Mykonos: Rhenia Island Catamaran Cruise with Meal and Drinks

Catch the Aegean from the water. This half-day catamaran cruise gives you a relaxed way to see Mykonos, pass Delos, and spend time in a quiet Rhenia cove without packing your day with formal sightseeing. I especially like the onboard Greek meal with wine and soft drinks, plus the chance to swim, snorkel, or use the paddleboard. The crew, music, and easygoing mood also receive especially strong praise. The main trade-off is simple: you get one principal swimming stop, not a full island-hopping day.

I like that the cruise mixes scenery with useful comforts: towels, snorkeling gear, seasonal fruit, water, and food are included. You can spend less time organizing equipment and more time enjoying the sea. Still, this is not a Delos tour. You only pass the island and stop for photographs, so anyone wanting ruins and archaeology should plan a separate visit.

Key points to know before booking

• Rhenia is the main event: You get about two hours near a secluded cove for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and free time.
• Delos is viewed from the boat: The cruise passes the island and pauses for photographs, but a land visit and guided tour are not included.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect a fresh Greek meal with seafood pasta and a meat option, along with wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and fruit.
• The atmosphere is part of the appeal: A Bluetooth speaker, good music, spacious decks, and friendly guides create a social, relaxed cruise.
• Tourlos is the meeting point: Meet the crew outside Mathios Tavern at the new port of Mykonos.
• The sunset option changes the mood: A later departure adds sunset colors over Mykonos, but exact starting times depend on availability.

Leaving Tourlos with Mykonos behind you

The cruise begins at Tourlos, Mykonos’ new port. Look for a crew member outside Mathios Tavern. Since the meeting point is at the port rather than in Mykonos Town, allow enough time to reach Tourlos and find the tavern without rushing.

The catamaran gives you a broad view as it leaves the dock. Mykonos’ white houses, dry hills, and famous windmills look different from the sea, where the island’s crowded lanes and steep streets disappear from view. You feel the breeze, hear the water against the hull, and get a clean view of the coast.

A short safety briefing comes first, with welcome refreshments. The schedule also includes a 20-minute van segment, although the supplied meeting details place the start and finish at Tourlos. I would confirm with Dolphin Navigation if that transfer applies to your departure, especially if you are arranging your own way to the port.

Once underway, you can settle on the deck, find shade if available, or stretch out in the sun. The catamaran format matters here. Compared with a standard sightseeing boat, it gives you more open deck space and a closer connection to the water. The ride is still dependent on Aegean conditions, so anyone prone to seasickness should choose a stable seat and keep an eye on the horizon.

Passing Delos, with photos instead of ruins

After roughly an hour of cruising and sightseeing, the boat passes Delos. This island is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Cyclades, but this cruise treats it as a scenic stop rather than a historical visit.

That distinction is important. You can photograph Delos from the deck and hear the general welcome from the crew, but you will not walk among the ancient remains. A Delos visit and guided tour are specifically excluded. If your main goal is the Temple of the Delians, ancient streets, or the island’s museums, book a separate excursion that includes landing there.

As a photo stop, though, Delos works well. You get a sea-level view of the island and a chance to appreciate its isolated setting. The boat does not ask you to spend hours in the midday sun among ruins. Instead, it keeps the cruise moving toward Rhenia, where the relaxed part of the day begins.

Bring a phone or camera, but also take a moment to look away from the screen. The best view may be the sweep of open water between Mykonos and the smaller islands.

Two hours in a Rhenia cove

Rhenia is the practical heart of this cruise. The catamaran anchors in a quiet cove with clear turquoise water, and you get around two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, photography, and rest.

The stop is designed around freedom rather than a strict program. You can get into the sea, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or take the SUP out on the water. If you prefer not to swim, the deck remains a good place to sunbathe and enjoy the view. Beach towels are included, but you should still bring swimwear and consider a dry change of clothes for the ride home.

The water stop is one of the strongest reasons to book this cruise. Mykonos can feel busy and highly arranged, especially in the center. Rhenia offers a quieter contrast. You are not racing between several beaches or trying to fit a long list of stops into five hours. You get one attractive cove and enough time to enjoy it.

That also creates the main limitation. The boat makes one principal swimming stop, so you should not expect a string of different beaches. One especially positive assessment of the experience also noted this as the only weakness: the stop is beautiful, but there is only one place to get off and swim. If variety matters more to you than relaxation, another sailing plan may suit you better.

There is no detailed information about the size of the group or the exact style of snorkeling provided. The equipment is included, but this is best understood as casual recreational snorkeling rather than a guided marine excursion. You can look around in the clear water, then return to the boat for lunch and drinks.

Greek lunch, wine, and the social side of the boat

Food is served onboard during the Rhenia stop. The meal includes seafood pasta and a meat option, with fresh seasonal fruit, water, wine, beer, and soft drinks available. That is a useful package for a five-hour cruise because you do not need to arrange lunch at the port or carry a full picnic.

The meal also helps shape the mood. Rather than treating the food as a quick snack between activities, the cruise gives you time to sit, eat, and enjoy the cove. Greek hospitality is part of the appeal, with the crew serving food and drinks while the catamaran remains anchored.

The seafood pasta will appeal to anyone wanting a proper hot meal at sea, while the meat option gives the lunch some flexibility. The available information does not specify the exact meat dish or how dietary restrictions are handled. If you have allergies or follow a special diet, contact Dolphin Navigation before booking rather than assuming the alternatives will meet your needs.

The Bluetooth speaker adds a more social feel. Strong feedback about the music and friendly guides points to a lively but relaxed atmosphere, not a silent sailing trip. You may find the music makes the cruise more fun if you enjoy a shared holiday mood. If you want a quiet, private-feeling sail, keep that feature in mind.

The package also includes fuel and taxes. Those details are easy to ignore, but they help clarify the value. You are paying for more than a boat ride: crew, equipment, towels, food, fruit, and several drinks are bundled into the experience. Since no price is provided here, I cannot judge whether it is a bargain in absolute terms. The value is strongest when you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, and a short sailing trip.

The return cruise and Mykonos windmills

The ride back takes about an hour and a half according to the schedule. You pass back toward Mykonos with time to look at the coast, the town, and the familiar windmills from offshore.

This final stretch is not another activity stop. It is the part of the day when you can dry off, listen to music, finish a drink, and watch the island come closer. After swimming and lunch, the open deck can feel especially pleasant. You may want a light cover-up because the sea breeze can feel cooler once you are out of the water.

The return view also gives you a different understanding of Mykonos. From land, the windmills and white buildings appear as postcard sights. From the catamaran, they form part of a larger coastal view, with the island rising behind the harbor.

If you select the sunset departure, this return journey becomes the visual high point. The sun drops toward the horizon and colors the sky as the boat heads back. Exact timing depends on the available departure, so check the start time carefully. A sunset cruise is best for people who care about atmosphere and photographs more than maximizing time in the water.

What is included, and what you still need

The included equipment keeps packing simple:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Beach towels
• Fresh seasonal fruit
• Water, wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Fresh lunch with seafood pasta and a meat option
• Crew service
• Bluetooth speaker
• Taxes and fuel

Bring swimwear and a towel, although the supplied beach towel means you may not need to pack a large one. You will also want sun protection, but the provided information does not specify what shade or sun shelter the catamaran offers, so dress for several hours outdoors.

Hotel transfer is not included. You need to get to Tourlos on your own and meet outside Mathios Tavern. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The host and crew speak English. The strong praise for the guides, music, and overall mood suggests that the human side of the cruise is a real part of its appeal. No guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named specialist or a formal historical lecture.

Who will enjoy this five-hour cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a half-day on the sea without giving up lunch and basic equipment. It suits couples, friends, and families who can enjoy swimming and sun time without needing a packed schedule.

It is also a good fit if you want to see Delos without dedicating a full day to archaeological sightseeing. You get the island view and photographs, then move on to Rhenia for the water stop.

You may want another experience if you need a detailed Delos tour, several beach stops, or a private and quiet setting. The music and social atmosphere may not suit everyone, and the cruise does not include a hotel pickup. Also, if you do not enjoy swimming or sitting in the sun, much of the value will be lost.

The free cancellation policy gives you some useful flexibility: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Mykonos schedule is still taking shape. Check the available start times before committing, particularly if you want sunset.

Should you book the Rhenia catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an easygoing sea day built around one good swimming stop, a Greek meal, open deck time, and friendly crew service. The best features are the Rhenia cove, the included food and drinks, the snorkeling and paddleboard equipment, and the strong music-filled atmosphere.

Do not book it expecting a Delos archaeology tour or a long list of beaches. This is a scenic sailing and swimming experience, not a history excursion. For most people seeking a relaxed five-hour break from Mykonos Town, the balance of food, water time, and views makes good sense. Choose the sunset departure if the sky and mood matter more to you than an earlier return.

FAQ

Where does the cruise meet in Mykonos?

Meet at the new port of Mykonos in Tourlos. A crew member waits outside Mathios Tavern.

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts five hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

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

How long does the boat stop at Rhenia Island?

The scheduled Rhenia stop lasts about two hours. You can swim, snorkel, use the SUP, take photographs, eat lunch, and relax.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is prepared onboard and includes seafood pasta and a meat option. Fresh seasonal fruit is also included.

What drinks are included?

Water, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and beach towels are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included. You need to reach the meeting point at Tourlos yourself, and the cruise returns there at the end.