Psarou Beach — Mykonos, Greece
Real prices, real routes, real traps. Speedboats from €500, catamarans from €1,500, superyachts from €15,000. Everything the booking platforms won't tell you — told by someone who's watched 10 seasons of tourists get it wrong.
PRICES VERIFIED — SEASON 2026
Psarou isn't just where you lie on a €300 sunbed pretending not to notice the superyachts. It's one of the smartest launch points for boat hire on the whole island. Forget choking in the chaos of Mykonos Town old port or fighting for space in Tourlos. Psarou sits right next to Ornos Bay — two minutes by tender or a quick drive to the small marinas. Pickup is easier, swell is almost nonexistent thanks to the horseshoe bay, and you skip the worst of the morning tourist crush.
The Smart Move
Most people overpay by 30–50% because they book from the wrong spot and get hit with stupid repositioning fees or long taxi rides just to reach the boat. From Psarou, the south coast is literally at your doorstep — Super Paradise, Elia, Agrari all within 15–40 minutes cruise. Delos is a straight shot, maybe 40–60 minutes depending on what you're driving. No wonder the smart crowd anchors here and launches tenders straight from their 80-metre toys to the beach clubs. If you're chartering, same logic applies. Less hassle, cleaner start, better vibe.
The Fleet
This is what 80% of groups should take. A 6–10 metre open RIB with 150–300 HP outboard. Fast, fun, agile enough to duck into caves and shallow spots. Perfect for 4–6 friends who want to hit a few beaches, snorkel, and not feel like they're babysitting a floating hotel. Skip it if seas get choppy — they pound.
Catamarans dominate now — Lagoon, Bali, Nautitech 40–50 ft. Stable, shade, space to eat and chill without everyone falling over each other. Great if your group wants relaxed cruising, swimming stops, maybe lunch on board. Cats handle Meltemi better than monohulls. Worth it for families or anyone over 35 who doesn't want to sit on a hard bench all day.
Speed, comfort, AC, proper toilets, and a crew who know how to pour champagne without spilling. If you're doing serious entertaining or have people who get seasick on smaller boats, this is it. Most people asking for "motor yacht" end up in the €7,000–12,000 range once they see the final bill.
Full crew, private chef, water toys, slide off the top deck. From €15,000 per day up to €80,000+ for the really extravagant ones. Booked 6–12 months out, mostly by people who already own one but can't be bothered moving it. If you have to check the price first, it's probably not for you.
Navigation
The no-brainer. 10–12 km north. Ancient ruins from the water (€12 entry to land), then empty turquoise bays on Rhenia. Snorkelling with 15–20 metre visibility. Morning departure beats crowds and afternoon Meltemi.
Super Paradise, Elia, Agrari, maybe Paraga. Multiple swim stops — anchor off, jump in, back on for the next spot. Easy, scenic, back at Psarou before the wind gets nasty.
Southeast, small uninhabited rock with sea caves you can nose into. Snorkelling, cliff jumping if you're brave, very few other boats. Combine with south coast for a full day.
€600–1,500 depending on boat size. Best route: south along the coast past Nammos, swing toward Little Venice for windmills and sunset glow over Chora. Champagne, music, no swimming. Pure Mykonos postcard.
€2,000–8,000+ boat dependent. Fuel burn €400–800 extra. North side (Armenistis lighthouse, Panormos), west beaches, back south. Great if you want everything in one hit, but tiring.
Reality Check
High season (July–August) prices jump 50–100% over May/June or September/October. What costs €1,800 in May can hit €3,500 in peak. Book early or pay stupid money.
Fuel is always extra unless explicitly stated — and it rarely is. Expect €150–600 depending on engine size and distance. Speedboats eat less. Big motor yachts drink like there's no tomorrow.
Skipper is mandatory for almost everyone. Greek law doesn't let tourists drive without proper papers. That's €200–450 per day on top of the boat rate. No exceptions unless you hold ICC plus experience and the company actually accepts it.
Security deposit: €500–5,000 blocked on your card. Damage it, scratch it, lose something — they take it. Read the list of what's covered.
High season slots vanish fast. By March, 40–60% of decent boats for July–August are gone. Book 3–6 months ahead minimum. May bookings often get the same boat at 40–60% less.
Greek Maritime Law
No Greek license? No bareboat. Period. Tourists without ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or equivalent accepted certification must take a professional skipper. No "I'll be careful" negotiation — Coast Guard checks are frequent and fines are savage.
Your license has to be the original document, not a photo or scan. The charter company will photograph it before you board. Insurance minimum: €50,000 per person, €500,000 per event. Most decent companies cover this, but confirm before signing.
Person limit is enforced strictly. Overload the vessel and you risk getting pulled over, fined, and potentially having the boat impounded. The Coast Guard doesn't negotiate.
Red flag: If someone offers bareboat without asking for your papers — walk away. It's either illegal or they're cutting corners. Either way, you're exposed if something goes wrong.
Who to Call
Operates right from Psarou/Ornos area. Solid fleet of RIBs and catamarans. Known for clean boats and English-speaking skippers who know every hidden cove.
Peer-to-peer platform, cheapest entry point from €200–300 per day for small boats up to €5,000 for catamarans. Mixed quality — read recent reviews carefully before committing.
Biggest European boat rental aggregator. Huge selection, good filters for Psarou and Ornos pickup locations. Useful for comparing prices across multiple owners, but watch for hidden fees in the fine print.
Strong catamaran and sailing yacht selection. Decent luxury options with early booking discounts available for shoulder season.
Ornos/Tourlos base. Reliable platform with solid sailing catamaran and motor yacht options. Good customer support for first-time charterers.
Mix of day trips and private charters. Good option for sunset or Delos group cruises if you don't need a fully private booking.
Insider Tips
Book July and August at least 3–4 months ahead. June and September — two months is usually fine. May or October you can often get away with a few weeks, but the best boats still go early.
Compare minimum three platforms. The exact same boat is often listed at different prices across SamBoat, Click&Boat, and direct operators. A 15-minute comparison can save you €500+.
Always confirm in writing: is fuel included? Is the skipper fee in the price or extra? Is pickup and drop-off exactly from Psarou or from a marina nearby? What are the weather cancellation terms? If they can't answer clearly, that tells you something.
Google reviews matter more than platform star ratings. Look specifically for 2025 and 2026 feedback — boats change hands fast, and last year's five-star vessel might be this year's maintenance disaster.
Read the cancellation policy twice. Most operators give partial refund if weather cancels, but the definition of "bad weather" varies wildly. Some only cancel at Force 7+, others at Force 5. Get it in email before you pay.
17 Expert Answers
Ready to Book?
Start with the boat type that fits your group, compare at least three platforms, and book 3–6 months ahead for peak season. Need the full Psarou experience? Check the beach club price breakdown, our 2026 accommodation guide, and the complete transfer options.
Check AvailabilityThe best day in Mykonos isn't on the sunbed. It's on the water — watching that island shrink behind you while the Aegean opens up ahead.