A day on open water beats another afternoon of dust-and-crowds. This Mykonos cruise sends you to Delos for UNESCO ruins and then to Rhenia for swim time, snorkeling gear, and BBQ on board. It’s a great way to balance history with real sea time without planning every detail yourself.

I especially love the mix of activities: one solid chunk on Delos, then a full stretch of swimming and snorkeling at Rhenia. The other big plus is the onboard food and drinks—a proper Greek BBQ lunch with unlimited beverages means you’re not hunting for lunch in Mykonos again.

The only real drawback to consider is that the day is time-balanced, not slow. If you want lots of extra time on Delos with a top-tier guide, you may want to add the Delos professional guided tour upgrade, and you’ll also be barefoot on the yacht for safety and hygiene.

Key things that make this cruise worth your time

• UNESCO Delos in one focused visit: photo stop plus a walk with free time to explore at your own pace
• Rhenia water time is the payoff: snorkeling gear included and BBQ served right on board
• Unlimited drinks on the boat: beer, wine, coffee, tea, refreshments, and water
• Comfort-forward boat setup: towels, sunscreen, swimming noodles, WiFi, life vests, and skipper-led safety
• Two boat sizes depending on the group: Gulet 89 ft (up to 40) or Gulet 72 ft (up to 30)
• Pickup is optional: hotel pickup is available for €20 per person, paid on the spot

A smarter Mykonos day: ruins by morning, swim by afternoon

Mykonos can be loud. This cruise gives you a different rhythm—morning sailing, a structured visit to Delos, and then the best part: time in the water. You’re not stuck on the island doing one long busier-than-you-want thing.

I like that the itinerary respects travel time. You get scenic cruising out of Mykonos first, then Delos, then Rhenia. By the time you reach Rhenia, you’re ready to switch off and just enjoy the sea, snacks, and conversation.

The vibe you’re chasing here is simple: history you can walk, plus swimming you don’t have to overthink.

Boat comfort, group size, and the barefoot-on-board rule

Your comfort will depend on which gulet you get. The day may run on a Gulet 89 ft for up to 40 people or a Gulet 72 ft for up to 30 people, based on group size and conditions. Either way, it’s designed for day cruising—not a tiny speedboat experience.

Safety is handled the old-school way and kept straightforward: life vests are provided, there’s a safety briefing and a safety instructions video, and you’ve got a professional skipper driving. The crew is there to help, and they handle the little moments like getting you set up with drinks and equipment.

One detail you should plan for: everyone is barefoot on board for safety and hygiene. You still need shoes for walking on Delos (comfortable shoes help), but once you’re on the yacht, expect to go barefoot.

Getting to the pier: pickup or DIY meeting point

You can do this two ways. If you want convenience, you can add hotel pickup and drop-off from accommodations in Mykonos for €20 per person, reserved in advance and paid on the spot.

If you’d rather move faster and meet directly, the meeting point can be at Ioannis Diakoftis pier in the morning. Since the meeting point can vary by option, double-check what you booked so you show up at the right place.

Either way, bring a passport or ID card. Your details are required during booking due to travel insurance, so don’t leave that step to last-minute guesswork.

Sailing out of Mykonos: first drinks and first sea views (about 45 minutes)

After starting from Agios Ioannis, you cruise for about 45 minutes with scenic views and onboard drinks. This is your calm warm-up. You’ll also get a safety briefing early, which matters because you’ll be switching between boat time, land walking, and water time later.

On the drink menu, you’ll have beer, coffee, tea, wine, plus refreshments and water as part of the unlimited setup. It’s a small thing, but having drinks rolling from the start makes the whole day feel smoother.

This part is also a good moment to pick your plan: how much you want to hustle on Delos versus how much you want to float and watch the coastline.

Delos UNESCO ruins: how the timing works on the ground

Delos is the anchor of the day. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to 3500 BC, tied to Greek myth as the place where Apollo and Artemis were born. That’s a powerful context for walking through stone streets instead of just looking at a map.

You get two Delos moments. First, there’s a photo stop (about 15 minutes). Then there’s the main visit with a mix of guided time and free time: walking and sightseeing for about 1.5 hours.

What I like about this setup is that it doesn’t force you into one single pace. You can follow along during the structured part, then use the free time to focus on whatever pulls you—stairs, street lines, building remains, and viewpoints.

The optional upgrade if you want a deeper Delos

If you want the ruins explained by a professional Delos guide, you can add it for €45 for adults and €40 for children. The entrance fee is listed separately at €20 per person and needs to be pre-reserved and paid in advance.

You don’t need this upgrade to enjoy Delos, but it can help a lot if you want more clarity while you’re still standing among the remains. If you’re the kind of person who likes to connect the dots instead of just photographing them, the guide time is worth considering.

The water break off Delos: snorkeling gear included (about 1 hour)

After Delos land time, the cruise gives you about 1 hour for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkeling gear is included, so you’re not renting or bargaining for equipment at the dock.

This slot can be a great reset. Delos is intense in a good way, but it’s still a walking day. Being able to jump back into the water gives your legs a break and turns the afternoon into fun rather than just sightseeing.

Use the life vests if you’re not a confident swimmer or if you just want extra comfort. They’re provided for a reason, and the crew runs a safety-forward setup.

Rhenia Island: the BBQ lunch and the best sea time (about 2 hours)

Rhenia is where the day turns into pure relaxation. The schedule gives you around 2 hours on the island area, with swimming and snorkeling plus time to eat.

Here’s what’s included on Rhenia:

• BBQ lunch onboard with meat and vegetables
• Unlimited drinks (including beer, wine, refreshments, coffee, tea, and water)
• Snorkeling gear for underwater exploration
• Swimming noodles for extra floating fun
• Towels and sunscreen to make it easier to stay comfortable

You’re also sailing in between stops, and Rhenia is described as having crystal-clear waters. That lines up with why snorkeling is part of the core experience, not an add-on.

One practical note: you’ll be moving between boat and water during this block. Bring your beachwear and keep your comfortable clothes plan simple. You’ll enjoy the day more when you’re not juggling too many outfits.

Food and drinks on board: what the BBQ setup really gives you

This is one of the strongest value points. You get a freshly prepared traditional Greek BBQ with meat and vegetables, plus drinks throughout the day.

Unlimited drinks includes:

• beer
• wine
• refreshments
• coffee and tea
• water

Spirits and cocktails are not included. That doesn’t matter for most people because beer/wine and soft drinks cover the whole day, but if you’re a heavy cocktail person, plan on paying extra elsewhere.

The best part of the food setup is timing. Since the meal is served onboard, you don’t have that Mykonos problem of finding a decent lunch in a crowded pocket. You eat where you’re already relaxing, and then you’re back in the water.

How the day moves: a realistic timeline (and where it can feel short)

A 6-hour cruise means the schedule is efficient. The payoff is that you fit Delos and Rhenia in one go. The tradeoff is that you won’t feel like you have unlimited time in either place.

Here’s the flow in plain terms:

• Mykonos sailing time and scenic views early
• Delos photo stop
• Delos main visit with guided + self-guided/free time
• Swimming/snorkeling off Delos for about an hour
• Transit to Rhenia, then about two hours on the water/food break
• Return cruise to Mykonos with some free time on board

So if you’re the type who wants to hike and linger, Delos will feel like a focused visit. Some people may want more time to climb to top viewpoints, and if that’s your priority, consider adding the professional guide or come ready with a general understanding of what you want to see.

If your priority is beachy swimming and snorkeling fun, Rhenia delivers your payoff because it has the longer water-and-lunch block.

Who should book this cruise (and who might not)

This trip fits best if you want a balanced Mykonos day. You’ll get enough Delos to feel like you actually visited, then enough water time to feel like you escaped the island crowds.

I think it’s especially good for:

• couples who want scenery + a relaxing pace
• anyone who loves snorkeling but doesn’t want to manage gear rentals
• history fans who still want the day to end with swimming and food onboard

It may be less ideal if:

• you’re expecting a long, slow Delos deep-dive with tons of guided time (the professional guided tour is an upgrade)
• you want spirits and cocktails included
• you’re bothered by the barefoot-on-board rule

Also, weather matters. If conditions aren’t right, the itinerary may change or the tour may be canceled, and you should hear about it the evening before.

Should you book the Mykonos: Delos and Rhenia cruise with BBQ?

I’d book it if your ideal Mykonos day includes UNESCO ruins plus real sea time and you like the idea of eating and drinking onboard without planning every stop. The included BBQ lunch, snorkeling gear, and unlimited drinks make it feel like a complete day package rather than a barebones boat ride.

Add the professional Delos guide if you’re the kind of person who enjoys turning ruins into a story while you’re standing there. If you’re more of a wander-and-photo type, you can keep it simple and let the onboard guide plus your own exploration handle it.

Skip it only if you strongly prefer spirits/cocktails on a cruise, or if you need a lot more time at Delos than what fits into a 6-hour schedule.

If you want a day that feels like you got both sides of Mykonos—culture and water—this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the Delos and Rhenia cruise?

The duration is 6 hours.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Agios Ioannis. Meeting point details can vary depending on the option booked.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from accommodations in Mykonos for €20 per person (reserved in advance and paid on the spot).

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Complimentary snorkeling gear is included, along with life vests for safety.

What is included in the BBQ meal?

The BBQ lunch includes meat and vegetables, served onboard.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks are included, such as beer, wine, refreshments, coffee, tea, and water. Spirits and cocktails are not included.

Can I add a guided tour for Delos ruins?

Yes. A professional Delos guided tour is available for €45 per adult and €40 per child, and the entrance fee is €20 per person (pre-reserved and paid in advance).

What should I bring or wear?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, a jacket, comfortable clothes, and beachwear.

Is there WiFi on board?

Yes, WiFi is included on board.

What’s the group size and boat type?

Depending on group size and weather, the cruise may run on a Gulet 89 ft with a maximum of 40 people or a Gulet 72 ft with a maximum of 30 people.