If you want ancient ruins and swim time, this one works. I like how this catamaran day cruise pairs a UNESCO stop at Delos with an actual beach-and-sea day at Rhenia, all wrapped into a smooth 6-hour outing. Two big wins: the onboard setup is comfortable and well-equipped, and the lunch-and-drinks plan is a real meal, not just snacks.

My favorite part is the combo of Delos (optional shore time) plus a second stop where the water is the main event. The main thing to think about is Delos: the archaeological stop is optional, the admission ticket isn’t included, and on rougher weather the crew may adjust so you see Delos from the water instead of landing.

The payoff for most people is simple: you get history, then you get to cool off. With pickup from your hotel and a max group size of 25, it’s also the kind of day trip that tends to feel organized rather than chaotic.

Key highlights you should know

• UNESCO Delos plus free sea time: ruins first, then you’re back on the water fast.
• BBQ lunch and drinks included: wine/beer/soft drinks with a proper grilled meal.
• Snorkeling gear, towels, life jackets: water activities are mostly plug-and-play.
• Rhenia anchoring for swimming: a relaxed swim stop with time to snorkel or just float.
• Small group cap (25): more personal than the big bus-and-boat style.
• Crew energy matters: multiple crew members get named in reviews as helpful and professional.

Why This Mykonos–Delos–Rhenia Cruise Makes a Great 6-Hour Day

This is built for people who want to do the classic Mykonos-to-the-ancients thing without losing the whole day to logistics. You’re out on the water for roughly six hours, with Delos and then Rhenia, so you get both sights and a real break from the beach crowds.

What makes it work is the pacing: Delos is the “look and wander” part, and Rhenia is the “stop, anchor, swim” part. If your Mykonos schedule is tight, this kind of two-stop format is often the best way to squeeze in a UNESCO site without sacrificing the sea time.

Also, the experience is designed to keep you comfortable between stops: restroom onboard, WiFi onboard, and plenty of places to relax. Even if you’re not the snorkeling type, the boat setup is what keeps the day from feeling rushed.

Boarding at Platis Gialos and Getting Where You Need to Go

Most people worry about how to actually start these trips. Here, pickup is offered, and the transportation from and back to your hotel is included. If you’re arriving by cruise ship, the timing is described as suitable so you can catch this daily catamaran cruise.

Your starting point is Platis Gialos (meeting point listed as C87V+G4 Platis Gialos). You’ll also get a mobile ticket, which is handy if you’re juggling multiple bookings in Mykonos.

The practical takeaway: if you’re staying outside Platis Gialos, don’t plan on walking it. Use the included transfer, and you’ll reduce the chances of being stressed during check-in.

Delos Ruins: Optional Shore Time, Admission Not Included, and Weather Reality

Delos is the headline. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site tied to Apollo and Artemis, and the ruins have that “you can’t fake this” feeling once you’re actually in the space. On this cruise, Delos is scheduled as the first stop, with about 1 hour 30 minutes available there.

Here’s the key detail: getting off to visit the archaeological site is optional, and the admission ticket for Delos is not included in your cruise price. The boat will rejoin guests who do get out, so you’re not making a separate plan—you’re choosing whether to turn the clock to ancient Greece for a focused walk.

Now for the part you really need to consider: landing isn’t guaranteed in every weather situation. One review described a day where strong winds meant the captain didn’t allow docking at Delos, so they ended up seeing Delos from the bay for a short time rather than touring it ashore. That’s not a “gotcha,” it’s a safety call, but it’s worth planning around.

On the ground, there may not be a full guided tour experience. One review noted they had a pamphlet at the ticket booth rather than on-site tour guides. So if you want a guided explanation, you might prefer to bring a bit of reading, a guidebook, or plan to use any audio resources you already have.

How to decide if Delos is worth your shore time

If you love ruins and want a concentrated walk, go ashore during the Delos window. If your priority is swimming and you’d rather not deal with ticket lines or a shorter shore visit, staying onboard is a totally valid strategy—especially because the day is built around the second stop at Rhenia.

The Sea Between Stops: Turning Transit Into “Time Off”

The trip isn’t just transportation. The catamaran format means you’re not stuck on a tiny boat with nowhere to sit. In reviews, people call out the ship as clean, modern, and comfortable, with plenty of room to spread out.

Between Delos and Rhenia, you can stay on board and enjoy the Aegean scenery. That matters more than it sounds. A lot of Mykonos itineraries feel like a checklist. This one has enough “in-between time” that your day doesn’t feel like one sprint after another.

You’ll also have onboard basics covered: WiFi, a restroom, and snacks plus seasonal fruits. Coffee and/or tea are included, and at least one review specifically appreciated having hot coffee early in the day.

If you’re traveling with family, this is often the sweet spot: kids can roam the decks, adults can relax, and everyone avoids the “standing in lines all morning” trap.

Rhenia Island: Anchored Beach Time, Snorkeling Gear, and Toy-Filled Water Fun

After Delos, the cruise heads toward Rhenia (spelled both Rhenia and Rineia in the info you’ll see). This is the second core experience, and it’s where the day turns into a swim-and-snorkel outing.

You’ll drop anchor at a secluded beach for about 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s plenty of time to do a short snorkel session, take a slow swim, and still have room for relaxing in the sun.

The cruise includes snorkeling equipment, and the boat also offers paddle boards and other water toys. One review mentioned snorkeling gear that felt new and clean, which is exactly what you want when you’re putting your face in the water.

One fun detail worth noting for families: a review described a plank extension out into the water that kids could walk and jump from. Whether you jump or just watch, it adds a playful energy to the water portion without turning the whole cruise into a party scene.

Water conditions can vary, but the structure holds up: anchor, swim, eat lunch later, and repeat the “cool off” rhythm. If your idea of a great day includes salty air, clear water, and not having to plan your next move, Rhenia is doing the heavy lifting here.

The BBQ Lunch, Snacks, and Drinks Plan You’ll Actually Feel Good About

This is not a bare-bones meal. Lunch is described as a freshly prepared BBQ with authentic local flavors, and reviews back up that it’s genuinely tasty.

Included items include seasonal fruits, soda/pop, bottled water, coffee and/or tea, and alcoholic beverages. Reviews repeatedly call out the lunch as among the best meals they had in Greece, and multiple people mention the food was better than what they found on cruises or at many restaurants.

Expect grilled items plus Greek flavors like grilled vegetables and meats, and also a typical Greek spread vibe: tzatziki gets mentioned in one detailed review, along with salad and grilled vegetables. If you have food allergies, that’s a positive point too—one review said the crew accommodated a food allergy with care.

One practical advantage: drinks and snacks onboard mean fewer awkward breaks where you’re hunting cash-only bars or waiting in line. It’s also why people describe the whole day as relaxed.

Drinks included, but don’t assume cocktails and special drinks

The info notes alcoholic beverages are included, while special drinks are not. If you’re the kind of person who wants specific cocktails, you’ll want to manage expectations and treat the included bar as the main plan.

Small Group Feel and the Crew Names People Remember

This cruise caps at 25 travelers, which changes the vibe compared to big-group excursions. Even if your group number isn’t tiny, the format tends to feel more like a day on a private-ish yacht than a crowd herding exercise.

Reviews repeatedly praise the crew for being organized and genuinely friendly. Crew names that show up in reviews include Nicos (and a similar-sounding Nico), Theo, John (including Captain John), Nick, Vasilissis, and Yannis. Whether you meet all of them or just some, the pattern is consistent: people remember the crew as attentive and professional.

One person also appreciated that this doesn’t feel like a party boat. That’s worth saying plainly: if you want a lively atmosphere with music and fun energy, it can deliver, but it doesn’t come across as rowdy.

If you’re a solo traveler, this kind of crew-led structure is also helpful. One review explicitly said they felt comfortable as a solo traveler and that transfers to and from the hotel made everything easy.

What to Pack for Delos and Rhenia (Without Overthinking It)

Because you’ll split the day between archaeology time and water time, pack for both.

Bring:

• Swimwear you don’t mind using again
• Towel and sunscreen are included, but having your own lightweight cover-up can still help
• Water shoes if you’re sensitive about how rocky entries can feel (not guaranteed, but common)
• A hat and sunglasses for deck time

The cruise provides personal life jackets and snorkeling gear, so you don’t need to bring that. Still, you might want your own mask if you’re picky, since not every face fits every snorkel set perfectly.

Also plan for sun exposure. Delos involves walking outside, and Rhenia is beach time in open air. Even if it’s breezy, Aegean sun can be strong.

If you’re trying to photograph Delos, remember: if weather affects landing, you may see the ruins from the water rather than from shore. That doesn’t ruin photos—it just shifts the angles.

Price and Value at Around $175: What You Get for Your Money

At about $175.36 per person, you’re paying for more than “a boat ride.” You’re paying for the whole stack: catamaran day experience, onboard amenities, snorkeling gear and water toys, a real BBQ lunch, and drinks.

A lot of Mykonos day trips feel like you pay to move somewhere, then you pay again for food and activities. Here, lunch is included, drinks are included, and key water gear is included too. Fuel and port fees are also included, which matters because that often becomes “surprise math” in other tours.

The one extra cost to factor in is Delos admission if you choose to go ashore. Since that ticket isn’t included, your total day cost can move depending on how many people in your group decide to step off the boat.

So who does this pricing suit best? People who want:

• A single-ticket plan with food and drinks handled
• A day that includes both history time and swim time
• Transfers that keep you from coordinating taxis and walking between points

If you mainly want a long swim day and don’t care about ruins, you might find cheaper options elsewhere. But if Delos is on your list, this cruise format often feels like a good value.

Should You Book This Delos and Rhenia Catamaran Cruise?

Yes, if you want a balanced day in Mykonos: ruins at Delos, then anchored swim time at Rhenia, with BBQ lunch and drinks included. The small group size, the included snorkeling gear, and the onboard comfort make it a strong pick for couples, families, and even multi-generation trips.

Think twice or adjust expectations if:

• Delos landing matters a lot to you, because weather (strong winds) can limit docking and shift the experience to viewing from the water
• You’re on a cruise schedule where missing Delos shore time is harder to fix, since rebooking may not work if your dates are tight
• You want guaranteed guided interpretation on-site at Delos, since on-site guides may not be part of what you get

If you can handle the weather-driven reality of island cruising—and you’re excited by the idea of mixing ruins and swim time on the same day—this is a cruise that earns its high marks.

FAQ

Is the Delos archaeological admission ticket included?

No. Delos admission is not included in the booking cost. The shore visit to Delos is optional, and you can stay on board instead.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is about 6 hours.

What stops are included?

You’ll stop at the Archaeological Site of Delos and then at Rhenia (Rineia) for swimming and beach time.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup is offered, and the transportation from and back to your hotel is included. You’re asked to contact the day before to arrange transport.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is included via a freshly prepared BBQ, along with seasonal fruits, bottled water, coffee and/or tea, soda/pop, and alcoholic beverages.

Are snorkeling and water toys included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and there are also paddle boards and more water toys.

What meeting point does the cruise use?

The meeting point is in Platis Gialos (C87V+G4 Platis Gialos, Greece).

How many people are on the boat?

The cruise has a maximum of 25 travelers.

Is WiFi and a restroom available onboard?

Yes. WiFi and a restroom are available onboard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.