Mykonos: Rhenia Island Catamaran Cruise with Meal and Drinks

The best part of this Mykonos cruise is the two-hour stop at Rhenia Island, where the boat anchors in clear water and you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or stretch out on deck. You also pass Delos, but this is a view-from-the-boat trip rather than an archaeological tour.

I like the easy mix of Greek food and open-water time, with seafood pasta, a meat option, fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water served onboard. I also like the friendly holiday mood: good music, helpful guides, broad decks, and plenty of room to sit in the sun or shade. The main drawback is that you stop at only one swimming spot, so this may feel limited if you want several beaches or a full visit to Delos.

Key points to know before booking

• Rhenia is the main event: You get about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and quiet time by the water.
• Delos is a photo stop only: The catamaran passes the island, but admission and a guided land visit are not included.
• Food is more substantial than a snack: Lunch includes seafood pasta and a meat option, with fresh seasonal fruit afterward.
• Drinks are included: Water, soft drinks, wine, and beer at the Rhenia stop are part of the experience.
• The cruise begins at Tourlos: Meet outside Mathios Tavern at the new port of Mykonos, and arrange your own way there.
• The sunset option changes the mood: Choose it for warm evening light over the Aegean and views of Mykonos on the return.

Leaving Tourlos on a modern catamaran

Your meeting point is outside Mathios Tavern at the new port in Tourlos. A crew member waits there before leading you to the boat. Hotel transfer is not included, so you need to reach Tourlos yourself and allow time to find the meeting spot.

The cruise lasts about five hours. A listed 20-minute van segment and a 15-minute welcome and safety period are part of the early schedule, so check the exact starting time when you book. The crew speaks English, and the first moments are simple: meet the skipper and staff, settle into a seat, hear the safety briefing, and take a welcome drink.

Tourlos gives you an immediate sense of Mykonos as a working port and holiday gateway. As the catamaran pulls away, you see the island’s white houses, the open Aegean, and the coastline receding behind you. The fresh air and wide views do much of the work here. You are not packed into a coach or moving from one crowded street to another. You are out on the water.

The catamaran has spacious decks, which matters more than it may sound. You can sit up front for the breeze, move toward a quieter spot, or find a place to dry off after swimming. Bring swimwear and a towel, although beach towels are supplied as part of the cruise.

Sailing past Delos without going ashore

The boat spends about an hour sailing toward Delos and taking in the surrounding sea. Delos is one of the Aegean’s most important ancient sites, but this outing does not include a landing, entrance ticket, or guided visit. Instead, you see the island from the deck and have time for photographs.

That distinction is important when you compare this cruise with a dedicated Delos excursion. If your priority is temples, statues, and archaeology, you need a separate tour. If you want a pleasant route past the island as part of a relaxed day at sea, the photo stop fits well.

The Delos portion also gives the crew time to serve refreshments and keep the pace easy. You can take photographs, listen to music through the onboard Bluetooth speaker, and watch the color of the sea change as the boat moves away from Mykonos.

I would treat Delos as a scenic extra, not the central reason to book. The real payoff comes later at Rhenia.

Two hours in a quiet Rhenia cove

Rhenia is where the catamaran drops anchor for about two hours. This is your main block of free time, and it is used well. The cove has clear turquoise water suited to swimming and snorkeling, with a calm setting that feels far removed from the port.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. A stand-up paddleboard is also available. You can paddle around the boat, float in the water, or stay aboard with a drink and watch other people make use of the equipment.

The tour does not promise a long beach visit or several separate coves. You stop at one especially attractive place, with time divided between the sea, lunch, photos, and sitting in the sun. That is both the strength and the limitation of the schedule. You get enough time to enjoy the water without spending the entire day on a boat, but you will not see a string of beaches.

Rhenia suits different energy levels. You can swim and snorkel for most of the stop, use the paddleboard for a change of pace, or do very little at all. The catamaran’s deck becomes your base, with towels, drinks, and views close at hand.

A Greek lunch served at sea

Lunch is one of the practical strengths of this cruise. The crew prepares a fresh meal onboard, with seafood pasta and a meat option. Seasonal fruit is also included, along with water, wine, and soft drinks.

The meal makes the day feel like more than a boat transfer with a swim stop. You do not need to leave the cove looking for a taverna, and you can eat while staying close to the water. Beer is listed among the drinks available at Rhenia, while wine is served during the sailing portion as well.

The food choice is useful for a mixed group. Someone who wants seafood can choose the pasta, while someone who prefers meat has another option. The supplied details do not specify the exact dish or how dietary requests are handled, so contact Dolphin Navigation before booking if you have allergies or special food needs.

I especially like the combination of lunch and swimming. You can get out of the water, dry off with a supplied towel, eat a proper meal, and then return to the deck for more sea time. It is a simple rhythm, but it works.

Music, drinks, and the social mood onboard

The atmosphere is part of the appeal. A Bluetooth speaker is available for music, and the crew sets a friendly tone rather than treating the trip as a formal sightseeing service. The strongest praise centers on the guides, music, and overall feel of the outing.

That makes this a good fit if you want an easygoing day with a social edge. You can talk with the crew, enjoy the views, and listen to music between swims. It is not designed as a silent sailing trip or a tightly scripted historical tour.

Drinks are another advantage. Water and soft drinks help during the warm hours, while wine adds to the meal and the sailing. Since the cruise includes fuel, tax, crew, food, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, and the paddleboard, much of the day’s cost is bundled together.

Still, do not assume every part of the day is unlimited. The tour specifically describes unlimited Mykonos wine during the cruise, while beer is noted at the Rhenia stop. For the clearest details on serving times, ask the crew when you arrive.

The return to Mykonos and the sunset choice

The return sailing takes about an hour and a half according to the planned schedule. This is a slower finish, with views back toward Mykonos, its town, and the familiar windmills.

In daylight, the return gives you a different angle on the island. The white buildings become easier to place, and you can watch the coastline draw closer. It is a good time to take final photographs, dry out, and enjoy the last of the included drinks.

The sunset version changes the character of the trip. Instead of returning in bright afternoon light, you watch the sun drop toward the horizon, with warm colors spreading across the sky. If you enjoy photography or want a more romantic setting, the sunset departure is worth considering.

The later option may not suit anyone who wants a full evening in Mykonos town, since the cruise ends back at Tourlos rather than in the center. You also need to check the available departure times, as the exact schedule depends on the date.

What the price represents

No price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact deal in euros. I can still explain what you are paying for and how to compare it.

A boat-only cruise may look cheaper at first, but this outing includes a meal, seasonal fruit, several drinks, crew service, fuel, tax, snorkeling gear, towels, and use of a paddleboard. If you plan to swim and eat onboard, those inclusions make the package more useful than a simple scenic ride.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise pay separately for lunch, equipment, and drinks. It is also helpful for a group with mixed interests, since one person can snorkel while another stays on deck and listens to music.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to visit Delos on foot. This cruise does not include the archaeological site, an admission ticket, or a guide there. It is also less suitable if you want several swimming stops, since Rhenia is the only main swimming break.

A flexible cancellation policy adds some practical value: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those policies are useful when your Mykonos plans depend on weather or ferry schedules.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a half-day on the Aegean with a balance of movement and downtime. It suits couples, friends, and families who can swim or simply enjoy being near the water.

It is especially good for:

• People who want a boat day without committing to a full-day voyage
• Anyone who enjoys swimming, snorkeling, or paddleboarding
• Visitors who like lunch and drinks included in one booking
• Couples choosing the sunset option
• First-time visitors who want sea views of Mykonos and a pass by Delos
• Groups with different ideas of fun, since you can be active or stay on deck

You may want another type of excursion if you need a serious Delos history tour, a quiet sailing trip with no music, or several different beaches. The single Rhenia stop keeps the day relaxed, but it also limits the variety of places you see.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear swimwear from the start. You will have time to change only if the boat provides a suitable space, and the tour specifically advises bringing a towel even though beach towels are included.

Bring sun protection and a dry bag if you have one, although those items are not listed as included. Keep your phone secure around the swimming area, and use the boat’s deck space thoughtfully when wet.

Meet outside Mathios Tavern at the new port in Tourlos. Hotel pickup is not included, and the activity ends at the same meeting point. The host and crew speak English.

The schedule includes a safety briefing and welcome refreshments before the sailing begins. Listen carefully, especially if you plan to use the snorkeling gear or paddleboard. The crew can explain how equipment is handled and where you can safely enter the water.

Should you book the Rhenia catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed half-day on the sea, with one strong swimming stop, a Greek meal, drinks, music, and views of Delos and Mykonos. The included equipment and food make the package easy, and the friendly atmosphere is a major part of its appeal.

Skip it if your main goal is to explore Delos ashore or visit several beaches. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced Mykonos outing, especially if you choose sunset and want the day to finish with warm Aegean light rather than a quick return to port.

FAQ

Where does the Mykonos catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at the new port of Mykonos in Tourlos. Meet a crew member outside Mathios Tavern.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Tourlos.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about five hours. Exact starting times depend on availability.

Is hotel transfer included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point at Tourlos.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The boat passes Delos and stops for sightseeing and photographs. A Delos visit and guided tour are not included.

How long do you spend at Rhenia Island?

The planned stop at Rhenia lasts about two hours. This includes free time, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and sightseeing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A fresh meal is prepared onboard, with seafood pasta and a meat option. Fresh seasonal fruit is also included.

What drinks are included?

Water, wine, and soft drinks are included. Beer is listed at the Rhenia stop, and the cruise includes unlimited Mykonos wine during the sailing.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and beach towels are included. You should bring swimwear and a towel.

Can you cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.