Mykonos: Delos and Rhenia Islands Cruise with BBQ Meal

The best part of this six-hour cruise is the contrast. You go from the ancient stones of Delos, one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites, to the clear water and quiet coves around Rhenia. One hour you are tracing old walls and statues. The next, you are barefoot on a sailing yacht with a plate of grilled food.

I like the included BBQ and drinks, which make the $147 price easier to justify. I also like having a choice at Delos: pay for a guide, arrange an audio guide yourself, or simply walk through the ruins at your own pace. The main drawback is that Delos entrance and guiding cost extra, and the boat may carry up to 40 people.

Key points before you book

• Delos gives the cruise real historical weight: You can walk among ruins dating back to about 3500 BC and visit the island linked with Apollo and Artemis.
• Rhenia is the swimming stop: Bring your beachwear and expect time for swimming and snorkeling from the yacht rather than a long shore excursion.
• The BBQ is a major part of the value: Meat, vegetables, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are included.
• You will go barefoot on board: Wear comfortable shoes for Delos, but remove them before stepping onto the yacht.
• The boat size can vary: The 89-foot Gulet carries up to 40 people, while the 72-foot Gulet carries up to 30.
• Budget for add-ons: Hotel transfers cost €20 per person, while the Delos guide costs €45 per adult or €40 per child, plus a €20 entrance fee per person.

Why this cruise works so well from Mykonos

Mykonos can be loud, busy, and expensive. A day on the water gives you a different view of the island. You leave from Agios Ioannis and spend the morning sailing past the Cycladic coast, with coffee, tea, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water available on board.

The sailing itself is part of the experience. You are not simply being taken from one port to another. The yacht gives you deck space, sea views, and time to sit back between stops. The crew handles navigation and safety while you settle into the day.

This is also a useful choice if your group wants different things. One person can focus on ancient sites, another can swim, and someone else can stay on deck with a drink. You are not locked into a full day of museums or a full day at the beach.

The boats are Gulets, traditional-style sailing yachts used around the Greek islands. Depending on the weather and group size, the company uses either an 89-foot boat for up to 40 people or a 72-foot boat for up to 30. That is not a private yacht experience unless you book the private option, but the size allows room to stretch out. A group of 34 was described as comfortable on the larger boat.

Leaving Agios Ioannis and settling into the morning

The cruise starts at a meeting point near Agios Ioannis, also listed as Ioannis Diakoftis pier. The exact pickup point depends on the option you choose.

You can arrange hotel pickup and return for €20 per person. This is useful in Mykonos, where roads and accommodation locations can make a simple meeting point less simple than it sounds. If you skip the transfer, plan to reach the pier on your own and confirm the exact location and timing before departure.

The first sailing section lasts about 45 minutes. You will receive a safety briefing, and a safety video is part of the preparation. Life vests are available, and a professional skipper handles the boat.

One practical point matters here: all participants go barefoot on board for safety and hygiene. Wear sandals or comfortable shoes for the journey to Delos, but expect to remove them on the yacht. You will want beachwear, comfortable clothing, a jacket for the ride, and a passport or ID card.

Delos, where mythology meets stone

Delos is the intellectual center of the trip. It was an important religious and commercial site in the ancient Aegean, and Greek mythology identifies it as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The remains spread across an open archaeological site, so this is not a quick photo stop beside one famous building.

The visit lasts about an hour and a half. You can choose the guided option in advance, or walk independently. A professional guide costs €45 per adult and €40 per child. The stated entrance fee is €20 per person, also paid separately.

If you choose not to hire a guide, prepare before you arrive. One useful approach is to download a guided tour or bring your own information so the stones have some context. Without that preparation, the site can feel like a large collection of foundations, columns, and broken sculptures.

I would choose the guide if ancient Greek history is central to your trip or if you want help making sense of the site in limited time. I would choose self-guided exploration if you prefer to set your own pace, take photographs, and stop when something catches your eye.

The site is exposed, with little reason to expect shade everywhere. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water are important, even though drinks are available back on the yacht. The walk can also feel demanding in hot weather. This is an archaeological visit, not a gentle stroll along a waterfront.

The boat makes a short pass near Delos before the shore visit, giving you a chance to see the island from the water. After the archaeological section, there is additional time for swimming and snorkeling near Delos or at a nearby bay, depending on the day’s conditions.

Rhenia for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch

Rhenia changes the mood completely. After Delos, the yacht moves toward a quieter island setting for roughly two hours. This is the time to use the complimentary snorkeling equipment, swim from the boat, or relax with a noodle in the water.

The attraction here is the water itself. The cruise does not promise a long walk across Rhenia or a formal beach program. Instead, you spend time around the yacht, with swimming, snorkeling, food, and views as the main event.

That distinction is worth understanding before booking. If you want to walk ashore and claim a broad sandy beach, this may not be the right format. If you are happy stepping off a yacht into clear water, Rhenia is likely to be the strongest part of the day.

Swimming from the boat also means you should be comfortable using a ladder or entering the water from the yacht. One review noted that the beaches were too far away for an easy swim to shore. You can stay close to the boat and still enjoy the stop.

What lunch is like on the yacht

The BBQ is freshly prepared on board and includes Greek-style meat and vegetables. Drinks include beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water, with unlimited service listed as part of the trip. Spirits and cocktails are not included.

This is one of the cruise’s best practical features. On many boat outings, lunch means buying an expensive sandwich or carrying food in your day bag. Here, the meal is built into the day, and the crew serves it while you remain on the yacht.

The meal also gives the cruise a social rhythm. You swim, dry off, sit down for lunch, and return to the deck for the ride back. The supplied feedback repeatedly singles out the food, with one person describing it as better than the meal at their hotel and another calling the onboard lunch five-star quality.

I would still keep your expectations sensible. This is a boat BBQ, not a restaurant tasting menu. Its value comes from fresh food, generous portions, included drinks, and the setting. The crew also checks on drinks and comfort during the day, which matters when you are in the sun for several hours.

Towels, sunscreen, WiFi, and swimming noodles are included. I would still bring your own sunscreen if you need a particular brand or have sensitive skin. The included supplies are helpful, but you should not treat them as a replacement for personal beach essentials.

The return sail and what six hours feels like

After Rhenia, the yacht returns toward Mykonos with another scenic sailing section of about an hour and a half. You can use this time to dry off, talk with the group, watch the coastline, or simply lie back with a drink.

Six hours is a good middle ground. You get two very different stops without giving up an entire day on Mykonos. At the same time, the schedule is full enough that you will not spend the day waiting around at the pier.

The timing depends on weather and sea conditions. If conditions are poor, the company says you will be informed the evening before about possible itinerary changes or cancellation. That is sensible for a boat trip, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Mykonos plans.

The route can also change in feel depending on the boat used and the group size. A larger group creates more energy and more people to share the deck with. It also means swimming access, seating, and movement around the boat may feel less private than on a small charter.

Is the $147 price good value?

At $147 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend a day in Mykonos. But the price includes more than transportation. You receive a six-hour cruise, a BBQ lunch, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water, snorkeling equipment, towels, sunscreen, WiFi, safety equipment, and a crew.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and eat on board. Buying a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and equipment separately would quickly add up in Mykonos. The included service also makes budgeting easier.

The price is less attractive if your main reason for booking is Delos alone. You still need to add the €20 entrance fee, and a guided visit costs another €45 per adult or €40 per child. With transfers, a couple can add another €40 to the total.

I see the cruise as a combined day out rather than a low-cost archaeological excursion. You are paying for the sea time, the yacht, the meal, and the chance to pair Delos with Rhenia. That combination is what makes the price reasonable.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add some flexibility. The tour is offered in English and Greek, and a private group option is available.

Who should choose this Mykonos boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a balanced day with history, swimming, food, and open water. Couples, families with older children, and small groups with mixed interests should find the format useful.

It is also a good fit for people who like an active day but do not want to plan every detail. The crew provides equipment, food, drinks, towels, safety instructions, and navigation. You can focus on the places rather than arranging each part yourself.

You should think twice if you dislike group outings, need a quiet private boat, or want a long guided visit at Delos. Even the larger Gulet can carry 40 people. You should also be comfortable with sun, boat movement, uneven archaeological ground, and a barefoot policy on board.

The tour is welcoming to different kinds of groups. A same-sex honeymooning couple specifically found the atmosphere inclusive, which is useful context for anyone wondering about the social feel on board.

Practical preparation for the day

Bring your passport, ID card, or driving licence details. Identification information is required at booking for personal insurance.

Pack beachwear, a light jacket, comfortable clothes, and shoes for Delos. Keep in mind that shoes are not allowed on the yacht, so footwear is for the walk and shore portions only.

A valid phone number is important. The operator uses phone or internet communication for cruise details, transport arrangements, and weather updates.

You can expect drinks throughout the day, but spirits and cocktails are not included. If those matter to you, plan on paying separately or skipping them.

Finally, do not treat the schedule as fixed in stone. Weather may change the route or stop locations, and the company may notify you the evening before if the plan needs to change.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia cruise?

Book it if you want Mykonos history and swimming in one well-organized day. The strongest reasons are the excellent onboard meal, generous drink service, attentive crew, and the contrast between Delos ruins and Rhenia’s clear water.

I would add the Delos guide if the archaeological side matters to you. Otherwise, prepare your own audio guide and use the savings for the rest of your Mykonos plans.

Skip it if you want a private, beach-focused outing or if you dislike group boats. For everyone else, the combination of ancient ruins, snorkeling, BBQ lunch, and a six-hour sailing schedule makes this one of the more useful ways to get beyond Mykonos town.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from the Agios Ioannis area, at or near Ioannis Diakoftis pier. The exact meeting point depends on the option booked.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Round-trip pickup and drop-off from Mykonos accommodations is available for €20 per person. It must be arranged in advance, with payment made on the spot.

Is the Delos guide included?

No. A professional Delos guide costs €45 per adult or €40 per child. A €20 per person entrance fee is also listed separately. You can visit Delos independently instead.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a BBQ lunch with meat and vegetables. Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are included. Spirits and cocktails are not included.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling gear is provided. Swimming noodles and towels are also included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If conditions are not suitable, you will be informed the evening before about possible itinerary changes or cancellation. You may cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.