From Mykonos: Cruise to Delos and Rhenia with Lunch

The best thing about this Mykonos boat trip is the pairing of ancient Delos with a swim stop at quiet Rhenia. One moment you are floating in clear Aegean water near an uninhabited island; later, you are walking among temples, mosaics, and old houses tied to Greek mythology. I like that the day gives you both sea time and serious archaeology instead of asking you to choose between them.

I also like the simple barbecue lunch and the crew’s social spirit, especially when Paola gets the music and dancing going on the return ride. The main drawback is that the boat can feel busy, the sea can turn choppy, and Delos admission is not included in the $103 price. If you want a quiet, private sailing day, this is not the right fit.

Key Points

• Two very different islands in one day: Swim from the boat at Rhenia, then walk through the sacred ruins of Delos.
• A full 390-minute outing: Allow about six and a half hours, including sailing, lunch, swimming, and time at the archaeological site.
• Greek barbecue on board: Lunch includes chicken and pork skewers, rice, salad, tzatziki, and bread, with wine, juice, and water.
• A lively return trip: Music and dancing often turn the ride back to Mykonos into a friendly boat party.
• Extra costs to plan for: Delos entrance, transport to the Old Port, and snorkeling equipment are not included.
• Best for active sightseers: You need to manage boat boarding, shore access, swimming, and walking over an uneven archaeological site.

Why This Mykonos Cruise Works So Well

Many Mykonos excursions give you a beach, a drink, and not much else. This one has a better balance. You get a proper stretch of time on the water, a meal, a chance to swim, and a visit to one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades.

The appeal is the change of pace. Rhenia is about sun, salt water, and open space. Delos is about stone, myths, trade, and ruins. That contrast keeps the six and a half hours from feeling like one long boat ride.

At $103 per person, the price makes sense if you use the whole package. The cruise, crew service, lunch, wine, and soft drinks are included. You are also getting a boat transfer between two islands that would be difficult to combine on your own in the same easy way.

Still, this is not a private charter. You share the boat with other people, and the mood can become lively. The experience is best understood as a social day on the Aegean with a cultural stop, not as a silent yacht outing.

Boarding at Mykonos Old Port

The meeting point is at the Old Port of Mykonos, at the kiosk beside the bus station. This is close to Mykonos Town, but transportation to the boat is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there.

The Old Port is a practical departure point for a cruise to Delos and Rhenia. It puts you near the water and avoids sending you across the island to a distant marina. Still, give yourself enough time to find the kiosk and gather your things before boarding.

Bring a passport or identity card. A copy is accepted according to the tour information. Leave large bags behind, since oversize luggage is not allowed and a boat deck is not the place for bulky cases.

The crew speaks Greek, and the host or greeter is listed as Greek. The staff’s energy is a major part of the day. Paola is the host name most often singled out, with special praise for keeping the group involved and making the return trip fun.

Rhenia: Clear Water and an Uninhabited Shore

Rhenia is usually the first major stop, and it supplies the easiest pleasure of the day: swimming in clear water from a boat anchored a short distance from shore.

You can swim, walk along the beach, or sit in the sun. The shore is uninhabited, so do not expect cafés, changing facilities, shops, or beach service. That lack of development is precisely why the stop feels different from a normal Mykonos beach day.

The water is a major highlight. You may find the sea calm and glassy, but conditions can change quickly in the Aegean. Several departures have encountered rough or choppy water, especially on the ride back. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and choose a seat with this in mind.

There is limited shade on the boat, so pack sunscreen, a hat, and a cover-up. Snorkeling gear is not included. You can bring your own equipment, but the experience does not promise a formal snorkeling program. The main activity here is swimming and relaxing.

The beach stop also lets you settle into the social side of the trip. Some people swim right away. Others stay on deck, talk, and watch the crew prepare lunch. You are not forced into one pace, which helps make the outing work for mixed-age groups and families.

A Simple Barbecue Lunch on the Aegean

Lunch is prepared on the boat and follows a familiar Greek barbecue format. Expect chicken and pork skewers, salad, rice, tzatziki, and bread.

It is not a long restaurant meal with many courses. It is practical boat food that fills you up without taking too much time away from the water. The meal also fits the setting: grilled meat, cool salad, creamy tzatziki, and bread make sense after swimming in the sun.

Wine, juice, and water are available during the cruise. The wine becomes part of the day’s social rhythm, especially once the group is heading back to Mykonos. If you prefer not to drink, juice and water are included as well.

Food quality can vary with expectations. Most people should find the barbecue satisfying, but this is not a food-focused sailing tour. If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied information does not list alternatives, so ask before booking rather than assuming the menu can be changed.

The meal is one reason the $103 fare offers fair value. You are not paying only for a short boat transfer and a beach stop. Lunch and drinks are built into the day, with no surprise charge for the basic meal.

Delos and the Birthplace of Apollo and Artemis

After the swimming and lunch, the boat heads to Delos. This is the cultural heart of the trip.

Ancient tradition identifies Delos as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, which made the island sacred to the ancient Greeks. Its location also helped it become an important center for trade and a meeting point for people from different parts of the ancient world.

The ruins give you more than a few isolated columns. You can explore old houses, mosaics, statues, and streets that help show how people lived on the island. The Houses of Dionysus and Cleopatra are among the named highlights, and their mosaics are worth seeking out.

You are given time to explore the site independently. One reported schedule allowed about two hours at Delos, though exact timing can vary. That is enough for a useful visit, but not enough to inspect every corner at a slow pace.

Wear sturdy shoes. Delos involves outdoor walking over uneven ground, and there is little reason to expect a cool, shaded museum-style visit. Bring water, sun protection, and a camera, but protect fragile ruins and follow the site rules.

The archaeological site entrance is extra. The supplied information does not state one single price for every visitor, because admission can vary by age and eligibility. Recent information from the tour indicates that some European Union visitors under 25 may enter free, while other visitors have paid about €20. Bring identification if you may qualify, and check the current rule before departure.

The site also has a museum, which some departures have found worth visiting. If you care most about Delos, go ashore and use your time well. If the admission cost or heat is a concern, you can remain on the boat, although you will only see parts of the island from the water.

The Flexible Choice at Delos

One useful feature is that you may have a choice after the first swim stop. You can get off at Delos to see the ruins, or stay with the boat and continue to another swimming area, depending on the day’s arrangement.

This matters because the tour serves two different kinds of people. One person may have been waiting all holiday to see Delos. Another may prefer a second swim and a relaxed afternoon at sea. The option lets you choose instead of forcing everyone into the same plan.

Do not treat the boat view as a full substitute for visiting the site. From the water, you can appreciate Delos as an island of ruins, but you cannot see the Houses of Dionysus and Cleopatra or their mosaics properly from the deck.

If you have already visited Delos, or if you are traveling with someone who dislikes archaeological sites, staying aboard may be a reasonable use of the day. If this is your first visit, I would pay the entrance fee and walk ashore. Delos is the part of the tour that gives the day lasting substance.

The Ride Back: Music, Dancing, and Rough Water

The trip back to Mykonos is often the most animated part. Music comes on, the crew encourages people to dance, and the top deck can turn into a small party.

Paola is especially associated with this atmosphere. Her role is not just to handle practical matters. She helps people mingle, keeps the mood light, and draws the group into the dancing. You do not need to be a natural performer, but the tone is clearly social rather than formal.

This can be a lot of fun after a swim and lunch. It also explains why the trip appeals to couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people during an outing.

The tradeoff is that music and dancing will not suit everyone. If you want a peaceful ride back, stay toward a quieter part of the boat if possible. Also watch your footing. Rough waves have made the return ride bouncy on some days, and a few people have found the movement surprisingly strong.

Do not let the party mood make you careless with alcohol. Wine is available throughout the cruise, but the sea can become rough and the deck can move under you. Keep a hand free for the rail and take care near steps.

Comfort, Crowds, and Sea Conditions

The boat is described in several accounts as comfortable and spacious enough for a full day, but it is still a shared excursion. One concern raised by the experience itself is crowding. If you are comparing this with a private sailing charter, you should expect less personal space and less control over the schedule.

The sea is another variable. Calm water creates a smooth, easy ride. Wind can lead to rescheduling, as happened on at least one October departure, and choppy conditions can affect both comfort and swimming.

That weather policy is a good sign in practical terms. A captain should not push ahead simply to protect a timetable when wind makes the route unsafe or unpleasant. If the date changes, clear communication from the host is important, and the tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boat boarding, movement around the deck, getting to shore, and walking around Delos all require a reasonable level of mobility. The archaeological site is not designed like a modern, fully accessible attraction.

Who Will Get the Most From This Day

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a full day that mixes swimming, food, scenery, and archaeology. It is especially useful for a first Mykonos visit, when you want to see more than the town and its beaches.

It also suits families and mixed groups. One person can focus on Delos while another enjoys Rhenia and the boat. The food is straightforward, the drinks are included, and the staff make a clear effort to keep the mood welcoming.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike group entertainment, need guaranteed calm water, or want a quiet private boat. The return music and dancing are a feature for many people, but they are not background detail. They shape the feel of the afternoon.

This is also not ideal if Delos is your only priority and you want a specialist archaeological tour. You explore independently rather than following a dedicated site guide through every ruin. For a balanced island day, that freedom works well. For a detailed study of Delos, it may feel too brief.

What to Bring and What Costs Extra

Pack light. Oversize luggage is not allowed, and you need room for swimming clothes, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and walking shoes for Delos.

You should also bring:

• Passport or identity card, with a copy accepted
• Water-friendly clothing and a cover-up
• Sunscreen, since shade on the boat is limited
• Comfortable shoes for uneven archaeological ground
• Snorkeling equipment if you want it, because none is supplied
• Money or a payment card for Delos admission

The $103 fare includes the cruise, captain and crew service, barbecue lunch, wine, juice, and water. It does not include transport to and from the Old Port, snorkeling gear, or the entrance fee for Delos.

That makes the value good for a long shared outing, but calculate the real cost for your party. Add local transport and site admission, especially if everyone plans to walk ashore. Some admission categories may be free, so check your eligibility before paying.

Should You Book This Mykonos Boat Trip?

Book it if you want the best mix of sea time and ancient sites in one Mykonos day. Rhenia gives you clear water and a quiet shore, while Delos adds a memorable cultural reason to leave the beach.

Go in with the right expectations. This is a social group cruise, not a private yacht and not a specialist archaeology tour. The boat may feel busy, the Aegean may be rough, and Delos costs extra. But the included meal and drinks, warm crew, flexible stop options, and lively ride home give the $103 price solid value.

I would make Delos the deciding factor. If you are curious about ancient Greece, pay the entrance fee and go ashore. If you mainly want swimming and music, the boat still gives you a satisfying day, but you may find a dedicated beach cruise a better match.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the Old Port of Mykonos, at the kiosk next to the bus station.

Is transport to the Old Port included?

No. Transportation to and from the boat is not included.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes chicken and pork skewers, salad, rice, tzatziki, and bread.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, juice, and water are included during the cruise.

Is the entrance fee for Delos included?

No. You pay the Delos archaeological site entrance fee separately.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. Bring a passport or identity card. A copy is accepted.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because of the boat access, swimming stop, and walking required at Delos.