Delos gives this sailing trip its sense of place, but Rhenia’s quiet coves and clear water are the real reward. You cruise past the sacred island, hear about its links to Apollo and Artemis, then spend about four hours swimming, snorkeling, eating, and relaxing from a catamaran.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which makes the boat feel more personal than a large day cruise. I also like that lunch, local wine, beer, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and sometimes a SUP are included. The main drawback is simple: you need to reach Agios Ioannis Dock yourself unless you arrange optional hotel transport, and the trip depends on good weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Rhenia gets the long stop: About four hours are set aside for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and time on board.
• Delos is viewed from the sea: Your captain shares background on the island as you pass by, but this is not a shore visit or archaeological tour.
• The boat carries up to 10 people: That is a useful middle ground between a private charter and a crowded excursion.
• Food and drinks are built into the price: Expect chicken skewers, local appetizers, local wine, beer, soft drinks, and water or other refreshments.
• Agios Ioannis is both the start and finish: You meet at the dock in front of the church and return there after the cruise.
• The water kit is included: Masks and snorkels are supplied, and a SUP may be available when weather allows.

A five-hour escape from Mykonos by catamaran

Mykonos is famous for its beaches, nightlife, and busy waterfront. This outing gives you a different view of the island, one best seen from the Aegean rather than from a crowded street or beach club.

The route lasts about five hours. You meet the skipper and crew at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, take part in a short welcome and safety briefing, and then settle aboard the catamaran. From there, the day follows a pleasing rhythm: open-water views, a look toward Delos, a long stop around Rhenia, lunch and drinks, then an easy cruise back to Mykonos.

The listed price is $156.38 per person. That is not a bargain-basement boat ride, but it covers a lot: crew, food, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, and the boat itself. For you, the value depends on how much you would otherwise spend on a meal, drinks, and separate water activities. The small group also matters. With no more than 10 people, you are paying for a more relaxed setting than a large excursion boat can usually provide.

The trip has a 4.9 rating from 14 posted ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a strong early signal, though the sample is small. I would book it for the setting and the all-in format, not simply because of the score.

Leaving from Agios Ioannis in 15 minutes

The meeting point is Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, at the catamaran and yacht tours location in Agios Ioannis. The stated meeting spot is in front of the church, which gives you a clear landmark when you arrive.

You should plan to be at the dock ready for the welcome and safety briefing. The first part of the experience lasts about 15 minutes, but that short time is important. You get introduced to the crew, learn the basic safety information, and board before the boat gets moving.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard package. Private transport can be requested for an additional arrangement, but the normal plan is for you to make your own way to the dock. The meeting point is near public transportation, according to the tour information, though no specific bus route or timetable is supplied.

This is one place where you should leave extra time. A missed departure can spoil an otherwise easy day on the water. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from another harbor.

Passing Delos, the sacred island of Apollo and Artemis

After leaving Mykonos, the catamaran cruises through the Cyclades with views of the island and nearby islets. The route passes by Delos, one of the most important sacred sites in the Aegean.

Delos is traditionally known as the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its remains give the island an importance far beyond its small size. From the boat, your captain explains the island’s place in Greek mythology and points out the setting as you pass.

Keep your expectations clear: this experience does not include getting off at Delos, walking among the ruins, or visiting the archaeological site. If you want an onshore Delos visit, you need a separate excursion that includes transport and entry arrangements. Here, Delos is a scenic and cultural part of the cruise rather than the main stop.

That can suit you if you want some history without giving up most of the day to ruins and museums. It also keeps the trip focused on the sea. You get context for what you are seeing, then return your attention to the islands, water, and boat.

Four hours around Rhenia’s turquoise coves

Rhenia is the heart of the outing. The island is described as a quiet place with clear turquoise water and secluded coves, and the itinerary allows about four hours here. That is a generous amount of time for a half-day cruise.

You can swim from the catamaran, use the supplied masks and snorkels, or simply stay on board and enjoy the view. A SUP may also be available if the weather permits. Since the information does not promise a specific beach landing, you should think of this as a boat-based swim stop rather than a traditional beach day.

That distinction matters. A catamaran gives you a good platform for relaxing and entering the water, but you may not spend the afternoon walking on shore. If you prefer a packed schedule of sightseeing, four hours in one quiet area may feel long. If you want time to swim, eat, talk, and slow down, the pace is a major advantage.

The water equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and snorkel separately. Beach towels are not provided. Bring your own towel, along with whatever sun protection you normally use for a day on the sea.

The best part of Rhenia is the lack of pressure. You are not being hurried from one sight to the next. You can swim, sit with a drink, watch the water, and let the Aegean do most of the work.

A Greek lunch with chicken skewers and local wine

Lunch is served on board, rather than at a restaurant on Rhenia. The meal includes BBQ chicken skewers and local appetizers, with unlimited local wine and beer, plus soft drinks and other refreshments.

That menu is straightforward and well suited to a boat trip. Chicken skewers are easy to serve, and small Mediterranean appetizers give you something to eat while you are enjoying the water. You should not book this expecting a long restaurant-style meal with several courses. The value is in having food and drinks ready during the sailing day, without having to leave the boat or search for a place to eat.

One especially positive detail is the unlimited local wine and beer. If you plan to drink, this can make the fixed price more appealing. You should still pace yourself in the sun, especially if you plan to swim afterward. The crew’s presence and the boat’s safety briefing help set the tone, but sensible drinking remains your responsibility.

Wi-Fi is also included. That may matter if you need to stay connected, though the main reason to take this trip is to put your phone away for a while. The best use of the connection is probably practical, such as checking messages or sharing a few photos, rather than treating the catamaran as a floating office.

The small group changes the feel of the boat

The maximum group size is 10 people. That number is large enough to give the trip some social energy, but small enough that the boat should not feel like a floating crowd.

You are not promised a private charter. Other people will be on board, and the group may have different ideas about how to spend the stop. Still, 10 is a useful limit if you want conversation with the crew and room to relax without the scale of a large vessel.

The provider is Mykonos On Board sailing trips. The skipper and crew are included, but no individual guide names are supplied. You can expect the captain to handle the route, safety information, and commentary about Delos, while the crew helps with the meal, drinks, and equipment.

This is a good format for couples, friends, and families who want a shared sailing day without arranging a full private boat. It can also work for solo participants who enjoy meeting a small group. If you need complete control over the schedule, music, food, or swimming spots, a private charter would give you more freedom, but it would likely cost more.

The return to Mykonos and possible sunset views

After the Rhenia stop, the catamaran turns back toward Agios Ioannis. The return section lasts about 15 minutes in the listed schedule, with panoramic views of the Aegean and the Cyclades along the way.

A previous sailing experience on this boat was praised for its sunset, crew atmosphere, and food. That does not mean every departure is a sunset cruise, so check the available start time before booking if evening light is important to you. If your timing lines up, the ride back can provide a memorable final scene over the water.

The return to the same dock keeps the logistics simple. You finish where you started, rather than needing to arrange a taxi or bus from a different port. Once back at Agios Ioannis, the scheduled activity is over.

Who will get the most from this $156.38 trip

I would choose this tour if you want several things in one outing:

• A small-group boat ride rather than a large cruise
• Time for swimming and snorkeling
• A relaxed lunch on the water
• Local wine, beer, and soft drinks included
• A scenic look at Delos without a long archaeological visit
• A half-day plan that leaves part of your Mykonos schedule open

The trip is especially well suited to you if the sea is the main attraction. Four hours around Rhenia is a substantial portion of the day, so you should be happy spending long stretches on board or in the water.

I would think twice if you want a full Delos history tour. You will hear about the island, but you will not walk through its ruins. I would also be cautious if you dislike weather-dependent plans, though that is part of any sailing trip in the Cyclades.

Most travelers can participate, according to the supplied information. Specific accessibility details are not given, so you should ask the provider directly if you have mobility, boarding, or swimming concerns.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The experience can also be canceled because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met. In those cases, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia catamaran tour?

Book it if you want a sea-focused half-day with food, drinks, swimming, and a small group. The strongest feature is the balance: you get a little culture from Delos, then plenty of unhurried time around Rhenia.

At $156.38, the price makes the most sense if you would use the snorkeling gear, eat lunch on board, and enjoy the included wine or beer. It is less attractive if you do not drink, prefer sightseeing on land, or would rather spend the day on a beach.

My practical advice is to bring a towel, arrive early at the Agios Ioannis church meeting point, and confirm the departure time if you hope to catch sunset. For a calm Aegean outing with a short cultural note and a long swim stop, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Delos and Rhenia catamaran tour?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, including the cruise from Agios Ioannis, the stop around Rhenia, and the return to Mykonos.

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The tour begins at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis in Mykonos. The meeting point is at the catamaran and yacht tours location in front of the church.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Agios Ioannis meeting point.

Is Delos a shore visit on this tour?

No. The catamaran passes by Delos, and the captain shares information about the island. The supplied details do not include getting off the boat or visiting the archaeological site.

How long do you spend at Rhenia?

The itinerary allows about four hours at Rhenia for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and lunch on board.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes BBQ chicken skewers and local appetizers.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited local wine and beer, along with soft drinks and refreshments, are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included. A SUP may also be available when weather permits.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard experience. Private transportation is available upon request, according to the supplied details.