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

Two islands, one excellent day at sea. This Mykonos boat trip pairs the ancient ruins of Delos with swimming off uninhabited Rhenia, making it a smart choice if you want more than beach clubs and souvenir shops. I especially like the clear split between history and swimming, plus the warm family crew that keeps the mood easy and social.

The Rhenia swim stop is the star for many people, with time to jump from the boat, float in bright blue water, or swim toward a quiet beach. I also like that Delos is optional, so you can spend the archaeological stop exploring the UNESCO site or stay aboard for another swim. The main drawback is the lack of shade at Delos, where the midday sun can be fierce.

Key points to know before booking

• Rhenia comes first: Expect about three hours for swimming, the BBQ lunch, drinks, and time near the beach.
• Delos is a real archaeological visit: You get about two hours on the island, but admission and a guide are not included.
• The return ride turns festive: Music, singing, and dancing are a major part of the trip back to Mykonos.
• The water entry may be from the boat: At some stops, you swim to shore rather than walk directly onto a beach.
• Bring protection from the sun: Delos has little shade, and the ruins are spread across open ground.
• The trip costs $101 per person: With the boat, crew, BBQ, fruit, fuel, wine, water, and soft drinks included, it offers strong value for a full day out.

Why this Mykonos boat trip works so well

Mykonos is famous for white buildings, late nights, and packed beach bars. This excursion gives you a different view of the Cyclades, one that is quieter, saltier, and tied to the islands’ ancient past.

You spend 6.5 hours on the water and visit two very different islands. Rhenia is about swimming and slowing down. Delos is about stones, temples, old streets, and trying to picture a major religious center from more than two thousand years ago.

I like this pairing because neither part has to carry the whole day. If the ruins feel too hot, the sea provides a reset. If you want more than swimming, Delos gives the trip real substance.

The price is $101 per person. That includes the boat trip, fuel, crew, BBQ, fruit, and drinks such as wine, water, and soft drinks. You may pay extra for drinks beyond the included selection and for snorkeling equipment, but the main package covers the essentials well.

You will not get a private yacht atmosphere. This is a shared boat with a social feel, music, and a lively return ride. That is a plus if you enjoy meeting people and joining a party, but less appealing if you want quiet sailing.

Finding the boat at Mykonos Old Port

The meeting point is the bus station at the Old Port of Mykonos. Plan to arrive early. The location itself is straightforward, but the boat or operating company may not always be obvious at first glance, so give yourself time to find the right staff and confirm your voucher.

This matters especially if you are arriving from a cruise ship or navigating Mykonos for the first time. The Old Port area can feel confusing when several boats are preparing to leave.

The excursion does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You are responsible for reaching the meeting point and returning to your accommodation afterward.

Bring a passport or ID card. You should also pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water-resistant footwear, and a light cover-up. The water entry near Rhenia can involve rocks, and water shoes will make the shore more comfortable.

The 45-minute sail toward Rhenia

The boat leaves Mykonos and heads toward Rhenia, with roughly 45 minutes of sailing before the main swimming stop. This is a good time to settle in, find a seat, and take in the view of the Cycladic islands from the water.

Conditions can change. Several people have found the ride choppy, particularly on the return to Mykonos. If you are prone to seasickness, bring the medication you normally use. The boat is described as large and solid, but a sturdy boat does not make rough water feel perfectly smooth.

The crew is a big part of the day. They serve drinks, explain the plan, help people feel comfortable in the water, and keep the atmosphere friendly. Names such as Mola, Mohamed, Michael, and Paola have been singled out for making the day especially fun and welcoming, though the exact crew may vary.

Three hours at Rhenia for swimming and lunch

Rhenia is uninhabited, and that changes the mood immediately. There are no rows of hotels, shops, or beach restaurants competing for your attention. Instead, you get open water, sandy coves, pale rocks, and a boat serving as your base.

The usual swimming stop lasts about three hours. You may jump from the side of the boat, swim in the clear water, use a pool noodle, or make your way toward the beach. Strong swimmers can enjoy more freedom, while less confident swimmers should remember that the boat may stop some distance from shore.

This is an important practical point: you may not simply step from the boat onto a beach. At some stops, the boat sits about 50 yards from land, and you swim across. The crew provides pool noodles, according to the information supplied, but the trip does not include snorkeling equipment. You can buy snorkeling gear aboard if available.

The water is often wonderfully clear, though the beach itself may be rocky. Water shoes are a sensible addition. Snorkeling conditions can vary, too. You might see fish and sea life, but this is not a dedicated snorkeling expedition, and one stop has been described as less suitable for snorkeling than expected.

The BBQ follows or takes place during the Rhenia stop. The meal includes items such as meat skewers, salad, rice, bread, dip, fruit, and watermelon, with the exact menu subject to change. Most people find the food tasty and filling enough, though one serving of rice was described as plain and another person wished for a larger portion.

Included drinks include wine, water, and soft drinks. The wine is serviceable rather than special. You can buy other drinks if you want something different.

The best way to approach this section is as a relaxed boat picnic, not a restaurant meal. You are eating after swimming, surrounded by sea, with music and conversation around you. That setting does a lot of the work.

Choosing between Delos ruins and another swim

After Rhenia, the boat heads to Delos. You generally have two choices: leave the boat for about two hours to explore the archaeological site, or stay aboard and enjoy another swim in the area.

I recommend Delos unless you have already visited it or strongly prefer a full beach day. The site is one of the most meaningful places near Mykonos, and two hours is enough to see a good portion of it, even if it is not enough to understand every corner.

You will pay the entrance fee separately, listed at about €20. A guide is not included, so this is a self-guided visit. There are plaques and a map to help explain what you are seeing, but you should not expect a live archaeological talk or an audio guide as part of the boat fare.

The ruins are spread out. You can see old streets, columns, statues, temples, and remains of homes and public buildings. The site feels larger than many first-time visitors expect, so two hours passes quickly.

The main challenge is the heat. Delos offers little shade, and the archaeological ground is exposed. Visit the higher parts early in your time there if you want the views, then work through the rest of the site at a steady pace. Carry water and use sunscreen. There are no shops on the island, so do not count on buying a cold drink once you arrive.

The choice between Delos and swimming is one of the tour’s strongest features. A history-focused visitor gets a worthwhile ancient site. Someone who has already spent the morning sightseeing can stay on the boat, rest, and enjoy the water without feeling forced into another walking tour.

The 30-minute return and the onboard party

The return sail to Mykonos takes about 30 minutes, though the total schedule can vary with sea conditions. This is when the boat often shifts from excursion to party.

Music comes on, crew members encourage singing and dancing, and many people get up on deck. You do not have to dance. You can sit back with a drink and watch the fun, but the atmosphere is clearly designed for participation.

The party is not a small extra. It is one of the most praised parts of the day, especially for couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who want an easy way to meet people. The crew’s energy helps, and the return ride can feel like a cheerful finish rather than a simple transfer back to port.

If you prefer a silent sunset sail, this is not that trip. The boat is social and sometimes noisy. The upside is that the mood feels generous rather than forced, with crew members checking on people and joining the fun themselves.

Who should book this excursion

I would recommend this trip to you if you want variety. In one outing, you get swimming, lunch, island scenery, ancient ruins, and music. That is a lot of ground for $101.

It suits couples looking for a full day away from Mykonos, families who can manage the heat and boat time, and solo visitors who like meeting people in a casual setting. It also works well for cruise passengers because the meeting point is at the Old Port and the outing returns there.

You should think twice if you dislike choppy water, cannot swim comfortably from a boat, or want a quiet luxury sailing trip. The Rhenia stop is not a fully equipped beach day, and the Delos visit involves walking in full sun.

History lovers should be prepared to explore without a guide. The site is impressive, but you will get more from it if you are willing to read the signs and use the map. If you want detailed interpretation from an expert, you may prefer a dedicated Delos tour.

What to pack for the day

Keep your bag simple and useful:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water shoes for rocky shorelines
• Passport or ID card
• Extra water for Delos
• Seasickness medication if needed
• Cash or a payment method for the Delos entrance fee and extra purchases

A waterproof phone pouch is also sensible if you plan to jump from the boat. The sea is the main attraction, and phones do not float well.

The boat provides the meal and basic drinks, so you do not need to prepare a full picnic. Still, bring a small personal snack if you tend to get hungry after swimming.

Is the $101 price good value?

For a 6.5-hour outing, the price is fair. You are paying for transport across the water, crew service, a BBQ meal, fruit, fuel, and a full swimming stop, then adding Delos at the end.

The value improves if you use both sides of the trip. Swim at Rhenia, eat aboard, and visit Delos rather than treating the boat as only a transfer to the beach. The optional nature of the Delos stop also means you are not paying for a rigid program that may not suit your mood.

Remember the extra costs. Delos admission is about €20, a Delos guide is not included, hotel transfers are not included, and snorkeling equipment may cost extra. Even with the entrance fee, the outing remains reasonably priced compared with booking separate boat and island activities.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia boat trip?

Book it if you want the best all-round day trip from Mykonos. The clear water at Rhenia, the substantial Delos stop, the BBQ, and the friendly crew give you more variety than a standard beach cruise.

Choose another option if your priority is silence, luxury, or a private boat. Also skip it if you cannot handle exposed heat at Delos or swimming from a boat to shore.

For most people, I would choose the Delos visit, pack water shoes and sunscreen, take seasickness precautions if needed, and save some energy for the music on the way home. It is a fun, good-value way to see the Cyclades beyond Mykonos itself.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos Delos and Rhenia boat trip?

The trip lasts about 6.5 hours, including the boat rides, time at Rhenia, the Delos visit or optional extra swim, lunch, and the return to Mykonos.

Where does the boat leave from?

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

What happens first, Delos or Rhenia?

The listed schedule has the boat sailing to Rhenia first. After swimming and the BBQ, it continues to Delos for about two hours.

How much time do you get at Rhenia?

The Rhenia stop is scheduled for about three hours, including swimming, lunch, and free time near the beach.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is approximately €20 and must be paid separately.

Is there a guide at Delos?

No. The Delos visit is self-guided. A guide is not included, though the site has plaques and a map.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, but it can be purchased aboard according to the activity information.

What food and drinks are included?

The boat provides a BBQ, fruit, wine, water, and soft drinks. Additional drinks may be available for purchase.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water, and comfortable footwear. Water shoes are useful because some shore areas are rocky.