From Ornos: Mykonos Delos Catamaran Cruise with Meal & SUP

Mykonos from the water feels different. This half-day catamaran trip puts Rhenia Island front and center, with time to swim, snorkel, and even paddle board, plus a proper Greek meal onboard with drinks. The vibe is relaxed and personal, and I love how the day moves at a human pace thanks to the crew, including captain Demitris and cook Emil.

Two things I especially like: the chance to get in the sea right after anchoring in a quiet cove, and the food, which gets described as some of the best Greek dishes people eat on the islands. One consideration: you pass Delos from the boat, and if you want a full on-site visit, that isn’t part of this package.

Key things to know before you go

• Rhenia Island time in the water: expect a secluded cove and options to swim, snorkel, or paddle board
• Onboard Greek lunch with drinks: fresh meal plus wine, water, and soft drinks
• Small group for a calmer boat day: limited to 10 participants
• Delos views without a tour: strong photo opportunities from the deck, but Delos sightseeing on land isn’t included
• A captain-led, safety-first feel: reviews highlight Demitris’s professional, attentive approach
• Music is easy: there’s a Bluetooth speaker for your playlist

From Ornos Dock to Open Water: what this 5-hour cruise really feels like

This is a 5-hour catamaran day that starts at Ornos, specifically from the Ornos Ntokos dock. You meet the base manager waiting at the dock, then you find your spot on the modern catamaran, get oriented, and settle into the rhythm of the Aegean. The pacing is built for doing a lot without feeling rushed.

The first payoff is mental: you’re out on the sea quickly enough that the island crowds feel far away. And since it’s a small group (up to 10), the experience stays social without turning into a party boat. You’ll also get snorkeling equipment, beach towels, and a few “you’re on holiday” touches like fruit and drinks from the start.

One detail worth planning around: you’ll be in swim mode, so bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a camera. If you’re prone to sunburn, prioritize protection early, because the itinerary includes water time and open-deck cruising.

Delos from the deck: photos, sailing views, and what’s not included

Delos sits in the background of this itinerary in a useful way. You’ll cruise past Delos and get a photo opportunity from the deck, which is a nice way to see the island without committing to a full day there. It’s a good compromise if you want the name and the scenery, but you’d rather keep your energy for swimming later.

Here’s the key tradeoff: a Delos visit and tour are not included. So if you were hoping this cruise would cover entry, guided exploring, and time on-site, you’ll need to arrange that separately. The good news is that you still get the “Delos in your line of sight” experience, plus sailing time that keeps things scenic rather than checklist-based.

There’s also a nice flexibility depending on timing: the itinerary notes a sunset option. If you’re booked for a sunset departure, you may finish the day with a sky change over the horizon, which is the kind of payoff that makes short trips feel complete.

Rhenia Island: the stop that makes the half-day worth it

Rhenia Island is where the cruise cashes in its best card. You head there, and then you anchor in a secluded cove with clear turquoise water where the day shifts from sailing mode into swim mode. This is the part you should picture in your head: calm water, easy access, and enough time to pick what you want to do.

You’ll get multiple ways to enjoy the water:

• Swim and hang out in the anchored cove
• Use snorkeling gear for a closer look underwater
• Try Paddle Board (SUP) if you want a more active way to explore

The group size matters here too. With fewer people onboard, you tend to get smoother transitions—snorkel gear goes where it needs to go, and SUP time doesn’t feel like you’re waiting behind a long queue.

Then comes the meal, served onboard while you’re still in holiday mode. The lunch is fresh and Greek, with seasonal fruit and drinks flowing. This is also when you’ll likely feel the crew’s competence most clearly: a good catamaran day is partly about how smoothly everyone gets fed while the boat stays calm. The best reviews specifically call out the cooking and the care, and they name Emil as the person preparing the food.

The Greek lunch and drinks onboard: what you’re actually paying for

At $165 per person for a 5-hour cruise, the value question isn’t just “transportation.” It’s what you get while you’re on the water: food, drinks, water activities, and a crew that keeps the day running smoothly.

On this trip, you get:

• A fresh onboard meal
• Water, wine, and soft drinks
• Fresh seasonal fruit
• Beach towels
• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddle board

That’s a lot of included items for a half-day. If you’ve ever tried to piece together lunch + ferry + beach time + gear rental in Mykonos, you know how quickly costs and logistics stack up. Here, the cruise bundles the day, so you spend less time planning and more time enjoying the water.

Reviews highlight the food as a standout—one guest even notes it as some of the best Greek dishes they had on the islands. Another simply calls it very good typical Greek food. Even if you’re not a “foodie,” it helps to know the lunch isn’t an afterthought; it’s treated as part of the experience.

Crew care and boat confidence: why Demitris and Emil keep coming up

A catamaran day can be either smooth or chaotic, and the difference is usually the crew. The strongest praise in the reviews focuses on warmth and attentiveness—people say the service felt genuine, and that they were taken care of from start to finish.

Captain Demitris is specifically mentioned in a glowing review for being professional and friendly, and for making guests feel safe and relaxed while exploring the coastline and clear waters. That matters because when you’re out on a half-day itinerary, there isn’t time to troubleshoot discomfort. You want confidence quickly: getting off the dock, anchoring at Rhenia, and handling snorkeling or SUP in open water.

Then there’s Emil, praised for cooking. When multiple people highlight food quality and the way dishes are prepared, that usually means the crew isn’t relying on boring catering. It’s one reason the trip feels like more than a standard swim-and-snack excursion.

Mykonos on the way back: windmills, town views, and easy sightseeing

After Rhenia, you head back toward Mykonos with one more chunk of scenic cruising. The itinerary includes a final hour with boat cruising and sailing while you enjoy views along the way, including sighting the picturesque windmills of Mykonos and the charming town.

This part is simple sightseeing without pressure. You’re not trying to cover museums or rush across town in heat. You’re just watching the coastline slide by from the deck, with a cold drink in hand and the day already “done” in a fun way.

If you like taking photos, this is another moment to look for good angles. The earlier Delos stop gives you a deck photo opportunity, and the return leg gives you that classic Mykonos visual payoff.

Price and value: is $165 a fair deal?

Price in Mykonos changes fast depending on season and how tourist-heavy your plan is. At $165 per person for a 5-hour catamaran that includes lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, SUP, and beach towels, the math tends to work out well—especially if you’d otherwise pay separately for:

• A guided boat or sailing option
• Food and drinks
• Snorkel equipment
• Access to a beach cove with easy water entry

The strongest part of the value is not the boat ride alone. It’s that you get a full “water day package” in one ticket: you swim, you snorkel, you paddle board if you want, and you eat onboard with wine or soft drinks. The food being singled out for quality by reviewers is a big deal here because it’s the item that’s often least impressive on similar trips.

Also, the small group size helps. On crowded boats, the activities feel like a schedule. Here, limited to 10 participants, you can usually move at a calmer pace.

Who this cruise suits best (and who should skip it)

This cruise fits best if you want a half-day that feels like a vacation reset: water time, simple sightseeing from the deck, and a meal and drinks that don’t require you to leave the boat.

It’s a particularly good match for:

• People who want swimming and snorkeling without organizing gear
• Travelers who enjoy eating onboard while the sea does the scenery work
• Anyone who likes a smaller group experience
• Couples, small friend groups, and solo travelers who want an easy social day

It’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it also notes an age limit of not suitable for people over 95 years. If you’re bringing a camera and you want photos, you’ll be happiest if you’re comfortable carrying it to the deck during sailing.

What to bring and how to get the most from Rhenia cove time

You don’t need special gear beyond what’s provided, but you do need to show up ready to use it. Bring:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Camera

Then think about the practical stuff:

• Use sunscreen before you step on board, because open-deck sun comes fast.
• If you plan to snorkel, keep your swimwear easily accessible. You’ll likely want a quick transition from sailing to water.
• For SUP, wear or bring swim-safe footwear only if you know you prefer it. The listing doesn’t specify foot protection, so stick to what you personally find comfortable.

If you’re sensitive to motion, remember this is a catamaran, which usually feels smoother than speedboats, but sea conditions still vary. If you know you get seasick, plan accordingly.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

If you want a relaxed half-day that combines Rhenia Island water time with a properly prepared Greek lunch and included snorkeling and SUP, this is an easy yes. The biggest decision comes down to Delos: this trip gives you great views and photos from the boat, but it does not include a Delos land visit or tour.

I’d book it if you:

• Want to prioritize sea time over museum time
• Care about included meals and drinks
• Like the idea of a small group with attentive crew service

I’d think twice if you’re looking for a deep on-land experience at Delos, or if your idea of the perfect stop is a specific, one-of-a-kind beach that you can only reach by foot. This cruise is built for comfort, swimming, and the calm of a boat day.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

It lasts about 5 hours.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts at Ornos Ntokos and returns there.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You’ll have a fresh meal onboard, plus fresh seasonal fruit.

Do I get snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is paddle board (SUP) included?

Yes. Paddle board is included.

Is Delos entry or a guided Delos tour included?

No. A visit and tour on Delos are not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the hotel transfer option. Otherwise, it’s not included.

How big is the group?

It’s limited to 10 participants, so it stays small.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a camera.

Is this suitable for everyone?

No. It’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it’s also not suitable for people over 95 years.