Mykonos: Rhenia Island Catamaran Cruise with Meal and Drinks

The best part of this five-hour cruise is the Rhenia Island stop, where clear water, a quiet cove, and a Greek meal turn a sightseeing trip into a proper day at sea. You sail past Delos, stop for photos, then have about two hours to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or stretch out on deck.

I like the easygoing setup: lunch, wine, towels, and water gear are included, and the crew keeps the mood lively with music from a Bluetooth speaker. I also like the route back toward Mykonos, with views of the windmills and town. The trade-off is that you get one main swim stop rather than several beaches, so this works best if you prefer a relaxed cruise over a packed island-hopping schedule.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours at Rhenia Island: Swim, snorkel, use the SUP, take photos, or simply rest on the catamaran.
• Delos from the water: You pass the famous island and stop for photographs, but do not go ashore for the archaeological site.
• Greek lunch onboard: Choose between seafood pasta and a meat option, with seasonal fruit, water, soft drinks, and Mykonos wine.
• A social catamaran atmosphere: Music, open decks, sea air, and a crew focused on Greek hospitality shape the mood.
• Tourlos departure: Meet outside Mathios Tavern at the new port of Mykonos, not in Mykonos Town.
• Sunset option available: Select the sunset departure if you want the return trip timed around the sun dropping below the horizon.

Why this Mykonos catamaran cruise works

Mykonos is famous for white houses, beach clubs, and strong summer sun. From the water, you get a different view of the island. The catamaran carries you away from the roads and crowds and gives you several hours to enjoy the Aegean at an unhurried pace.

The focus is not on a long guided explanation of ancient sites. It is on swimming, food, music, and open water. That makes this a good choice if you want a social half-day at sea rather than a formal history tour.

You can settle on the spacious deck as the boat leaves Tourlos, watch the white buildings recede, and feel the wind pick up. The crew provides welcome refreshments, then keeps the trip moving toward Delos and Rhenia.

The activity has a rating of 4.8 from 41 reviews, with especially strong praise for the guides, music, and overall mood. One Italian-language review noted a limitation worth taking seriously: the boat stops at one main place for swimming. That place is attractive, but you should not book this expecting a series of different beaches.

Meeting the crew at Tourlos

Your meeting point is at the new port of Mykonos in Tourlos, outside Mathios Tavern. A crew member waits there to direct you to the boat. This detail matters because Tourlos is separate from the old port and the center of Mykonos Town.

The activity information also lists a 20-minute van segment before the Mykonos boat portion and a short safety briefing with welcome refreshments. Follow the meeting instructions carefully and allow enough time to find Mathios Tavern at the port.

Once aboard, you can find a place on the deck and get comfortable. The catamaran gives you more room to spread out than a small motorboat, which helps during the longer cruise back to Mykonos. You will want swimwear and a towel. Towels are also listed among the inclusions, but bringing your own remains a sensible backup for a water-based outing.

Sailing past Delos without going ashore

The route first takes you toward Delos, one of the Aegean’s most important archaeological sites. Here, the boat passes the island and pauses for photographs. You can see Delos from the deck, take pictures, and enjoy the setting from the sea.

This is an important distinction: the cruise does not include a Delos visit or guided tour. You will not walk among the ruins or have time for the archaeological site. If Delos is your main reason for coming to Mykonos, book a dedicated Delos excursion instead.

If you are already planning a separate visit, the photo stop works nicely as a lighter introduction. You get a view from the water without giving up the rest of the day to an archaeological tour. The crew also serves welcome refreshments during this part of the trip.

The sea crossing gives you a sense of how close these islands are, while also showing why a boat is the natural way to experience this corner of the Cyclades. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking at a screen. The changing views from the deck are part of the point.

Two hours in a Rhenia cove

Rhenia is where the cruise slows down. The catamaran drops anchor in a secluded cove with clear turquoise water, and you get roughly two hours of free time. This is the main event, so plan to use it well.

You can swim from the boat, snorkel with the provided equipment, or take the SUP out on the water. You can also stay aboard, stretch out in the sun, and enjoy the quiet setting. If you prefer not to get wet, the wide deck and sea views still give you a pleasant break from Mykonos Town.

The water stop has a simple rhythm. First, you might want to get in before lunch while the sea is calling. Then dry off, eat, and spend the remaining time taking photographs or relaxing. The crew provides beach towels, so you do not need to pack specialist equipment.

The single-stop format has both strengths and limits. One cove gives you enough time to enjoy the water without being rushed back aboard after a few minutes. On the other hand, you will not compare several beaches or coves. The experience is about staying put and enjoying one scenic anchorage.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but the provided information does not describe the exact marine life or underwater conditions. Go for the clear water and the chance to look below the surface, not for a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Greek lunch, wine, and a relaxed deck

Lunch is prepared onboard and includes a seafood pasta option and a meat option. Seasonal fruit, water, soft drinks, and wine are also included. The meal gives the outing more substance than a basic boat ride, especially since the Rhenia stop lasts about two hours.

The seafood pasta suits the setting, while the meat choice gives you a practical alternative if seafood is not for you. The available information does not specify how dietary restrictions are handled, so contact the provider before booking if you have allergies or strict dietary needs.

The wine is part of the Greek hospitality that shapes the trip. Mykonos wine is served during the cruise, and the activity description presents it as unlimited. Drink sensibly, especially in the sun and on a moving boat. Water and soft drinks are available too.

Music adds to the mood. A Bluetooth speaker is onboard, and strong praise centers on the good music and friendly guides. This is not a silent sailing trip. You can expect a cheerful, social atmosphere rather than a quiet wellness retreat.

That makes the cruise a good fit for couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people. Families may also appreciate the swimming and meal, though the supplied information does not give a minimum age or child-specific details. If you need a calm, private boat, the shared social setting may not be your best match.

The return cruise to Mykonos

After the Rhenia stop, the catamaran heads back toward Mykonos. The return sailing lasts about an hour and a half, giving you time to dry off, settle into a deck seat, and watch the islands recede.

The return views include the famous Mykonos windmills and the town. Seeing them from offshore gives you a useful sense of the island’s shape and coastline. You can take photographs without the usual street traffic and crowds getting in the way.

The afternoon option ends back at Tourlos. If you choose the sunset cruise, the return is timed for the sun to drop below the horizon, with the sky taking on warm evening colors. This choice changes the mood of the trip: a daytime cruise feels more focused on swimming, while the sunset version adds a slower, more scenic finish.

Starting times depend on availability. Check the exact departure before you book, especially if you have dinner plans, a ferry connection, or another activity in Mykonos Town.

What the included items mean for value

The value here comes from the number of practical extras bundled into a short trip. You receive the catamaran cruise, crew, seasonal fruit, water, wine, soft drinks, a prepared meal, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a SUP. Tax and fuel are also included.

That means you are not building the day from separate add-ons once you reach Rhenia. You can arrive with swimwear and a towel, then use the equipment already onboard. The meal also removes the need to return to Mykonos for lunch during the five-hour outing.

The exact price is not provided here, so I cannot judge whether the fare is a bargain for your dates. Compare it with the cost of a simple boat ride, lunch, drinks, and rented water equipment. When those extras are included, the package can make sense for anyone who wants an easy, all-in half-day.

Do not count the Delos visit as part of that value. You pass Delos and stop for photographs, but an archaeological tour is not included. Hotel transfers are not included either, so you must arrange your own way to Tourlos.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this cruise if you want a balanced mix of swimming, food, scenery, and social energy. It gives you a taste of the Aegean without taking a full day, and it avoids the pressure of moving from beach to beach.

It is especially suitable for:

• Couples wanting a scenic outing with lunch and wine
• Friends looking for music, swimming, and an easy group activity
• Solo visitors who enjoy a friendly shared boat
• First-time Mykonos visitors who want to see the coast from the water
• Anyone who likes the idea of a sunset at sea

Think twice if you want a detailed Delos history tour, a private boat, or several swimming locations. The English-speaking crew provides the welcome, safety briefing, and onboard service, but this is not presented as a specialist archaeological experience.

The cruise also depends on the sea being enjoyable. You are spending several hours outdoors, often in strong sun and wind. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a light layer for the ride back. The required information only lists swimwear and a towel, but basic sun protection is sensible for any long day on deck.

Booking details worth knowing

The activity lasts five hours, with starting times shown according to availability. You meet outside Mathios Tavern at the new port in Tourlos, and the cruise returns to that same meeting point.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mykonos schedule is still changing.

The host or greeter speaks English, and the activity information lists English as the available language. The crew provides a safety briefing before the cruise continues toward Delos and Rhenia.

Should you book the Rhenia catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want one well-rounded half-day on the water, with time to swim, an onboard Greek meal, included drinks, music, and a sunset option. The strongest reasons to choose it are the long Rhenia stop, the friendly atmosphere, and the fact that towels and water equipment are already covered.

Skip it if you mainly want to explore Delos on foot or visit several different beaches. You will pass Delos rather than tour it, and Rhenia is the only main swimming stop. For everyone else, this is a practical way to trade a few hours of Mykonos crowds for sea air, clear water, and a generous stretch of island time.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos Rhenia catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts five hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Where does the cruise meet?

Meet outside Mathios Tavern at the new port of Mykonos in Tourlos. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is Delos included as a walking tour?

No. The catamaran passes Delos and stops for photographs, but a visit ashore and guided Delos tour are not included.

How much time do I get at Rhenia Island?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. The onboard meal includes seafood pasta and a meat option. Seasonal fruit, water, wine, and soft drinks are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a SUP, and beach towels are included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Swimwear and a towel are listed as items to bring. Beach towels are also provided onboard.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included. You need to make your own way to the meeting point at Tourlos.

Can I book a sunset cruise?

Yes. A sunset cruise option is available. It lets you watch the sun set over the Aegean during the return trip.

What language does the crew speak?

The host or greeter speaks English, and English is the listed activity language.