From Mykonos: Cruise to Delos and Rhenia with Lunch

Crystal-clear water meets ancient ruins. This Mykonos cruise pairs a private beach stop on Rhenia with a walk through Delos, one of the most important sacred sites in the ancient Aegean.

I like that the day is built around two clear pleasures: an onboard BBQ lunch with skewers, salad, rice, tzatziki, and bread, and a steady flow of wine, juice, and water while you cruise. It feels like a full-value half-day at sea, not a rushed sampler.

One consideration: the sea can get choppy, and there is limited shade. Pack for sun and salt, and be ready for a bouncy ride.

Key things I’d bank on

• Rhenia private beach time: swim and relax at an uninhabited island without crowds taking over your beach moment.
• Delos, not just a photo stop: time on the ground to see major ruins, including the Houses of Dionysus and Cleopatra.
• Lunch and drinks are truly part of the plan: BBQ food on board plus wine and refreshments throughout the cruise.
• A fun onboard vibe: music and dancing often show up on the way back, especially late in the day.
• Delos admission is on you: the cruise covers the boat and tour experience, but the Delos ticket is not included.
• No snorkeling gear provided: bring your own if you want it.

Mykonos Old Port to Rhenia: the day’s simple win

This is a straightforward concept: get on a boat in Mykonos, relax in the Aegean, swim somewhere special, and end the day with ancient ruins. You start at the Old Port of Mykonos, at the kiosk next to the bus station. It is central and easy to find once you’re already in the port area.

The first big payoff is Rhenia. It is described as secluded and uninhabited, which matters because your beach time feels more like a private reset than a public beach you have to fight for. The boat anchors a few meters offshore, so you can step into the water quickly and spend time floating, swimming, and cooling off.

Rhenia’s swim stop: what it feels like and how to plan

Rhenia is where the trip stops being “tour” and starts being “vacation.” Expect clear water and an easy rhythm: anchor, swim, then walk a bit along the shore to stretch out and soak up the sun.

Here’s what you’ll want to think about:

• The boat anchors offshore, so you are relying on your comfort with getting in and out of the water.
• This is not a long hike or guided walk. The magic is the beach and the swim itself.
• Shade is limited, so you’ll feel the sun. Plan sunscreen, a hat, and water habits accordingly.

If the sea is lively, the ride to Rhenia may feel bouncy. That is normal sailing in the Cyclades, and the crew tends to keep things moving safely. Bring a calm mindset. Once you hit the water, the whole day usually clicks into place.

The BBQ lunch on board: good food, no running around

Lunch is one of the best practical perks here because it happens on the boat, which means you are not spending your best time in a line or navigating a restaurant plan. The meal is a BBQ-style spread with chicken and pork skewers, salad, rice, tzatziki, and bread.

Drinks are also part of the lunch flow. You’ll have wine, juice, and water during the cruise. That matters for two reasons. First, you do not need to budget and manage drink stops in between the swim and Delos. Second, it supports the overall onboard mood, which can shift into full-on party energy later.

One more real-world detail: if you are hungry at odd times during the day, boat logistics help. You’re already there, with food and refreshments handled, instead of needing to plan your next move.

Sailing toward Delos: what you gain by combining sea time with ruins

After Rhenia, you sail to Delos, and this is where the day earns its cultural weight. Delos is described as a sacred birthplace connected to the gods Apollo and Artemis, and it later became a major trade center with one of the earliest multicultural civilizations in the Greek world.

Why this pairing works: the cruise gives you a mental reset. By the time you reach Delos, you are not arriving tired. You’ve already enjoyed the water, eaten well, and had a relaxed pace on board. That makes the ruins feel more alive, because you are not mentally sprinting from stop to stop.

Exploring Delos: Dionysus and Cleopatra’s houses are the star attraction

Delos is an archaeological site, so you are walking among remains that look “simple” from a distance and then turn fascinating up close. You get time to explore on your own, which is important. Delos rewards the kind of wandering that lets you pick what catches your eye.

The highlights the tour specifically calls out include:

• The Houses of Dionysus and Cleopatra
• Mosaics and statues that help you picture everyday life in the ancient city

A practical way to use your time: pick one or two clusters and commit. If you try to cover everything, you’ll end up skimming. If you focus, you’ll get more out of the details, like how the site is laid out and how mosaics and figure-work connect to the stories the ruins represent.

Also, plan for admission logistics. The entrance to Delos is not included in the cruise price. A helpful tip from real-world experience is that you may be able to handle the ticket purchase on Delos with a card, including credit or debit, so you do not necessarily need to hunt down cash in advance. Still, I’d keep a backup payment method just in case, because rules can change.

The option to stay on the boat: when that makes sense

Delos is the main “work” portion of the day, so it helps that some departures include an option depending on how your group is feeling. In practice, you might have a choice between getting off to explore and staying aboard for more sea time, especially if you would rather minimize walking or keep relaxing after swimming.

Staying on the boat can be a smart move if:

• You already feel museumed out by the time you reach Delos
• The ticket cost or your pacing priorities make you hesitate
• You want extra quiet swim time instead of additional footsteps

If you do get off, bring your energy. Delos is not a guided bus ride. It is a walk among sites, and the best experience comes from slowing down and looking.

The boat vibe: from relaxed cruise to party on the top deck

A lot of what people love most is not just the stops. It is the people on board and the mood they create. The tour’s staff includes energetic hosts, and Paula is repeatedly mentioned by name as a key part of the experience. You can expect a friendly, high-energy atmosphere, with music and dancing often showing up on the return journey.

That matters because you are spending hours at sea. If the vibe is flat, you just sit. If the vibe is fun, the time passes fast, and even a choppy ride feels more like a shared adventure than an uncomfortable transfer.

One common pattern from firsthand experiences: once the day’s drinks and lunch hit, the boat gets more social. Then you get the added bonus of music and dancing during the way back. If that’s your thing, you’ll likely have a great time. If you prefer quiet, it helps to understand you’re joining a shared day out, so choose a spot that matches your mood.

Timing and movement: what 390 minutes usually means for your day

The total duration is 390 minutes, which is about 6.5 hours. In real terms, that means you can expect a compact schedule with clear segments:

• getting underway from Mykonos Old Port
• Rhenia swim and beach time
• lunch with drinks on board
• Delos exploration with time to roam
• return to Mykonos

The cruise is efficient, and that is part of the value. You’re not losing a full day to logistics. But because it’s still a multi-stop sea day, you should plan to commit mentally. This is not the kind of tour where you can wander on your own schedule every minute.

Value check: why this $103 price can make sense

At about $103 per person, the value is mainly about what’s included versus what you’d otherwise pay separately.

Included:

• the cruise itself
• captain and crew services
• lunch
• wine and refreshments

Not included:

• transportation to and from the boat
• snorkeling gear
• Delos entrance

So you’re buying a package that covers the hard parts: getting to Rhenia, getting to Delos, and feeding you while you’re at sea. If you try to recreate that on your own, you’d still need boat time, a plan for lunch, and a way to handle delays and timing.

The Delos ticket is the one extra cost you should mentally factor in. But even then, the cruise still tends to feel like good value because it gives you the timing structure and onboard comfort. If you like both swimming and ruins, this hits a sweet spot.

What to bring for comfort (and fewer headaches)

You should plan like you’re doing a long sun-and-sea day plus a walking site.

What to bring, based on what’s required and what matters in practice:

• Passport or ID card (a copy is accepted)
• sunscreen and a hat, because shade is limited
• a change of swimwear if you like feeling fresh for Delos and the ride back
• something protective for your feet if you plan to walk Delos extensively
• your own snorkeling gear if you want it, since it is not included

Also note the rule on luggage: oversize luggage is not allowed. Pack light, especially since you’ll be stepping around near the waterline and moving through the boat.

Who should book this cruise, and who might skip it

This tour is ideal if you want:

• a swim-first Mykonos day
• a major ancient site in the same outing
• a setup where lunch and drinks are already handled
• a social onboard vibe, with music and dancing on the return

It is not a great fit if:

• you need mobility assistance, since it is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments
• you prefer private, quiet experiences with minimal interaction
• you strongly dislike boat rides when the sea is choppy

Also, the tour language is listed as Greek, so if you rely on detailed explanations, you may want a translation app or a friend who can help with basics.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia cruise from Mykonos?

Yes, if your ideal Mykonos day includes crystal-clear swimming, a relaxing stop on a secluded island, and time to see Delos without turning it into a complicated logistical project. The combination of included BBQ lunch, steady refreshments, and a lively crew mood makes it feel like a complete day out rather than just transport to ruins.

If you hate sun exposure, are very sensitive to choppy water, or you are strict about keeping costs to only the posted price, then weigh it carefully because Delos admission is extra and the sea can affect comfort. But for most people, the mix of Rhenia beach time plus Delos on the ground is exactly what makes this cruise worth your attention.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point in Mykonos?

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

How long is the cruise?

The duration is 390 minutes (about 6.5 hours).

What lunch and drinks are included?

Lunch is a BBQ on board with chicken and pork skewers, salad, rice, tzatziki, and bread. Drinks include wine, juice, and water throughout the cruise.

Is the Delos entrance ticket included?

No. Entrance to the site of Delos is not included.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring your own if you want it.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.