Mykonos: Delos and Rhenia Islands Cruise with BBQ Meal

Delos is the star here: an ancient island linked with Apollo and Artemis, reached by boat from Mykonos and paired with a long swim stop at Rhenia. You get ruins, open sea, snorkeling, and lunch in one well-paced day rather than another crowded afternoon in town.

I especially like the excellent onboard food and the crew’s careful service. Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water help make the $147 price feel fair. The main catch is that you must go barefoot on board, and the boat can carry up to 30 or 40 people, so this is not a quiet private yacht outing unless you book the private option.

Key points to know before you book

• Delos gives the cruise real cultural weight: You have about 90 minutes for the ruins, either alone or with a paid guide.
• Rhenia is the swimming stop: Expect clear water, snorkeling gear, noodles, towels, and a barbecue served on board.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Meat, vegetables, beer, wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water are covered.
• The boat is barefoot-only: Wear easy shoes to the pier, then remove them before boarding.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: Round-trip transport from a Mykonos accommodation is €20 per person.
• The timing works well: Six hours gives you history, swimming, food, and a scenic ride without taking your entire day.

Why this six-hour Mykonos cruise works

Mykonos is famous for white lanes, late nights, and packed beaches. This cruise gives you a useful change of pace. You spend part of the day looking at the remains of one of Greece’s most important sacred islands, then trade stone ruins for open water and a long lunch.

The route begins at Agios Ioannis, a practical departure point on the southwest side of Mykonos. If you arrange hotel pickup, the extra charge is €20 per person. Otherwise, you meet the boat at Ioannis Diakoftis pier. Confirm the exact meeting details before the morning of departure because the pickup point depends on the option you select.

You sail with a professional skipper and a friendly crew. The boat may be an 89-foot gulet for up to 40 people or a 72-foot gulet for up to 30. That is a useful detail when setting expectations. You should have room to sit, stretch out, and enjoy the deck, but you are sharing the boat with other people.

The cruise earns a 4.8 rating from 1,130 bookings, with especially strong praise for the crew, meal, and swimming time. Those are the parts that make the experience more than simple transportation between islands.

The sail from Mykonos to Delos

The first leg lasts about 45 minutes. The crew gives a safety briefing, and you can settle in with coffee, tea, water, wine, beer, or a soft drink while Mykonos recedes behind you.

This is a good time to find your preferred place on deck. You will want sunscreen, a hat, and a light jacket. The sea can feel cooler once the boat is moving, even on a warm Mykonos day. Towels and sunscreen are supplied, but bringing your own favorite sun protection is still sensible.

The cruise is meant to be relaxed rather than fast. You pass neighboring islands and get changing views of the Cycladic coastline. The scenery is a major part of the value, especially if you have spent several days walking crowded streets and sitting on busy beaches.

The boat is a shoes-off environment for hygiene and safety. Wear comfortable shoes for getting to the pier, but expect to leave them aboard before settling in. This is easy enough, though people who dislike bare feet in shared spaces should know about it in advance.

Walking through ancient Delos

Delos is not just a photo stop. It was a major religious and commercial center in the ancient Aegean, and tradition connects it with the births of Apollo and Artemis. The site reaches back to about 3500 BC, and its UNESCO World Heritage status reflects its importance.

You get roughly 90 minutes at Delos. You can purchase a professional guided visit in advance for €45 per adult or €40 per child, with a separate €20 per person entrance fee. The supplied information also describes a self-guided option, so you can explore without paying for a guide.

I would choose the guide if ancient Greek sites often leave you wondering what you are looking at. Delos contains enough foundations, broken columns, streets, and partial buildings that context can make a big difference. A guide can help turn scattered stones into a readable town plan.

If you prefer independence, download your own audio guide before arriving. That approach worked well for one couple who explored without the paid guide and found a prepared tour helpful. Just do not count on a strong internet connection once you are walking among the ruins.

Bring comfortable walking shoes for the island, even though you cannot wear shoes on the boat. The site involves outdoor walking, limited shade, and uneven ground. A hat, water, and modest clothing will make the visit easier. The cruise supplies drinks, but you should keep one with you during the walk.

Some people use the free time to climb toward higher ground for wider views. The effort can be worthwhile, but do not treat the walk as a race. The stop is limited, and Delos is better enjoyed at a steady pace than hurriedly checked off.

The drawback is simple: 90 minutes is enough for an introduction, not a full archaeological study. If Delos is your main reason for coming, the time may feel short. If you want a balanced day that combines ruins and swimming, the length works well.

The quiet-water stop near Delos

After the main visit, the boat allows about an hour for free time near Delos. Depending on the day’s conditions and the captain’s decisions, you can relax on deck, swim, or use the snorkeling equipment.

This part gives you a useful reset after walking in the sun. The supplied gear includes masks and other basic snorkeling equipment, plus swimming noodles for people who would rather float than swim hard. Towels are available, and the crew keeps drinks coming.

Do not assume you will swim all the way to shore. One person found the beaches too far out for a comfortable swim, although the water was clear and enjoyable. That is worth noting if your ideal beach stop means stepping directly onto sand. Here, the boat is your base.

The sea stop also gives you freedom to do less. You can sit with a drink, chat, read, or simply watch the water. This is not an activity where you must spend every minute in the sea.

Rhenia: swimming, snorkeling, and lunch

The boat then makes the short trip toward Rhenia, where you spend about two hours. This is the most leisurely section of the day and the part most likely to please anyone who wants time in the water.

Rhenia is known here for clear swimming water and a quieter feel than Mykonos. The emphasis is not on a long island walk. You remain centered around the boat, using the swimming area, snorkeling gear, and deck.

The crew prepares a traditional Greek barbecue on board. Meat and vegetables are included, and the meal is served while you are stopped at Rhenia. The food receives unusually strong praise, with several people calling it a highlight and one saying it was better than the meal at their hotel.

That matters because a boat lunch can easily become an afterthought. Here, it is part of the main appeal. You get a proper meal without losing the sea views or needing to return to shore. Drinks include beer, wine, water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Spirits and cocktails are not included, so budget separately if those are important to you.

The crew’s attentiveness also shows most clearly here. They check that people are safe, offer drinks, and help maintain an easy rhythm between swimming and eating. You are not left to work out every practical detail alone.

Snorkeling conditions will depend on the weather and water clarity on your day. The gear is included, but this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling expedition. Think of it as a pleasant way to look below the surface during a broader island cruise.

The return to Mykonos

The final ride back takes about 90 minutes. By this point, you have had the main meal and swimming stop, so the return becomes quiet sightseeing time.

You can sit on deck with another drink, dry off, and watch the islands change shape in the afternoon light. If the boat has been full, this is also when you may appreciate the deck space. A group of 34 people still had room to stretch out on the larger gulet, though your sense of comfort will depend on how busy the departure is.

The cruise ends back in Mykonos, with drop-off arrangements depending on your booking. Hotel return is available if you have added the transfer service.

Is $147 a fair price?

At $147 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend six hours around Mykonos. It is also not simply a boat ride. The price includes the gulet cruise, skipper, crew, barbecue lunch, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling equipment, towels, sunscreen, WiFi, safety equipment, port fees, and taxes.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a substantial lunch, drinks, and access to Delos. You also avoid planning several moving parts yourself. The day combines ancient ruins, transport, a meal, and swimming in one booking.

You need to add a few possible costs. Hotel pickup and return are €20 per person. A professional Delos guide costs €45 per adult or €40 per child, plus a stated €20 per person entrance fee. Spirits and cocktails cost extra, and a tip for the crew is not included.

For a couple who wants a full day on the water with food and drinks already handled, I think the base price is reasonable. For someone focused only on Delos, buying transport and arranging the archaeological visit separately may offer more time at the site.

Weather, group size, and practical comfort

The schedule depends on sea conditions. If the weather is not suitable, you are told the evening before about a changed route or cancellation. Keep your phone number current and check messages the night before departure.

Bring your passport, ID card, or driving licence details as requested for insurance. Pack beachwear, comfortable clothes, a jacket, and a towel if you prefer your own. Comfortable shoes are useful for Delos and the pier, but shoes are not allowed on board.

This cruise suits couples, families, and small groups who want variety. It also works well for people who enjoy meeting others rather than insisting on a private boat. A private group option is available if you want a more personal setup.

It is less suitable if you need a fully structured archaeological tour, dislike shared boats, or want a long sandy-beach stop. Delos involves outdoor walking, Rhenia centers on swimming from the boat, and the group may be sizeable.

The service appears welcoming to different kinds of couples and groups. A same-sex couple celebrating a honeymoon found the atmosphere warm and inclusive, which is useful reassurance for anyone wondering about the social tone on board.

Should you book this Mykonos cruise?

I would book it if you want one day that covers the best mix of history and sea time. The Delos visit gives the cruise substance, while Rhenia provides the relaxed swimming break that makes the day feel like a holiday rather than an archaeological excursion.

Choose the paid guide if Delos is a priority and you want the ruins explained as you walk. Choose the self-guided visit if you prefer flexibility and are willing to prepare an audio tour in advance.

The strongest reasons to book are the generous food and drink package, attentive crew, and well-balanced six-hour schedule. The main cautions are the shared group setting, barefoot boat rule, extra charges for transfers and guiding, and limited time at Delos.

For many visitors, this is a better use of one Mykonos day than staying beside a crowded pool. You get ancient Greece, clear water, a Greek barbecue, and a pleasant ride home without having to organize the pieces yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos, Delos, and Rhenia cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours, including the sailing time, the Delos visit, swimming stops, lunch, and the return to Mykonos.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Round-trip pickup and drop-off from Mykonos accommodations can be added for €20 per person. You can also meet the yacht at Ioannis Diakoftis pier.

Is a guided tour of Delos included?

No. You can explore Delos independently, or reserve a professional guide for €45 per adult and €40 per child. A separate €20 per person entrance fee is also stated for the guided option.

What food and drinks are included?

The onboard meal includes meat and vegetables prepared as a Greek barbecue. Included drinks are beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water. Spirits and cocktails are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, swimming noodles, towels, sunscreen, and life vests are provided for the swimming stops.

Can I wear shoes on the boat?

No. Everyone goes barefoot on board for safety and hygiene. Wear comfortable shoes for the pier and Delos, then remove them before boarding.