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

Delos is the star of this outing, but the best part may be the contrast: one stop puts you among ancient temples and marble streets, while the other lets you jump from the boat into clear water beside an uninhabited island. It is a fine way to see more of the Cyclades without arranging separate ferries.

I like the choice built into the day. You can spend about two hours walking around Delos, or stay aboard for another swim. I also like the warm family crew, the included BBQ, and the lively music on the ride home. The main drawback is that the boat can roll in windy weather, and Delos has very little shade.

Key points to know before you go

• Two very different islands: See the ancient UNESCO site of Delos, then swim near the quiet beaches of Rhenia.
• A real swim stop: You jump from the boat into clear water, with the chance to swim toward Rhenia’s shore.
• Lunch is included: Expect a BBQ-style meal, fruit, water, soft drinks, and complimentary wine.
• Delos is self-guided: The entrance fee and a guide are not included, so bring water and use the site map and information plaques.
• The return becomes a party: Music, singing, and dancing are a regular part of the final cruise.
• Allow extra time at the port: The meeting point is the bus station at Mykonos Old Port, and signage can be easy to miss.

The day in one boat ride

This 6.5-hour trip combines three things that are often hard to fit together in Mykonos: open-sea scenery, a good swim, and a serious ancient site. You meet at the bus station by the Old Port, board the boat, and spend much of the day moving between Mykonos, Rhenia, and Delos.

The boat is described as large and clean, with room to sit in the sun or find a place out of the wind. It is not a quiet luxury cruise. Expect a social outing, shared tables, music, crew interaction, and plenty of people enjoying the same swim stop.

The value is strong at $101 per person. The price covers the boat, fuel, crew, BBQ, fruit, water, soft drinks, and complimentary wine. You still pay the Delos entrance fee, around €20 according to the supplied details, and snorkeling equipment is extra if you need it. Hotel transport is not included.

For a Mykonos outing that combines a boat day, a meal, swimming, and an archaeological site, the price makes sense. It is less attractive if you mainly want a small, quiet sailing trip or a formal guided visit to Delos.

Finding the boat at Mykonos Old Port

The meeting point is the bus station at the Old Port of Mykonos. This is convenient if you are staying near town or arriving at the port, but do not leave the search until the last minute.

The boat or operating company may not be obvious at first, and one departure had passengers looking around for the correct agent because the voucher name did not match the boat operator. I would arrive early, keep your booking confirmation open on your phone, and ask staff at the bus station if needed.

Bring your passport or ID card. The trip crosses between islands, and identification is specifically required.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the package. You need to make your own way to the Old Port and back to your accommodation.

Rhenia: the best place to get in the water

The boat reaches Rhenia after roughly 45 minutes of sailing. This first stretch gives you a look at the open sea around the Cycladic islands, but it can be choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, bring the medication you normally use before departure.

Rhenia is uninhabited, and that is the point. There are no town streets, shops, or developed beach facilities to interrupt the feeling of being out at sea. The boat anchors near a sandy cove, and you can swim from the side of the boat toward the island.

The water is the visual highlight of the day: clear, blue, and often calm enough for a long swim. You can also snorkel, though conditions and visibility vary. One stop was described as better for swimming than for seeing marine life, so do not book this as a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

The boat may stop some distance from shore, around 50 yards in one account. You need to swim between the boat and the beach if you want to sit on land. A pool noodle may be available to help you float, but you should not assume the beach is easy to reach if you are not a confident swimmer.

Rhenia’s shore can be rocky. Water shoes are a smart addition, especially if you plan to walk out of the water or sit along the beach. Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dry layer for the ride afterward.

The schedule allows about three hours around Rhenia for swimming and the BBQ. That is generous by excursion standards. You do not need to rush through one quick photo stop. You can swim, sit on deck, eat, and talk with people on board.

BBQ lunch, wine, and the social side

Lunch is served on the boat after the swim. The food described across the departures includes chicken and pork skewers, salad, rice, bread, dip, and watermelon. Portions satisfied most people, though one person wanted a little more food and another found the rice lightly seasoned.

That is useful context. This is a pleasant included BBQ, not a restaurant meal prepared to order. If you have a large appetite or strict dietary needs, bring a small backup snack and check what can be accommodated before boarding.

Water, soft drinks, and wine are included. The wine is simple rather than special, but it is available in generous amounts. Additional drinks can be bought on board, and some people found mixing the wine with juice more enjoyable.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the outing. They check on people, explain the plan, help create a relaxed mood, and keep the day moving. Names associated with different departures include Mola, Mohamed, Michael, and Paola. The exact crew may vary, but the family-run feel is a consistent part of the experience.

If you are traveling alone, this is an easy place to meet people. If you are on a honeymoon or family holiday, the boat still gives you plenty of shared entertainment without requiring you to be constantly social.

Delos: choose ancient stones over another swim

After Rhenia, the boat sails to Delos in about 30 minutes. Here you face the day’s main choice. You can leave the boat and spend about two hours exploring the archaeological site, or remain aboard and take another swim at a different location.

I recommend choosing Delos unless you have already visited it or the heat is unusually severe. The site is much larger than many first-time visitors expect. You can walk among marble ruins, ancient streets, temples, and remains that give a real sense of the scale of the old island settlement.

Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades. Its importance comes from more than the surviving columns. This was a major religious and commercial center in the ancient Aegean, and the ruins spread across a broad, open area rather than sitting in one compact monument.

The visit is self-guided. There is no guide or audio tour included, but information plaques and a site map help explain what you are seeing. If you want the full historical background, read a little about Delos before the trip or arrange a separate guided visit.

The heat is the practical problem. Delos has little shade, and you are walking over exposed ground during the hottest part of the day. Bring more water than you think you need, wear a hat, and use sunscreen. There are no shops on the island, so do not count on buying refreshments once you get off the boat.

A useful approach is to walk first toward the higher ground and then work back through the main remains. One person specifically suggested going straight to the hill and temple view before exploring the lower areas. That can help you avoid spending the entire visit in the heat and missing the wider view.

Two hours is enough for a meaningful first look, though not enough for every corner. Some people wish they had longer. The time is also short enough that you will not lose the whole day to ruins if your main goal is swimming.

The entrance fee is not included. The supplied price is approximately €20, but rates can change, and age-based rules may apply. One departure noted free entry for people under 25. Check the current fee before you go, especially if you are building a tight budget.

The ride back to Mykonos

Once everyone is back on board, the mood shifts. The return trip often includes music, singing, and dancing, with the crew helping turn the boat into a casual party.

This part is not compulsory in any meaningful social sense. You can sit back and enjoy the views, but you should expect a livelier boat than you had on the way out. Several departures were especially praised for the crew’s energy and the dance session near the end.

The entertainment can be a welcome finish after the heat of Delos. It also means the trip suits people who want more than a silent sightseeing cruise. If you want a peaceful return in a quiet cabin, this probably is not the right boat.

Wind can make the trip home rough. The sturdy boat helps, but it does not cancel out the movement of the sea. Sit where you feel most comfortable, keep your belongings secure, and take seasickness precautions if needed.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This is a strong choice for first-time visitors to Mykonos who want to see beyond the main island. You get ancient ruins, an uninhabited island, a swim, lunch, and a social boat ride in one day.

It works especially well for:

• Couples looking for a full-day outing beyond Mykonos Town
• Families with older children who can handle a long boat day and hot walking
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting people
• History fans who want a first look at Delos without arranging transport alone
• Swimmers who want easy access to clear water from a boat

You should think twice if you dislike open-sea movement, hot exposed archaeological sites, or group activities. The boat is shared, the Delos visit is not guided, and the swimming stop requires comfort in the water.

It is also not the best pick if you want a small private yacht, a serious snorkeling program, or a relaxed luxury meal. The appeal here is variety and atmosphere rather than polished exclusivity.

What to pack for the 6.5-hour outing

Keep your day bag simple but useful:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Plenty of drinking water for Delos
• Water shoes for the rocky shore
• Motion-sickness medicine if you need it
• Cash or a card for the Delos entrance fee and extra drinks
• A light layer for the ride back

Snorkeling equipment is not included, though it can be purchased on board. You may prefer to bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have them.

Do not forget that your phone will see sun, salt water, and wet hands all day. A waterproof pouch is useful, though not specifically supplied.

Is the $101 price good value?

For $101, the trip delivers more than a simple boat transfer. You receive a 6.5-hour island outing, fuel, crew service, a BBQ meal, fruit, water, soft drinks, wine, a Rhenia swim stop, and transport to Delos.

The extra cost at Delos is reasonable to plan for, but it does change the final total. You may also pay for snorkeling gear or additional drinks. Even with those additions, the package compares well with paying separately for a boat trip, a meal, and transport to Delos.

The strongest value comes if you use both halves of the day. Get in the water at Rhenia, eat on board, and walk around Delos. If you remain on the boat for both island stops, you are paying partly for a major archaeological site you chose not to see.

The free cancellation until 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option add flexibility, but the key thing is still choosing the right kind of day. This is a busy, cheerful group excursion, not a private charter.

Should you book this Delos and Rhenia cruise?

I would book it if you want one efficient day that mixes swimming, ancient sites, food, and a bit of dancing. The Rhenia stop is long enough to feel worthwhile, while Delos gives the outing substance beyond sunbathing.

Choose the archaeological visit at Delos, bring water and sun protection, and arrive early at the Old Port so you can find the correct boat without stress. If the sea forecast looks rough or you are sensitive to heat, prepare accordingly.

Skip it if your priority is quiet sailing, expert archaeological guiding, or a guaranteed snorkeling site. For most people who want a lively and good-value day outside Mykonos, though, this outing covers a lot of ground.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip leave from?

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

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about 6.5 hours. The boat sails to Rhenia, spends about three hours around the island for swimming and lunch, then continues to Delos for about two hours before returning to Mykonos.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ and fruit are included. Food described for the meal includes meat skewers, salad, rice, bread, dip, and watermelon. Water, soft drinks, and wine are also included.

Can I swim at Rhenia?

Yes. You can swim from the boat in the clear water near Rhenia and may swim toward the beach. The shore can be rocky, and the boat may anchor some distance from land.

Is a guide included at Delos?

No. The Delos visit is self-guided. A guide is not included, and snorkeling equipment is also not included. Information plaques and a map help you understand the site.

Do I have to visit the Delos ruins?

No. You can leave the boat for about two hours to explore Delos, or stay on board for another swim stop. The Delos entrance fee is not included and is listed at approximately €20.