From Mykonos: Delos & Rhenia Islands Half-Day Trip by Boat

The best part of this trip is the contrast: ancient Delos gives you temples, statues, and a long look at Greek history, while Rhenia offers clear water and a quiet beach with no town behind it. In one day, you get two very different Cycladic islands.

I like the choice built into the day. You can walk around Delos for two hours or stay aboard for more swimming, and the crew serves a filling BBQ with fruit, water, soft drinks, and wine. The main drawback is the lack of shade at Delos, plus rough water on windy days. If you get seasick, bring the medicine you normally use.

Key points at a glance

• Two islands, two moods: Study ancient ruins on Delos, then swim off the boat near uninhabited Rhenia.
• A real swim stop: You jump from the boat into clear water and can swim toward a sandy, sometimes rocky beach.
• BBQ lunch on board: Expect meat skewers, salad, rice, bread, dips, and fruit, with water, soft drinks, and wine included.
• Delos is optional: Pay the entrance fee and explore on foot, or stay with the boat for more sea time.
• The ride home becomes a party: Music, singing, and dancing are part of the return trip on many departures.
• Plan for sun and motion: Delos has little shade, Rhenia can be rocky, and the boat ride may get choppy.

Why this Mykonos boat trip works so well

Mykonos can easily become a blur of beaches, white buildings, and expensive drinks. This excursion gives your day more shape. You leave the island behind, spend time in open water, walk through one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites, and return with a social, music-filled boat ride.

The experience lasts about 6.5 hours and costs around $101 per person. That is a fair price if you want both a boat outing and a Delos visit. A basic boat ride may cost less, but this fare also covers fuel, crew, a BBQ lunch, fruit, and drinks. You still pay the Delos entrance fee, roughly €20, and there is no guide included for the ruins.

The boat is described as large, clean, and sturdy, which matters when the Aegean turns choppy. It is not a private yacht experience. You will share the day with a group, and the appeal comes from the friendly crew, easy social atmosphere, and full schedule.

Meeting the boat at Mykonos Old Port

You meet at the bus station by the Old Port of Mykonos. Allow extra time. The meeting point itself is straightforward once you find the right place, but the boat or voucher may not always carry the same company name, and signage can be limited.

That small bit of confusion is easy to avoid: arrive early, keep your booking details ready, and ask at the bus station if you are unsure. Once you are aboard, the day becomes much simpler.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the old port area, and you should bring a passport or identity card. The duration can vary slightly with sea conditions and the day’s operation, so do not plan a tight appointment immediately afterward.

Rhenia: clear water and a quiet shore

The boat takes about 45 minutes to reach Rhenia. This first stretch gives you time to settle in, find a place on deck, and take in the views across the Cycladic islands.

Rhenia is uninhabited, which is the point. You are not arriving at a developed resort with rows of sunbeds and beach bars. The boat stops near a sandy cove, and you can enter the sea directly from the deck. Strong swimmers can make their way toward the beach, while others may prefer to stay close to the boat.

The water is the star here. It is clear enough for swimming and some snorkeling, with several people spotting fish and sea life. Snorkeling gear is not included, though you can buy equipment on board. If you already own a mask, pack it.

Bring water shoes if you have them. Parts of the beach and seabed are rocky, and the shore is not the soft, polished beach you might expect from a resort brochure. A pool noodle is also useful if you are not a confident swimmer. The salt water helps you float, but the boat stops offshore rather than directly on the sand.

The Rhenia portion lasts roughly three hours and includes swimming, relaxing, and lunch. This is the most restful part of the trip. You can jump from the boat, swim, sit on deck, or walk across to the beach if conditions allow. The crew keeps an eye on people in the water and works to make the stop comfortable.

BBQ lunch with a view of the Aegean

Lunch is served around the Rhenia stop, when you are likely to be ready for it. The meal typically includes chicken and pork skewers, rice, Greek salad, bread, dips, and watermelon or other fruit.

The food is simple rather than gourmet, but it suits a day at sea. Portions satisfy most people, though one person noted they could have eaten more. The rice may be plain, and the included wine is basic. Salt, pepper, soft drinks, water, and additional drinks help round things out.

The crew is generous with included drinks, particularly water, soft drinks, and wine. If you want something else, extra drinks can be purchased on board. I would treat lunch as a good picnic-style meal rather than a reason to book the trip on its own.

The timing also works well. You swim first, eat afterward, and then have time to dry off before the archaeological stop. Bring a cover-up, sunscreen, and a towel. There is plenty of sun, and you will want a dry layer for the ride later in the day.

Delos: two hours among ancient ruins

After Rhenia, the boat heads to Delos. The crossing takes around 30 minutes, although the exact timing can change with sea conditions.

Delos is not just another photo stop. In the ancient Greek world, it was a major religious and commercial center, and the remains spread across a broad open site. You can see temples, marble fragments, streets, houses, columns, and the remains of a once-important settlement.

You get about two hours on the island. That is enough to see a great deal, but it is not enough for a slow, expert-led study of every structure. There is no guide included, so you explore independently. Maps and information plaques help, and the site gives you enough context to understand what you are seeing.

If you want a simple strategy, head toward the higher ground first for the views and then work back through the ruins. One person who knew the site well suggested going straight to the mountain and temple area before walking the rest of Delos. That makes sense in hot weather, when the uphill portion feels harder later.

The setting is beautiful but exposed. There is very little shade, and summer heat can make two hours feel long. Wear a hat, use sunscreen, and carry plenty of water. There are no shops on the island, so do not assume you can buy a drink after getting off the boat.

The entrance ticket is not included and costs about €20, though prices can vary. Some younger visitors may qualify for free admission, so check the current rules before you go. If you care about archaeology, the extra fee is worthwhile. Delos is the part of the day that gives this outing real depth.

If you have already visited Delos, dislike walking in strong sun, or simply want more swimming, you can remain on the boat. The alternative is usually another swim opportunity or time to relax aboard. That flexibility is one of the trip’s better features, especially for families or groups with different interests.

The return ride is part of the entertainment

The ride back to Mykonos is not a quiet wind-down. Music often comes on, the crew encourages dancing, and the boat takes on a party atmosphere. Crew members named Mola, Mohamed, Michael, and Paola have been singled out for their energy and warmth on different departures, though the exact crew depends on the day.

You do not have to dance. You can sit back, enjoy the views, and watch the group have fun. But if you like a lively finish, this is a major reason to choose this outing over a more formal archaeological transfer.

The mood is friendly and informal. People traveling alone can meet others, couples can enjoy the scenery, and families can join in without needing to commit to a full party cruise. The music and dancing may be a little much if you hoped for a peaceful final hour, so keep that in mind.

Wind matters most on the way home. Several departures have had rougher water, and the boat can move sharply when the Aegean is unsettled. Choose a seat near the center if you are prone to motion sickness, watch the horizon, and bring your preferred medication.

What the $101 price really covers

At about $101, this is good value for a full day on the water if you plan to visit Delos anyway. You are paying for the boat, fuel, crew, the Rhenia swim stop, lunch, fruit, and included drinks. You also get the chance to see two islands without arranging separate ferries or taxis.

The value is strongest when you use both sides of the trip: take your time at Rhenia, then walk Delos rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. The price feels less attractive if you skip Delos, do not swim, and mainly want transportation between Mykonos and the islands.

You should budget separately for the Delos entrance fee, snorkeling equipment if needed, and any paid drinks. Hotel transfers are also extra because they are not provided.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time for your date, since the exact schedule is not stated in the general description.

Who should book this experience

You will probably like this trip if you want variety. It suits people who want history and swimming in one outing, couples looking for a fun day away from Mykonos, families with older children, and solo visitors who enjoy a social boat atmosphere.

It also works well for cruise passengers, provided your ship’s schedule allows enough time. The boat returns to Mykonos after the excursion, but you should leave a generous buffer before your required return to the ship.

This is less suitable if you need a quiet, private boat, have limited tolerance for sun, or cannot manage a walk over uneven archaeological ground. It is also not ideal if you are a weak swimmer and hope to walk straight from the boat onto a soft beach. You can remain aboard, but the Rhenia stop is built around entering the water.

Practical packing advice

Bring your passport or ID card, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and a refillable water bottle. Add water shoes for the rocky shore, a mask if you want to snorkel, and motion-sickness medicine if you normally need it.

Wear shoes that work for Delos. Flip-flops are fine on the boat but awkward among ancient stones and uphill paths. A light shirt or cover-up will help during the return ride, especially after swimming.

Do not count on buying supplies at Delos. Bring the water you need before leaving the boat, and listen for instructions about when to return. The crew manages the timing, but you are responsible for being back at the meeting point.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia cruise?

I would book it if you want an active, social day that covers the best contrast near Mykonos. The clear water at Rhenia, the substantial Delos stop, included lunch, and lively crew make the $101 fare reasonable.

Choose another option if you want a private sailing trip, a professional archaeological guide, or a polished food-and-wine experience. This is a friendly group cruise with a basic BBQ, optional swimming, independent sightseeing, and dancing on the return.

For most people, the strongest plan is simple: swim at Rhenia, eat lunch, walk Delos with water and sunscreen, then enjoy the music on the way home. That combination gives you sea, sun, history, and a good deal of Greek island spirit in a single day.

FAQ

How long does the Delos and Rhenia boat trip last?

The experience lasts about 6.5 hours, including the boat rides, the Rhenia stop, the BBQ meal, and time at Delos.

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at the bus station at the Old Port of Mykonos. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the entrance fee to Delos included?

No. The entrance fee is approximately €20 per person, although admission rules and prices can vary.

Is a guide included at Delos?

No. The Delos visit is self-guided. Maps and information plaques are available around the archaeological site.

Can I skip walking around Delos?

Yes. You can remain aboard instead of visiting the ruins and use the time for another swim or for relaxing on the boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ and fruit are included. The meal can include meat skewers, rice, salad, bread, dips, and watermelon or similar fruit.

Are drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, and wine are included. Other drinks may be available to purchase on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, but it can be purchased on board. You may also bring your own equipment.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and water. Water shoes, a hat, and motion-sickness medicine can also be useful.