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

The best part of this Mykonos outing is the pairing of ancient Delos with a swim stop at quiet Rhenia. You get a real dose of Greek archaeology, then time to cool off in the Aegean, all from a sailing boat carrying no more than 12 people.

I like the included hotel transfer, since Mykonos taxis can be painfully expensive. I also like the warm, hands-on crew, especially Captain Bob and cooks such as Ernesto, Antonio, or Teo, who serve lunch and keep the ride lively. The main catch is that Delos admission costs extra, and the visit can feel short if you want to study every ruin.

Key points

• Sailboat Nadia K: Travel with a maximum of 12 people instead of joining a large harbor boat.
• Delos archaeological site: Walk among temples, houses, mosaics, and museum exhibits on the sacred island linked to Apollo and Artemis.
• Rhenia swim stop: Snorkel from the boat with provided gear in a sheltered cove near the uninhabited island.
• Greek lunch on board: Expect a filling meal such as seafood pasta, salad, and bread, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
• Hotel or cruise pickup: Complimentary shuttle service removes one of the costliest hassles of getting around Mykonos.
• Weather matters: Wind can make the ride bumpy, and a rough day may lead to cancellation or a changed date.

Why this Delos and Rhenia pairing works

Mykonos is famous for whitewashed lanes, beach clubs, and postcard views. But the most rewarding day nearby takes you away from the island’s main strip. Delos gives the outing purpose, while Rhenia supplies the easygoing beach break.

Delos is not simply a few old stones beside the sea. It was a major sacred and commercial center in the ancient Aegean, and Greek myth links it with the births of Apollo and Artemis. The island was considered so holy that no one could be born or buried there.

You will have time to walk the archaeological grounds and visit the museum on your own. That independence is useful if you prefer setting your own pace, but it also means you should read a little about Delos before you go. Much of the site information is in Greek, and this is not a guided ruins tour with a historian walking beside you.

After Delos, the mood changes completely. The boat heads toward Rhenia, an uninhabited island with clear water and sheltered swimming spots. You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment, stay aboard with a drink, or simply enjoy lunch while others take the plunge.

That combination is the heart of the trip: culture first, swimming second. It keeps the day from becoming either a dry archaeological visit or a generic boat cruise.

Starting in Tourlos with a small crew

The tour begins at 9 a.m., with complimentary transportation from your hotel, Airbnb location, or cruise ship arrangement to Tourlos Bay. The shuttle also returns you afterward to your hotel or another agreed point.

This transfer is more valuable than it may sound. Mykonos transportation can be costly, and cruise passengers have the added problem of figuring out where a tour boat actually departs. The operator asks for your full name, phone number with country code, passport details, and accommodation or cruise ship information. Those details are needed for port authorities and pickup planning, so provide them carefully.

At Tourlos, you board Nadia K. Boarding takes about five minutes, then the boat heads toward Delos. The crossing takes roughly one hour.

The boat is spacious enough for the advertised maximum of 12 people, though space is never unlimited on a sailing boat. You will find a restroom on board, Wi-Fi is advertised, and music helps fill the quieter stretches. One important practical note: Wi-Fi was not available on at least one outing, so I would treat it as a bonus rather than a reason to book.

The crew typically includes Captain Bob and one or two assistants. Names appearing in the trip accounts include Ernesto, Antonio, Teo, and JJ. Their role goes well beyond steering. They explain the islands and surrounding waters, help with boarding and disembarking, prepare lunch, offer drinks, and watch over the swimming stop.

Delos: one hour among Greece’s greatest ruins

The boat reaches Delos after about an hour at sea. The crew helps you get ashore near the archaeological site, then you explore independently.

The ruins cover a wide area, so comfortable shoes matter. You may see ancient streets, columns, homes, temples, mosaics, and other remains of the once-important settlement. The museum adds context, but your exact experience depends on how quickly you walk and how much time you spend inside.

The scheduled stop is described as about one hour, while some trip descriptions place the visit closer to 90 minutes. Either way, plan for a focused visit rather than an all-day archaeological study. You can see a useful portion of Delos in that window, especially if you arrive early before larger boat groups crowd the paths.

That early timing is one of the quiet advantages of leaving in the morning. Several outings reached Delos before bigger excursion boats, giving people a brief chance to walk through the site with fewer people around. It will not guarantee solitude, but it can make the first part of the visit calmer.

Admission to Delos is not included. One account reports a €20 charge for the ruins and museum, so check the current fee when booking or before departure. The supplied tour details specifically exclude entrance, and the price you pay for the boat does not cover it.

The lack of a formal guide is the biggest weakness here. The crew provides background during the cruise, but once you step onto Delos, you are largely on your own. I recommend reading a short guide to the island before departure or arranging a separate guide if archaeology is your main reason for coming.

This is also where expectations matter. If you want a leisurely museum visit, detailed explanations, and time to photograph every column, this stop may feel rushed. If you want a strong first look at one of Greece’s most important ancient sites, the visit should work well.

Rhenia brings the swim and snorkel break

Once you leave Delos, the boat continues toward Rhenia. Unlike Delos, Rhenia is uninhabited, and the main attraction is the water rather than ruins.

The crew anchors in a cove or sheltered area for swimming. If other boats have gathered at the usual spot, the captain may choose another cove. That flexibility can make a real difference, particularly on busy summer days.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You may see small fish in the clear water, and one outing even spotted an octopus. Still, this is not a dedicated marine-life expedition. The appeal is the chance to float, swim, and look below the surface in a beautiful Aegean setting.

The water can be cold, especially outside the hottest part of summer or on a windy day. Some people may decide not to swim, and that is perfectly workable. You can remain on deck, enjoy the scenery, listen to music, or begin lunch.

Bring your own towel. Towels are specifically not included, and the boat does not provide them as part of the package. A light jacket is also wise. The ride can be windy and bumpy, even when the sun is shining.

Lunch, drinks, and the social side of the boat

Lunch is served on board after or during the Rhenia stop. The meal varies by outing, but seafood pasta appears often, including shrimp or prawns and, in one description, mussels. Salad and bread accompany it, and the portions are described as generous.

This is not a quick sandwich handed over at the rail. The crew prepares and serves a proper meal, which gives the stop a relaxed rhythm. You swim, dry off, sit down, and eat while the boat rests in the cove.

Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are included, and the crew keeps them available during the day. Greek music adds a holiday feel without turning the trip into a loud party cruise.

The social mood depends partly on the group. With only a dozen people, you will have a better chance to chat with fellow passengers and get attention from the crew. That small size also makes the boat feel more personal than a large excursion vessel.

Families have enjoyed the outing, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed. Still, remember that this is a boat day with stairs, wind, water, and an uneven archaeological site. Anyone who needs a slow, highly assisted pace should ask specific questions before booking.

The return past Mykonos views

After lunch and swimming, the boat heads back to Tourlos, with the return crossing taking about an hour. The route can include views of Mykonos from the water, including the windmills and Little Venice.

This final stretch is often when you appreciate the boat format. Instead of simply returning by bus, you get a last look at the coast and town from the Aegean. Depending on the wind, the ride may be gentle or lively. One outing described the return as an exciting sail in strong wind, while another advised bringing a jacket because the crossing was rough and breezy.

You should not book this expecting a guaranteed smooth-water cruise. Mykonos is exposed to wind, and conditions affect both comfort and the possibility of swimming. The operator requires good weather and will offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation.

The scheduled end is around 4 p.m., followed by the complimentary shuttle. Allow some flexibility after that time if you have a dinner reservation or a strict cruise departure schedule.

Is $165.75 a fair price?

At $165.75 per person, the price is not cheap, but it covers more than transportation to Delos. You receive the six-hour boat outing, hotel or port transfers, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a small group capped at 12 people.

The transfer alone has meaningful value on Mykonos, where taxi costs can add up quickly. The boat also gives you a second island and a swim stop without arranging another excursion. Compared with a large cruise-style boat, the limited group size and personal crew attention help justify the fare.

You still need to budget for Delos admission, reported at €20 in one account, plus anything you spend before or after the tour. Towels are not supplied, and Wi-Fi may not work despite being listed as an onboard feature.

For a cruise passenger, this can be particularly good value. Pickup and return can be arranged around the ship, and you avoid paying for a large ship-sponsored excursion. Just confirm the pickup location and submit passport details well ahead of time.

The strongest value comes if you want all of the following in one day: a major ancient site, a sailboat ride, swimming, lunch, and transport. If you only want to see Delos, a simpler boat transfer may cost less. If you mainly want beach time, you may prefer a dedicated swimming cruise.

Who should book this Mykonos boat trip?

I would choose this for couples, families, and small groups who want variety. You get history without spending the entire day on ruins, and you get swimming without giving up a meaningful cultural stop.

It also suits cruise passengers well, provided you leave enough time around the ship schedule. The pickup service is a major help, and the boat’s small size offers a more personal alternative to a mass-market shore excursion.

You should think twice if you dislike wind, boat motion, or open-water travel. The ride can be bumpy. I would also reconsider if you need a fully guided Delos visit, because the archaeological stop is self-directed.

Pack:

• A towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A light jacket for the crossing
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Some advance reading about Delos
• Any required passport information for the port authorities

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except when poor weather causes the operator to cancel.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want the most varied half-day outing from Mykonos. Delos, Rhenia, lunch, and a small sailboat make a satisfying package, and the included transfers remove a costly practical headache.

Book with realistic expectations. Delos admission costs extra, the ruins visit is fairly brief and self-guided, Wi-Fi may be unreliable, and the Aegean can be windy. But if you prepare for those limits, this tour offers a fine balance of ancient Greece, open water, good food, and time to swim.

FAQ

How long does the Delos and Rhenia tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. It starts at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to finish around 4 p.m., including transportation to and from Tourlos.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Complimentary shuttle transportation is offered from your hotel, Airbnb location, or cruise ship arrangement, with return transportation after the tour.

How many people can join the boat?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is admission to Delos included?

No. Entrance to Delos is not included in the tour price. One trip account reports an additional €20 charge for the ruins and museum, so confirm the current fee before departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Meals described on the trip include seafood pasta, salad, and bread.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the swimming stop near Rhenia. Towels are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.