A day at sea between Mykonos and UNESCO Delos is a classic Cyclades move, and adding a stop at uninhabited Rhenia makes it feel like a breather, not just a sightseeing run. You sail out from Mykonos, visit Ancient Delos, then spend time on the water for swimming and snorkeling before heading back in the evening.

Two things I really like: the chance to enjoy the sites at your own pace (including moments when the crew keeps things flexible for weather), and the fact that you get both culture and swim time without having to plan separate tours.

One caution: the day can feel time-tight at Delos, and a small number of trips don’t match expectations about how much time you get there or whether Rhenia is included, depending on conditions and scheduling.

Key highlights at a glance

• Mykonos to Delos by cruise, not bus or ferry juggling
• Ancient Delos UNESCO stop, with time to explore or stay onboard
• Rhenia swimming and snorkeling time on uncrowded, sandy coves
• Lunch plus drinks on board included, so you’re not hunting snacks all day
• English/Greek live guide, plus crew support on the boat

Mykonos to Delos and Rhenia: the best mix of ruins and swim time

This is the kind of trip that fits perfectly into a Mykonos stay. You’re not just doing one thing. You’re doing a UNESCO site—Ancient Delos—then pivoting straight to a quieter stretch of coastline at Rhenia, where there are no settlements to distract you. The layout matters: you get a cultural stop that’s structured, then you get a beach-focused stretch that’s more free-form.

The timing also works if you don’t want a full-day island-hop. At 6.5 hours, you’ll be back in Mykonos in the evening. That means dinner plans are still realistic, and you don’t have that late-night scramble that sometimes comes with longer boat days.

Boarding at the New Port of Mykonos (and why your passport details matter)

You meet at the New Port of Mykonos, directly opposite the Olia Hotel. Easy to remember, and it keeps you from losing time in the wrong part of town.

Bring your passport or ID card. One more step matters a lot: you need to send your passport information at least 12 hours before departure so port authorities can include you on the passenger list. This isn’t optional paperwork that you can fix on arrival—it’s a mandatory procedure to get permission to embark. If you’re the last-minute type, this is your reminder to slow down and send the details early.

If you’re someone who likes a smooth start, you’ll appreciate that the crew can communicate ahead of time. Some people report getting a message the night before with meeting instructions and passport reminders, which is exactly what you want when you’re traveling between islands.

Sailing to Ancient Delos: what you actually do with the time you get

After departing from Mykonos, you sail to Delos. This is where the trip’s structure becomes important: you have a choice. You can:

• Stay onboard and enjoy the water while the ship is near the site, or
• Disembark for a 2-hour tour/exploration of Ancient Delos

That flexibility is smart for different travel styles. If you love walking and want photos, you’ll probably choose the 2-hour window on land. If you’d rather keep your feet up—especially if weather is rolling in—you can stay on board and then still get your sea time.

A realistic expectation for Delos

Delos is a big UNESCO site. Even with only a couple hours, you can still see a lot if you keep your pace steady and don’t get stuck in the weeds. The key is to treat this as a guided taste with highlights, not a full, slow museum visit.

There’s also an important cost note: Delos entrance fees are not included. So you should budget for that on top of the cruise price.

Ancient Delos on the ground: ruins you can feel in your feet

Ancient Delos is one of those places where the setting helps the story. Even in limited time, you’re stepping into an island that was once a major religious and commercial center.

What you’ll likely appreciate most is the contrast:

• You’ll be walking through ancient spaces that feel open to the sky.
• Then, you’ll retreat back to the boat for a change of pace.

Service quality can make a huge difference on this stop. Some passengers have said the crew was patient when conditions turned cold and rainy at the start, waiting for the weather to improve so the visit could be enjoyable. That’s the kind of on-the-ground teamwork that turns a stressful weather morning into a doable exploration.

The downside to plan around

Not every trip seems to land with the same balance. A few experiences describe a Delos visit that felt shorter than expected, or a schedule shift that affected how long people had on site. Because you’re on a cruise and not a private hire, the boat needs to follow its overall plan and conditions, so you should keep your expectations flexible if Delos is your top priority.

On-board comfort: lunch, drinks, and crew energy

The on-board part isn’t an afterthought here. Lunch on board and drinks and beverages are included, plus there’s a cruise escort.

That matters because it keeps the day from turning into a series of mini expenses. More importantly, it gives you a real break between stops. When the Delos portion is active and walking-heavy, having food waiting onboard helps you recharge without guessing where the nearest café is.

People also highlight the tone on board—easy-going, and with entertaining energy. One passenger specifically praised the on-board entertainment, which is a good sign if you’re bringing kids or you just don’t want the boat ride to feel like a chore.

Rhenia Island: why the beaches are the whole point

Then the trip shifts focus. You sail to the uninhabited island of Rhenia, known for sandy coves and clear water. This part is less about ticking boxes and more about using your time.

Once you’re there, you can:

• Swim
• Snorkel
• Spend time on uncrowded beaches with crystal-clear water

This is where the trip earns its reputation as a true escape from the Mykonos scene. Mykonos is all about energy; Rhenia is the opposite. You’re trading crowds for open water and that calm feeling of floating in a spot where the main activity is staying comfortable in the sun and sea.

A note to keep expectations clean

Rhenia isn’t just a bonus stop. It’s part of the headline experience. Still, a small number of trips have been reported where the plan didn’t end up matching expectations about reaching Rhenia. Because conditions and routing can affect docking, I’d treat Rhenia as essential to your booking only if you’re okay with the reality that sea days can be variable.

If Rhenia is your #1 goal, check that your specific departure includes the stop as advertised before you go. It’s the simplest way to avoid disappointment.

Price and value: is $117 worth it?

At $117 per person for 6.5 hours, this can be good value—especially because several items are bundled:

• Lunch on board
• Drinks and beverages
• Cruise escort
• All local taxes

What’s not included is where you should do quick math:

• Delos entrance fees
• Any language-specific guide services for Ancient Delos beyond what’s provided (the tour guide noted is English/Greek, but the listing indicates Delos entrance fees and certain guide/escort services aren’t included)

So the real question becomes: are you getting a fair balance of time and inclusions? When the Delos stop hits the timing well and Rhenia is included as planned, you’re paying for a smooth day with minimal hassle. When Delos time feels tight or a stop shifts, the price can feel less fair.

I’d personally treat this as a strong option if you want an easy day with both ruins and water—and you’re flexible enough to roll with the sea-day schedule. If you’re hard-focused on exact time on Delos and a guaranteed Rhenia stop, you’ll want to double-check your departure details.

Who this cruise suits best (and who should choose another plan)

This is a good fit if you:

• Want a half-day that still delivers a UNESCO stop
• Prefer swimming/snorkeling time without doing your own transport planning
• Like boat days with included food and drinks
• Travel with kids or mixed-age groups, since the on-board vibe can be relaxed

It might be less ideal if:

• You’re the type who needs a long, slow visit at Delos and hates “time windows”
• You’re booking specifically for Rhenia beaches and don’t want any chance the day shifts
• You’re traveling in conditions that commonly make docking tricky and you can’t tolerate schedule changes

Practical tips to make your day smoother

Pack like you’re doing two activities back-to-back: ruins walking and beach water time.

Bring:

• Passport or ID
• Sun protection (you’ll be on open water and near beaches)
• Swim gear if you want to snorkel quickly once you’re at Rhenia

And mentally plan for a day that includes both structured time and free time. Delos is the structured piece. Rhenia is where you set your own pace.

Also, make sure you understand the Delos cost situation. Entrance fees are not included, so you’ll want to have that ready rather than guessing on the day.

Should you book this cruise to Rhenia with a Delos stop?

If your ideal Mykonos day sounds like a two-part day—Ancient Delos for the headliner, then Rhenia for the water and quiet—you should seriously consider booking. The included lunch, drinks, and cruise escort help it feel like a complete outing, and the overall boat atmosphere tends to be relaxed.

My advice for the decision: book it if you can stay flexible about the exact timing at Delos and you’re okay with the reality of sea-day logistics. Pass or choose a different option if your trip hinges on perfect timing for Delos and a guaranteed Rhenia stop with no changes.

With the right expectations, this cruise can give you the best of the Cyclades in one clean sweep: ruins you can walk, and beaches where you can finally slow down.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

It runs for 6.5 hours.

Where do I meet the cruise in Mykonos?

You board at the New Port of Mykonos, exactly opposite the Olia Hotel.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes cruise escort, lunch on board, drinks and beverages, and all local taxes.

Do I need to pay for Delos entrance fees?

Yes. Delos entrance fees are not included.

Is there a guide?

There is a live tour guide with English and Greek available. Delos entrance fees and certain guide/escort services are not included.

Can I choose whether to get off at Delos?

Yes. You can either stay on board or disembark for a 2-hour tour/exploration of Ancient Delos.

What do I need to bring?

Bring your passport or ID card.

When do I need to send passport information?

You must send your passport information at least 12 hours before the cruise so you can be added to the passenger list required by port authorities.