion.

For most people comparing boat trips in Mykonos, this is a well-rounded choice. Select the sunset option if the return view matters to you, and add hotel transfer if getting to Ornos is inconvenient. The price is a serious one, but the small group and generous onboard inclusions make it easier to defend.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours, including sailing, the Delos and Rhenia portion, the meal, water activities, and the return to Ornos.

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is at the dock in Ornos, listed as Ornos Ntokos. A base manager waits there for the group.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The catamaran passes Delos and provides a photo opportunity from the deck. A shore visit and guided tour of Delos are not included.

What can I do at Rhenia Island?

You can swim, snorkel, use the paddle board, relax on the catamaran, and eat a meal prepared on board. The boat stops in a cove with clear water.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A fresh Greek meal, seasonal fruit, water, wine, and soft drinks are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option. Otherwise, you meet the group at the Ornos dock.

How many people are in the group?

The cruise is limited to 10 participants, making it a small-group experience.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a camera. Beach towels and snorkeling equipment are provided.