Mykonos: Delos and Rhenia Islands Cruise with BBQ Meal

A Mykonos-to-Delos-and-Rhenia cruise is interesting because you get ancient ruins plus real swimming time in the same half-day. You start calm, you end sandy, and the sea does most of the work in between.

I especially like the provided snorkeling gear and the BBQ lunch served onboard. It is one of those days where you can do history and then just hang out in the water without planning your whole schedule.

One drawback to plan for is timing. Delos gives you a set window, so if you want to linger over every corner, you may prefer adding a professional guide (optional) or arriving with a bit of context.

Key things that make this cruise worth your time

• UNESCO Delos in a tight schedule: ruins time plus a shorter pass-by photo moment
• Snorkeling gear included: you do not have to pack or rent anything
• Rhenia Island water time: swim and snorkel again after Delos
• BBQ lunch onboard: meat and vegetables, served with unlimited drinks
• Small-boat feel: your gulet is capped at either 30 or 40 depending on the vessel
• Barefoot on board: sandals and shoes are not allowed onboard for safety and hygiene

Why Delos and Rhenia work as a Mykonos half-day plan

This cruise is built for people who want more than a one-port day. Mykonos is great, but it can feel nonstop. Here, you trade some of that energy for a steady rhythm: sail, see Delos, swim, then relax on Rhenia.

Delos is the big anchor. It is a UNESCO site going back thousands of years, and the ruins hit you in a way that museum photos never do. Rhenia, on the other hand, is about the water and the day’s slow pace, with another swim and a BBQ meal onboard.

If you like your travel days with a mix of walking and doing nothing, this is a very good match. You get guided choices, but you are not locked into a full-day schedule.

Getting to the yacht: pickup from your hotel or meet at Ioannis Diakoftis pier

You have two practical ways to start. If you want convenience, you can add roundtrip pickup and drop-off from your accommodation for €20 per person, paid on the spot after reserving.

If you prefer to manage your own timing, you can meet the yacht directly at Ioannis Diakoftis pier in the morning. Meeting point can vary depending on what option you book, so double-check the details you receive after booking.

Either way, aim to arrive with a little buffer. Once you are on the water, the day moves quickly but smoothly.

Mykonos sailing time: scenic views, nonstop refreshments, and the barefoot rule

The day starts from Agios Ioannis and immediately shifts into “sea day mode.” There is a safety briefing early on, and then you are cruising with scenic views and a steady flow of included drinks.

This is a small-boat setup. Depending on group size and weather, the cruise may run on a gulet 89 ft (max 40 people) or a gulet 72 ft (max 30 people). That matters. Smaller groups tend to feel less chaotic when everyone is trying to take photos, find shade, or line up for snacks.

One detail you should know before you go: you will be barefoot on board for safety and hygiene reasons, and shoes are not allowed onboard. Bring comfortable footwear for when you are on land, then plan on being barefoot once you step onto the boat.

You also get practical extras that make a difference at sea: towels, sunscreen, life vests, and even WiFi on board. It is the kind of list that tells me the crew has planned for actual comfort, not just sightseeing.

Delos UNESCO: what you will see, how long you have, and how to make the most of it

Delos is the main history stop, and it is scheduled in a way that keeps you from feeling rushed but also prevents a lost day. You will get a quick pass-by/photo moment, then time for a proper visit.

On Delos, you can choose your level of help. There is an option to book a professional guided tour for €45 per adult and €40 per child. If you do not add the guide, you still have a set amount of free time to explore on your own, plus you can walk and sightsee independently.

Why I think this stop is valuable: Delos is not just a pile of rocks. It is a place people associate with the birth myths of Apollo and Artemis, and the ruins are laid out in a way that feels logical once you start walking. You will get a sense of how the island functioned and why it mattered so long ago.

How to get the most out of limited time:

• Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably on uneven ground.
• Choose a couple of “must-see” areas first, then let the rest be a bonus.
• If you skip the paid guide, download a guide or audio beforehand. It keeps your bearings fast once you are standing in the ruins.

A practical planning note: there is also time later for swimming and snorkeling connected with the Delos portion of the day, so do not burn all your energy on the first walk if you want a good water break.

Snorkel time around Delos: clear water with gear already covered

After you take in Delos, the day does not just move on to land again. You get about an hour for swimming and snorkeling during the Delos segment.

The big advantage is that you do not have to hunt for rentals. Snorkeling gear is included, and you also get swimming noodles for extra float. That makes this stop friendlier for people who are not confident swimmers, because you can relax and still join in.

One more onboard detail that helps: the crew includes a safety instructions video and provides life vests. This is especially comforting in open water where everyone wants to keep things calm.

A tip for comfort: bring a light layer for after you get out of the water. The itinerary includes jacket guidance, and sea air can feel cooler once you are wet, even in warmer months.

Rhenia Island: second swim, BBQ meal onboard, and a slower pace away from Mykonos noise

Rhenia Island is where the cruise turns into a proper beach-and-water day. You get another longer block of time, roughly two hours, focused on swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

This part of the day is also when the BBQ lunch happens. The meal includes meat and vegetables, and it is served onboard while you are still in the island setting. That combo is why the whole itinerary works: you get history first, then you get food and water without changing plans.

You also keep the included drink flow going. Throughout the day, drinks are available, including beer, wine, refreshments, coffee, tea, and water. If you are someone who likes to keep your day simple, this is a major win. You do not have to stop at shops or budget your hydration every time you want a cold drink.

What to expect from the water time:

• Snorkeling gear is still there, so you can keep exploring the underwater world.
• The beaches or swim points may be a bit of a reach from shore depending on conditions, so be prepared for swimming in open water rather than a quick dash to a postcard-perfect beach.
• The water is clear enough that snorkeling feels worthwhile, even if it is not your first time.

If you want a relaxing end to the day, this is it. You can float, chat, and watch the coastline fade as the boat heads back.

Food, drinks, and what “unlimited” feels like in real life

The BBQ meal is one of the most praised parts of the day, and for good reason. You are not just getting a quick snack. You get a proper onboard BBQ lunch with meat and vegetables, and it is paired with unlimited drinks during the cruise.

Included drinks cover a lot of the basics people actually want on a boat: beer, wine, coffee, tea, water, and refreshments. Spirits and cocktails are not included, so if that is your usual vacation ritual, plan to pay extra.

This setup is about value and ease. My rule of thumb is simple: when a cruise includes a meal plus drinks, it reduces decision fatigue. You spend less time calculating costs and more time being outside.

Also worth mentioning: there is WiFi onboard and you get a steady crew presence, with staff there to assist and keep the day running smoothly. That shows up in the day-to-day stuff, like helping people with drinks and making sure everyone is safe and comfortable.

Small-boat comfort and service: the kind of details that make the day feel easy

A boat day lives or dies on crew energy. Here, you have a professional skipper plus a friendly crew that assists throughout the journey.

The itinerary is structured so you are never totally stuck. There are sail segments with time to relax, then planned blocks for Delos, then planned blocks for water and the BBQ meal. With a smaller group, you can actually find shade and still move around without shoulder-checking your way through.

What I like about the service style is the attention to safety and comfort at the same time. There is a safety briefing and a safety video, and you also get practical items like towels, sunscreen, and life vests. It reads as: they want you to have fun, but they also want you to feel looked after.

One more thing that came through strongly in feedback: people reported feeling welcomed and included, including couples on honeymoon. That does not guarantee it will feel perfect for every group, but it does suggest a respectful, low-pressure vibe.

Price and value: what you get for about $147, plus the optional add-ons

At about $147 per person for a 6-hour cruise, the value depends on whether you will use what is included.

Here is what you get in the base price:

• BBQ lunch with meat and vegetables
• Unlimited drinks (beer, wine, coffee, tea, water, refreshments)
• Snorkeling gear, plus swimming noodles
• Towels, sunscreen, WiFi, and safety gear like life vests
• Port fees and taxes are included

That bundle is the core reason this feels like a solid deal. Many Mykonos experiences charge separately for meals, water activities, and even basic comforts. This one groups those parts together.

Now, add-ons to consider:

• Hotel pickup/drop-off is €20 per person if you want it.
• A professional guide for Delos is €45 per adult and €40 per child (optional).
• There is also an entrance fee component for Delos noted as €20 per person, and it requires pre-reserving and paying in advance.

If you book without the paid Delos guide, you still get free time and walking time on the ruins. If you care about the details and want someone to point out what you should focus on, the guide can be worth it.

The best way to think about value: if you want BBQ lunch plus snorkeling plus drinks, this price starts to look more reasonable. If you only want one of those, shop carefully.

Who should book this, and who might prefer something else

This cruise is a great fit if you:

• want a low-stress day away from Mykonos crowds
• like mixing history with water time
• want snorkeling gear and a meal included so you do not spend the day budgeting
• prefer a smaller group feel with capped boat capacity

You might hesitate if you:

• need lots of time to study ruins slowly. Delos is impressive, but the time window is finite.
• are uncomfortable with barefoot boarding. You will be barefoot onboard, shoes are not allowed.
• want cocktails or spirits included. Those are not part of the unlimited package.

For most people, though, this is a smart “do the important stuff” outing: Delos first, Rhenia next, then back to Mykonos with a relaxed day behind you.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia BBQ cruise from Mykonos?

I would book it if you want a single day that combines UNESCO Delos with a real swim-and-snorkel plan, then ends with a BBQ meal and included drinks. The value comes from the package, not from one standout moment. It is a well-rounded day.

If you care deeply about Delos context, consider adding the professional guide or at least preparing with some self-guided notes ahead of time. With the right approach, you get the big experience without turning it into a rushed checklist.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The experience runs for about 6 hours.

What meal and drinks are included?

You get a BBQ lunch with meat and vegetables, plus unlimited drinks including beer, wine, refreshments, coffee, tea, and water. Spirits and cocktails are not included.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and you also get swimming noodles for added fun.

Can I get hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation can be added for €20 per person, reserved under purchase on the spot.

Do I need to book a Delos guide separately?

A Delos guided tour is optional. If you want it, it is available for €45 per adult and €40 per child, and the payment is required in advance.

Where do I meet if I do not want hotel pickup?

If you are not using pickup, you can meet the yacht directly at Ioannis Diakoftis pier in the morning.

What should I bring, and are shoes allowed onboard?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable clothes and beachwear, a jacket, and comfortable shoes for walking on land. Shoes are not allowed on board, and you will be barefoot onboard.

What happens if weather is not suitable?

If conditions are not appropriate, you will be informed the evening before about possible itinerary changes or cancellation.