From Mykonos: Small Group Delos and Rhenia Catamaran Tour

Aegean water, ancient islands, and lunch afloat. This five-hour catamaran trip gives you two very different sides of Mykonos: the sacred ruins of Delos viewed from the water and the quiet coves of Rhenia. I especially like the small maximum group of 10 and the chance to swim, snorkel, or use a SUP instead of spending the whole outing on a sightseeing boat.

I also like that the price, $156.38 per person, includes a crew, chicken skewers with local appetizers, local wine, beer, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and Wi-Fi. The main consideration is the meeting point at Agios Ioannis, since hotel pickup is not included unless arranged as an optional extra. Weather can also change the plan.

Key points to know before booking

• Rhenia is the main relaxation stop: You have about four hours for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and quiet time around the island.
• Delos is seen from the water: Your captain explains the sacred island and its connection to Apollo and Artemis as you sail past.
• The group is capped at 10 people: That gives the outing a more personal feel than a large excursion boat.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect chicken skewers, local appetizers, local wine, beer, soft drinks, and water-based activities.
• The trip begins and ends at Agios Ioannis: Meet in front of the church at Agios Ioannis Dock.
• Book ahead: The average booking point is 93 days before departure, so popular dates may fill early.

Setting out from Agios Ioannis Dock

The trip begins at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, at the dock in front of the church. This is not a hotel pickup service by default, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point or request private transportation separately.

Once aboard, you receive a short welcome and safety briefing. That matters on a catamaran, even for confident swimmers. You will want to listen for instructions about moving around the boat, using the equipment, and getting into the water safely.

The first and last parts of the outing are short, about 15 minutes each in the listed schedule. Most of your time is reserved for Rhenia rather than for a long transit between islands. That is a good arrangement if your priority is swimming and relaxing, not simply spending five hours underway.

With a limit of 10 people, the boat should feel more intimate than a standard day cruise. A small group also makes it easier to ask the skipper questions or find a comfortable place on deck. Still, a small boat means everyone shares the available seating and deck space, so this is not the same as booking a private yacht.

Sailing past Delos and the Cyclades

As the catamaran leaves Mykonos, you get broad views of the Aegean and nearby islets. The route passes Delos, one of the most important sacred sites in the Cyclades.

Delos is linked in Greek mythology with Apollo and Artemis. The island is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and your captain shares background as you pass. The key point is that this tour does not include a land visit to Delos. You see the island from the sea and hear about its importance, but you do not walk among the ruins or enter the archaeological site.

That distinction should guide your choice. If Delos is your main reason for coming to this part of Greece, you may want a separate shore excursion that includes time on the island. If you have already seen Delos, or prefer a relaxed boat day with a cultural layer, the view from the catamaran adds welcome context without taking over the outing.

The approach by sea also gives you a useful sense of place. Delos is not presented as an isolated museum stop. It appears within the wider group of Cycladic islands, with Mykonos and smaller islets forming the setting around it. The captain’s explanation helps turn a passing view into something more meaningful.

Four hours around peaceful Rhenia

Rhenia is where the day slows down. The island is known for clear turquoise water, quiet coves, and a peaceful feel. The itinerary allows about four hours here, making it the heart of the experience.

You can remain on board and enjoy the scenery, or get into the water for a swim. Snorkeling masks and snorkels are provided, so you do not need to bring your own gear. The boat also carries a stand-up paddleboard, weather permitting. That last condition matters: the SUP is not guaranteed, since wind and sea conditions determine if it can be used safely.

The long stop gives you room to choose your own pace. I like that flexibility. You can swim for a while, dry off on deck, eat lunch, and return to the water without feeling rushed by a short port call. You can also skip the water and simply enjoy the open-air setting.

At the same time, you should not expect a fully planned program of activities. The Rhenia portion is built around free time. If you want guided snorkeling, a structured beach walk, or a long visit to historic sites, this is not that sort of tour.

Rhenia’s appeal is its contrast with Mykonos. Mykonos is known for energy, nightlife, and busy summer activity. Rhenia offers the opposite mood: open water, secluded coves, and a chance to let the clock run slowly. That makes this a useful break in a packed island itinerary.

Lunch, local wine, and a practical boat menu

Lunch is served on board and includes BBQ chicken skewers with local appetizers. Local wine, beer, soft drinks, and other refreshments are included as well.

This is an important part of the price. You are not paying only for transport to Rhenia. The fare also covers a meal, a selection of drinks, crew service, and use of water equipment. At $156.38 per person, the cost is not low, but the package has more value than a basic sightseeing cruise where you pay separately for food and drinks.

The meal is also well suited to a swimming day. Chicken skewers and small Mediterranean-style dishes are straightforward food to eat on a boat, with no need for a formal table setting or a long break from the water. If you have specific dietary needs, the information provided does not say what substitutions are available, so ask before booking.

Drinks are available during the outing, including unlimited local wine and beers. That can make the trip feel festive, particularly on a calm afternoon or during a sunset departure. Use sensible judgment if you plan to swim after drinking. The sea may look calm, but the boat environment still calls for care.

The dining setup is part of the experience, not a restaurant meal. You should expect an informal lunch with the sea as your view. That is one of the pleasures of a catamaran outing, though anyone seeking a quiet, polished dining service may find the boat setting less predictable.

What the small group changes

The maximum of 10 people is one of the strongest features here. A small group usually means less waiting when the boat stops, easier access to the crew, and more space to settle into your own rhythm.

It also helps preserve the calm mood at Rhenia. A large boat can turn a quiet cove into a crowded swimming area. With only a handful of people aboard, the setting is more likely to feel restful, even though the island itself is not private.

The tradeoff is that a small group does not guarantee a private experience. You are still sharing the catamaran with other people, and the mood depends partly on the group booked that day. If you want complete control over the route, schedule, music, and meal, a private charter would be a better match.

The crew is another important part of the outing. A skipper and crew are included, and the captain provides the welcome, safety briefing, and information about Delos. A past outing was praised for its kind, fun crew, good atmosphere, and food, with the sunset described as a memorable part of the experience. That suggests the human side of the trip is not an afterthought.

Sunset potential and the return to Mykonos

The published schedule describes a five-hour experience, but it does not promise a sunset departure. If your selected sailing time reaches the evening, you may get a memorable return with changing light over the Aegean. One recorded experience specifically praised the sunset and treated the cruise as a perfect farewell to Mykonos.

Do not book it assuming every departure includes sunset. Check the available start time when choosing your date. The sunset version may suit you if you want a romantic final evening, while a daytime departure is better if swimming and bright water are your main goals.

After the Rhenia stop, the catamaran returns to Agios Ioannis. The final 15 minutes are a chance to take in views of the Cycladic islands and the sea before stepping back onto the dock. Since the tour ends where it begins, you do not need to arrange a second meeting point.

The return is simple, but plan your evening with some flexibility. The tour requires good weather, and sea conditions can affect timing or lead to a cancellation. The provider offers a different date or a full refund if poor weather prevents the trip.

Price, planning, and who will like it

At $156.38 per person, this is best viewed as a full half-day package rather than a cheap boat ride. You get about five hours on the water, a skipper and crew, BBQ lunch, local wine and beer, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, possible SUP use, and Wi-Fi.

The price makes more sense if you plan to use the included food, drinks, and equipment. It is less appealing if you do not swim, avoid alcohol, or prefer to bring your own meal and spend little time aboard. In that case, a simpler sailing trip may offer better value.

The average booking point of 93 days ahead is a useful planning clue. You do not necessarily need to book three months out for every date, but the number suggests that people reserve this experience well before arriving in Mykonos. If your dates are fixed, early booking is sensible, especially for a small boat limited to 10 people.

The tour is a good fit for:

• Couples wanting a scenic day or possible sunset outing
• Friends who want swimming, drinks, and an informal meal
• Families who can manage a boat day and follow safety instructions
• People who prefer a small group to a large cruise vessel
• Anyone wanting to combine a view of Delos with a long stop in Rhenia

It may be less suitable if you need hotel pickup included, want to explore Delos on foot, or prefer a tightly scheduled sightseeing program. It is also weather dependent, and beach towels are not provided, so bring your own.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. The information does not give detailed access conditions for the catamaran, so anyone with mobility concerns should confirm the boarding arrangements before paying.

Should you book this Rhenia catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a relaxed Mykonos boat day with a small group, a long swim stop, lunch, drinks, and a passing look at Delos. The strongest reasons are the four hours around Rhenia, the generous inclusions, and the 10-person limit.

Skip it if your main goal is to tour Delos ashore, or if you would rather spend the day on a beach with no fixed boat schedule. Also check the start time carefully if sunset is important to you.

For many visitors, this is a smart way to leave the busy side of Mykonos behind for a few hours. You get history at sea, quiet coves, and a meal with the Aegean as your dining room. Just arrive at Agios Ioannis prepared with a towel, a flexible attitude about weather, and enough time to enjoy the water.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos catamaran tour?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The catamaran returns to the same meeting point at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a BBQ meal with chicken skewers and local appetizers.

Are drinks included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided for use during the Rhenia stop.

Is a SUP available?

A stand-up paddleboard is available when weather conditions permit.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included by default, though private transportation can be requested as an optional service.