All inclusive cruise-Mykonos Delos&Rhenia beaches(free transport)

Delos is the star of this Mykonos boat trip, but the best part may be the contrast: ancient stones in the morning or afternoon, then clear Aegean water at Rhenia. You get a Greek buffet, drinks, snorkel gear, and transport for about $138.78 per person.

I like the fresh local meal on board, which includes Greek vegetable dishes, spreads, and other traditional fare. I also like the chance to reach Rhenia, an uninhabited island where you can swim away from Mykonos crowds. The main drawback is the sea itself. Mykonos is famously windy, and rough water has made this outing uncomfortable, and on some departures reportedly unsafe, for some people.

• Delos and Rhenia in one outing: Pair one of the Aegean’s most important archaeological sites with a swimming stop.
• Greek food included: Expect a buffet prepared on board, plus water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, and house wine.
• Shared boat, up to 25 people: Smaller departures may feel intimate, but the advertised capacity can be much higher than the boat shown in promotional photos.
• Weather matters: The captain may alter the boat, route, ports, or departure time for safety.
• Transport is usually included: Hotel and port pickup are offered, but special locations and promotional no-transport bookings can cost extra or exclude transfers.
• Delos entry costs extra: Plan on an additional entrance fee, reported by one participant as €20 per person.

Delos first, then a swim in Rhenia

This is a good choice if you want more than a beach day in Mykonos. The outing combines three very different pleasures: viewing Mykonos from the water, walking among the remains of Delos, and swimming in the open Aegean near Rhenia.

The boat leaves from Mykonos Cruise at Zephyros Sailing in Tourlos and returns there. The full experience lasts about six hours, although the exact pattern depends on the departure time, route, and weather. One advertised schedule begins around 16:00 or 16:30 and continues until sunset, passing by Delos with a light dinner on board. Other departures have been offered in the morning, including a 9:00 start that allowed an early visit to Delos.

That variation matters. If you want cooler walking conditions and fewer people at the ruins, ask about the morning departure. If your priority is golden evening light and a relaxed meal at sea, the later sailing may suit you better. Confirm the time before paying, especially if you are tied to a ferry, cruise ship, or dinner reservation.

A boat trip, not a luxury yacht cruise

The marketing may suggest a yacht-style outing, but you should picture an actual sailboat with shared seating, a crew, and room for as many as 25 people. Some departures have carried only eight to ten passengers plus crew, which can feel comfortable. Other departures have felt crowded, with limited space to stretch out or sit in a dry spot.

The boat shown in promotional images may not be the boat you receive. That has been a repeated source of disappointment. The vessel may also be older than expected. For me, that is not automatically a problem, since an authentic sailboat can be part of the Greek island experience, but you should book this for the route, food, and sea views, not for polished yacht interiors.

The crew has received strong praise for friendly service, good cooking, and capable handling in ordinary windy conditions. Dimitri, named by one participant, was remembered as a warm and flexible captain. Other departures were run by a female crew that handled the vessel well in the wind. Service can vary, so keep your expectations practical rather than assuming a private-charter level of attention.

Little Venice and Paraportiani from the water

The stated itinerary includes a pass by Little Venice and the Church of Paraportiani. These are not necessarily long walking stops. Their value is the view from the water, where Mykonos appears as a whitewashed cliffside town rather than a maze of lanes.

Little Venice is one of the island’s familiar postcard scenes, with waterfront buildings close to the sea. Paraportiani, with its pale, rounded church forms, is another landmark best appreciated as part of the coastal view. The boat gives you a different angle and saves you from trying to squeeze both sights into a busy town walk.

Do not book this excursion expecting a detailed guided tour of Mykonos Town. The focus is the sea route, Delos, food, and swimming. If you want long time in Little Venice or a full visit inside the church, plan a separate visit on land.

Delos: allow enough time for the ruins

Delos is the serious cultural reason to choose this cruise. The island was a major religious and commercial center in the ancient Aegean, and its exposed ruins give you a real sense of a settlement spread across open ground. You can see remains of homes, public spaces, temples, and mosaics, though the exact areas open to you and the time available depend on the boat schedule.

Time is the catch. Some departures allow roughly an hour at Delos. That is enough to get a strong first impression, but not enough for a slow visit to every major area. The island has more to offer than a quick photo stop, and one participant specifically wished for several hours there.

The archaeological site entrance is not included. One person paid €20 per adult, so check the current fee before departure rather than treating the cruise price as the complete cost. Children under 18 may enter free, but proof of age may be required. Bring an identification photo or document for younger visitors if you want to avoid trouble at the entrance.

Wear shoes suited to uneven ground and bring sun protection. Delos is open and exposed, with little shelter from sun or wind. If you care most about archaeology, consider visiting Delos separately by ferry or dedicated archaeological boat, where you can control your pace. This cruise works better if you want a taste of Delos paired with a full day on the sea.

Rhenia offers the best water stop

After the archaeological stop, the mood changes completely. Rhenia is uninhabited, and the boat pauses near a clear-water bay for swimming and snorkeling. You can use the supplied snorkel equipment, though the underwater sights may be modest. The real appeal is the clean water, open view, and chance to cool off after walking among the ruins.

The water can be chilly, particularly earlier in the season. Some people may happily swim for a long time, while others may prefer a short dip. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes, since changing space on a shared boat may be limited, and pack your own towel because beach towels are not included.

Rhenia is not a classic organized beach stop with loungers and a broad service area. You may need to swim to shore if you want to sit on land, and the boat can fill much of the available space for sunbathing. If your ideal beach day means a towel, shade, and plenty of room, this may disappoint. If you want a beautiful swim from a boat, it is a strong part of the outing.

Greek food and drinks are part of the value

The buffet is one of the better reasons to consider the price. Food is prepared on board and includes traditional Greek dishes, vegetable preparations, spreads, and other local items. It is not a restaurant tasting menu, but it gives you a generous meal without having to find lunch between Delos and Rhenia.

Drinks include bottled water, complimentary soft drinks, beer, white wine, and house wine. That is useful on a hot day, and it makes the $138.78 price easier to assess. A basic boat trip with a separate archaeological ticket, lunch, drinks, and transport could add up quickly on Mykonos.

Still, do not assume the meal will be elaborate. One very negative account described the food as cheap and basic, while many others praised its freshness, flavor, and traditional character. The safest expectation is a solid Greek buffet, not luxury catering. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask the operator before departure rather than relying on the standard spread.

Wind can turn a pleasant cruise into a hard ride

This is the point I would take most seriously. Mykonos is known for strong winds, and the return journey can be rough. Several accounts describe large waves, spray, wet seating, nausea, and an uncomfortable ride. Some people enjoyed the adventure, while others felt the boat was unsafe and suffered bruises or more serious injuries.

I cannot tell you that every departure is dangerous, and the captain has authority to change the route or cancel sailing activity based on weather. But the reported incidents are serious enough that you should not dismiss them as ordinary seasickness. Ask about the forecast before leaving, and do not assume a calm harbor means calm open water.

If you are prone to motion sickness, bring the medication you normally use. Sit where the crew directs you, keep both hands free for stability, and avoid the front of the boat in rough conditions. The front upper deck can provide the most exciting ride, but it is also the area most exposed to spray and movement.

Families with young children, anyone with mobility concerns, and people recovering from an injury should think carefully before booking. The trip requires participation on a moving boat, uneven ground at Delos, and a swim stop. The operator says most people can participate, but personal comfort with boats matters more than a general suitability statement.

Pickup is useful, but confirm the details

Hotel and port transportation is offered, which is a real advantage in Mykonos. Tourlos is not always convenient from every hotel, and finding a boat in a busy harbor can be confusing. A confirmed pickup can remove much of that stress.

You must provide your pickup location. Transport to beach bars, clubs, and similar places may carry an extra charge. A booking made under the Cruise Without Transportation offer does not include transfers, even if the main tour title suggests free transport.

Cruise ship passengers should tell the operator the ship’s docking or tendering details and remain at the terminal as instructed. This is especially important because port access and timing can change. If your ship cannot reach Mykonos because of wind, do not assume the excursion company will handle the situation like a cruise-line shore excursion. The cancellation terms may leave you exposed inside the 24-hour window, so cruise passengers should compare the lower risk of booking through the ship with the possible savings of an independent operator.

Meeting instructions also deserve attention. Keep the operator’s directions handy, and allow time to locate the boat in Tourlos. The activity ends back at the same meeting point unless other arrangements have been confirmed.

Is $138.78 a fair price?

The price is reasonable if you use the inclusions. You receive roughly six hours on the water, transport in many cases, a prepared Greek buffet, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, fuel and port charges, and access to both Delos and a Rhenia swim stop. Mykonos is expensive, and buying lunch and drinks separately can quickly narrow the gap.

The value drops if you mainly want a long archaeological visit or a quiet beach afternoon. Delos entry is extra, time at the ruins may be brief, and a full boat can limit your personal space. You are also paying for a shared outing, not a private sailboat.

Shared cruises are offered for solo participants, couples, and small groups. Private cruises are also available, though the information provided here does not give a private-cruise price. If you are traveling with family or friends and want control over timing, route, and seating, ask for that option before booking.

Booking details worth knowing

You receive confirmation at booking, and the operator requires all passenger information to be updated at least 24 hours before departure. Without the required details, the Port Authority may refuse boarding and the booking may be moved to the next available date and time.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you should be offered another date or a full refund, but cruise passengers should check how this interacts with an independent port call and their ship’s own schedule.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The activity is offered in English. The stated maximum is 25 people per boat, so ask about the expected group size if space is important to you.

Should you book this Mykonos cruise?

Book it if you want a full day built around Delos, Greek food, and a memorable swim, and you are comfortable with a potentially lively sea. It suits couples, solo visitors, friends, and active families who value variety more than luxury boat fittings.

Think twice if you need guaranteed calm water, a long and detailed archaeological visit, plenty of beach space, or a polished yacht. I would also be cautious with young children and anyone who gets motion sick. Check the forecast, clarify the departure time, confirm transport, budget for Delos entry, and ask which boat and group size are expected.

For the right person, this is a rewarding Mykonos day: ancient ruins, local food, and a swim in open Aegean water. Just treat the wind as a central part of the decision, not a footnote.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos Delos and Rhenia cruise last?

The cruise lasts about six hours. Some departures are scheduled from around 16:00 or 16:30 until sunset, while morning departures have also been offered. Confirm your exact departure time before booking.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts at Mykonos Cruise, Zephyros Sailing, in Tourlos, Mykonos. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Transportation to and from hotels and ports is included when you provide the pickup location and do not book the Cruise Without Transportation promotional offer. Pickup or drop-off at beach bars, clubs, and similar places may cost extra.

Is transportation included for cruise ship passengers?

Cruise ship passengers must notify the operator about docking or tendering details and remain at the terminal as instructed. Bookings made under the Cruise Without Transportation offer do not include transportation.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. The Delos entrance fee is not included in the cruise price. A fee of €20 per person was reported for one departure, but you should confirm the current charge.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is served as a buffet of Greek delicacies prepared on board. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, and house wine are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the swimming stop near Rhenia.

Should I bring a beach towel?

Yes. A beach towel is not included.

Can the route or boat change?

Yes. The captain may change the boat, route, embarkation or disembarkation port, and starting time based on weather, sea conditions, and safety. The captain also decides whether the sails are used.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you should be offered another date or a full refund.