Mykonos: Delos and Rhenia Islands Cruise with BBQ Meal

The best part of this six-hour cruise is the sharp change of pace: one moment you are walking among the ancient remains of Delos, and soon after you are stretched out on a gulet near Rhenia with lunch cooking on board. Delos gives the day real purpose, while the swimming stop keeps it from feeling like a history lesson at sea.

I like the combination of ruins and open water, and I like that the crew serves a proper Greek BBQ rather than a quick snack. Unlimited water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, and wine also make the $147 price easier to justify. The main consideration is time: Delos gets about 90 minutes on shore, so you will need to keep moving if you want more than a quick look.

This is a shared cruise, not a quiet private sailing day. Boats carry up to 30 or 40 people, depending on the vessel and weather, and everyone goes barefoot on board. Bring beachwear and a jacket, plus comfortable shoes for Delos, but expect to remove those shoes once you step onto the boat.

Key points to know before you book

• Ancient Delos comes first: Walk through one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites, with an optional paid guide or your own self-guided plan.
• Rhenia is the swim stop: Spend about two hours near the island with clear water, snorkeling gear, noodles, towels, and lunch served aboard.
• The BBQ earns its place: The meal includes grilled meat and vegetables, with drinks available throughout the cruise.
• The boat is a barefoot zone: Shoes are not allowed on board, so wear something easy to remove and pack footwear for the ruins.
• Hotel transfers cost extra: Pickup and return from Mykonos accommodation can be arranged for €20 per person.
• Weather can change the plan: The operator may alter the route or cancel if conditions are unsuitable, with notice given the evening before.

From Agios Ioannis into the Mykonos sea

The cruise begins at the Ioannis Diakoftis pier near Agios Ioannis, unless you add hotel transportation. Meeting the boat yourself is the cheaper option, but pickup can make sense if you are staying elsewhere on Mykonos and do not want to arrange your own ride.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing and shows a safety video. The first stretch lasts roughly 45 minutes, with Mykonos and nearby islands passing by as you settle in. Coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available, so you can start the day without paying for each drink separately.

The boats are gulets, traditional-style sailing vessels, and the exact size depends on the group and weather. One boat holds up to 40 people and another up to 30. That is enough room for a social outing, but this is not the right choice if you want a completely private deck or silence all day.

You will go barefoot on board for safety and cleanliness. That rule is easy to manage, but it matters when packing. Wear sturdy or comfortable shoes for the archaeological site, then leave them where the crew indicates before returning to the boat.

Delos, where myth and stone meet

Delos is the serious cultural stop. The island is linked with the birth of Apollo and Artemis and has been important for thousands of years, with settlement dating back to about 3500 BC. Today, the remains include temples, streets, houses, and other traces of the ancient Greek world.

The boat first passes by for views and photographs, then you get around 90 minutes to visit the site. That sounds generous until you account for walking, orientation, and the size of the ruins. You can see a worthwhile section in that time, but you will not study every corner.

You have two ways to handle Delos. Add the professional guided visit in advance for €45 per adult or €40 per child, plus a €20 entrance fee per person. Or explore independently, which costs less and lets you set your own pace.

A self-guided visit can work well if you prepare before sailing. One person on the cruise used a downloaded audio guide and found it useful, a sensible approach when the paid guide does not fit your budget. Bring your phone fully charged and keep your plan simple. Choose the main sights rather than trying to cover the entire island.

The site is exposed, so sun protection matters even though sunscreen is supplied on the boat. Comfortable clothing, water, and a hat are sensible choices. The supplied information specifically asks you to bring a passport or ID card, and identification details are required for booking because of passenger insurance.

One practical point: the day includes a separate period after Delos for free time, swimming, and snorkeling. The exact order and location can shift with conditions, so do not assume every minute will follow a fixed script. The crew may adjust the route if wind or sea conditions make the original plan unsuitable.

Rhenia brings the holiday feeling

After Delos, the mood changes. Rhenia is the relaxed half of the day, with about two hours set aside for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and time on deck. Here you can use the provided masks and snorkeling equipment, or simply float with a noodle and watch the water from the boat.

The supplied towels and sunscreen are useful touches. You do not need to fill your day with activities. If you prefer to sit in the sun, talk with fellow passengers, or enjoy a drink while looking across the sea, there is room for that as well.

The water is the main draw, but access may not suit everyone. One person found the nearby beaches too far away to swim to, even though the water was clear and pleasant. That is a useful warning: this is a boat-based swim stop, not a promise of an easy stroll onto a broad beach.

If you are not a confident swimmer, stay close to the boat and use the noodles or other flotation support. Life vests are available, and the crew’s safety instructions are given at the start. Parents should still keep a close eye on children around the water, since the experience includes open-sea swimming rather than a shallow hotel pool.

A Greek BBQ served on board

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The crew prepares a traditional-style BBQ with meat and vegetables on board, then serves it during the Rhenia stop. Drinks include water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, and wine, while spirits and cocktails cost extra or are not included.

The meal is more than a small plate between swims. People have found it plentiful, and the food has been singled out as one of the day’s highlights. That matters when comparing this cruise with cheaper boat trips that include only a sandwich or basic snack.

The exact menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or a specialist dietary plan. The advertised meal includes meat and vegetables. If you have dietary restrictions, contact the operator before booking and confirm what can be prepared.

Lunch also gives the day a natural pause. You have already walked through Delos, and you can eat without leaving the boat, changing restaurants, or losing more time to transport. I like that rhythm: culture first, water and food afterward.

The crew and atmosphere on a shared boat

The crew includes a professional skipper and support staff who handle navigation, safety, food, and drinks. The strongest praise focuses on attentive service, with staff checking that people were comfortable, safe, and supplied with drinks.

That kind of care makes a difference on a six-hour outing. You are not simply dropped at a beach and left to manage yourself. The crew is present throughout, and the boat includes WiFi, towels, sunscreen, snorkeling gear, noodles, and life vests.

The atmosphere appears friendly and social rather than formal. One group of 34 people still found the boat comfortable and not overcrowded, with enough room to stretch out and enjoy the sun. That is encouraging, though your sense of space will depend on the boat used and the final group size.

The cruise is also welcoming to different kinds of couples and groups. A same-sex couple on honeymoon felt included and comfortable, which is worth noting for anyone who wants a relaxed, open setting rather than a narrowly traditional tour atmosphere.

Do not expect a private yacht experience unless you select the private-group option. On a shared boat, you will hear other people, share the swimming area, and follow a common schedule. For many people, that is part of the fun. For others, it may be the main reason to choose a private arrangement instead.

Does the $147 cost make sense?

At $147 per person, the value depends on how you would otherwise spend your day. The price covers the six-hour cruise, the skipper and crew, BBQ lunch, a broad range of drinks, snorkeling gear, towels, sunscreen, WiFi, safety equipment, taxes, and port fees.

You still pay extra for hotel pickup, at €20 per person. The professional Delos guide adds €45 per adult or €40 per child, and the entrance fee is listed separately at €20 per person. Spirits and cocktails are not part of the included drinks.

For someone who wants only a short boat ride and a swim, the price may feel high. But if you want Delos, a meal, two water-based stops, and drinks without arranging each piece yourself, the package is stronger. You are paying for both a sightseeing visit and a full day on the water.

The free cancellation window is 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Weather remains the big practical variable. If conditions are poor, the itinerary may change or the cruise may be canceled, with information sent the evening before.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for someone staying several days on Mykonos who wants one outing away from the island’s faster pace. It works especially well for couples, small groups, and solo visitors who like a social boat setting and want both archaeology and swimming in one day.

It is also a good fit if you value food and service as much as sightseeing. The BBQ, unlimited non-spirit drinks, and attentive crew give the cruise a comfortable feel rather than making it only a transport trip to Delos.

You should think twice if you dislike group outings, cannot manage a barefoot boat, or want long, detailed archaeological study. The Delos visit is brief, and the gulet may carry up to 40 people. Strong wind or rough conditions can also affect the plan.

Families can consider it, but the day has several transitions, boat access, exposed sun, and open-water swimming. Comfortable clothes and beachwear are essential. Bring a jacket for the ride back, even in warm weather.

Practical packing advice for six hours

Pack light, but bring the things that make the day easier:

• Passport, ID card, or driving licence details as requested for the booking
• Comfortable shoes for Delos
• Beachwear and a change of clothes if you prefer to stay dry after swimming
• A light jacket for the return sailing
• Comfortable clothes and sun protection
• A phone with useful information about Delos if you plan to tour independently

The boat supplies towels, sunscreen, snorkeling equipment, noodles, drinks, and life vests. Still, I would bring a hat and any personal sun protection you rely on, since Delos and the deck are exposed.

Contact the operator with a valid phone number before the cruise. That gives the crew a way to share meeting instructions or weather changes. If you need pickup, arrange it in advance rather than assuming it is automatic.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia cruise?

Book it if you want one well-filled day that combines ancient ruins, swimming, lunch, and easygoing boat time. The high rating of 4.8 from 1,130 bookings matches the strongest features here: excellent food, kind service, clear water, and a useful mix of culture and relaxation.

The best value comes when you use the included drinks, eat lunch on board, and make time for both Delos and Rhenia. I would add the guide if Delos is a major reason for your visit and you want context without preparing your own audio tour. I would skip the guide if you are happy with a self-guided visit and want to keep the extra cost down.

This is not a private, quiet sailing charter, and the archaeological stop is not long. But for a first Mykonos visit, it gives you a memorable look beyond the main island without forcing you to organize ferries, food, swimming equipment, and return transport separately.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat meets you at the Ioannis Diakoftis pier near Agios Ioannis, unless you select the hotel pickup option.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Round-trip pickup and drop-off from Mykonos accommodation can be arranged for €20 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about six hours. Check the available start times when booking.

Is a guide included at Delos?

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

What food is included?

The cruise includes a BBQ lunch with meat and vegetables served on board at Rhenia.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited water, refreshments, coffee, tea, beer, and wine are included. Spirits and cocktails are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, swimming noodles, sunscreen, and life vests are supplied.

Are shoes allowed on the boat?

No. Everyone goes barefoot on board for safety and hygiene. Wear comfortable shoes for visiting Delos, then remove them before boarding or returning to the boat.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The route may change, or the cruise may be canceled if conditions are unsuitable. The operator says you will be informed the evening before.