All inclusive Delos & Rhenia Islands tour up to 12 pax (free transportation)

Ancient ruins meet clear Aegean water. This six-hour sailing trip from Mykonos combines a visit to Delos, one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites, with swimming and snorkeling near the uninhabited island of Rhenia. I especially like the small maximum group of 12 and the included hotel transportation, two features that save you money and keep the day personal. The main drawback is that Delos admission is extra, and the time on the island may feel short if you want to study every ruin.

The boat, Nadia K, gives you a pleasant way to reach Delos instead of joining a large shuttle crowd. I also like the balance of the day: an hour of ancient stones and open-air history, followed by a sheltered swim, lunch, drinks, and music. Just bring a jacket for the ride, since the Aegean can turn breezy and choppy even on a sunny day.

Key points at a glance

• A 12-person sailing boat: The small group makes it easier to ask questions, find a comfortable place to sit, and get help from the crew.
• Delos before the larger crowds: The boat may reach the archaeological site early enough for a quieter first look around.
• Rhenia swimming stop: You can swim or snorkel from the boat in a sheltered cove, with equipment supplied.
• A cooked Greek lunch: Seafood pasta, salad, bread, and drinks make this more than a simple boat transfer.
• Pickup and return included: Hotel, Airbnb, or cruise-port transportation can remove one of Mykonos’ most annoying costs.
• Self-guided Delos visit: You should read about the site beforehand or arrange a guide if the ruins mean more to you than a quick walk around.

Why this Mykonos boat trip works so well

Mykonos is famous for white buildings, beach clubs, and expensive taxis. This outing gives you a different side of the island. You spend most of the day on the water, but the real purpose is the pairing of two very different places: sacred ancient Delos and quiet Rhenia.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That matters on a six-hour trip. You are not packed into a large excursion vessel, and the crew can serve lunch, answer questions, and adjust the swimming stop with less fuss. The atmosphere described by the crew names changes from trip to trip, but Captain Bob and crew members such as Ernesto, Antonio, JJ, and Teo have earned particular praise for hospitality, cooking, and local information.

The experience is offered in English. The crew provides background about Mykonos, Delos, the surrounding islands, and the sailing route without turning the day into a long lecture. That balance suits me. You get enough context to understand what you are seeing, then plenty of quiet time to enjoy the sea.

This is not a luxury yacht charter with complete privacy. It is a shared sailing trip, and the group can reach the full 12-person limit. Still, that is a modest number for a popular Mykonos excursion. The boat has a restroom, Wi-Fi is advertised, and drinks are available throughout the day. One important practical note: one family reported that Wi-Fi was not working, so I would treat it as a useful extra, not a reason to book.

Tourlos starts the day with an easy transfer

The day begins around 9:00 a.m. with complimentary transportation from your hotel, Airbnb location, or another agreed point. Cruise passengers can also arrange pickup near the port, which is helpful because getting around Mykonos by taxi can be costly and confusing during busy periods.

Give the operator your full name, phone number with country code, accommodation details, and the required passport information. The hotel or cruise-ship location is especially important because the shuttle needs a clear pickup point. If passport details are not available when you book, they must be supplied one week before the trip.

At Tourlos Bay, you board Nadia K. Boarding takes about five minutes, then the boat heads toward Delos. The crossing takes roughly one hour. During that time, you can settle in, listen to music, enjoy the views, and hear an introduction to the islands from the captain or crew.

The ride is part of the attraction, but it is not always calm. Several accounts describe wind, waves, or a lively ride, especially on the return. I would bring a light jacket even in warm weather and keep anything delicate in a secure bag. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the movement feels mildest and consider taking your usual precaution before departure.

Delos gives the trip its cultural weight

Delos is the central reason to choose this outing instead of a basic swimming cruise. In Greek mythology, Apollo and Artemis were born here, which made the island sacred. Ancient rules associated with that status were severe: no mortal birth or death was allowed on the island.

The ruins spread across an open archaeological site, not a tidy indoor museum. You can walk among temples, homes, streets, mosaics, and other remains while looking across the Aegean. The setting helps explain why Delos mattered. This was not simply a religious outpost. It became a major center of worship, trade, and public life in the ancient Greek world.

The crew helps you get ashore, but the visit is generally self-guided. Plan on roughly 90 minutes to explore, though the precise amount of time can vary with conditions and the day’s schedule. That is enough to see the principal remains and visit the museum, but it is not enough for a slow, scholarly examination of the whole site.

This is the tour’s biggest tradeoff. If you want to read every inscription, follow every path, and take your time with the museum, you may wish for a longer stop. One practical solution is to study a Delos map and basic site guide before you go. Information at the archaeological area may not be available in the language you need, and arriving without context can leave you looking at impressive stones without knowing what they were.

Admission to Delos is not included. One account cites an additional fee of €20, but prices can change, so confirm the current charge before departure. The extra cost is worth considering when you compare the total price, especially if your main goal is the archaeological site.

The timing can be a real benefit. Some groups have reached Delos before larger boats, giving them a short period with fewer people around. That is not guaranteed, since sea conditions and port schedules affect every departure, but an early arrival can make the ruins easier to appreciate.

Rhenia supplies the cool-water finish

After Delos, the boat sails to Rhenia. Unlike Mykonos, Rhenia is uninhabited, and the appeal is simple: clear water, open views, and a chance to get off your feet.

The usual stop is a sheltered cove where you can swim from the boat. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The water may be cool, particularly outside the hottest part of summer, and not everyone chooses to enter. You can still enjoy the stop from the boat, take photos, or relax while lunch is prepared.

The crew has sometimes moved to a quieter cove when the usual swimming area is crowded with other boats. That kind of judgment is useful on a shared excursion. It cannot promise an empty bay every time, but it may give you a calmer place to swim.

The water can hold small fish and, on one outing, an octopus was spotted. Treat that as a lucky possibility rather than a promise. The main attraction is the setting and the freedom to swim in the Aegean without a beach packed with umbrellas.

Bring your own towel. Towels are specifically excluded, and the boat’s swim stop makes one essential. A dry change of clothes is also sensible, particularly if the return ride is windy.

Lunch is a real part of the value

The included meal is one of the strongest features of the trip. The crew prepares a hot seafood pasta, with shrimp, prawns, or mussels mentioned on different departures, along with Greek salad and bread. The exact dish can vary, but the meal is more substantial than the sandwich or snack often served on a short cruise.

Drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, are included and available during the outing. Wine and other beverages add to the relaxed feel after swimming, though you should pace yourself if the sea is rough on the way back.

I like the timing. You explore Delos while it is still relatively cool, swim at Rhenia, then eat when you are ready for a break. The food is not a separate restaurant stop, so you do not lose more time going ashore. It also turns the boat into a social space where you can chat with the crew and the other people aboard.

The meal is prepared in a compact boat kitchen, so do not book this expecting a formal dining service or a menu with many choices. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator before booking. The supplied information confirms lunch, but it does not provide a list of alternatives.

The return route adds views of Mykonos

The return from Rhenia to Tourlos takes about an hour. Depending on the wind, the sailing can be smooth and gentle or lively enough to make you hold on. Several trips included music, drinks, and conversation during this final stretch.

The boat may pass views of Mykonos Town, Little Venice, and the windmills. Seeing these landmarks from the water gives you a useful sense of the town’s setting. The windmills are not just postcard decorations when viewed from offshore; they help you understand how exposed Mykonos is to the Aegean wind.

Dolphins have also been seen on the return, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the search distract you from the simple pleasure of the ride.

The excursion is scheduled to end at Tourlos around 4:00 p.m. The complimentary shuttle then returns you to your hotel or another agreed location. For cruise passengers, confirm the meeting and return arrangements carefully. A flexible port transfer has worked well for some cruise passengers, but the operator needs accurate ship and port information in advance.

What the $165.75 price really buys you

At $165.75 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Mykonos. You are paying for a small group, a sailing boat, transportation, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and crew service. Delos admission is extra, so add that cost when setting your budget.

The value improves if you are staying away from Tourlos or arriving by cruise ship. Mykonos transfers can be expensive, and the included shuttle removes a cost that is easy to overlook. The price also compares more favorably with a private charter, which would usually cost far more for a similar combination of sightseeing, swimming, and food.

For me, the strongest value is the mix of experiences. A basic Delos boat trip gives you the ruins but may not include the same small-group meal and swimming stop. A beach cruise gives you water time but not one of Greece’s major archaeological sites. This outing covers both.

The price is less compelling if you only want a long swim or a detailed archaeological tour. You will have limited time at Delos, and the group format means you cannot control every part of the day. The tour works best when you want a broad, enjoyable introduction rather than a specialist visit.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 246 reviews, with 97 percent recommending it. That record supports the trip’s strongest points: friendly crew, good food, smooth transfers, and a pleasant small-boat atmosphere. It does not erase the need to check the weather, confirm your pickup location, and budget for Delos admission.

Who should book this sailing trip

I would recommend it to couples, families, small friend groups, and cruise passengers who want one well-organized day in Mykonos. It is especially good for people who like to combine culture with time in the water. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Families should note that the day includes a boat ride, uneven archaeological ground, swimming, and a meal aboard. A toddler has enjoyed the trip, but parents should decide if their child can manage the sun, wind, and movement of the boat.

This is also a strong choice for people who prefer a social outing rather than a private experience. The small group makes conversation easy, and the crew often takes an active role in explaining the area and helping with photos.

I would hesitate if Delos is your single, overriding priority. In that case, a longer dedicated archaeological visit with a guide may serve you better. I would also think twice if you dislike boats, wind, or changing sea conditions. Even a comfortable sailboat cannot control the Aegean.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

My final call: book it for balance

Book this tour if you want your Mykonos day to include ancient Delos, a real swim, and a freshly prepared lunch without organizing several separate transfers. The small boat, helpful crew, and included hotel transportation make it easier and more personal than a large group excursion.

Go in with the right expectations. Delos is self-guided, admission costs extra, and 90 minutes may feel brief. Bring a jacket and towel, prepare for wind, and read about the ruins before you arrive.

For most people, the combination is the appeal. You get a meaningful archaeological stop, a beautiful stretch of sea, seafood pasta, and a return ride past Mykonos’ famous waterfront sights. That is a lot for six hours, and it makes the $165.75 fare a fair choice for a full day on and around the Aegean.

FAQ

How long does the Delos and Rhenia tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. It begins around 9:00 a.m. and is scheduled to finish at Tourlos around 4:00 p.m., followed by transportation back to your hotel or agreed location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Complimentary shuttle transportation is offered from your hotel, Airbnb location, cruise ship area, or another agreed meeting point. You need to provide accurate accommodation or ship details for the transfer.

Is admission to Delos included in the price?

No. Entrance to Delos is not included. One account cites a €20 fee, but you should confirm the current admission price before the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Towels are not provided, so you should bring your own.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers. The boat used for the excursion is Nadia K.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.