Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch

REVIEW · MYKONOS

Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch

  • 5.03 reviews
  • From $1,628.99
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Operated by Set Sail Mykonos · Bookable on Viator

Mykonos from the water feels calmer. I like the private cruise setup, which gives you control over your southern beach day, and I like that snorkeling equipment is included so you can get straight into the water. One thing to keep in mind: this experience depends on good weather, so if conditions are off, your day can be adjusted or refunded.

I also find the food-and-drinks plan a big deal for value: lunch plus wine, beer, and hot drinks keeps you fueled without having to hunt for a table on shore. And as a bonus, the crew style comes through—on at least one recent run, the skipper (Avengelo) took extra time when sunglasses were accidentally lost while anchored, and the lunch host (Basil) handled the meal with real care.

Before you go, note the practical stuff: Mathios Tavern is your anchor point for the morning, and you’ll want to bring your own beach towels plus sunscreen and swimming clothes since towels aren’t included.

Key things I’d notice before booking

Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch - Key things I’d notice before booking

  • Private attention with up-to-10 group size, so you’re not shuffled into a big cattle-car day
  • Snorkeling gear included, which makes a water stop feel effortless
  • Lunch + wine/beer + hot drinks onboard, so you’re not living on snack bars
  • Four focused beach stops that cover busy highlights and bigger, more open shoreline
  • SUP included only if weather allows, so check conditions on the day
  • Towels not included, meaning you’ll pack like a swimmer, not like a tourist

Private sailing with a southern beach day plan you can steer

Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch - Private sailing with a southern beach day plan you can steer
This cruise is built for one simple goal: get out on the water and spend your time where the beaches feel most comfortable, without a crowd-management headache. You start from Mykonos and head along the southern side of the island, hopping between several well-known beaches—Ornos, Platys Gialos, Super Paradise, and Elia in the standard route.

Because it’s private, you’re not stuck with one strict pace. The experience is described as customizable, so you can choose your own beaches within that southern-beach idea. That matters, because Mykonos is a place where “same island, totally different day” is real. From the water, you can also time your swimming better—dropping anchor when you’d rather be floating than fighting for shade.

The best part is how relaxed the day feels. You’re not doing a sprint of bus rides and short photo stops. You’re doing a slow-moving coastline tour where you get multiple chances to swim, snorkel, and just hang out.

Other south coast cruises in Mykonos

Price and value: what $1,628.99 per group really means

Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch - Price and value: what $1,628.99 per group really means
The price is listed as $1,628.99 per group (up to 10 people), and it’s typically booked about 52 days in advance.

Here’s how I’d frame the value. If you fill all 10 spots, you’re at roughly $163 per person for a 6-hour private sailing experience with lunch and drinks included. If you’re fewer than 10, the per-person number goes up, but you still may find this makes sense versus paying separately for boat time, a meal, and paid gear.

What’s driving value for me:

  • Food and drinks are included (lunch, wine, beer, and hot drinks). That’s often where day trips get expensive fast.
  • Snorkeling gear is included, so you don’t pay for rentals or show up underprepared.
  • Fuel charges are included, which keeps the “surprise fees” stress low.

You’re paying for time on the water with a licensed skipper, not just transport. If your group wants a calmer Mykonos day—more swim, less hustle—this is the kind of setup that usually feels fair.

Meeting point and timing: a calm 9:00am start

The tour starts at 9:00am and ends back at the same meeting point. Your start location is Mathios TavernΕλλάδα, Mykonos 846 00, Greece.

If you’re staying in central Mykonos, that meeting point can make life easier since it’s described as near public transportation. And if you want the smoother option, hotel pickup and drop-off is available upon request—so you can ask in advance if you want to avoid the morning logistics.

A 6-hour day is long enough to feel like you did something real, but short enough that you won’t feel wrecked afterward. It’s also a good format if you want to experience the beaches without committing to a full-day shore marathon.

Stop 1: Ornos—family-friendly, trendy, and often busy

Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch - Stop 1: Ornos—family-friendly, trendy, and often busy
Ornos is one of Mykonos’s more popular beaches, and it’s known as family-friendly while still being “on-trend.” In practical terms, that means:

  • It’s a safe bet for swimming conditions for many people.
  • It can be crowded, especially at the times most day-trippers are looking for a beach.

On this cruise, Ornos gets about 1 hour. That time window is useful: you get a taste of the vibe, you can swim, and you can decide quickly if you’d rather spend more energy at the next stops.

If you’re booking because you want to escape the biggest crush, I’d treat Ornos as a “watch the scene, swim, then move” stop. That’s also why starting here can work well: you’re already in the boat mindset, so you don’t feel stuck if it’s busier than you expected.

Stop 2: Platys Gialos—shallow, clear water for an easy swim

Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch - Stop 2: Platys Gialos—shallow, clear water for an easy swim
Platys Gialos is where the water conditions sound made for relaxing. It’s described as having shallow, crystal-clear waters, and it’s a beach tied to water sports.

With roughly 1 hour here, you can do a simple rhythm:

  • Get in for a swim.
  • Use your snorkeling time if you’re keen.
  • Take a break and enjoy the shoreline without feeling like you’re racing a schedule.

One practical advantage of going to Platys Gialos by boat rather than from a bus or rental car is that you’re not spending your limited beach time stuck on transport. You’re already set up to float, swim, and then get on with the day.

If you’re traveling with mixed comfort levels around the water (some people want to snorkel, some just want to swim), this stop fits well.

Stop 3: Super Paradise Beach—famous scene, seen from the water

Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch - Stop 3: Super Paradise Beach—famous scene, seen from the water
Super Paradise Beach is the name you’ll hear if you’ve been reading about Mykonos for more than 30 seconds. It’s described as the most famous beach on the island, and it’s typically the kind of place that draws attention.

You get about 1 hour at Super Paradise. The key thing to remember is that this stop is famous for a reason, but it’s not the place to expect quiet and empty sand.

From a practical perspective, the boat angle helps. You’re not limited to one tiny patch of shore. You can anchor, swim, and enjoy the setting without needing to commit to a full shore-day at a high-energy beach.

If your group wants to experience what Mykonos is famous for but still keep the day comfortable, Super Paradise works as a “hit the highlight” stop rather than the “stay all day” choice.

Stop 4: Elia Beach—bigger beach, lots of shade, and a sand option

Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch - Stop 4: Elia Beach—bigger beach, lots of shade, and a sand option
Elia is described as Mykonos’s largest beach and one of the most beautiful. It’s also largely covered in umbrellas and sunbeds, which usually means a very structured beach experience.

Here’s the small-but-important detail I like: there’s always a small sunbed-free section for people who prefer to lie on the sand. With about 1 hour there, you can still find a more casual-feeling spot even if the main shoreline is set up for sunbeds.

Elia is also a good “finish strong” stop. After three more energetic beach areas, Elia gives you room to breathe. You can swim, relax, and let the day end without feeling like you’re still trying to squeeze in fun.

Lunch, wine/beer, hot drinks, and the onboard rhythm

Private sailing cruise-Mykonos Southern Beach Hopping withLunch - Lunch, wine/beer, hot drinks, and the onboard rhythm
This cruise includes lunch, plus beer and wine, and hot drinks. That’s not just a nice extra—it changes how your day feels.

On Mykonos, it’s easy to burn time on searching for food, dealing with waitlists, and paying for meals that don’t match your budget. With lunch onboard, the schedule stays smooth. You can swim first, eat while your body cools down, and then head back into the water without starting your “where do we eat?” game.

The onboard hosting also matters. One notable detail from the experience story I heard from the crew’s style: Basil is described as handling the lunch with care and being a gracious host. It’s a good sign when food isn’t treated like an afterthought on a boat day.

Also included is SUP (weather permitting). So if conditions line up, you may get an extra way to enjoy the water beyond just swimming and snorkeling.

Snorkeling gear included: what it changes for you

Snorkeling gear is included, and that makes a difference. If you’ve ever shown up to a beach day without the right equipment, you know the feeling: you end up watching others have fun.

With gear already provided, you can:

  • Spend your energy on actually snorkeling, not renting or shopping.
  • Use the stops strategically—when you have calm water, you’re more likely to enjoy it.
  • Feel more confident trying it if it’s new to you.

The cruise setup also supports a patient, hands-on approach. In one example, skipper Avengelo spent time snorkeling to help find sunglasses that had dropped into the water while the group was anchored. I love that kind of attention because it signals the crew is tuned into the water and the small moments that matter.

Towels, sunscreen, and what to pack for a smoother day

Not having beach towels included is one of those details that can surprise people—especially if you’re used to “day trip, everything handled.” You’ll want to bring:

  • Beach towels
  • Sunscreen
  • Swimming clothes

I also recommend you pack with saltwater in mind. Even if the cruise is calm and organized, you’ll still come away feeling like you lived on the water. Bring what you need so you can dry off comfortably and avoid the post-swim scramble.

If you wear contact lenses or have a sensitive eye situation, consider extra protection for your personal routine. Snorkeling gear is provided, but your comfort preferences are still yours to manage.

Who this private Mykonos southern beaches cruise suits best

This is a great fit if:

  • Your group wants a private setup with flexibility rather than a big organized group schedule.
  • You care about swimming time and want snorkeling gear included.
  • You want a day where food and drinks are handled so you can stay in “vacation mode.”

It’s especially good for small families, couples, and friend groups who want to visit multiple beaches but keep the day relaxed. If your group includes different energy levels—some people want to swim a lot, others want to lounge—this format gives everyone something to do.

And if you’re the person who likes planning but hates overplanning, the customizable private approach is appealing. You can steer the day toward what your group wants most.

Should you book this southern beaches cruise?

Book it if you want a low-stress Mykonos day that focuses on time on the water, swim breaks, and included lunch. The value holds best when you fill enough of the group capacity to bring down the per-person cost, and it’s a smart move if you’d rather pay for an organized, private experience than stitch together boat time plus meals plus gear.

Think twice if your priority is an ultra-quiet beach day from start to finish. Some stops are popular by design, and the day includes famous beaches. You can still have a great time, but your expectation should be “beach hopping with swim breaks,” not “solitude on demand.”

If you want a reliable, practical way to see southern Mykonos while staying comfortable, this private cruise is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing cruise?

It’s listed as about 6 hours.

How many people are in the group?

It’s private, with the group size up to 10.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00am.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Mathios TavernΕλλάδα, Mykonos 846 00, Greece and ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included for food and drinks?

The tour includes lunch, plus wine and beer, and hot drinks.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

Is SUP included?

SUP is included weather permitting.

Do I need to bring a beach towel?

Yes. Beach towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You also have free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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