Mykonos: Delos and Rhenia Islands Cruise with BBQ Meal

Two islands, one easy boat day. I like how this cruise slides you away from Mykonos crowds and into Delos and Rhénia without fuss. You get time to see UNESCO ruins, then a swim break with complimentary snorkeling gear, plus a freshly cooked BBQ meal onboard with unlimited drinks. My only caution: the optional Delos guided tour can cut into your free time if your group assignment and pacing don’t match what you expected.

What also makes this outing feel worthwhile is the hands-on crew. Names like Dmitri, Giannis, and another Dimitri show up in guest stories for a reason: they tend to keep things moving and stay attentive with drinks, photos, and questions. One more practical consideration: the boat runs barefoot for hygiene and safety, and shade can be limited, so plan for sun and possible wind.

Key Things I’d Bookmark Before You Go

The BBQ + unlimited drinks are the star pairing: beer, wine, coffee, tea, and water are included.

Snorkeling gear is complimentary for Rhénia’s clear water.

Delos timing is the tradeoff: quick photo stop plus optional guided ruins can feel rushed.

Transfer options exist: add hotel pickup for €20 per person or meet at the pier.

Boat comfort is simple but functional: WiFi, towels, sunscreen, life vests, and a safety video.

Expect real sea conditions: wind can happen, and staying hydrated helps.

How the Delos and Rhénia Cruise Feels in Real Time

This is the kind of Mykonos day trip that makes sense when you want a hit of culture and a hit of sea time, but you do not want to manage ferries, tickets, and timing all day. The route takes you from Mykonos waters to Delos, then across to Rhénia for swimming and snorkeling.

The overall rhythm is straightforward: scenic cruising, a Delos stop to see the island’s key sights, then a longer Rhénia window where you can actually get in the water and eat. Throughout, the crew keeps the boat experience easy with included drinks and help when you need it.

Meeting Point, Transfers, and the Barefoot Boat Rule

You have two ways to start. If you do not choose pickup, you meet the yacht in the morning at the Ioannis Diakoftis pier (per the tour’s meeting info). If you prefer door-to-boat convenience, you can add hotel pickup/drop-off for €20 per person, reserved ahead and paid on the spot.

One detail that matters once you arrive: shoes are not allowed onboard. Everyone is barefoot on the boat for safety and hygiene. That is easy for short hopping around, but plan what you wear for the walk at the pier and what you bring for comfort on deck.

I also suggest having a valid phone number on your booking. The tour notes that they use phone communication to coordinate cruise and transportation details, and you do not want to miss the meeting instructions.

Sailing Past Mykonos: A Scenic Start Without the Pressure

Before the ancient stuff, you get a calm boat start. The cruise includes time where you sail and pass along the Mykonos area, plus a short stop sequence before Delos. It is not a long hangout, but it helps you settle into the day.

Onboard during this early stretch, you also get the baseline setup: a safety briefing and video, life vests available, and the crew oriented with what will happen next. You will also notice the included drink setup right away, so the day does not feel like you’re waiting for the fun.

This part of the experience is also a good moment to find your spot on deck. Shade can be limited (especially if the boat is full), so if you burn easily, decide early where you will sit.

Delos: UNESCO Ruins, the Right Amount of Time, and a Guided-Option Catch

Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back thousands of years, with the tour framing it as early as 3500 BC and tying it to the mythology of Apollo and Artemis. That combo matters. You are not just touring ruins; you are standing in a place tied to the stories people still tell.

You can experience Delos in two ways. There is a built-in Delos photo stop with time to take in key views. Then you can add the optional professional guide for ruins. The guided option is sold separately (Delos guided tour €45 for adults, €40 for children), and the entrance fee is €20 per person, also noted as required in advance.

Here’s the practical catch: if you book the guided tour, your pacing depends on how the tour is grouped on the day. In some cases, the guide group can be larger than the boat group, which can lead to delays and a tighter window on Delos. A guest even noted that the guide experience wasn’t as clearly connected to their boat group as expected, and that they had to rush back to the boat.

So how do you plan for that? If you want more control, you might skip the guided option and focus on a self-guided wander with photos and signs as your guide. If you choose the guide, build in patience and keep your phone charged and your meeting point time in your head.

Rhénia Island: Snorkeling Setup, Clear-Water Swim Time, and BBQ on the Water

Rhénia is the water-lovers’ reason this cruise is popular. The schedule gives you about 2 hours on Rhénia, which is enough time to swim, snorkel, and still eat without feeling rushed.

Snorkeling gear is included, and the tour also provides swimming noodles for extra comfort. Towels and sunscreen are included too, which helps because you do not want to manage sun care mid-day. Drinks continue during the Rhénia stop, so you can cool down, then warm up, without leaving the boat.

The Rhénia swim window is also when the boat energy usually peaks. Guests repeatedly call out the clear water and the fun of getting in from the boat deck. If the day is a bit windy, the sea can feel lively, and it can help to keep a steady rhythm rather than trying to sprint around the water.

And then there is lunch: the tour serves a freshly prepared BBQ of traditional Greek meat and vegetables onboard at Rhénia, with drinks included (beer, wine, coffee, tea, refreshments, and water). If you care about food quality on a boat day, this is one of the best-supported parts of the trip.

BBQ Lunch and Unlimited Drinks: Why This Trip Feels Like Value

Let’s talk about the thing you can taste. This cruise includes BBQ lunch and unlimited drinks, but the key is that the BBQ gets strong positive notes for being delicious and varied, not just a token meal.

You can expect meat plus vegetables, served onboard during the Rhénia stop, with drinks flowing throughout the day. Some guests specifically highlight that the crew keeps beer and wine coming, which turns the day from a standard sightseeing trip into a real food-and-water experience.

If you like having a planned meal instead of hunting for lunch in Mykonos, this is where you get your money’s worth. Paying $152 per person (as listed) feels more fair when you add the included lunch and drinks that other day trips often make you pay for separately.

What is not included: spirits and cocktails. If that’s your thing, you will need to budget for them or keep your drinks to the included beer/wine/coffee/tea/water.

Boat Comfort, Shade, WiFi, and the Wind Factor

The boat is described as a gulet, with either an 89 ft boat for up to 40 people or a 72 ft boat for up to 30 people, depending on group size and weather. That group size difference matters for comfort: smaller groups usually mean more breathing room on deck.

Comfort extras are included: WiFi on board, towels, sunscreen, and life vests. There is also an onboard cabin for shelter if weather shifts. One guest noted the cabin is spacious enough, and that on a windy day they spent most time outside.

Wind is real in this area. Even without storms, you may feel spray or chop. If you get motion-sick easily, consider bringing what you normally use. And bring water, because Delos is hot and the sun can be intense during time on land.

Shade planning is worth it. Some guests mention shade is limited, and that being outside means you’ll bake a bit if you do not choose your spot early.

Timing on the Delos Walk Back to the Boat

The logistics on Delos can make or break the mood. The tour includes some built-in time for Delos, and if you add the guided ruins, you need to keep a close eye on the schedule.

In at least one account, there was a longer-than-expected wait before the guided group got underway and a rush at the end to make it back to the boat. Another guest got lost in the maze of ruins when their guide group pacing didn’t keep track well, which is a reminder that Delos is not a simple loop.

My advice if you do Delos: think of it as a place to pick your priorities. Decide in advance what you want to see most (major ruins, a few key viewpoints, photo spots), and do not try to do everything. You’ll have a better day on Rhénia if you come back to the boat calm rather than frantic.

Value Compared to DIY: When This Cruise Wins

If you tried to DIY this day on your own, you would be juggling ferry timing, getting to the right pier, building in time for Delos, and then finding a way to eat without losing your swim window. This cruise packs the planning into one smoother timeline.

It also gives you built-in extras: snorkeling gear, towels, sunscreen, noodles, and unlimited drinks. Even the included WiFi can make it feel modern for a boat day when you want to keep friends posted.

At $152 per person, the math works best if you would otherwise pay for a guided experience, a boat transfer, and lunch separately. If you are the type who wants a quiet self-guided Delos with no structured timing, you may feel the schedule more tightly than you like. But if you want culture plus a swim day without the operational headache, it is good value.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Not Love It)

This cruise is a strong fit for:

• People who want Delos + Rhénia in one day with minimal planning
• Anyone who values included food and drinks at sea
• Families and mixed groups who like guided support but still want free time

It might not be ideal for you if:

• You are very strict about maximizing every minute on Delos and dislike any chance of delays
• You get uncomfortable with barefoot-on-board rules
• You want full bar access, since spirits and cocktails are not included

If you want a relaxed day where the crew does the heavy lifting and you can focus on ruins, swimming, and eating, this is an easy recommendation.

Should You Book This 6-Hour Delos and Rhénia Cruise?

I think this is a book-worthy tour when you want the best parts of the Mykonos area in one shot: the ancient gravity of Delos and the water time on Rhénia, paired with a real BBQ lunch and included drinks. The most praised elements are consistent—crew attentiveness, the quality of the BBQ, and the swim/snorkel time.

My decision advice is simple: if you like structure but you also want flexibility on Delos, consider skipping the guided ruins or go in with patience if you add it. If you want the guided help and you’re okay with shared pacing, the optional guide can still be worth it, as long as you keep your expectations realistic.

If you’re ready for a day that feels like a vacation instead of a logistics project, you will likely enjoy this one.

FAQ

Where does the tour start if I do not choose hotel pickup?

If you do not add pickup, you meet the yacht in the morning at the Ioannis Diakoftis pier.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Complimentary snorkeling gear is included for the Rhénia stop.

What is included in the BBQ meal?

The cruise includes a BBQ lunch with meat and vegetables served onboard, during the Rhénia portion of the day.

Are drinks included, and is there anything not included?

Unlimited drinks are included, including beer, wine, refreshments, coffee, tea, and water. Spirits and cocktails are not included.

Can I get a professional guide for Delos ruins?

Yes, but it is optional. The professional Delos guided tour costs €45 per adult and €40 per child, and the entrance fee is listed separately as €20 per person.

Are shoes allowed on the boat?

No. Shoes are not allowed onboard, and everyone is barefoot for safety and hygiene.