All inclusive Delos & Rhenia Islands tour up to 12 pax (free transportation)

Two islands, one boat, a very good day. This Mykonos outing pairs Delos archaeological site with a swim near Rhenia, and I like the small maximum group of 12 and the included hotel transfer. I also like that Captain Bob and crew members such as Ernesto, Antonio, and Teo have earned warm praise for their cooking and friendly hosting. The main catch is simple: Delos admission costs extra, and the time among the ruins may feel short if ancient sites are your main reason for coming.

This is a six-hour trip priced at $165.75 per person, including lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and return transport. The boat ride can be windy and bumpy, and the water may feel chilly, but the combination of culture, swimming, seafood pasta, Greek salad, and open Aegean views gives you a lot for one half-day.

Key points to know before booking

• Delos comes first: You reach the sacred island after about an hour from Tourlos, often before larger boats arrive.
• Rhenia supplies the relaxed half: Swim and snorkel from the boat in a sheltered cove near the uninhabited island.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Expect a Mediterranean meal, often seafood pasta, salad, bread, and plenty of drinks.
• The group stays small: The boat takes no more than 12 people, a welcome change from large cruise excursions.
• Hotel pickup saves money: Transfers to and from your hotel, Airbnb, or cruise connection are included.
• Plan for extra Delos costs: Entrance is not included, and one account put the fee at about €20.

Why this Mykonos boat trip works so well

Mykonos is famous for whitewashed lanes, windmills, and late nights, but Delos gives you a very different side of the island group. The ancient site sits only a short sail from Mykonos, yet it feels far removed from the island’s resort energy.

I like the shape of this outing. You do not spend six hours on a boat with no purpose. You get a serious archaeological stop, then time in clear Aegean water, followed by lunch while the boat heads back toward Mykonos.

The small-group format matters. A maximum of 12 people means the crew can keep an eye on everyone, answer questions, and adjust the swimming stop when conditions or crowds change. One group found the usual cove crowded and was taken to a quieter spot instead. That sort of flexibility is hard to expect from a large excursion vessel.

The experience is also praised for its crew. Captain Bob is frequently named as a warm and informative host, while Ernesto, Antonio, Teo, and other crew members are credited with good food, useful local information, and a relaxed atmosphere. Names may vary by departure, but the consistent strength is the human touch.

From Tourlos to Delos by sailboat

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel, Airbnb, or another agreed location. A complimentary shuttle takes you to Tourlos, the port area where the sailboat Nadia K waits.

The transfer is more than a minor convenience. Mykonos taxis can be expensive, and arranging transport around a cruise ship or hotel can be awkward. You are asked to provide your full name, phone number with country code, passport details, and accommodation information. This is needed for port authorities and for arranging the pickup, so send it carefully and do not leave the hotel or ship name until the last moment.

Boarding takes about five minutes. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the boat ride from Tourlos to Delos takes about an hour. The crew provides a safety-minded welcome, then shares information about Mykonos, Delos, nearby geography, and the islands along the route.

Expect a proper open-water ride, not a quiet harbor cruise. Several accounts describe wind, waves, and an exciting sail home. Bring a light jacket even on a sunny day. Conditions can change quickly, and sitting in the wind for an hour may feel cooler than the temperature on land.

The boat has a restroom, and Wi-Fi is listed as included. One account reported that Wi-Fi was not working, so I would treat it as a bonus rather than a reason to book. Put your phone away when you can. The best part of this crossing is the view and the feeling of leaving Mykonos behind.

Exploring Delos and its sacred ruins

Delos is the cultural heart of the excursion. In Greek mythology, Apollo and Artemis were born here, making the island sacred in the ancient world. The island was so holy that, according to the traditional account, no one could be born or die on its soil.

Today, you walk among temples, streets, houses, public buildings, and the remains of a once-important Aegean center. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is easy to see why. Delos is not just a building with a few columns. It is an entire ancient settlement spread across open ground, with the sea visible around it.

The crew helps you disembark near the archaeological site, then you explore on your own. You generally get about 90 minutes, although the exact amount may depend on the day and sea conditions. That is enough to see the main ruins and museum if you keep moving, but it is not enough for a slow, detailed study of every corner.

This self-guided setup is the biggest weakness for history lovers. Information at the site is limited, and one account found the signs difficult to use without preparation. I strongly suggest reading a short guide to Delos before you arrive. Learn the basic names of the main areas, and you will get far more from the same hour and a half.

Admission is not included. One participant reported paying €20 for the ruins and museum, so budget for an additional fee. The tour price is still reasonable for the boat, food, crew, and transportation, but you should not mistake the listed price for the final cost of the full day.

The early arrival can be a real advantage. Several accounts describe reaching Delos before larger excursion groups, allowing a short period with fewer people around. That makes the site easier to photograph and more pleasant to walk through, especially before the midday heat becomes strong.

Do not expect a formal guided tour of the ruins. The crew offers background during the boat ride, but Delos itself is largely your responsibility. That suits independent sightseers. If you want a detailed archaeological explanation at each monument, arrange a guide separately or choose a dedicated guided visit.

Rhenia offers a welcome change of pace

After Delos, the boat heads toward Rhenia, an uninhabited island near Mykonos. Here the mood changes from ancient stones and exposed paths to swimming, snorkeling, music, and lunch.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the crew selects a swimming area suited to the day. Accounts describe clear water, fish, and even an octopus spotted below the surface. On cooler or rainy days, some people may prefer to remain on board. The swim is optional, and the boat still offers a pleasant setting if you decide not to enter the water.

The word sheltered matters here. The crew may choose a cove that offers calmer water, or move away from a crowded anchorage. You get a more personal experience than you would at a packed beach club, though the exact stop depends on wind, waves, and other boats.

Towels are not included, so bring your own. You should also pack a swimsuit, sun protection, a light cover-up, and dry clothes for the ride back. The boat has a restroom, but changing space may be limited, so wear practical clothing.

The water temperature is not guaranteed to feel warm. One account found the sea too chilly for snorkeling, while others happily swam and explored below the surface. In other words, bring swim gear, but do not make the whole value of the trip depend on getting in.

Lunch, drinks, and the crew onboard

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The meal is prepared on board and has included seafood pasta, shrimp tagliatelle, or spaghetti with prawns and mussels, along with Greek salad and bread. Portions have been described as generous, and the food is served hot.

This is not a simple sandwich tossed into a paper bag. The cooking gives the middle of the day a pleasant sense of occasion, especially after walking around Delos or swimming in the sea. Drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, are available throughout the trip.

The exact menu can change, so do not book expecting one specific pasta dish. The important point is that lunch is included, filling, and prepared by the crew. The friendly service also gets high marks. Captain Bob is often singled out for sharing stories and keeping the boat comfortable, while the other crew members help with drinks, food, and equipment.

Greek music may play during the ride, and the return route can include views of Mykonos windmills and Little Venice from the water. On some trips, wildlife such as dolphins has been spotted, though that is never promised.

Returning to Mykonos by way of the windmills

The return from Rhenia to Tourlos takes about an hour, with the full outing ending around 4:00 p.m. Depending on the wind, the last leg may be smooth and calm or lively enough to feel like a proper sail.

I like this part because you see Mykonos from a new angle. The windmills, shoreline, and Little Venice look different from the water than they do from the town streets. The crew may add commentary about the island as you pass.

The boat returns to Tourlos, where the shuttle takes you back to your hotel or another agreed point. Some outings have ended around 30 minutes earlier than expected. That is useful if you have evening plans, but do not count on an early return if you have a tight connection.

Is $165.75 a fair price?

At $165.75 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get to Delos. The price becomes easier to justify when you add up the included pieces: hotel transfer, boat transport, lunch, beverages, snorkeling equipment, restroom access, and a small group capped at 12 people.

A large cruise excursion may offer a lower headline price, but it can bring more people, less personal service, and less flexibility at Rhenia. You are paying for a full half-day rather than a simple ferry ride to the ruins.

The extra Delos entrance fee makes the total higher. If you are traveling on a tight budget or mainly want to swim, a less expensive boat outing may suit you better. If you want one organized day that combines ancient sites, open water, food, and transport, the price is fair.

The value is strongest for cruise passengers and visitors staying outside central Mykonos. The included transfer can save both money and hassle, particularly on an island where taxis are not always cheap or easy to arrange.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a balanced day rather than a single-purpose excursion. It works particularly well for couples, families, small friend groups, and cruise passengers who want more character than a standard shore excursion.

It also suits people who enjoy being on the water but do not want to organize a private charter. The captain and crew handle the route, food, equipment, and transportation, while you get the freedom to explore Delos independently.

Families should note that the boat ride can be windy, the water may be cool, and Delos involves walking over exposed archaeological ground. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the experience is not designed around a fully guided or highly structured family program.

History specialists may find the Delos stop too short and too lightly explained. If the ruins are your top priority, look for a longer visit or a guided archaeological tour. If you want history followed by a swim and lunch, this format is much better balanced.

The experience requires good weather. You can cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and a weather cancellation brings either another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, since the sea crossing is a central part of the day.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia sailing trip?

Book it if you want one well-balanced Mykonos day with a small group, solid food, and easy transport. The best parts are the early arrival at Delos, the personal service from the crew, the optional swim near Rhenia, and lunch served on board.

Think twice if you need a long guided visit to Delos, guaranteed Wi-Fi, or guaranteed warm water. Prepare for the extra admission fee, bring a towel and jacket, and read about the ruins before you go.

For most people, the mix of archaeology, swimming, sailing, and Greek food makes this a strong use of six hours. It gives you more than a boat ride and more than a museum visit, without asking you to spend a full day on a large excursion vessel.

FAQ

How long does the Delos and Rhenia tour last?

The experience lasts about six hours. It begins around 9:00 a.m. and is scheduled to end at Tourlos around 4:00 p.m.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Tourlos Bay. Complimentary shuttle transportation takes you from your hotel, Airbnb, cruise connection, or another agreed pickup point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transportation are included through the complimentary shuttle service. You need to provide accurate accommodation or cruise ship details.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is Delos admission included in the price?

No. Entrance to Delos is not included. One account reported an additional fee of €20, so confirm the current charge when booking or before arrival.

How much time do you get on Delos?

The stop is generally about 90 minutes according to the tour details and trip accounts. The time may vary with conditions and the day’s schedule.

Is the visit to Delos guided?

The visit is mainly self-guided. The crew provides information during the boat ride, but you explore the archaeological site on your own.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can swim from the boat near Rhenia.

Are towels included?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with beverages. Meals have included seafood pasta, salad, and bread.

Is Wi-Fi available on the boat?

Wi-Fi is listed as included. One account reported that it was not working, so do not rely on it for essential communication.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.