Mykonos: Rhenia Island Catamaran Cruise with Meal and Drinks

The best part of this Mykonos outing is the change of pace: after the island’s busy streets and expensive beach clubs, you spend five hours on open water with a Greek meal, music, and a quiet cove at Rhenia. I like the spacious catamaran decks and the chance to choose your own rhythm, from swimming and snorkeling to simply stretching out with a glass of wine. The crew also serves lunch onboard, so you do not lose half the day searching for a seaside restaurant.

I especially like the combination of Delos views and Rhenia beach time. You pass Delos rather than visit it, then get about two hours at Rhenia for swimming and free time. The main drawback is clear: Rhenia is the only swimming stop, so anyone hoping to visit several beaches or explore Delos on foot may find the plan limited.

Key points at a glance

• Rhenia is the main stop: You get roughly two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and time on the beach.
• Delos is a photo stop only: The catamaran passes the island, but a shore visit and guided tour are not included.
• Lunch is served at sea: Expect fresh seasonal fruit, seafood pasta, a meat option, water, wine, and soft drinks.
• The crew sets a relaxed tone: Music from the onboard Bluetooth speaker, friendly guides, and Greek hospitality are central to the experience.
• A sunset option changes the mood: The return journey can include sunset colors over the Aegean, followed by views of Mykonos town and its windmills.
• Tourlos is the meeting point: You meet outside Mathios Tavern at the new port, and hotel pickup is not included.

Setting out from Tourlos on a modern catamaran

Your meeting point is outside Mathios Tavern at the new port of Mykonos in Tourlos. This matters because Tourlos is separate from Mykonos town, and you need to plan your own way there. Hotel transfer is not included.

After meeting the crew, you receive a safety briefing and welcome refreshments. The listed plan includes a 20-minute van segment, followed by time for introductions and preparation before the boat gets underway. Since the exact transport arrangement can depend on the selected departure, check the booking details carefully and arrive with enough time to find the meeting point.

Once the catamaran leaves, the experience becomes pleasantly simple. Find a place on the deck, listen to music through the Bluetooth speaker, and watch Mykonos recede. The white houses, dry hills, and bright sea make an appealing first view, but the real pleasure is the breeze and the extra space compared with a standard sightseeing boat.

The catamaran has room for sunbathing and moving around, although available seating can vary with the number of people onboard. Bring swimwear and a towel, and use the supplied beach towels if needed. Sunscreen, a hat, and a cover-up are sensible additions for a long stretch in the open sun.

Passing Delos without going ashore

The route takes you toward Delos, one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades. On this cruise, you do not land on the island or join a guided archaeological visit. Instead, the boat passes by for about an hour of sailing, sightseeing, refreshments, and photographs.

That distinction is important when you decide what kind of day you want. Delos is best known for its ancient ruins and formal site visit, but reaching those ruins requires a different excursion. Here, you see the island from the water and keep the day focused on sailing and swimming.

I like this part as a scenic introduction rather than a full cultural stop. You can take photographs from the deck without giving up your beach time. The crew also serves welcome refreshments, and the boat provides a comfortable place to watch the Aegean around you.

If ancient sites are your main reason for visiting the area, this cruise will not replace a Delos tour. If you mainly want a sea day with a view of Delos along the way, the passing stop fits well.

Two hours in a Rhenia cove

Rhenia is the heart of the cruise. The catamaran anchors in a secluded cove with clear turquoise water, and you have about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, photography, and free time.

The supplied snorkeling equipment and SUP make it easier to use the stop actively without arranging extra rentals. You can also stay onboard, sit on the deck, or spend time at the beach. The strength of this stop is choice: you are not pushed into one group activity.

The water is the main attraction. It is described as clear and suitable for swimming and snorkeling, with the kind of calm setting that makes it easy to spend a long time in the sea. If you prefer dry land, the beach gives you another way to enjoy the pause.

There is also a practical limitation. The program lists one main swimming stop, not a series of coves. One of the strongest criticisms of the plan is that the boat remains in a single area for this part of the day. I would see that as a benefit if you prefer a slower afternoon, but a drawback if your goal is to collect several different beaches in one outing.

Greek lunch with wine and fruit onboard

Lunch is included and prepared onboard. The meal includes seafood pasta and a meat option, along with fresh seasonal fruit. Water, wine, and soft drinks are included, while beer is also listed during the Rhenia stop.

This setup saves time and keeps the day flowing. You do not have to leave the cove, find a restaurant, wait for a table, and return to the boat. Instead, lunch becomes part of the sea experience, with the water and nearby shore providing the view.

Food preferences are worth checking before booking if you have allergies or a strict diet. The available details identify seafood pasta and a meat option, but they do not specify vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly alternatives. Do not assume that every special request can be handled unless the provider confirms it.

The wine and relaxed music also help explain the social side of this outing. This is not a silent sailing lesson or a formal yacht charter. It is a casual group cruise built around good weather, food, swimming, and conversation.

The crew, music, and overall mood

The host language is English, and the crew handles the safety briefing, welcome, sailing, food service, and equipment. The strongest praise goes to the guides and the easygoing atmosphere. Good music and a friendly crew are repeated themes in the response to this experience, so you can expect the mood to be social rather than highly formal.

That makes the cruise a good match for couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people during a shared activity. The Bluetooth speaker lets the crew provide music, and the tone has been described as lively and fun. If you want a quiet private charter, this is probably not the right format.

The catamaran also gives you more freedom than a tightly scheduled bus tour. You can move between the deck, the swimming area, and your seat, then return to the same boat for lunch. The crew supplies snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, beach towels, water, wine, and soft drinks, which keeps the packing list short.

Day cruise or sunset departure

The regular cruise offers bright water, clear views, and the best conditions for watching the shore and sea. On the return to Mykonos, you pass the island’s recognizable windmills and get views toward town.

The sunset version adds a different reason to book. Instead of returning in full daylight, you watch the sun drop below the horizon and the sky change color over the Aegean. The sunset is not a separate shore activity, but it can make the return journey feel like the most memorable part of the day.

A sunset departure may suit you if you want a romantic setting or a more atmospheric end to the cruise. The daytime option is more practical if swimming and snorkeling are your priorities. Check the available starting times because the duration is five hours, but the exact departure depends on the date and choice offered.

What the five-hour schedule really gives you

The total duration is long enough to feel like a proper sea day, but short enough to leave part of your Mykonos schedule free. The rough structure is:

• Meeting at Tourlos, with a safety briefing and welcome refreshments
• Sailing toward Delos and passing by for photographs
• Anchoring at Rhenia for about two hours
• Swimming, snorkeling, SUP use, lunch, drinks, and free time
• Returning to Tourlos with views of Mykonos town and the windmills

The plan includes around an hour near Delos and about an hour and a half on the return journey. That means the actual active beach time is concentrated at Rhenia, while the rest of the outing is about being on the boat.

I would not book this expecting constant activity. The sailing portions are the point. You get time to talk, listen to music, eat, and watch the coast from the deck. If you find long boat rides boring, the five-hour length may feel too generous. If you enjoy the sea and want a break from Mykonos town, the pace should work well.

Is the cruise good value?

No price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost against other Mykonos excursions. I can assess what you receive for the fare: a five-hour catamaran trip, crew, fuel and taxes, fruit, lunch, wine, water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, a SUP, beach towels, and music.

That is a useful package because several costs are handled in advance. You are not paying separately for a restaurant meal, snorkel hire, paddleboard rental, or drinks during the cruise. The value becomes stronger if you plan to use the equipment and enjoy lunch onboard.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short boat ride or if you would rather spend the day visiting multiple beaches independently. You are paying for the full setting: the catamaran, the crew, the meal, the cove, and the relaxed time on the Aegean.

I would compare the total fare with the cost of a private boat, a beach club day, and a separate meal. A private charter offers more control, but this shared cruise covers more services without the expense of hiring an entire boat.

Who should book this Mykonos sailing day?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A half-day break from Mykonos town
• Swimming and snorkeling in clear water
• A meal and drinks included onboard
• A relaxed social setting with music
• A glimpse of Delos without spending the day on archaeological ruins
• A sunset option for a more romantic return
• A boat with room to sunbathe, move around, and enjoy the view

Families may find the swimming and SUP appealing, though the provided information does not give an age policy or specific child facilities. Couples can make good use of the sunset departure, while friends may prefer the daytime cruise for its social feel.

I would hesitate if you need hotel pickup, a dedicated Delos guide, several swimming stops, or a private boat. I would also check meal options in advance if you have food allergies or follow a special diet.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Mykonos plans are still changing, but you should still confirm the exact start time and meeting instructions before booking.

Should you book the Rhenia catamaran cruise?

Book it if your ideal Mykonos day includes warm water, a Greek lunch, wine, music, and a long pause in one beautiful cove. The friendly crew, onboard meal, equipment, and sunset possibility give the cruise more substance than a simple sightseeing boat ride.

Skip it if Delos ruins are your main goal or if you want a full beach-hopping schedule. The smart choice comes down to pace: this is a relaxed sea outing with one main swim stop, not an archaeological tour or a race from beach to beach.

For many people, that slower plan is exactly the appeal. You leave Tourlos, watch Mykonos fade behind you, spend the middle of the day in the water at Rhenia, and return with food, music, and wide Aegean views. That is a very pleasant way to claim a half-day of island life without planning every minute yourself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is at the new port of Mykonos in Tourlos, outside Mathios Tavern. A crew member will be waiting there.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Tourlos.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included, so you need to make your own way to the Tourlos meeting point.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The boat passes by Delos for sightseeing and photographs. A shore visit and guided Delos tour are not included.

How long do you spend at Rhenia Island?

The planned stop at Rhenia lasts about two hours. This includes free time, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and drinks.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Fresh food is prepared onboard, including seafood pasta and a meat option. Fresh seasonal fruit is also provided.

What drinks are included?

Water, wine, and soft drinks are included. Beer is also listed during the Rhenia stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a SUP, and beach towels are included.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Sunscreen and sun protection are also sensible for time on the open deck, although they are not specifically listed as included items.