Mykonos: Rhenia Island Catamaran Cruise with Meal and Drinks

The best part of this five-hour Mykonos catamaran cruise is the change of pace. You leave the island’s busy roads behind, pass Delos from the water, and spend a long, unhurried stop in a clear-water cove on Rhenia Island. The crew serves a Greek meal onboard, so your afternoon becomes part sailing trip, part beach break, and part floating lunch.

I like the friendly crew and good music, two details that help the ride feel social rather than stiff. I also like the simple setup: towels, snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, fruit, wine, water, and soft drinks are included. The main drawback is that Rhenia is the only proper swimming stop, so this is not the cruise for you if you want to visit several beaches or set foot on Delos.

Key points to know before you book

• Tourlos departure: Meet outside Mathios Tavern at the new port of Mykonos, not in Mykonos Town.
• Delos from the sea: You pass the island and stop for photographs, but a Delos visit and guided tour are not included.
• Rhenia swimming time: About two hours are set aside for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, photographs, and lunch.
• Greek food onboard: Expect fresh seasonal fruit, seafood pasta, and a meat option, along with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.
• A relaxed catamaran day: Spacious decks, a Bluetooth speaker, and towels make this more of a social sailing outing than a formal sightseeing cruise.
• Sunset option: If you choose the afternoon or sunset departure, the return ride includes views of the sun dropping over the Aegean.

Leaving Tourlos for open water

Your meeting point is outside Mathios Tavern at the new port in Tourlos. This matters because Tourlos is separate from the old harbor and the whitewashed center of Mykonos Town. Hotel transfer is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the port and arrive ready to meet the English-speaking crew.

A crew member checks you in before you board the modern catamaran. The trip begins with a safety briefing and welcome refreshments, giving you time to find a comfortable place on deck. You can settle in near the seating area, claim a sunny spot, or look for shade if the Greek sun is strong.

The departure itself is part of the sightseeing. As the boat pulls away, you see Mykonos from a different angle, with white houses, the shoreline, and open Aegean water replacing the usual street-level view. The fresh breeze is a welcome break from the heat, though you should keep a light cover-up nearby. Sun and wind can feel mild at the dock and much stronger once you are offshore.

The published schedule includes a 20-minute van segment, but hotel pickup is not included. If that transport detail affects your plans, confirm how it applies to your departure before booking. The clear part is the meeting point: Tourlos, outside Mathios Tavern.

Delos viewed from the catamaran

The route passes Delos, one of the Aegean’s most important ancient sites. You do not go ashore, and there is no Delos walking tour included. Instead, the boat slows for sightseeing and photographs, giving you a water-level view of the island.

That distinction is important. If your main goal is to walk among Delos’s ruins, see the ancient streets, or spend time with an archaeological guide, this cruise will not replace a dedicated Delos excursion. You get a scenic look and a useful photo stop, not an archaeological visit.

Still, seeing Delos from the deck fits the day’s easy rhythm. You can take photographs, listen to music, and watch the island recede as the catamaran continues toward Rhenia. Welcome refreshments and Mykonos wine are available during the sailing, so the journey feels like part of the experience rather than empty travel time.

I would treat Delos as a bonus for this cruise. The real purpose is the sea day and the long stop at Rhenia, not a detailed cultural tour.

Two hours at Rhenia Island

Rhenia is where the cruise settles into its main event. The catamaran anchors in a quiet cove with clear turquoise water, and you get roughly two hours for free time, swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and lunch.

The swimming stop is the strongest reason to choose this trip. You can step into the water from the boat and spend time cooling off without rushing back aboard after ten minutes. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not have to pack your own mask and fins. A stand-up paddleboard is also available for a different way to enjoy the cove.

You should bring swimwear and a towel, although beach towels are supplied as part of the cruise. Pack sunscreen and a dry layer as well, since you will be moving between direct sun, wind, and wet swimwear. The supplied information does not specify the exact cove or water entry arrangement, so conditions may shape how you use the equipment on the day.

One practical point: Rhenia is not presented as a full beach-hopping itinerary. You stop in one main area, and that is both the attraction and the limitation. You get more time in one peaceful place, but you do not visit a string of coves. If you prefer a calm swim and time to sit in the sun, that works in your favor. If you want constant movement, the pace may feel slow.

Lunch with wine, fruit, and a choice of main dish

The crew prepares lunch onboard, adding real value to a half-day at sea. The meal includes seafood pasta and a meat option, along with fresh seasonal fruit. Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are also provided.

The food is not just a snack between activities. The schedule allows enough time for a proper meal while the catamaran is anchored, which lets you eat without trying to balance a plate during the fastest part of the ride. You can swim before lunch, eat while the boat rests in the cove, then return to the water afterward.

The seafood pasta suits the setting, but the meat option gives you a useful alternative if seafood is not your preference. The supplied details do not specify ingredients, vegetarian choices, or how dietary restrictions are handled. If you have an allergy or special diet, ask before booking rather than assuming the menu can be changed.

The unlimited drinks also help explain the cruise’s value. You are paying for more than passage to Rhenia: crew service, fuel, equipment, towels, food, fruit, and several drink choices are bundled in. Since no tour price is provided here, I cannot judge the exact cost. I can say that the inclusions make this easier to budget than a boat trip where lunch, drinks, and equipment are separate purchases.

Music, deck space, and the feel onboard

The catamaran has spacious decks and a Bluetooth speaker. Those details shape the mood more than they might appear to on paper. This is not designed as a silent sailing lesson or a formal sightseeing vessel. It has a social, relaxed feel, with music available and room to sit, stand, sunbathe, or look out across the water.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being welcoming, and the good music and friendly atmosphere are central to the experience. That makes this a good fit if you want a pleasant group outing where the day’s rhythm is easy and informal.

At the same time, music is a matter of taste. If you want a quiet boat ride with long stretches of silence, a Bluetooth speaker and a lively atmosphere may not be your ideal match. The cruise is best understood as a shared sailing day, not a private yacht charter.

The catamaran setting also gives you more than one way to enjoy the trip. You can watch the coast from the deck, photograph Delos, swim from the anchored boat, or simply sit with a glass of wine. That range is useful for mixed groups, since not everyone has to spend every minute in the water.

The return past Mykonos and its windmills

After lunch and water time, the boat begins the return journey to Tourlos. The ride back lasts about an hour and a half according to the schedule, so you have a substantial final stretch for sightseeing and relaxing.

The return route brings views of Mykonos Town and its famous windmills from the sea. This angle gives you a different sense of the island’s shape and shoreline. It is also a good time to take photographs, since you are no longer deciding whether to swim, eat, or use the paddleboard.

If you choose a sunset departure, the return becomes the visual highlight. The sun sinks toward the horizon and colors the sky while you sail back. The exact quality of the sunset depends on the day and weather, of course, but the timing gives you a natural finale rather than an artificial show.

The sunset option may suit couples and anyone who wants a more atmospheric ride. A daytime departure is likely better if swimming and bright-water photographs matter most. Check the available starting times carefully, since the cruise length is five hours but the departure schedule can vary.

How the timing works

The planned day includes several distinct parts:

• A meeting at Tourlos and boarding
• A safety briefing and welcome refreshments
• Sailing past Delos with a photo stop
• About two hours at Rhenia for lunch and water activities
• A scenic return past Mykonos Town and the windmills

The schedule lists one hour around Delos, two hours at Rhenia, and about an hour and a half returning to Mykonos. That leaves the remaining time for check-in, boarding, the safety talk, and the opening section of the cruise.

This structure gives you enough time to enjoy the main stop without making the day too long. Five hours is a useful middle ground: longer than a quick boat transfer, but short enough to fit around other Mykonos plans.

The trade-off is focus. The cruise does not include a long stop on Delos, several beaches, or a land visit on Rhenia. It gives you one strong swimming location and plenty of time to sail. I would not book it expecting a packed sightseeing schedule.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this experience if you want to combine several classic Mykonos pleasures in one outing: open water, a swim, Greek food, wine, music, and views of the islands. It works especially well for couples, friends, and families who are happy to share a boat and spend time in the water.

It also suits you if you want the crew to handle the practical details. Snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, towels, lunch, fruit, and drinks are already arranged. You can pack light and focus on the day rather than finding a beach restaurant or renting equipment separately.

You may want a different experience if your priority is ancient history. Delos is only seen from the catamaran, and the cruise does not include an archaeological guide. You may also prefer another option if you want a private boat, a completely quiet setting, or multiple swimming stops.

The activity is conducted in English, which is useful to know before booking. The available information does not give a maximum group size, so you should not assume a private or small-group setting.

Practical value and planning notes

The value comes from the bundle. Your cruise includes the crew, fuel and tax, fresh fruit, a cooked meal, water, wine, soft drinks, beer, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a paddleboard. That is a strong package for a half-day on the Aegean, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, and water equipment.

You need to bring swimwear and a towel, even though beach towels are listed as included. I would still pack sun protection, a cover-up, and any personal medication you need during five hours away from shore.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Mykonos schedule is weather-sensitive, but you should still check the exact departure time and meeting instructions before confirming.

The meeting point is outside Mathios Tavern at Tourlos. The activity ends back there, and hotel transfer is not included. Plan the journey to and from the new port yourself.

Should you book the Rhenia catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an easygoing sea day with one substantial swim stop, onboard Greek food, drinks, music, and broad views of Mykonos and Delos. The crew’s warm manner, the relaxed atmosphere, and the sunset option add personality beyond a simple boat transfer.

Skip it if you need a full Delos tour, several beach stops, or a private and quiet boat. For most people looking for a sociable half-day on the water, the combination of Rhenia swimming time, lunch, equipment, and included drinks makes this a sensible Mykonos outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

It starts at the new port of Mykonos in Tourlos. Meet a crew member outside Mathios Tavern.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Tourlos.

How long does the experience last?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to Tourlos.

Does the cruise visit Delos?

The catamaran passes Delos and stops for photographs and sightseeing from the water. A visit ashore and a Delos tour are not included.

How long do you spend at Rhenia Island?

About two hours are scheduled at Rhenia for free time, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and photographs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The crew prepares a meal onboard with seafood pasta and a meat option, plus fresh seasonal fruit.

Which drinks are included?

Water, wine, soft drinks, and beer are included. The cruise also provides welcome refreshments.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Personal sun protection and a light cover-up are also practical for a five-hour trip at sea.

Is the cruise available in English?

Yes. The host or greeter and the activity language are English.