The best part of this private cruise is the change of pace. You leave Mykonos behind, spend time among the ruins of ancient Delos, then cross to quiet Rhenia for clear water, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch on board. It feels less like a tightly managed excursion and more like a private day on a Greek boat.

I like the three-hour stop at Rhenia, which gives you time to swim without watching the clock every few minutes. I also like the personal hosting, with Evgeniya and John named as part of the crew, plus the chance to help with the ropes, try the stand-up paddleboard, or simply stretch out with a drink.

The main consideration is the price: at $541.85 per person, this is a serious splurge unless your group can share the private boat. You also need to choose your timing carefully, since the cruise is offered as a morning outing and as a later departure lasting until sunset.

Key points to know before you book

• Delos gives the day real historical weight: You can visit the archaeological site and museum, or remain on board if you prefer swimming and sun.
• Rhenia is the main relaxation stop: Plan on about three hours for swimming, snorkeling, SUP use, and lunch.
• Lunch is part of the experience: Expect local specialties, Greek salad, chilled white wine, beer, soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea.
• The boat is private: Only your group participates, so the pace can be adjusted more easily than on a large group cruise.
• The cruise works for mixed-age groups: Children can swim and use the water equipment, while grandparents can enjoy the boat and scenery.
• Bring your own beach towel: Snorkeling equipment and a SUP are included, but towels are not.

Leaving Mykonos for Delos and Rhenia

The cruise begins at Mykonos New Port in Tourlos, at the Mykonos Cruise and Zephyros Sailing meeting point. The stated morning departure is 9:00 am, with a return around 3:00 pm. A later departure at about 4:00 or 4:30 pm is also available and runs until sunset, so check the time attached to your booking before planning the rest of your day.

The trip to Delos takes about one hour. That travel time is part of the pleasure, not dead time. You can sit on deck, take in the open Aegean, and enjoy the wind, or lend a hand with the ropes and steering if you feel curious. I like that this gives the cruise a more hands-on feel without forcing everyone into an activity.

This is a private outing, so your group has the boat to itself. That matters most if you are traveling with children, older family members, or friends who want different things from the same day. One person can swim, another can sunbathe, and someone else can talk with the captain without a large crowd setting the schedule.

The boat has a bathroom, and it was kept clean during one family outing. That small detail matters on a six-hour sea trip, especially when the group includes children or grandparents.

Delos: ruins, museums, and a choice of pace

Delos is the cultural anchor of the cruise. The island is known for its ancient archaeological site, and the excursion gives you the choice to go ashore and visit the ruins and museum. If ancient sites are a priority for you, this is the part of the day that justifies adding Delos to a sailing trip.

The stop is not only a photo break. You can walk around the archaeological area and spend time with the remains before returning to the boat. One family described the first stop as a fun hike, while another called Delos the highlight of a Greek holiday. That tells you something useful: the site can be rewarding, but you should expect walking rather than a purely scenic shore stop.

You should also be realistic about the trade-off. Time spent on Delos is time you are not swimming at Rhenia. The cruise is designed to let each person choose, so you can visit the site while another member of your group relaxes on board with a cold drink. If your whole group wants to see Delos, allow your walking time to take priority. If the sea is your main goal, you can keep the stop shorter.

There is no need to pretend this is the same as a dedicated archaeological tour. The outing combines history, sailing, food, and swimming in one day. You will get a taste of Delos and a chance to walk through the site, but the boat day remains the main event.

Rhenia gives you the long swim stop

After Delos, the boat crosses a narrow strait to Rhenia. This is where the cruise settles into its easiest rhythm. You get around three hours for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing in the clear water around bays and coves.

The long stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a standard sightseeing cruise. You are not being rushed into the water for ten minutes before the captain sounds the horn. You have room to swim, dry off, try the SUP, and return to the water when you feel like it.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as is the stand-up paddleboard. Bottled water and soft drinks are provided, along with beer and white wine. You will need to bring a beach towel, since that is the one clear item not supplied.

The water is described as transparent and turquoise, and the swimming stop is repeatedly singled out as one of the day’s best features. You might find the conditions especially appealing if you want a simple beach day but prefer reaching a quiet bay by boat rather than spending the day at a busy Mykonos shore.

Still, this is an outdoor sea trip, not a guaranteed beach club setup. The information provided does not promise a particular beach, sun loungers, or a sandy landing. Think of Rhenia as a boat-access swimming area with coves and pristine beaches, not as a resort beach with facilities.

Lunch on board is more than a snack

The included lunch helps explain the all-inclusive price. You are served local specialties on the boat, with Greek wine, beer, water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea available. The meal is presented as simple local cooking rather than formal dining, which suits the setting.

Greek salad received special praise, and one family said the food was the best they had during their week in Greece. Another group found the lunch more generous than expected. Those details are useful because boat lunches can sometimes mean a sandwich and a packet of crisps. Here, lunch is intended to be a proper part of the afternoon.

I like the combination of food and swimming. You can return to the boat, eat while looking back across the water, and then go for another swim instead of losing half the day to a restaurant transfer. Chilled white wine and beer make sense for adults, while bottled water and soft drinks cover the rest of the group.

You should tell the operator about any food needs before departure if that applies to you, but no special dietary arrangements are specified in the details provided. The safest approach is to ask when booking rather than assume.

A private crew changes the feel of the day

A private cruise earns its keep through flexibility. The crew has more room to adjust the pace for your group than a large shared excursion would. One outing was adapted to the group’s schedule, and another included a child fishing from the boat and catching a fish.

That kind of moment is hard to plan, but it shows how the open format can work. Children have the sea, the SUP, and snorkeling gear to occupy them. Adults can talk with the captain, enjoy lunch, or simply rest on deck. A group of nine had the boat to itself, which suggests this can work well for a family reunion or a larger party splitting the cost.

The hosts named in the feedback are Evgeniya and John, and the captain’s conversation was an important part of the day for one couple. I would choose this outing if you value friendly contact with the crew rather than a formal, scripted presentation.

The private setup does not mean every stop can be changed at will. Delos, Rhenia, the departure point, and the approximate duration are built into the experience. Weather also matters, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The afternoon option adds a sunset finish

The later departure is worth considering if you have already spent the morning in Mykonos. The cruise leaves at about 4:00 or 4:30 pm and continues until sunset, combining Delos, Rhenia, and the return ride in softer evening light.

The afternoon version could suit couples, families arriving back from another activity, or anyone who prefers not to start the day early. It may also make the boat feel more special, since the return takes place around sunset rather than in the strong midday sun.

The trade-off is straightforward: you have less daylight for each part of the outing than with the 9:00 am departure. Confirm exactly how the afternoon timing affects the archaeological visit and swimming period before you book, especially if both Delos and Rhenia are priorities.

Mykonos sights appear on the return

The listed route also includes the Windmills at Kato Milli, Little Venice, and Mykonos Old Port. These are familiar Mykonos sights, but seeing them from the water gives the return journey a useful final chapter.

Kato Milli is the classic row of windmills associated with Mykonos, while Little Venice is the waterfront quarter where buildings sit directly beside the sea. From a boat, you get a different view than you would while walking the narrow streets.

Mykonos Old Port is included as a final point of interest, while the activity itself ends back at the original meeting point. These stops are best understood as scenic views along the route, not as separate guided walking visits. If you want time among the windmills or in Little Venice, plan that for another part of your Mykonos stay.

Is $541.85 per person good value?

At $541.85 per person, this is expensive for a six-hour activity. The price makes more sense when you consider what is included: a private boat, crew, Delos and Rhenia, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a SUP.

The value depends heavily on your group size. A private boat shared by several people can feel worthwhile for a special family day, a birthday, or a group that would otherwise book several separate activities. For one or two people, the per-person price is harder to justify unless privacy and a custom pace matter more than budget.

A standard boat trip may cost less, but it may also mean a larger group, less flexibility, a shorter swim stop, and a less personal meal. This cruise charges for the full day-on-the-water format rather than just transportation between islands.

The strongest value comes from the three-hour Rhenia stop and the meal. If you only want to see Delos from the water, you can find cheaper sightseeing options. If you want archaeological ruins, a quiet swimming area, gear, food, drinks, and private use of the boat in one package, the price is easier to understand.

The fact that the activity is booked an average of 102 days ahead suggests you should not leave it until the last moment, particularly if your dates are fixed or you need the boat for a larger group.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most to families, small groups of friends, and couples who want a full sea day without sharing the boat with strangers. The mix of walking, swimming, food, and sightseeing gives different ages something to do.

It is also a strong choice if Delos matters to you but you do not want a land-only archaeological excursion. You can see an important ancient site, then spend the rest of the day in the water instead of returning directly to town.

You may want another option if your budget is tight, if you dislike boats, or if your main goal is a long, detailed visit to Delos. The six-hour format has to divide its time between sailing, archaeology, swimming, lunch, and Mykonos views.

The activity is offered in English, confirmation is received at booking, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate, though the provided information does not give detailed mobility guidance for boarding, walking on Delos, or getting into the water. Ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has specific access needs.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia cruise?

Book it if you want your Mykonos day to combine ancient ruins and open-water swimming, and if your group can share the cost of a private boat. The generous Rhenia stop, included lunch, clean onboard bathroom, water gear, and friendly hosting make this more than a quick island transfer.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone, watching every euro, or mainly want a serious archaeological visit. For everyone else, especially families and groups, this is a well-rounded way to trade Mykonos crowds for a day of sea, local food, and two very different islands.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts at Mykonos Cruise and Zephyros Sailing in Tourlos, Mykonos. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The morning cruise lasts about six hours, departing at 9:00 am and returning around 3:00 pm. A later departure at about 4:00 or 4:30 pm runs until sunset.

Is this a private boat tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is included in the price?

The price includes snorkeling equipment, use of a stand-up paddleboard, lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, coffee or tea, beer, and white wine.

Do I need to bring a beach towel?

Yes. A beach towel is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins.