From Mykonos: Delos & Rhenia Islands Half-Day Trip by Boat

Ancient Delos and clear-water Rhenia make a fine one-day pairing: one island speaks through broken marble and temples, the other through quiet coves and a swim from the boat. I like the freedom to choose two hours among Delos ruins or another swim, and I like the warm family crew, with Mola, Mohamed, Michael, and Paola among the names praised for keeping the mood lively.

The main catch is that this is not a quiet little sailboat outing. The boat can feel rocky in wind, Delos has little shade, and the archaeological entrance fee and snorkeling gear cost extra. Still, the included BBQ, fruit, fuel, crew service, and drinks make the $101 price reasonable for a full 6.5-hour outing.

Key points to know before you go

• Rhenia comes first: You get swimming time in clear water before lunch, with the option to reach the beach from the boat.
• Delos is optional: Walk the UNESCO-listed ruins for about two hours, or remain aboard for more time in the sea.
• The crew makes the day: Expect attentive service, music, and a lively dance party on the way back.
• Lunch is included: The BBQ is served with fruit, and wine, water, and soft drinks are available during the trip.
• Bring practical gear: Pack an ID card or passport, swimsuit, sunscreen, water, and water shoes.
• The boat ride can be bumpy: If you are prone to seasickness, bring your usual medicine.

Why this Mykonos boat trip works so well

Mykonos is famous for white lanes, beach clubs, and evening crowds. This trip gives you a different view of the Cyclades. You spend much of the day looking back at Mykonos from the water, then reach two islands with very different personalities.

Delos is one of the Aegean’s great archaeological sites. Rhenia is uninhabited and quiet, with sandy coves and water clear enough to make the swim the day’s easiest pleasure. The contrast gives the trip purpose. You are not simply moving from one beach to another.

I especially like the choice built into the Delos stop. History-minded visitors can walk through the ruins. If the sun is fierce or ancient stones are not your thing, you can stay on the boat and swim again. That flexibility matters for families and mixed groups.

The atmosphere is social rather than formal. Music plays, the crew chats with passengers, and the return sailing can turn into a full dance party. You can join in or sit back with a drink. This is not the right outing if you want silence, but it is a good fit if you like meeting people and want more than a plain ferry ride.

Meeting at the Old Port

You meet at the bus station at the Old Port of Mykonos. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your route to the port and allow time to find the correct boat.

One practical warning: the meeting point can be less obvious than expected. The boat may operate under a company name that differs from the name shown on your booking material, and clear signage may not be easy to spot. Arriving early gives you time to exchange your voucher and ask around without starting the day in a panic.

Bring your passport or ID card. It is listed as required, and you do not want to begin an island excursion by discovering that an identification document is missing.

The trip lasts about 6.5 hours. Exact departure times vary, so check the available start time when booking. The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, useful if your Mykonos plans are still shifting.

The first sail toward Rhenia

The outward sailing to Rhenia takes about 45 minutes. Use this time to settle in, choose a place to sit, and pay attention to the sea conditions.

The boat is described as large, clean, and steady enough for a full group, but several people found the water choppy. Wind can make the crossing rough, especially on the return. If you get seasick, take precautions before departure rather than waiting until the boat is moving.

You will find open areas for sun and places to get out of it. The exact seating arrangement is not specified, so arrive early if you care about a particular spot. A light cover-up, hat, and sunscreen are useful because both the boat and Delos can expose you to strong midday sun.

Rhenia: swim first, lunch second

Rhenia is the trip’s easiest crowd-pleaser. The boat stops near one of the uninhabited island’s beaches, where you can jump from the side into clear blue and green water. From there, you may swim toward the beach, often with a pool noodle available to help less confident swimmers.

The water can be cool, especially in spring, but several people found it manageable after the first minute. Salt water makes floating easier, though you still need to be comfortable entering from the boat. This is not a supervised beginner swimming lesson, so be honest about your ability and use the flotation aid if you need it.

The shore can be rocky. Water shoes are a smart addition, especially if you plan to walk onto the beach or sit near the water. The beach is quiet and attractive, but it is not a polished resort with loungers, changing rooms, or shops. Bring what you need with you.

Snorkeling is possible, and some passengers saw fish and sea life. Do not book this as a dedicated snorkeling expedition, though. The main pleasure is swimming in clear water, floating beside the boat, and enjoying the open setting. Snorkeling equipment is not included, but it can be purchased aboard.

Rhenia is scheduled for about three hours, including swimming and lunch. That gives you enough time to enter the water more than once, dry off, eat, and relax. If you prefer to stay dry, the boat itself provides space to sunbathe and watch the coves from offshore.

The BBQ lunch and drinks

Lunch is served around the Rhenia stop. The meal described in the activity details includes a BBQ and fruit. Specific plates have included chicken and pork skewers, salad, dip, bread, rice, and watermelon.

The food is practical boat fare, not a restaurant meal. Most people find the portions satisfying, though one person wanted more and another found the rice under-seasoned. Salt and pepper are available, and the meal arrives at exactly the right moment after a swim.

Wine, water, and soft drinks are available without an extra charge during the outing. You can buy additional drinks if you want something else. The complimentary wine is serviceable rather than special, so keep expectations sensible. The value comes from having food and drinks handled while you enjoy the sea, not from a gourmet menu.

I like that the crew continues checking on passengers instead of simply putting food out and disappearing. That personal service is a recurring strength of this outing. It also helps solo passengers and families feel looked after without making the day feel stiff.

Choosing your Delos experience

After Rhenia, the boat heads to Delos. The sailing time is listed at about 30 minutes, followed by roughly two hours on the island.

You have two choices. You can pay the separate entrance fee, listed at approximately €20, and walk through the archaeological site. Or you can stay aboard and take another swim or enjoy the boat. The entrance fee is not part of the $101 price, and there is no guide for Delos included.

For me, Delos is worth choosing if you have any interest in ancient Greece. The site is much larger than you might first expect, and two hours gives you time to see a meaningful portion without turning the whole day into a museum visit. You can follow the map and read the information plaques at your own pace.

The ruins include temples, streets, columns, and scattered remains that make the island feel like a real town rather than a single photo stop. You may also find a museum on the island, though the exact time available for every section can depend on the day’s schedule.

Go directly toward the higher ground if you want a broad view, then work back through the lower ruins. This is useful advice because the sun can be punishing, and wandering without a plan may leave you hot before you have seen the best parts.

Delos has very little shade. Wear a hat, use sunscreen, and carry water. There are no shops on the archaeological site, so do not count on buying a cold drink after leaving the boat. Good walking shoes matter more here than flip-flops.

The lack of a guide cuts both ways. You are free to move at your own pace and avoid a long lecture, but you will need to make sense of the site from plaques and a map. If you want detailed archaeological explanation, bring your own guidebook or audio material. The tour does not supply a guided Delos visit.

The return trip becomes the party

After Delos, the boat returns to Mykonos. This is when the tone often shifts from sightseeing to celebration.

Music comes on, the crew encourages dancing, and the open deck becomes a casual party. Mola and Mohamed are singled out in the supplied material for their energy, while Michael and Paola are also named for making the day enjoyable. Crew members can change, but the style is clear: expect interaction, singing, and a good deal of fun.

You do not have to dance. You can watch from the side, enjoy another drink, or take photos of the islands and sea. The return party is often a highlight for people who want a friendly, social day, but it may feel noisy if you hoped to nap after Delos.

The length of the party depends on the remaining sailing time. Some people wished it lasted longer, which tells you what kind of mood the crew creates. This is not a short transfer back to port. It is part of the entertainment.

What the $101 price really covers

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the sea around Mykonos. You are paying for a long boat outing, crew service, fuel, a BBQ lunch, fruit, and included drinks, along with access to two very different islands.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim, eat aboard, and visit Delos. Booking separate transport to Delos, finding a beach boat to Rhenia, buying lunch, and arranging drinks could quickly add up. The tour also removes much of the planning work.

The extra costs are clear:

• Delos entrance is approximately €20.
• A guide for Delos is not included.
• Snorkeling equipment is not included, though it may be purchased aboard.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

If you only want a quiet swim, a shorter beach boat may suit you better. If you want a private yacht feel, the shared boat will not deliver that. But for a full day combining swimming, archaeology, lunch, and music, the price is fair.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this trip for couples, families with older children, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and friends who want an active day away from Mykonos town. It also works well for cruise passengers with a Mykonos port stop, provided the schedule matches your ship’s arrival and departure.

It is particularly good for a mixed group. One person can explore Delos while another stays aboard for more swimming. That is a better arrangement than forcing everyone into the same activity.

You should think twice if you dislike boats that rock, have difficulty swimming from a boat, or want shade and quiet throughout the day. Delos also requires walking in heat, and Rhenia’s shore can be rocky. Anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator specific questions before booking, since the supplied details do not explain accessibility.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, water shoes, an ID card or passport, and any seasickness medicine you normally use. Add a dry bag or waterproof pouch if you want to protect your phone near the water. Snorkeling gear is optional, but bringing your own may be more convenient than buying it aboard.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia cruise?

Book it if you want one well-filled day that joins ancient ruins with a real swim, and you enjoy a friendly boat atmosphere. Rhenia gives you clear water and quiet coves. Delos supplies the history. The BBQ and return dance party keep the day from feeling like a basic sightseeing transfer.

Skip it if you want a small, silent sailing or a fully guided archaeological tour. The group setting, possible choppy water, extra Delos fee, and hot walk across the ruins are real trade-offs.

For most people staying in Mykonos for several days, this is a strong use of one day. Arrive early at the Old Port, carry water and sun protection, and choose Delos unless you have already seen it or simply want more time in the sea.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos to Delos and Rhenia trip last?

The excursion lasts about 6.5 hours. The schedule includes roughly 45 minutes sailing to Rhenia, about three hours there for swimming and lunch, around two hours at Delos, and about 30 minutes sailing from Delos toward Mykonos.

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at the bus station at the Old Port of Mykonos. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. The Delos entrance fee is approximately €20 per person. A guide for the archaeological site is also not included.

Can I skip visiting the Delos ruins?

Yes. You can stay on the boat and use the time for another swim or relaxation instead of entering the archaeological site.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ and fruit are included. Wine, water, and soft drinks are available during the trip, while additional drinks can be purchased.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, swimsuit, sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes. Water shoes are useful because the beach area at Rhenia can be rocky. If you get seasick, bring your usual medication.