Private Delos and Rhenia Cruise with Lunch from Mykonos

Your private boat from Mykonos

The day starts with a pickup from your hotel and a short drive to the boat, where your captain welcomes you on board. Because the boat is reserved only for your party, there are no fixed queues, no strangers and no rush: you decide how long to stay at each stop, within the six hours of the cruise. Start times between 09:00 and 13:00 let you choose a relaxed morning or a later departure.

As you leave Mykonos behind, the coastline of white houses and dry hills slips away and the low islands of Delos and Rhenia appear to the west. A private Delos tour by boat is the most comfortable way to combine ancient history with the sea, and it suits families with children well, since breaks and swims can be added whenever you like.

Delos: walking among the ancient ruins

Delos was the sacred island of ancient Greece, honoured as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in mythology and later a great free port where merchants from across the Mediterranean lived in marble houses. Today the whole island is an open-air archaeological site listed by UNESCO, with the Sanctuary of Apollo, the marble Terrace of the Lions, an ancient theatre and houses with mosaic floors.

The boat stops so you can land and explore the site at your own pace. Entrance to the site is not included and is bought on arrival, and there is no guide on board, so we suggest downloading an audio guide or reading about the main monuments before the trip. There is little shade on Delos: hats, water and comfortable shoes make the visit far more enjoyable. Is Delos worth visiting? It is the essential sight around Mykonos.

Rhenia island: quiet beaches and clear water

Rhenia, just west of Delos across a narrow strait, is larger than its famous neighbour but almost uninhabited. In ancient times it served as the burial ground of Delos after the sacred island was purified in 426 BC, and today its coast is wild, with sandy coves, rocky points and water so clear the seabed is visible far below.

Your captain anchors in a sheltered bay chosen for the day's wind, and the sea is yours: swim from the boat or from the beach, snorkel among small fish over sea grass, or paddle along the shore on the stand-up board. For many guests, these hours on Rhenia are the most relaxing of their stay, far from the busy beaches of Mykonos.

Lunch on board and the cruise back

Midway through the day, a Mediterranean buffet lunch is served on board, with fresh salads, local specialities and fruit, while unlimited soft drinks and water are available throughout. Tell us when booking about vegetarian needs or allergies so the crew can prepare.

In the afternoon the boat cruises back to Mykonos along the coast, and our driver returns you to your hotel. The best time for a private boat trip from Mykonos to Delos and Rhenia is from late May to early October. In July and August the meltemi wind can make the sea choppy; your captain chooses sheltered routes, and if the weather is unsafe the cruise does not run and we help you pick another date.