Turquoise water and Greek wine beat Mykonos crowds. This 5-hour catamaran sails past Delos, anchors at Rhenia, and keeps the day relaxed with a friendly crew and a small-group feel.

I especially like the unlimited homemade rosé onboard and the way the crew builds in real water time—snorkeling gear, SUP, and plenty of chances to cool off.

One thing to plan around: Delos is a photo stop only, and if wind is up, the captain can swap the sailing route to safer spots.

Key highlights at a glance

• Rhenia cove anchor stop with crystal-clear turquoise water and a long swim window
• Delos from the water for photos and sightseeing, without stepping onto the island
• Homemade rosé plus beers and wine served during the ride
• Lunch onboard with seafood pasta, meat, vegetarian options, plus seasonal fruits
• Snorkeling gear and SUP included for active downtime
• Small-group vibe (many days run around a dozen people), so it doesn’t feel cramped

Why this Mykonos cruise feels different from the usual boat ride

Mykonos is great, but the island can get loud fast. This catamaran cruise gives you a breather: you trade streets for open Aegean water, and you trade crowds for a calmer, anchored swim day.

What makes it work is the balance. You get enough time to see the key spots (Delos from the water and Rhenia up close), but the center of gravity is still the water—swimming, snorkeling, and lounging. If you’re after a chill day with good food and strong views, this is a solid match.

And the crew matters here. English-speaking hosts and skippers (names like Margarita, Iliana, and Dimitri show up often in the experience) keep the energy light and the day running smoothly—safety briefing first, then refreshments, then you’re off to the fun part.

Getting there: transfer timing and how not to miss the start

The trip runs about 5 hours, and the pace is steady rather than frantic. If you choose hotel pickup, you’ll ride in a van for about 15 minutes to the meeting point area, then there’s a safety briefing with welcome refreshments (about 15 minutes).

If you’re doing the self-guided meet-up, the base manager waits outside Mathios Tavern, and the meeting time is 8:30 every day. If you’re using hotel pickup, it’s simple: be in the lobby about 10 minutes before pickup, and drivers wait no longer than 15 minutes after the scheduled time.

Practical tip: Mykonos has traffic quirks and narrow streets. If you’re staying a little far from the pickup zone, give yourself extra buffer so you don’t start the day stressed.

Delos from the sea: what you’ll see (and what you won’t)

Delos is the famous name on the route, but you should know the deal upfront: you do not go onto Delos Island. Instead, you pass by and do a photo stop from the boat, with time for sightseeing and a look from the water.

This can be either a deal-breaker or a non-issue, depending on what you want:

• If you’re imagining a full walking visit and museum time, this won’t deliver.
• If you mainly want the iconic geography and a few strong photos, it’s a quick, low-effort way to include Delos without turning your day into a logistics puzzle.

Another advantage: it keeps the schedule smooth. You spend energy where the cruise shines—Rhenia’s cove time—while Delos stays a scenic sidebar.

Rhenia Island: the real reason people book this cruise

Rhenia is where the cruise earns its reputation. After sailing over the north part of the route and passing Delos, the boat heads to Rhenia Island, drops anchor in a small cove, and gives you a generous break.

This is the part you’ll feel in your body: sun on your shoulders, saltwater in the air, and that moment when you step off into turquoise, clear water and realize you don’t have to rush anywhere.

Swimming, snorkeling, and “just hanging”

Once anchored, the crew takes care of the setup so you can focus on the water. You get:

• A 2-hour swimming stop at Rhenia
• Snorkeling gear included
• SUP (stand-up paddleboard) included
• Time to swim, snorkel, and lounge

A lot of people want “one good swim spot” during their Mykonos days. This delivers that—plus options if you want more than one kind of fun. On some departures, the crew even adds float-style helps like pool noodles (handy if you want to relax in the shallows without fighting to stay afloat).

One small consideration: the snorkeling can be more about clear water and the experience than about guaranteed fish density. If you’re expecting a reef full of wildlife, you might find it calmer than that. Still, the water visibility and the fact you can do it right off the boat is the main win.

If the weather gets rough

The sea doesn’t always cooperate in the Aegean. The captain can modify the itinerary when wind and conditions aren’t good for the original plan. When that happens, you may sail along the south coast of Mykonos and visit safer, protected coves away from crowds.

The takeaway: this isn’t the kind of tour where you’re stuck hoping the ocean behaves. The crew’s job is to keep you safe and still give you water time.

The lunch onboard: Greek comfort food with a vacation attitude

Lunch is served onboard after you’ve had time to settle in at the cove. And it’s not just snacks—this is a real meal.

You can expect:

• A fresh traditional meal
• Seafood pasta, meat, and vegetarian options
• Seasonal fruits

What I like about this setup is that it turns the cruise into a full “day off,” not a half-hour food stop. You swim, you come up hungry, and then you get plated-feeling lunch without having to hunt for a taverna.

Drinks: homemade rosé that keeps showing up

The drink situation is a big part of the value. You’ll have homemade rosé wine included, and the flow tends to be consistent throughout the cruise. The route description also calls out aperitif and beer, plus wine during the Rhenia stop and on the way back.

If you like wine, this is where the day pays you back. If you don’t drink alcohol, you still get enough non-alcohol refreshment options on board that the day doesn’t revolve only around wine (water and soft drinks are included in the drink mix on this style of cruise).

Also, if you’re prone to motion sickness, you’ll appreciate the fact that some crews come prepared—there are reports of Dramamine available.

The sailing experience: catamaran comfort and the music factor

A catamaran means stability. On a day that might involve chop, that matters. You’re riding in a modern catamaran where most of your time is spent either watching the coast slide by or relaxing on open deck space.

There’s also a Bluetooth speaker onboard. That means you might get ambient music without the skipper trying to turn everything into a karaoke session. It’s a small detail, but it changes the vibe—more beach day, less formal tour.

One honest note from real-world experiences: sometimes people comment that the boat is powered under motor rather than sail for parts of the trip. That shouldn’t ruin the day, but if you’re coming for a purely sailing-magic moment, keep your expectations grounded.

Passages and photo moments: Little Venice and Mykonos windmills

On the way back, you get another look at the island from the sea. The return route can include a pass by views such as Mykonos windmills and Mykonos town, and if you choose a sunset option, you’ll see the sunset golden over the horizon.

This is a key difference between a “swim and eat” day and a “boat as sightseeing” day. You’re doing both:

• Water time that feels like escape
• Scenery time that feels like a postcard

And since the boat is at sea, you get a perspective you can’t easily recreate from the streets.

Price and value: does $123 make sense for what you get?

At $123 per person for a 5-hour cruise, the value comes from bundling a lot of costs you’d normally pay separately.

You’re getting:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off if you select it
• Lunch onboard with multiple dietary choices
• Unlimited homemade rosé (plus beer mentioned in the onboard plan)
• Snorkeling gear and SUP
• Fuel included
• A real anchored water stop—about 2 hours at Rhenia

If you tried to recreate this DIY, you’d likely pay for a boat rental, a guide, food, drinks, and all the water gear. Here, those pieces are handled for you, and the schedule is built around one main goal: get you out to the coves and keep the day easy.

The only “cost” is that Delos is photo-only. If you want a full archaeological walking tour, you may need a separate plan for that.

Who should book this Mykonos Delos and Rhenia cruise

This cruise is a good fit if you:

• Want a half-day escape from the busiest parts of Mykonos
• Care more about swimming and snorkeling than about doing a museum-style visit
• Like your meals and drinks handled without planning
• Prefer a small-group feel over big-group chaos

It’s also a solid choice for couples, friend groups, and families with kids who can handle open water activities. One parent-style detail that comes up in real experiences is the crew adjusting well to different comfort levels.

It’s not a match if you need accessibility support. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What to bring so the day stays fun

The basics are listed clearly, and I’d follow them:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Camera

One extra practical thought: if you plan to snorkel, make sure you’re comfortable in the water with your gear fitted correctly. You’ll be happier if you treat the first minutes in the cove as a calm setup time rather than rushing straight into the deepest part.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Yes—if your ideal Mykonos day looks like this: sea air, anchored swimming at Rhenia, good onboard lunch, and Delos included as a scenic pass rather than a hike.

Skip or rethink it only if:

• Delos on foot is a must for you
• You want a “pure sailing” experience with no motor assistance expectation
• You need mobility accessibility accommodations

If you’re trying to decide between spending all day on land or getting at least one major water break, this is one of the better ways to do it. The mix of Rhenia cove time plus food and drinks onboard turns the cruise into the kind of day that feels like a vacation within your vacation.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran cruise?

The duration is about 5 hours.

What’s the deal with Delos—do you visit the island?

You do not go onto Delos Island. You pass by and take photos from the boat.

How much time do you get at Rhenia Island for swimming?

You get a swimming stop of about 2 hours at Rhenia.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional. If you select it, pickup is from hotels in Mykonos, and you should wait in the lobby about 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a fresh traditional meal with seafood pasta, meat, and vegetarian options, plus seasonal fruits. Homemade rosé wine is included, and beer is listed as part of the onboard plan.

What snorkeling and water gear is provided?

Snorkeling gear is included, and SUP is also included.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No, it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.