A Mykonos sunset cruise leaves Mykonos Town in the late afternoon, sails past Little Venice and the windmills, and anchors while the sun goes down over the Aegean. See more tours in Greece for evenings on other coasts.
This page covers what a Mykonos sunset cruise includes, the departure port and length, the route, the sunset times and months, the food and drinks, and the shared, private and party versions.
What does a Mykonos sunset cruise include?
A Mykonos sunset cruise includes a boat trip out of the port and back, with a professional captain and crew. Snorkelling gear and towels are extras at the two operators we checked, and hotel transfers differ.
The core of a Mykonos sunset cruise is the sailing itself. The crew sail the boat and look after the guests. Catamarans add seating, sun decks and shade, says one source. A swim stop is possible on the standard catamaran version. Food and drinks differ by version, so they have their own section further down.
One operator page lists the boat cruise and crew under included. Towels and snorkelling gear sit beside them at extra cost, and tips are left to your discretion. A second operator rents out snorkelling gear and rents or sells beach towels. The first page adds that confirmation arrives at the time of booking.
Hotel transfers differ between operators. One operator lists a one-way or round-trip transfer as not included. Another source says certain larger operators that board at the New Port include free hotel-to-port transfers. A hotel concierge can also book local operators and arrange transfers. Read the inclusion list of your Mykonos sunset cruise before you book.
A semi-private catamaran Mykonos sunset cruise on one listing changes the picture. It includes the use of snorkelling equipment. It also includes shared transport from and back to your hotel at no extra cost. So the same item can be an extra on one page and included on the next.
Paperwork is part of the Mykonos sunset cruise too. One operator asks every guest to check in at its ticket booth. Guests show an ID or passport there to verify age. A second operator asks for passport details when you reserve. Guests with pregnancy, mobility or health issues need to tell the first operator before booking.
Safety is part of the package as well. One operator says its handmade cruise boats carry all the modern safety equipment.
Where does a Mykonos sunset cruise leave from, and how long does it last?
The main departure point for a Mykonos sunset cruise is the Old Port of Mykonos Town. Boats leave around 17:30 to 18:00 in summer. A standard cruise lasts two to three hours, so the return is around 20:00 to 21:00.
The Old Port is the meeting point of a Mykonos sunset cruise on one operator page. The same page says free public parking sits next to its location and public transport is close. A second operator boards at the New Port, exactly opposite the Olia Hotel. The New Port is also called Tourlos.
The Old Port sits in Mykonos Town, also called Chora. The New Port is almost 2 km from town on one ferry site and 3 km on another. A Sea Bus links the two every 30 minutes, and the ride takes 8 minutes. That helps if your Mykonos sunset cruise boards at the Old Port.
Wind can change the port. Up to 24 hours ahead, the New Port operator can move the cruise to the port of Agios Ioannis. This happens when the north wind reaches Beaufort force 5. Start times also shift with the season, because the cruise has to catch the sunset. Both operators run the cruise daily in their season.
One three-hour Mykonos sunset cruise gives a full timeline. Boarding starts at 17:30. The boat leaves at 18:00. At about 20:45 it starts back to the Old Port, and it returns at 21:00. One source adds that guests need to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. That time covers boarding, the safety briefing and a good seat.
Catamaran versions of the Mykonos sunset cruise run longer. One source describes a five-hour catamaran cruise that starts in the afternoon with swimming stops and ends with the sunset. Another source puts the half-day catamaran version at five to six hours. Check the length on your booking, because it sets the time you return to port.
What route does a Mykonos sunset cruise take, and where do you watch the sunset?
A Mykonos sunset cruise sails west past Mykonos Town, Little Venice and the Kato Mili windmills. The boat then drops anchor, and you watch the sun set over the Aegean Sea, west of the island.
The Mykonos sunset cruise route starts with the town skyline. From the sea, the white cube houses, blue doors and church domes join into one line along the waterfront. Little Venice comes next. Its colourful houses have balconies that hang over the water. The boat shows them from the sea side, the view that approaching sailors had.
Above Little Venice, the Kato Mili windmills stand in a row on the hill. At sunset they show as dark shapes against an orange sky. In open water, Tinos, Syros and Delos appear on the horizon. On clear days, more distant shapes appear too.
The sunset spot depends on the operator. On one cruise, the boat sails north first if the weather allows. It anchors near Agios Stefanos beach for a 30-minute swim stop. At around 7 pm it drops anchor in front of Little Venice for the sunset.
Another operator anchors so guests watch the sunset over the open sea, the islands and the distant shoreline. Land spots such as Little Venice and the windmills have a fixed view. On a Mykonos sunset cruise you get the whole western horizon, with the island as a dark outline in front.
Day Trips from Mykonos says the 15 minutes either side of sunset give the strongest photos. On a Mykonos sunset cruise, the sky can turn deep pink and purple for 20 minutes after sunset.
When does the sun set, and which months suit a Mykonos sunset cruise?
Sunset in Mykonos falls between 8:33 pm and 8:43 pm in June. In October it falls between 5:21 pm and 7:02 pm. June and September give a Mykonos sunset cruise calm seas and warm evenings.
One operator runs its Mykonos sunset cruise every day from late spring to October. The sun sets at very different hours across that season. The list below comes from a Mykonos sun calendar, in local clock time. The calendar counts sunset when the top edge of the sun drops below a flat, clear horizon.
- Late spring: 8:08 pm to 8:33 pm
- June: 8:33 pm to 8:43 pm
- July: 8:27 pm to 8:43 pm
- August: 7:49 pm to 8:26 pm
- September: 7:03 pm to 7:47 pm
- October: 5:21 pm to 7:02 pm
A Mykonos sunset cruise in October meets the earliest sunsets of the season. The sun itself sets 41 minutes earlier across the month. The clocks go back one hour late in October, which adds the rest of the drop.
Day Trips from Mykonos picks June and September for a Mykonos sunset cruise. It lists calm seas, warm evenings, good light and fewer boats on the water. July and August bring the warmest evenings but the windiest conditions, so the sea can be bumpy.
Late spring and October have cooler evenings, soft light and fewer crowds. In July and August the popular cruises fill up, so book ahead. In late spring, June, September and October, bookings need less notice and groups are smaller.
What food and drinks come on a Mykonos sunset cruise?
A standard Mykonos sunset cruise includes at least one drink: wine, beer or a soft drink. A snack platter of cheese, fruit and local appetisers comes with it. Longer catamaran trips add a barbecue or dinner on board.
Mykonos Cruises lists snacks and drinks as the inclusions on its shared Mykonos sunset cruise. Guests enjoy both on board before the return journey begins. Set Sail Mykonos pictures its Aegean sunset sail with a glass of wine in hand. The sky turns orange and red as the sun dips into the water.
A semi-private catamaran trip serves a fuller meal. One listing offers a freshly prepared Greek barbecue with delicacies and salad. Drinks cover soda, alcoholic drinks, bottled water, coffee, tea and seasonal fruit. Special drinks are not included. Another listing serves lunch or dinner on board, with wine, soft drinks and raki.
The longest version is a full catamaran day with sunset. It starts with afternoon swimming and beach stops, then ends with dinner on board. A local travel site describes it as the full experience, with the sunset as the finish.
Before you book a Mykonos sunset cruise, read the inclusions, because they change from one boat to the next. The same travel site also gives a tip about eating first. A light snack before boarding is fine, but a three-course dinner is not, especially on smaller boats.
How do shared, private and party versions of a Mykonos sunset cruise differ?
A shared Mykonos sunset cruise seats you with other guests and keeps the sunset as the main event. A party version adds a DJ, dancing and a bar. A private charter keeps the boat for your own group.
Mykonos Cruises sells its Mykonos sunset cruise as a shared day cruise. It calls the trip ideal for couples, families, friends and anyone who wants a relaxing evening. The local travel site matches a romantic evening with the standard catamaran or traditional boat. It lists small groups, snacks, drinks and no party music.
The party version of a Mykonos sunset cruise turns the sunset into a backdrop. The travel site lists music, dancing, drinks and a younger crowd. It says party boats run with DJs and open bars. It suits a fun night out with friends.
Aegean Ventures runs its party sailing on a traditional wooden boat with a DJ. Light snacks and drinks are sold on board at all times, and guests can get a drink from the bar. The legal age for serving alcohol is 18, and guests show ID or a passport to prove their age.
A private Mykonos sunset cruise is built around your group. Mykonos Cruises offers private cruises that are specially designed for you. The travel site describes a customised route and timing, with champagne in hand. Project Expedition lists a private luxury sunset cruise with food and drinks on a Catamaran 44.
Semi-private sits between shared and private. One semi-private Mykonos sunset cruise listing promises an intimate atmosphere. The boat is a premium catamaran, either a Lagoon 560 or a Leopard 45. The listing gives no headcount, so ask the operator how big the group is. Another semi-private listing pairs the sunset with a Mykonian snack.
What else do travellers ask about a Mykonos sunset cruise?
Can children join a Mykonos sunset cruise?
Yes. Mykonos Cruises calls its Mykonos sunset cruise ideal for couples, families, friends and anyone after a relaxing evening. It gives children aged 2 to 13 their own ticket category. Aegean Ventures sets a different child band of 6 to 12 on its party boat. Read the age line before you book.
Bring photo ID. Aegean Ventures asks guests to show an ID or passport to verify age. Mykonos Cruises asks for passport details at booking. The legal age for serving alcohol is 18. Tell the operator before booking about pregnancy, mobility or health issues.
Can you get seasick on a Mykonos sunset cruise?
Yes, seasickness is possible on choppier days, especially when the Meltemi wind blows, says Day Trips from Mykonos. Travellers who are sensitive need to take precautions. The Mykonos Cruises site adds that the wind around the island can be intense, especially in August.
Wikipedia says the Meltemi, also called the Etesian wind, is at its strongest in the afternoon. It can blow at force 7 to 8 on the Beaufort scale. Before a Mykonos sunset cruise, eat a light snack. Day Trips from Mykonos says a three-course dinner is a bad idea, especially on smaller boats.
What happens if wind cancels a Mykonos sunset cruise?
The operator moves your booking to another date. Mykonos Cruises sails in winds up to Beaufort force 6, based on the forecast of the previous day. After a weather cancellation, it transfers all bookings to the immediately following days automatically.
Mykonos Cruises asks for proof of leaving the island, such as a boat or flight ticket, when a stay ends before the new date. Aegean Ventures postpones the trip to an alternative date. You must accept it unless your stay ends first. From 24 hours before departure, it applies full cancellation fees.
What to wear and bring on a Mykonos sunset cruise?
Bring a swimsuit, a sun hat, sunglasses, a beach towel and plenty of sunscreen, says Aegean Ventures. Add a light jacket as well. Day Trips from Mykonos says the evening is warm at departure. Once the sun goes down and the boat is moving, it gets cool on the water.
Aegean Ventures also suggests a waterproof jacket for wind. It helps in the cool months at the start and end of the season. Day Trips from Mykonos advises shoes you do not mind getting wet. Spray is part of the trip on smaller boats and catamarans. It adds a waterproof phone case for photos on any Mykonos sunset cruise.
Can you swim and hear music on a Mykonos sunset cruise?
It depends on the type of boat. Day Trips from Mykonos lists a swim stop as possible on a standard catamaran cruise. It describes the standard and traditional-boat cruises as quiet, with no party music. The party cruise brings music, dancing and drinks.
On the Aegean Ventures party boat, guests can jump into the sea at the anchor stop. They can also swim to the beach. A DJ sets the mood on board. For more swimming, Day Trips from Mykonos describes a five-hour catamaran cruise. It starts in the afternoon with swimming stops at south coast beaches, before the sunset.