Mykonos Delos Rhenia Daily Cruise with BBQ, Drinks & Transfer

This cruise is interesting because it mixes two totally different Mykonos days into one trip: walking ancient Delos ruins, then switching gears to saltwater time on a boat with food, drinks, and water toys. The catamaran setup gets strong praise for being clean, comfortable, and shaded, and that matters because you will spend a lot of the day outdoors.

My favorite part is the balance. You get a real UNESCO site visit option at Delos, but you also have a proper beach-and-snorkel stop at Rhenia where the main focus is relaxing in the Aegean and eating a freshly made onboard BBQ. One thing to consider: the Delos shore experience is optional and admission is not included, and landing at Delos can depend on winds and sea conditions.

Key highlights worth knowing before you sail

• Two classic stops: UNESCO Delos ruins first, then Rhenia Island for beach time and swimming
• Delos on land is optional and the Delos admission ticket is not included in your booking
• BBQ lunch and drinks onboard with seasonal fruits, snacks, coffee or tea, plus beer, wine, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling and water gear are included, including snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and more toys
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 25 people
• Hotel transfers are included, but you must contact the day before to arrange transport

A Mykonos day trip that pairs Delos ruins with real sea time

If you like packing history into your vacation, Delos is the headline. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site tied to Apollo and Artemis, and the ruins you see at Delos feel both dramatic and strangely intimate, like you’re walking through the footprint of a sacred city.

If you also like to actually rest on vacation, Rhenia Island is the counterweight. After Delos, the plan shifts to a secluded beach cove where you can anchor, swim, snorkel, and spend time on deck. That change in mood is a big part of why this works so well as a half-day escape from Mykonos.

And yes, the practical stuff helps too. This runs on a catamaran with onboard WiFi, a restroom, and the kind of open-deck layout that makes it easier to find shade when the sun is doing its thing.

How the full day runs (and where the time really goes)

This is a roughly 6-hour cruise. You start around Platis Gialos (meeting point: C87V+G4 Platis Gialos, Greece) and you return to the same meeting point.

The itinerary is built around two blocks, each about 1 hour 30 minutes:

1) Delos: arrive, handle the optional shore visit, then regroup

2) Rhenia: anchor at a secluded beach for swimming and snorkeling, then enjoy the BBQ lunch onboard

Between stops, you’re sailing. That time matters because you’re not rushed. It feels like you’re moving through the Cyclades rather than just ticking off stops.

Delos stop: optional shore visit to UNESCO ruins

Delos is the reason many people book. The cruise takes you to the Archaeological Site of Delos, and you get time to wander ruins that include temples, marketplaces, and the famous Terrace of the Lions.

Here’s how it really plays out on the boat:

• The Delos shore portion is optional.
• Your booking cost does not include the Delos admission ticket.
• If you want to get off, the crew brings you into the Delos area and the boat will reunite everyone before moving on to Rhenia.

In practical terms, you should decide ahead of time how you want to spend your Delos minutes. If you love walking ruins and reading signs, plan to stay on land longer. If you’d rather take in the scenery from the water, you can stay aboard and treat Delos as a photo-and-view stop.

Weather is the wildcard at Delos

Delos is also where sea conditions can affect the day. The cruise includes a safe, clear statement in the real world: if winds are strong, docking at Delos may not be possible. In those cases, you may still sail close enough to see Delos from the water, but the full shore visit may not happen.

This is the main reason I call Delos the “conditional” part of the itinerary. Everything else is very much a boat day, and that part tends to keep running smoothly when conditions allow.

Rhenia stop: a beach anchor for swimming, snorkeling, and the BBQ lunch

Rhenia Island is where the cruise becomes more about your senses than your schedule. You get to approach the island area and drop anchor at a secluded beach spot.

From there, you have time for:

• Swimming in clear water
• Snorkeling with provided equipment
• Relaxing on deck or by the water

The BBQ portion happens during this stage. The crew prepares a freshly cooked onboard BBQ, with locally sourced ingredients described as grilled meats, seasonal vegetables, and traditional Greek flavors. Meal extras you get include snacks such as seasonal fruits, plus coffee and/or tea.

Drinks are part of the package too: you’ll have alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine) as well as soft drinks. The tour notes also say special drinks are not included, but the included menu covers the basics people usually want with lunch.

Why Rhenia is such good value for your time

Many Mykonos visitors run out of stamina after beach hopping for a day. Rhenia avoids that. Instead of transferring between multiple beaches, you anchor in one place, so you can go in and out of the water at your own pace. That reduces stress and increases your actual swim time.

Also, the water gear is included, which matters. You’re not paying extra for snorkeling or scrambling to find a place to rent it.

The catamaran experience: comfort that actually helps in the sun

A lot of boat tours claim comfort. This one tends to deliver on the specifics people care about on a Greek island day.

I love that the cruise includes towels and sunscreen, which is one less thing to carry. There’s also personal life jacket provided, and you have access to snorkeling equipment and water toys like paddle boards and other gear.

Onboard comforts that show up in the feedback include:

• A clean, well-kept catamaran
• Space to relax in different areas, not just one cramped deck
• Lots of shade options, which you will appreciate once you’re out at sea

Reviews repeatedly call out the crew and the ship for being “massive and modern,” spotless, and comfortable. The crew style also gets attention, including staff being polite, informative, and easy to talk to during the day.

Crew names you might hear onboard

I noticed lots of praise tied to individuals such as Niko, Nick, Theo, John, and Yannis. If you meet someone like them, expect an upbeat, hands-on approach to helping with water activities and keeping the day running smoothly.

That kind of service matters because snorkeling and beach time are supposed to be fun. When the crew is organized, you waste less time figuring things out and more time enjoying the water.

Food and drinks: why the BBQ lunch is a standout

Boat lunches can be an afterthought. Here, the BBQ lunch is clearly a big deal, and it shows up again and again in the feedback as one of the best meals people had in Greece.

You’re not just getting a plate and sent away. The lunch is described as freshly prepared, with local flavors and items like grilled meats and seasonal vegetables, plus snacks like seasonal fruits. Coffee or tea is included too, which feels like a small detail until you’re on a cruise that starts earlier than expected and you realize you want something hot soon after boarding.

Drinks included make it easier to treat this like a full experience rather than a “snack and tour.” Included alcoholic options include beer and wine, and soft drinks are part of the package.

One small caution on drinks

The tour notes say tips or gratuities are not included, and special drinks are not included. So if you’re a craft-cocktail person, keep an eye on what’s included and what costs extra.

Value and price: is $175.36 a good deal?

At about $175.36 per person for roughly 6 hours, the value mostly comes from the combination, not the single item.

You are paying for:

• The boat and fuel, plus port fees and taxes
• Hotel transfer and transportation to and back (private transportation is included)
• Snorkeling equipment and water toys
• Towels and sunscreen
• A full BBQ lunch plus snacks and included drinks

The Delos admission ticket is not included, and that can change the final effective price slightly if you plan to go ashore. But even then, you’re still buying a lot: the sail time, the access to both islands, and the convenience of an all-in-one day.

Also, many people book this cruise well in advance, with an average booking window listed at about 40 days. That usually signals steady demand for this exact blend of history plus sea time.

Getting there: Platis Gialos and the hotel transfer setup

This tour starts at Platis Gialos and ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered, and the notes say private transportation from and back to your hotel is included.

There is one important planning step: you need to contact the operator the day before to arrange transportation. That’s not complicated, but it is a deadline you should not ignore.

The tour also uses a mobile ticket, which is handy for a day like this when you might be moving between places quickly.

Who this cruise suits best (and who should think twice)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A single, efficient day that combines Delos ruins and Aegean swim time
• A tour with included snorkeling gear and onboard BBQ lunch
• A relaxed schedule that doesn’t require you to manage the details of water access

It also works well for people arriving on a large cruise ship, since the cruise timing is described as compatible with cruise arrivals.

Consider it less if you care mainly about Delos on land

Because the Delos shore visit is optional and can be affected by weather, it’s not a perfect “guaranteed step-off-and-walk-everywhere” plan. If your heart is set on a long inland ruins visit, you may want to pair this with another Delos plan or be prepared for a water-view version of Delos on windy days.

Should you book the Mykonos Delos Rhenia cruise?

I would book it if you want a classic Mykonos experience with less hassle: ancient ruins at Delos when conditions allow, then real time in the water at Rhenia with a proper onboard BBQ and included drinks.

I would hesitate only if your main goal is a guaranteed, long Delos walking visit regardless of weather. The Delos part depends on sea conditions, and the admission ticket for Delos is not included.

If you’re okay with that tradeoff, this cruise is excellent value for a half-day that feels like both culture and vacation. Just plan to enjoy the sea time, eat well, and treat Delos as the unforgettable bonus that might be more spectacular from the water, depending on the day.

FAQ

Is Delos admission included in the price?

No. The Delos archaeological site admission ticket is not included in your booking cost. The shore visit at Delos is optional, and the boat will reunite guests before continuing.

How much time do we get at Delos and at Rhenia?

Delos is listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes, and Rhenia is also listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is included for swimming and snorkeling?

You get use of snorkeling equipment. The cruise also includes activities with paddle boards and additional water toys, plus towels and sunscreen.

What food and drinks are included?

You’ll have a freshly prepared BBQ lunch with authentic local flavors, plus snacks like seasonal fruits. Alcoholic beverages, soda or pop, bottled water, and coffee and/or tea are included.

Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?

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

What happens if weather is poor?

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