Mykonos: Delos and Rhenia Islands Cruise with BBQ Meal

Ancient stones, clear water, one very good lunch. This six-hour cruise from Mykonos combines Delos ruins with swimming around Rhenia, and I like the smart mix of culture and sea time. I also like that BBQ food, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and sunscreen are included. The main catch is cost: the $147 price does not include hotel transfers or the optional Delos guide.

You leave from Agios Ioannis and spend much of the day on a traditional-style gulet, with a professional skipper and attentive crew. The boat can hold up to 40 people, or 30 on the smaller vessel, so this is not a private, silent sailing trip. It is a social day on the water, with bare feet required on board and a schedule shaped by the weather.

The five details that matter most

• Delos gets about 90 minutes: You have enough time to see major ruins, but not enough for a slow, thorough archaeological visit.
• Rhenia is the swimming stop: Expect clear water, snorkeling equipment, noodles, and time to relax before lunch.
• The BBQ is a real strength: Meat and vegetables are cooked on board, with plenty of food and drinks included.
• The boat is barefoot-only: Wear comfortable shoes for shore visits, then leave them off once you board.
• Transfers cost extra: Hotel pickup and return are available for €20 per person, paid on the spot.
• A guide costs extra too: A professional Delos visit is available for €45 per adult or €40 per child, with a €20 entrance fee listed separately.

Why this Mykonos cruise is worth considering

Mykonos is easy to enjoy badly. You can spend the day moving between crowded beaches, expensive drinks, and packed lanes. This cruise gives you a change of pace. You still get the Aegean views, but the day has more shape: old temples first, swimming later, lunch in the middle, and a long ride home with a drink in hand.

I especially like the balance. Delos gives the outing a serious historical purpose, while Rhenia keeps it from becoming an all-day walk among stones. If you want only a beach day, the archaeological stop may feel like an interruption. If you want only ancient sites, the swimming and BBQ may feel like a pleasant distraction. For most people, that mixture is the point.

The price is not cheap, but it covers more than a basic boat transfer. You get a six-hour cruise, a cooked meal, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water, plus towels, snorkeling equipment, sunscreen, WiFi, and port fees. Comparable days can become costly once you add lunch, drinks, and equipment, so the package has solid value if you use what is included.

The extras can change the final bill. Add €20 per person for round-trip hotel transportation. Add the optional professional guide and the listed €20 entrance fee if you want someone to explain Delos rather than simply walk through it. I would decide about the guide based on your interest in archaeology, not just convenience.

Leaving Agios Ioannis by gulet

The meeting point depends on the option you choose. You can arrange pickup from your Mykonos accommodation for €20 per person, or make your own way to the Ioannis Diakoftis pier. Confirm the exact meeting details and provide a working phone number, since weather or transport information may be sent before departure.

The cruise begins with a safety briefing and a scenic run past Mykonos. Coffee, tea, water, beer, wine, and soft drinks are available during the ride. Spirits and cocktails are not part of the package, so do not expect a full bar.

The boats are gulets, with either an 89-foot vessel for up to 40 people or a 72-foot version for up to 30. The group size matters. This is not a tiny yacht outing where every person gets a private corner, but the available space has been described as comfortable even with 34 people aboard. You can stretch out, sit on deck, and talk with other people without feeling packed in.

One practical rule catches some people by surprise: everyone goes barefoot on the boat for safety and hygiene. Bring comfortable shoes for Delos, but expect to remove them before boarding. A jacket is also sensible, since the ride can feel cooler than the shore, especially when the boat is moving.

Delos, where the day turns ancient

Delos is the cultural heart of the trip. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a settlement dating back to about 3500 BC. In Greek mythology, it is linked with the birth of Apollo and Artemis, and the ruins give the island a very different mood from Mykonos.

The schedule allows roughly 15 minutes of cruising and viewing around Delos, followed by about 90 minutes on the island. You can choose the self-guided option or arrange a professional guide in advance. A guide costs €45 per adult or €40 per child, and a €20 entrance fee is also listed, so check the exact payment arrangement before departure.

If you explore alone, download an audio guide or bring notes before you arrive. That small bit of preparation can make the broken columns, streets, homes, and sacred areas much easier to understand. Without context, Delos can look like a broad field of old stones. With context, you begin to see a major religious and commercial center rather than a pile of ruins.

Ninety minutes is enough to walk, take photographs, and get a sense of the site. It is not enough to inspect every corner or take an unhurried archaeological tour. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, even though drinks are available on the boat. The island visit involves walking, and the sun can be strong.

The optional guide is best for you if history is a major reason for booking. It also helps if you prefer a clear route and explanations of what you are seeing. If you mainly want the sea, photographs, and a little ancient Greece, self-guiding keeps the cost down and leaves more control in your hands.

A quiet bay and time to swim

After the main Delos visit, the schedule allows about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing near the island. This is a useful pause after walking through the ruins. You can cool off in the water, stay on deck, or use the swimming noodles if you prefer floating to snorkeling.

The cruise supplies snorkeling gear, towels, sunscreen, and life vests. That makes the water stop easy to enjoy without packing a full set of equipment. Still, snorkeling conditions depend on the day and the weather. The presence of gear does not guarantee a large marine display, so think of it as a pleasant chance to look below the surface rather than a specialist snorkeling trip.

Some people may find the swim from the boat a little demanding. One direct account describes two lovely beaches but notes that they were too far away to swim ashore. The important point is that the schedule centers on swimming from the yacht, not necessarily walking onto a beach. If you are not a confident swimmer, use a life vest or noodle and stay close to the boat.

Rhenia brings the best part of the day

Rhenia is where the cruise shifts fully into holiday mode. You get about two hours around the island for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and relaxing on board. The water is the star here, with clear conditions that make getting in hard to resist.

The BBQ is prepared on the boat and includes meat and vegetables. It is served with unlimited beer, wine, water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Several highly positive accounts single out the meal as one of the strongest parts of the experience, with enough food to go around and quality that compared favorably with hotel meals.

That matters because boat lunches are often an afterthought. Here, the meal is part of the reason to book. You can eat without leaving the swimming area, then return to the water or settle on deck with a drink. The crew keeps checking that people are comfortable and have what they need, which adds to the relaxed feel.

Dietary details are not provided, so contact the operator ahead of time if you have food restrictions. The description confirms meat and vegetables, but it does not promise a particular vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-safe menu.

The ride home is part of the experience

The return to Mykonos takes about an hour and a half, with drinks and views along the way. This is not dead time. After Delos and Rhenia, the ride gives you a chance to dry off, chat, and watch the islands recede.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being attentive without making the day feel formal. You can ask for a drink, settle into a sunny spot, or simply watch the water. A gratuity is not included, so budget something for the crew if you feel they looked after you well.

The atmosphere is friendly and social. One couple on a honeymoon specifically felt welcomed and included, which is useful context for anyone wondering about the tone on board. The private-group option is available, but the standard departure is a shared outing.

What $147 really buys you

At $147 per person, this cruise sits in the upper range for a half-day boat trip, but it covers a substantial package. You are paying for a long outing rather than a short transfer to one swimming spot.

Included value comes from the combination:

• Six hours on the water
• Delos and Rhenia in one day
• BBQ lunch with meat and vegetables
• Unlimited beer, wine, water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling gear, towels, noodles, and sunscreen
• Professional skipper and crew
• Safety equipment, WiFi, taxes, and port fees

The cost makes the most sense if you plan to eat on board, use the snorkeling equipment, and enjoy the full six hours. It makes less sense if you want a quick swim, dislike group boats, or would rather spend the day on a Mykonos beach.

Transfers are convenient, particularly if you are staying away from Agios Ioannis, but the extra €20 per person is easy to overlook. The Delos guide also changes the calculation. I would compare the final total with your preferred balance of history, comfort, and independence before booking.

Who should book this day on the water

I would recommend it to you if you want one outing that covers the two main attractions: Delos for ancient Greece and Rhenia for swimming. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors who enjoy a social setting, and anyone who values an included meal rather than hunting for lunch at the next stop.

It is also a good choice if you want help from the crew. The skipper handles navigation, the staff provide safety instructions, and equipment is ready when you need it. The 4.8 rating from 1,130 ratings reflects how consistently people value the service, food, and overall day.

I would think twice if you need guaranteed calm seas, a private boat, extensive time at Delos, or easy access to a sandy beach. The itinerary can change with weather, and cancellation or alterations may be communicated the evening before. The cruise is designed around conditions at sea, not a rigid promise that every stop will look exactly the same.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Mykonos plans are still moving, though they do not remove the need to check the weather forecast and meeting point.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia cruise?

Book it if you want a well-rounded Mykonos day with history, swimming, a generous meal, and attentive service. The BBQ, included drinks, and comfortable boat make the $147 price easier to justify than a simple sightseeing cruise.

Before paying, decide three things: do you want the €20 transfer, do you need the Delos guide, and are you happy spending most of the day barefoot on a shared boat? If your answers are yes, this is a strong use of one day in Mykonos. If your priority is a quiet private yacht or a long, detailed archaeological visit, choose a more specialized trip instead.

FAQ

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

The cruise lasts about six hours, including the boat rides, time at Delos, swimming, lunch, and the return to Mykonos.

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from the Ioannis Diakoftis pier near Agios Ioannis. The exact meeting point may vary according to the option booked.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Round-trip pickup and drop-off from Mykonos accommodations are available for €20 per person. Payment is made on the spot, and you should contact the operator in advance.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch with meat and vegetables is included and prepared on board.

What drinks are included?

Beer, wine, water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included without an additional charge. Spirits and cocktails are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Can I visit Delos with a guide?

Yes. A professional Delos guide can be arranged for €45 per adult or €40 per child. A €20 entrance fee is also listed, and the guide and entrance arrangements should be confirmed before departure.

Are shoes allowed on the boat?

No. Everyone goes barefoot on board for safety and hygiene. Bring comfortable shoes for walking around Delos, but expect to remove them on the yacht.