Mykonos: Rhenia Island Catamaran Cruise with Meal and Drinks

The best part of this five-hour catamaran cruise is the change of pace. You leave the white houses and busy roads of Mykonos behind, pass Delos from the water, then spend two leisurely hours anchored near Rhenia with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and sun.

I like the generous onboard setup: seasonal fruit, Greek food, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and a paddleboard are included. I also like the easygoing mood, with good music from the Bluetooth speaker and a crew praised for its warm service. The main drawback is that Rhenia is the only swimming stop, so this suits you better if you prefer one long beach break to a packed route of many coves.

Key details before you book

• Rhenia is the main swimming stop: Plan on roughly two hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and time ashore or near the beach.
• Delos is viewed from the boat: You pass the island and stop for photographs, but a Delos visit and guided tour are not included.
• Lunch is prepared onboard: The meal includes seafood pasta and a meat option, with water, wine, soft drinks, and fresh fruit.
• Tourlos is the meeting point: Meet the crew outside Mathios Tavern at the new port of Mykonos. Hotel transfers are not included.
• Sunset departures may be available: If you choose that option, the return trip includes sunset views over the Aegean.
• The mood is social and relaxed: Music, open decks, drinks, and friendly crew service are a big part of the appeal.

Leaving Tourlos on a modern catamaran

The day begins at the new port in Tourlos, at the meeting point outside Mathios Tavern. Look for a member of the crew there. Since hotel transfer is not included, you need to arrange your own way to the port and allow enough time to find the correct spot.

Once aboard, you receive welcome refreshments and a safety briefing. This short introduction lasts about 15 minutes and gives you time to find a place on the catamaran before the boat moves away from shore.

I like this start because it keeps the practical business brief. You are not spending half the morning listening to a long speech. You get the basic safety information, meet the English-speaking crew, and settle onto the deck.

The boat gives you more room than a standard sightseeing vessel. You can sit in the sun, find shade when needed, and watch Mykonos recede behind you. The first views are classic Cycladic scenery: white homes, open sea, and the familiar outline of the island from a different angle.

The catamaran also has a Bluetooth speaker, so music helps set the tone. This is not a silent nature cruise. The feel is sociable and informal, which suits couples, friends, and anyone who wants a day on the water rather than a formal sailing lesson.

Passing Delos without an archaeological visit

The route takes you past Delos, one of the Aegean’s most important ancient sites. You see the island from the water and have a photo stop, with about an hour assigned to the cruise and sightseeing portion.

That hour is valuable for the view, but be clear about what it is not. You do not get off at Delos, and the price does not include a site visit or guided tour. If walking among the ancient ruins is high on your Mykonos list, you need a separate Delos excursion.

For many people, the passing view is enough. Delos has a strong visual presence from the sea, and the boat gives you a relaxed way to photograph it without giving up your Rhenia swimming time. You can enjoy the island as part of the sailing route rather than treating it as the day’s main stop.

Welcome refreshments are available as you cruise. This is also a good stretch for photographs, since the boat is moving through open Aegean water and the views keep changing.

Two quiet hours around Rhenia Island

Rhenia is where the cruise settles into its main rhythm. The catamaran anchors near a secluded cove with clear turquoise water, and you have about two hours for free time, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, photographs, and lunch.

That longer stop is a real advantage. You are not rushed into a ten-minute swim before the crew hauls up the anchor. You can take a proper swim, dry off on deck, eat, and return to the water if you wish.

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with beach towels. A stand-up paddleboard is also available. The provided details do not promise a particular set of fish or underwater sights, so think of the gear as a convenient way to enjoy the clear water, not as a specialist snorkeling trip.

If you prefer not to get wet, Rhenia still works. You can sit on the deck, take photographs, enjoy the fruit and drinks, or simply watch the water from the boat. The stop is built around free time, so you are not pushed into every activity.

One thing to keep in mind is the route’s simplicity. Rhenia is the one main swimming stop. That means more time in one attractive cove, but less variety than a cruise that visits several beaches. I would choose this trip if you value a relaxed stay over constant movement.

Greek lunch, wine, and a practical onboard menu

Lunch is prepared by the crew on the catamaran and served during the Rhenia stop. The meal includes seafood pasta and a meat option, so you have a choice rather than a single fixed dish. Fresh seasonal fruit is also included.

Water, wine, and soft drinks are provided. Beer is also listed during the Rhenia break. The drink service adds to the holiday feel, but you should still pace yourself in the sun, especially if you plan to swim or use the paddleboard.

The food matters because it saves you from losing beach time to a restaurant stop. You eat with the sea around you, then return to the water or stretch out on deck. This is a simple pleasure, but it makes the five-hour schedule feel well used.

Do not book this expecting a cooking class or a long gastronomic presentation. The focus is a fresh meal in a scenic setting, not a formal food tour. I see that as the right choice for a half-day boat trip.

The return sail and Mykonos from the water

After Rhenia, the catamaran begins the long return toward Mykonos. The return cruise is listed at about one and a half hours, giving you time to relax after lunch and swimming.

The return route offers another view of the island, including the famous windmills and the town. Mykonos can feel very different from the water. The port, white buildings, and shoreline make more sense as part of an island setting rather than a collection of crowded streets.

This is also the point when the trip’s social side becomes most noticeable. Some people will want music and conversation. Others may prefer a quiet spot on deck. The catamaran format gives you enough space to choose your own level of involvement.

On sunset departures, the final sail includes the sun dropping below the horizon and changing the sky’s color. The exact departure time depends on availability, so check the schedule carefully if sunset is the reason you are booking. A daytime departure is better if swimming time and bright water matter most.

The cruise finishes back at the Tourlos meeting point. There is no separate hotel drop-off listed, so plan your onward transport before you set sail.

What makes the value work

The fare is not provided in the available details, so I cannot judge it against a specific price. I can judge what is bundled into the outing, and the package is fairly full.

You receive the catamaran cruise, crew, fuel and tax, seasonal fruit, water, wine, soft drinks, a prepared lunch, snorkeling equipment, towels, a paddleboard, and music. Those inclusions reduce the small extra costs that can build up during a day at sea.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the equipment and eat onboard. A person who swims, snacks, enjoys wine, and spends time on the paddleboard gets more from the package than someone who wants only a short scenic boat ride.

The value is weaker for a person mainly interested in Delos. Since you do not visit the ruins, you would need to book a separate archaeological trip. It is also less suitable if you want several beach stops, a quiet sailing atmosphere, or a highly structured cultural tour.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option gives you some flexibility, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check availability rather than assuming the cruise leaves at a fixed hour.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it for couples, friends, and families who want a broad sample of a Mykonos day at sea. You get scenery, food, swimming, equipment, and a social atmosphere without committing to a full-day cruise.

It is particularly good for you if:

• You want an active beach break with swimming and snorkeling.
• You like having lunch and drinks included.
• You enjoy music and a friendly crew.
• You want to see Delos from the sea without spending the day on an archaeological visit.
• You prefer one long stop at Rhenia instead of several brief stops.
• You are considering a sunset cruise and want the return sail to be the visual highlight.

I would think twice if you dislike group boat outings or want a very quiet, private atmosphere. The music and shared catamaran setting are part of the product. I would also choose another tour if your main goal is visiting Delos itself.

Bring swimwear and a towel, although towels are included onboard. Sunscreen, a hat, and a light cover-up are sensible additions for several hours on open deck, but those items are not listed as provided.

Should you book the Rhenia catamaran cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a relaxed but active half-day on the Aegean, with a proper meal and drinks already handled. The strongest reasons are the generous two-hour Rhenia stop, the included swimming equipment, and the cheerful music-and-crew atmosphere.

Choose a different outing if Delos ruins are your priority, since this cruise only passes the island. Also skip it if you want to visit many beaches in one day. For everyone else, this is a practical way to combine Mykonos views, clear water, Greek food, and an easy afternoon or sunset sail without overloading the schedule.

FAQ

Where does the Mykonos catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is outside Mathios Tavern at the new port of Mykonos in Tourlos.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same Tourlos meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Is hotel transfer included?

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

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The catamaran passes Delos and stops for photographs, but a visit and guided tour of Delos are not included.

How long do you spend at Rhenia Island?

The Rhenia stop lasts about two hours. You can use this time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, photographs, and free time.

What food is served onboard?

Lunch includes seafood pasta and a meat option. Fresh seasonal fruit is also provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, wine, and soft drinks are included. Beer is listed during the Rhenia stop.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Snorkeling equipment and beach towels are provided onboard, along with a paddleboard.