The Authentic Rhenia-Delos Cruise

The best part of this Mykonos day trip is the contrast: Rhenia gives you clear water and a quiet beach, while Delos delivers one of Greece’s most remarkable ancient sites. Between the two, you get a barbecue lunch, drinks, music, and a lively sail home past Little Venice.

I like the generous mix of swimming and sightseeing, and I like that the larger boat can continue in conditions that may cancel smaller catamaran trips. The crew, especially the energetic Paula, receives warm praise for making families and mixed-age groups feel welcome.

The main catch is time. Delos gets only about 1 hour and 45 minutes, and the site entrance fee costs an extra €20. Rhenia’s swimming stop may also require climbing down a boat ladder and swimming to shore, so this is not the easiest choice for anyone uneasy in open water.

Key points to know before you book

• Rhenia is the day’s swimming highlight: Expect clear water, sun, and a deserted island setting rather than beach facilities.
• Lunch is included: The Greek barbecue features pork and chicken souvlaki, salad, rice, tzatziki, bread, fruit, wine, water, and soft drinks.
• Delos is optional and self-guided: You can pay the €20 entrance fee to visit the UNESCO-listed ruins, or stay near the boat and swim.
• The return trip gets festive: Music and dancing are part of the homeward sail, though the mood is not necessarily a full party boat all day.
• Bring your own towel and snorkel gear: Rentals are available, but prices can be much higher than expected.
• Plan carefully for the Old Port: Boarding is at 10:15 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. departure, and the boat will not wait for late arrivals.

Why this cruise works so well in Mykonos

Mykonos is famous for white buildings, beach clubs, and nightlife. This cruise gives you a different side of the island group. You spend much of the day away from the crowded Mykonos shore, in open Aegean water and on two islands with very different characters.

Rhenia is the relaxed half of the outing. Delos is the cultural half. That combination is the real reason to consider this trip instead of booking a simple swim cruise. You can spend the morning in a swimsuit, eat lunch on board, then walk among temples and marble ruins a short time later.

At $106.42 per person, the price is fair for a six-and-a-half-hour boat trip that includes lunch, wine, water, soft drinks, safety equipment, and a restroom. It becomes better value if you want both swimming and Delos in one outing. It is less compelling if you only want a quiet beach day or if you want a detailed archaeological tour with plenty of time at the ruins.

The experience has a strong social element. The crew plays music on the return, and dancing often breaks out. Families with children have enjoyed the upbeat atmosphere, while groups of friends have treated the boat ride home as part of the entertainment. Still, one family found it more like a normal excursion than a party boat, so do not book it expecting nonstop nightlife.

Boarding at Mykonos Old Port

You make your own way to Aegean Ventures at Mykonos Old Port. Embarkation is at 10:15 a.m., with departure scheduled for 10:30 a.m. This distinction matters. You should arrive early enough to find the boat, show your identification if asked, and settle in before the crew begins loading everyone.

The meeting point is not at the cruise ship port. Mykonos has separate port areas, and the cruise ship port is about 1.5 kilometers from the Old Port. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, arrange a taxi, bus, shuttle boat, or other transfer instead of walking and hoping to arrive on time. A late arrival can mean missing the entire cruise because the schedule is shared and fixed.

The boat can carry up to 120 people. That is a sizable group, so this is not a private sailing or an intimate small-boat charter. The benefit is stability and more room than a tiny craft. One family switched to this boat after a smaller catamaran was canceled in windy weather and appreciated the larger vessel’s ability to operate in stronger conditions.

Once aboard, you will spend roughly 45 minutes crossing to Rhenia. Bring sun protection from the start. Light clothing or swimwear makes sense, and a cover-up is useful for lunch and the return ride.

Rhenia: clear water and a simple Greek barbecue

The first stop lasts about three and a half hours, including the cruise from Mykonos, swimming, relaxing, and lunch. The captain chooses a beach or anchorage based on the day’s weather and sea conditions. Rhenia is undeveloped, so do not expect changing rooms, cafés, organized beach chairs, or a polished resort setup.

The reward is a quiet setting and clear water. You may swim from the boat, reach a small sandy or rocky beach, sunbathe, or walk around the shore. The exact access can vary. One especially important point is that you may need to climb down a ladder from the boat and swim to land. Noodles are available to help you stay afloat, but that does not remove the need for confidence in the water.

If you have limited mobility, anxiety about ladders, or difficulty swimming, ask yourself if this stop will be comfortable. The boat does not always pull right up to a broad, easy beach. Weather determines where the captain can safely anchor, and the beach may be rocky rather than sandy.

While you enjoy the water, the captain prepares lunch. The meal includes pork and chicken souvlaki, Greek salad, rice, tzatziki, bread, and seasonal fruit. Several people have found the food tasty and satisfying, though one person described it as basic rather than special. That seems like the right expectation: this is a practical boat barbecue, not a long restaurant meal.

Wine, water, and soft drinks are included. Juice is also available, and you do not need to drink alcohol to enjoy the meal. The legal drinking age for alcohol service is 18, and identification or a passport may be requested to confirm age.

Vegetarian travelers have received an adapted meal, but you should still tell the operator about dietary needs when booking or before departure. The supplied information confirms vegetarian accommodation, not a full list of other dietary options.

Delos: ancient ruins on a tight schedule

After lunch, the boat sails to Delos. The visit lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes, and admission is not included. The official entrance fee is €20 per person, paid separately.

Delos is not simply another scenic island stop. It was a major religious and commercial center in the ancient Aegean, and its ruins cover a broad archaeological site. You can walk among temples, columns, houses, mosaics, and worn marble streets while imagining the island as a busy ancient center rather than the quiet place you see today.

The self-guided format gives you freedom, but it also limits how much context you get. There is no included archaeological guide, and 1 hour and 45 minutes can feel rushed if you want to study the site carefully. You will need to make choices instead of trying to see every corner.

I would use the time for a focused walk. Keep moving, take in the main ruins, and save a few minutes to return to the meeting point. The boat must collect the Delos visitors and continue on schedule. Do not wander off assuming you have the whole afternoon.

You can skip the archaeological site if the €20 fee does not fit your plans, if you have already visited Delos, or if swimming is your priority. The captain takes non-visitors to a nearby secluded beach, where you can swim and relax while the Delos group explores. This split option makes the cruise useful for families and couples with different interests.

Still, consider the tradeoff. The same cruise gives you both Rhenia and Delos, but you cannot have a long, leisurely visit at each. People who love ancient sites may wish the Delos stop lasted two hours or more. If Delos is your main reason for coming, a dedicated archaeological excursion would give you more time and likely more explanation.

The return to Mykonos and Little Venice

After collecting the Delos group, the boat heads back to Mykonos Old Port. The return leg takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and passes Little Venice for a photo opportunity.

This is when the cruise becomes most playful. Music comes on, the crew joins the fun, and dancing can turn the ride home into a small boat party. It is a memorable finish, especially for children and groups of friends. The crew has been praised for keeping good spirits even when the sea becomes rough.

That said, open water can feel different on the return than it did in the morning. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you can get fresh air, watch the horizon, and avoid too much food or alcohol before rougher sections. The boat has safety equipment and a restroom, but the sea can still be uncomfortable for some people.

The cruise ends back at the Old Port, where you are responsible for continuing to your hotel, ferry, or cruise transfer.

Food, drinks, and extra costs

The included food is one of the cruise’s strongest practical features. A hot barbecue, salad, rice, bread, tzatziki, and fruit saves you from buying lunch on an island where food options may be limited. The meal also gives the day a pleasant Greek focus instead of relying only on packaged snacks.

Wine and refreshments are included, but there is also a cash bar for other drinks. Bring cash if you want to buy something beyond the included selection. The presence of a cash bar is easy to overlook, so plan for it.

Pack your own towel and snorkeling equipment if you have them. Towels and gear are available at extra cost, but the prices have caused confusion. One person reported €15 for equipment, while another thought the onboard price was much higher. The operator clarified that snorkeling gear costs €15, but bringing your own avoids any argument and gives you equipment you already trust.

The other major extra is Delos admission at €20. Gratuities are optional. Shuttle transportation to the Old Port is not included, so add that cost if you are staying away from the port or arriving from a cruise ship.

Who will enjoy this day most

This cruise suits you if you want a full day with several kinds of activity and do not mind sharing the boat. It is especially good for:

• Families who want swimming, lunch, history, and music in one outing
• Friends looking for a social day on the water
• Couples who enjoy combining a beach stop with ancient ruins
• Visitors who want to see Delos without arranging a separate boat
• Swimmers who are comfortable with a ladder and open-water access

It is a weaker match if you need step-free beach access, dislike boats in rough water, or want a quiet luxury sailing experience. It also may disappoint serious archaeology fans who want an expert guide and several hours at Delos.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 498 ratings, with 91 percent recommending the experience. Those numbers fit the pattern of the day: the crew, scenery, food, swimming, and return music are the biggest strengths, while limited Delos time, equipment costs, and beach access are the main concerns.

Practical details that can make or break the day

Wear a swimsuit under light clothes and use strong sun protection. The Greek sun reflects off the water, and the swimming stop can last a long time. Bring sunglasses, a hat, a towel, and a dry bag for valuables.

Arrive before 10:15 a.m., not at 10:30. You must make your own way to the Old Port, and the boat will not delay departure for someone who arrives late. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part, but the ladder and open-water swimming deserve honest consideration.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Rhenia and Delos cruise?

Book it if you want the best all-around mix of sea, food, ruins, and fun during a Mykonos stay. The price covers a long day, a filling lunch, drinks, and two very different islands. The crew’s warm approach and the larger boat add comfort, especially for families and anyone concerned about wind.

Skip it if Delos is your central priority and you want a guided archaeological visit with plenty of time. Also think twice if climbing a ladder into the sea sounds stressful. For everyone else, this is a lively, good-value day that shows you more than Mykonos beach clubs and whitewashed lanes.

FAQ

Where does the Rhenia and Delos cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Aegean Ventures at Mykonos Old Port. It does not include transportation to the meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

Embarkation is at 10:15 a.m., with the scheduled departure at 10:30 a.m. Arrive early because the shared boat follows a fixed schedule.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes and ends back at Mykonos Old Port.

Is Delos admission included?

No. The Delos archaeological site entrance fee is paid separately and is set at €20 per person.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes pork and chicken souvlaki, Greek salad, rice, tzatziki, bread, and seasonal fruit. Complimentary wine, water, and refreshments are also provided.

Can I skip the Delos ruins?

Yes. If you do not want to pay the entrance fee or visit the archaeological site, you can spend that time at a nearby secluded beach for swimming or relaxation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.