From Mykonos: Small Group Delos and Rhenia Catamaran Tour

The best part of this Mykonos sailing is the contrast: you pass the sacred island of Delos, then spend most of the day at quiet Rhenia, where turquoise water and secluded coves replace Mykonos’s busy shoreline. The catamaran gives you room to stretch out, swim, snorkel, and enjoy lunch without rushing from one sight to the next.

I like the maximum group size of 10, which keeps the outing personal, and I like that the $156.38 price includes a barbecue lunch, local wine and beer, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and a skipper and crew. The main drawback is practical: you must reach Agios Ioannis Dock yourself unless you arrange optional hotel transportation, and beach towels are not provided.

Key points to know before booking

• Delos is viewed from the water: You receive commentary about its sacred role and mythology, but no shore visit or archaeological admission is listed.
• Rhenia gets about four hours: This is mainly a swimming and relaxation cruise, not a fast island-hopping trip.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect chicken skewers, local appetizers, local wine, beer, soft drinks, and refreshments.
• The boat carries no more than 10 people: That is a useful middle ground between a private charter and a crowded day boat.
• Water activities depend on conditions: Masks and snorkels are supplied, and the SUP is available when the weather permits.
• The meeting point is Agios Ioannis: Plan your own arrival, and bring a towel since one is not included.

Setting Sail from Agios Ioannis Diakoftis

Your day begins at Agios Ioannis Dock, in front of the church. You meet the skipper and crew there, receive a short welcome and safety briefing, then board the catamaran for the sail into the Aegean.

This starting point matters because the tour does not include standard hotel pickup and drop-off. Optional private transportation can be requested, but you should not assume it is part of the $156.38 price. The meeting point is near public transportation, so check your route and allow enough time to arrive without a last-minute dash to the dock.

The first 15 minutes are listed for boarding and departure. That is not a sightseeing stop in the usual sense. Think of it as the calm transition from land to sea, with the crew getting everyone settled before the boat heads toward the islands.

The small group helps here. With no more than 10 people, you should have a better chance of finding a comfortable place on deck and asking the crew questions without competing with a large crowd. Still, this is a shared sailing, not a private yacht charter, so the boat’s seating and shade areas are shared.

Passing Delos, the Sacred Island of Apollo

As the catamaran passes Delos, the captain explains the island’s role in Greek mythology and its place as the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Delos is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so even a view from the water gives the route a strong sense of place.

The important point is that this tour does not list a landing at Delos. You should not book it expecting to walk among the ancient ruins, visit the archaeological site, or receive a land-based museum tour. The island is part of the cruise and commentary, not a separate shore excursion.

That arrangement suits you if you want a taste of Delos without giving up most of the day to an archaeological visit. You can hear about the island while looking across the water, then continue toward Rhenia for a slower afternoon. If exploring ancient monuments is your main goal, you will need a separate Delos trip.

The passage also gives you broad views of Mykonos and the surrounding Cycladic islands. The appeal is not a long list of formal stops. It is the chance to see the islands from the water, where their shape, distance, and isolation make more sense than they do from a town street.

Four Hours Around Peaceful Rhenia

Rhenia is where this experience spends most of its time. The schedule allows about four hours around the island, so you are not simply stopping for a quick photo and a hurried swim.

Rhenia is described as a quiet place of clear turquoise water and secluded coves. Once the catamaran reaches the area, you can stay aboard, swim, snorkel, or relax and take in the Aegean views. This is the heart of the tour, and the long stop gives you flexibility.

You can treat the visit as an active water stop by using the supplied masks and snorkels. If the weather permits, you can also use the stand-up paddleboard. The information provided does not promise a particular marine life encounter or snorkeling site, so keep expectations sensible. The equipment lets you enjoy the water, but conditions will shape how much time you actually spend using it.

You can also do very little. That is not a flaw here. Four hours gives you space to settle into the pace of the sea, eat lunch, have a drink, and let the day unfold without a strict series of activities. If you prefer nonstop sightseeing, the extended Rhenia stop may feel slow. If you want a break from Mykonos’s energy, it is the reason to choose this cruise.

Bring a beach towel. Towels are not included, and there is no indication that you will have access to a sandy beach service or rental stand. You should also remember that the tour is on the water, so personal comfort may depend on having suitable swimwear, sun protection, and something dry for the return ride.

A Barbecue Lunch with Local Wine and Beer

The included meal gives the tour much of its value. Lunch consists of barbecue chicken skewers and local appetizers, served aboard the catamaran. Local wine and beer are included without an additional charge, along with soft drinks and other refreshments.

This is more useful than it may sound. A five-hour sailing leaves enough time for hunger to become a problem if food is not planned. Here, you do not need to arrange a separate meal during the Rhenia stop or cut your swim short to find a restaurant. You eat on board while enjoying the sea around you.

The food is casual rather than formal. Expect a straightforward Mediterranean-style boat lunch, not a restaurant tasting menu. That fits the setting. Chicken skewers are easy to serve, and local appetizers give the meal a Greek touch without slowing down the day.

Alcohol is included, but it is wise to pace yourself. Sun, motion, swimming, and wine can combine quickly. The crew’s job is to run the boat safely, while your job is to keep the day comfortable and sensible.

A strong feature of the experience is the friendly mood created by the crew. The overall tone is meant to be relaxed and sociable, and the food, drinks, and open water help make conversation easy. A sailing of this size can work well for couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy sharing a boat without joining a large group.

The Catamaran Experience and What Is Included

The catamaran is the main attraction, not simply transportation between two islands. You spend roughly five hours on board, with much of the time given to the cruise itself and the Rhenia stop.

The skipper and crew are included, as is a short safety briefing at the start. Wi-Fi is also provided, though the practical value of that service may vary while you are out on the Aegean. You can use it to stay connected, but the best use of the cruise is probably to put the phone away for a while.

Snorkeling masks and snorkels are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. A SUP is available when weather conditions allow. The wording matters: the paddleboard is not guaranteed, and water activities may be adjusted for safety.

The group limit of 10 is one of the clearest advantages. A large excursion boat can offer a lower price, but it often means more people around the swim area, longer waits, and less contact with the crew. A private charter offers more control but usually costs much more. This tour sits between those choices.

You should think of the trip as a social small-group sailing, not a fully private experience. The schedule, swimming area, food, and deck space are shared. For many people, that is the right balance.

What $156.38 Represents

At $156.38 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Mykonos. Its value comes from what is bundled into the half-day outing.

The price includes:

• A skipper and crew
• About five hours of sailing
• A barbecue lunch with chicken skewers and local appetizers
• Unlimited local wine and beer
• Soft drinks and refreshments
• Snorkeling masks and snorkels
• Use of a SUP when weather permits
• Wi-Fi
• A group limited to 10 people

If you paid separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and water equipment, the total could rise quickly. The small group also gives this experience more breathing room than a basic party boat or large sightseeing cruise.

The price is less compelling if you only want transportation to a swimming cove. You are paying for the entire package: the Delos passage, the Rhenia stop, the crew, the meal, and the drinks. You are also paying for a more personal setting.

Transport to and from the dock is not normally included. That extra effort should be part of your calculation, especially if you are staying far from Agios Ioannis. Beach towels are another small cost or packing detail to handle yourself.

Timing, Weather, and the Return to Mykonos

After the Rhenia stop, the catamaran cruises back to Agios Ioannis. The return takes about 15 minutes according to the schedule, and you can enjoy more views of the Aegean and the Cycladic islands before arriving at the original meeting point.

The exact mood of the return depends on the departure time. A sailing scheduled late in the day can offer beautiful sunset views, and the experience has been especially praised as a farewell to Mykonos when the light turns golden. Since the published details do not give a fixed departure time, check the time carefully before booking if sunset is important to you.

Weather plays a real role in this outing. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a small catamaran, since wind and sea conditions affect comfort, swimming, and use of the SUP.

The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you can be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund. Keep this in mind if your Mykonos schedule is tight and you have no spare day.

Who Will Enjoy This Mykonos Sailing

I would choose this tour if you want a half-day on the water with enough time to swim and eat without squeezing in several unrelated sights. It is especially suitable for:

• Couples looking for a relaxed day at sea
• Friends who want swimming, drinks, and a shared meal
• Solo visitors who prefer a small group rather than a private charter
• People who want to see Delos from the water without spending the day ashore
• Anyone who values included food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment
• Visitors seeking a peaceful contrast to Mykonos town

It may be less suitable if you need hotel pickup included, dislike shared excursions, or want a full archaeological visit to Delos. It is also not the right choice if you want guaranteed paddleboarding, since that activity depends on weather.

The tour should work for most people, and the supplied information says most participants can take part. Still, you need to be comfortable boarding a catamaran, spending time at sea, and handling a swimming stop. If you have concerns about mobility or sea conditions, ask the operator before booking.

Should You Book the Delos and Rhenia Catamaran Tour?

Book it if you want the best balance between sightseeing and downtime. You get a glimpse of mythic Delos, then several hours to enjoy Rhenia at your own pace. The lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and 10-person limit make the price easier to justify than a bare-bones boat ride.

Skip it if Delos ruins are your main purpose, since this cruise only passes the island and shares information from the water. Also skip it if you need included hotel transfers or a completely private boat.

For a relaxed Mykonos day with a friendly crew, good food, open water, and a sunset possibility when the schedule allows, this is a strong choice. Just arrive at Agios Ioannis prepared, bring your own towel, and let the weather set the final pace.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The tour begins at Agios Ioannis Dock, in front of the church, at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis in Mykonos.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing lasts approximately five hours. About 15 minutes are scheduled for the departure, about four hours for the Rhenia portion, and about 15 minutes for the return.

Does the tour visit the ruins of Delos?

No shore visit to Delos is listed. The catamaran passes by the island, and the captain shares information about its mythology and UNESCO World Heritage status.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes barbecue chicken skewers and local appetizers.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited local wine and beer, soft drinks, and refreshments are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included. A SUP is also available when weather conditions permit.