Private Speedboat Cruise from Delos to Rhenia and Mykonos

The best part of this cruise is the change of pace: ancient Delos in the morning, clear water around Rhenia, then a leisurely run past Mykonos’ famous south beaches. You get a private boat for up to nine people, which makes the eight-hour day feel more personal than a standard group excursion. I especially like the three hours set aside for Rhenia and the chance to see Mykonos from the water as the light softens.

I also like that snorkel gear, fruit, snacks, bottled water, fuel, and drinks are included. The main caution is the wording around the open bar. One party found the supply of beer, wine, and snacks disappointing, while the operator said an upgraded boat caused an accidental shortage and that safety limits apply. Confirm the drink and food arrangements before you sail.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to nine: Your group has the speedboat to itself, with a captain and no strangers sharing the day.
• Delos and Rhenia in one outing: You can pair an important archaeological site with a long swim stop at Skinos, Rhenia’s well-known beach.
• Three hours for swimming: Rhenia is the main leisure stop, with time for the beach, the boat, snorkeling, and sun.
• Several Mykonos beaches by sea: Psarou, Elia, and Kalo Livadi give you changing views of the island’s south coast.
• Drinks and snacks are included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, fruit, and snacks are listed, but ask how much will be supplied.
• Return to Ornos around sunset: The cruise begins at 10 a.m. and ends back at the Ornos dock after roughly eight hours.

Why this private cruise works well for a full day

This is not simply a beach transfer. It combines Delos, one of the Aegean’s most important ancient sites, with a long swim at Rhenia and a scenic ride along Mykonos’ best-known beaches.

The private format matters. The boat is reserved for your group, with a maximum of nine people. You can spend more time swimming if that suits your group, or stay aboard with a drink and fruit when the sun gets strong. The pace is still shaped by the captain and the day’s conditions, but you are not tied to a large excursion group.

The price is $1,982.41 per group, not per person. At the full nine-person capacity, that works out to about $220 per person. For four people, the cost is close to $496 each, so the value improves sharply as your group gets larger. You are paying for a private boat, captain, fuel, an eight-hour itinerary, equipment, and refreshments. Delos admission is extra at €12 per adult, and a private guide for the archaeological site is not included.

For a couple, this is a major splurge. For a family or group of friends who would otherwise book several seats on separate outings, the private arrangement may make better sense. The cruise is best for people who value space, flexibility, and a full day on the water rather than a tightly scripted sightseeing tour.

Leaving Ornos at 10 a.m.

The meeting point is the Ornos dock at Embarkation for Yacht Charter on an unnamed road in Ornos. The listed start time is 10 a.m., and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Pickup can be offered in some cases, including collection from a hotel dock if applicable, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price. Treat Ornos as your firm meeting point unless you have arranged something else directly.

The first ride is short and pleasant, taking you from Ornos toward Delos. A speedboat makes the trip feel like part of the experience, rather than a long wait between stops. Bring sun protection and a light layer, since the boat ride can feel different from sitting on a beach even on a warm day.

Your captain operates the boat and may provide background on the places you pass. If you want a proper explanation of Delos, arrange a professional guide in advance. The tour allows for this, but the guide is not part of the package.

Delos: ancient stones before the swimming begins

Delos was sacred to the ancient Greeks. In mythology, Leto came to the island while being pursued by Hera and gave birth there to Apollo and Artemis. The island later became a major religious center, and its ruins now make an unusual first stop before the relaxed beach portion of the day.

The boat reaches the small port of Delos, where you can see ancient monuments from the island. The planned stop is listed as 20 minutes, so you should not expect a long archaeological visit as part of the basic cruise. The tour description also says that a guided visit can be organized, but the archaeological entrance fee is separate.

The €12 adult admission is not included. This is important because the price sounds all-inclusive in other respects, with fuel, captain, equipment, fruit, drinks, and snacks covered. If you want to walk through the archaeological area, budget for the ticket and ask how much time is available for the visit.

A short stop still gives you a sense of Delos’ setting and importance. You see why the island was treated as sacred, and you get a useful contrast between the weathered ruins and the bright sea around them. If archaeology is your main reason for coming, this cruise may feel too brief unless you arrange a longer guided visit.

Rhenia and Skinos: the day’s main swimming stop

After Delos, the boat heads to nearby Rhenia. In ancient times, Rhenia served as a burial ground for Delos after the Athenians ordered that no one should be born or die on the holy island. It was also used as a place for people with serious illnesses who could no longer remain on Delos.

Today, the focus is far more pleasant. Rhenia is known for clear water, quiet beaches, and a less built-up feel than the main Mykonos coastline. The famous Skinos beach is also called the Blue Lacuna, and this is where you get the longest stop of the day.

Three hours gives you enough time to settle in rather than rush through a quick swim. You can swim from the boat, walk along the golden sand, sunbathe, or use the supplied snorkeling equipment. The water is described as clear, turquoise, shallow, and somewhat warm, though conditions can change with the weather.

This is where the private setup earns its keep. You can choose how to spend the time. One person can swim while another stays aboard with a drink. Children can be watched more easily by their own adults, though children must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity is not recommended for children aged three and under.

The shore is described as unspoiled, but do not expect a full beach resort with a long menu of facilities. The included fruit, snacks, bottled water, beer, wine, and soft drinks are useful because you should not count on buying lunch at Rhenia. Check what snacks will be loaded before departure, especially if your group needs more than light refreshments.

Psarou and Mykonos’ south coast from the water

After Rhenia, the boat turns toward Mykonos’ south coast. Psarou is the first listed beach stop, with about an hour in the area. Psarou is closely linked with upscale restaurants, beach clubs, cocktails, and celebrity visits, and the view from the water gives you a different look at this well-known stretch of coast.

You may have the option of entering a restaurant or club by sea through a private dock, but this is not the same as a guaranteed meal or reservation. The safer plan is to enjoy the coastline from the boat unless you have confirmed a venue and dock access in advance.

The south coast includes Psarou, Platis Gialos, Kalafatis, Paraga, Super Paradise, Elia, and Kalo Livadi. These beaches have helped shape Mykonos’ international image, with beach bars, restaurants, and clubs along the shore. From a boat, you can see the busy social side of the island without spending the day moving between crowded roads and beach entrances.

The tradeoff is that these stops are partly scenic. The schedule gives about an hour at Psarou, not a full beach day. If you want a quiet natural setting, Rhenia is the better stop. If you want to see the famous Mykonos beach scene, Psarou is the more useful introduction.

Elia and Kalo Livadi: a scenic final stretch

Elia and Kalo Livadi each receive about an hour in the published route. Both are on Mykonos’ south coast and are known for beach bars, restaurants, clubs, and attractive coves.

The exact pattern of the stops may depend on sea conditions, traffic around the beaches, and what your group wants to do. The itinerary gives you the chance to get off near a venue by sea, but it also allows you to remain aboard with a snack and a drink. That choice is one of the advantages of a private cruise.

I would treat these stops as a series of views and possible swim breaks rather than assume you will have a full hour on the sand at each beach. The day already includes three hours at Rhenia, and the south-coast portion is meant to show you several sides of Mykonos.

You also avoid the need to commit to one beach for the entire afternoon. If Psarou feels too developed, you still see Elia and Kalo Livadi. If you enjoy the beach-club atmosphere, the boat gives you access to several famous stretches in one outing.

Drinks, snacks, and the open-bar question

The package includes bottled water, fresh fruit, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, along with fuel and the captain. Snorkeling equipment is also supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear.

Still, clarify the refreshments before you leave. A past group found only four beers, no wine, a bottle of rum and cola, and a small container of nuts. The operator explained that the group had been moved to a better boat at the last minute, which caused the snacks to be forgotten, and said a bottle of wine was brought from another boat. A €200 credit was provided for the problem.

The same response also explained that open bar means drinks are supplied generously, not that unlimited drinking is encouraged without regard to safety. That is a reasonable point on a private speedboat, but the wording can create different expectations. Ask what beer, wine, soft drinks, and food will be on board, and tell the company about allergies or dietary needs before the day.

Bring anything important to your comfort, such as extra water, a favorite snack, sunscreen, and a towel if those are not otherwise supplied. The listed inclusions cover the main basics, but they do not promise a full lunch.

What the captain adds to the day

The captain is more than the person steering the boat. The best experience depends on clear communication about swimming time, beach access, Delos admission, food, and drinks.

The captain is expected to share some information about Delos and the island’s past, but the standard outing does not include a formal archaeological guide. If your group wants detailed explanations of the sanctuary and monuments, arrange a professional guide rather than relying on a short introduction from the boat.

A past group praised its captain’s friendly manner and island knowledge, along with the choice of beaches and care taken to keep the group comfortable. Since no captain’s name is supplied and captains can vary, I would not book this expecting a particular guide. Ask who will captain your boat if that matters to your plans.

Who should book this Mykonos cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can share the cost. Nine people make the price far easier to justify, and the private boat lets you set the mood for the day.

It also suits you if you want both culture and swimming. Delos gives the outing a serious historical anchor, while Rhenia provides the long, easygoing break that makes the day feel like a holiday rather than a site visit.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed Delos tour, a guaranteed restaurant meal, or a quiet boat ride with no beach-club scenery. It may also be poor value for one or two people unless privacy is worth the high total price.

The tour is offered in English, confirmation arrives at booking, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Children need adult supervision, and children aged three and under are not advised to join.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you have a full group, want a private day on the Aegean, and value the combination of Delos, Rhenia, and the south coast. The strongest part is the three-hour Rhenia stop, backed by snorkel gear, clear water, and enough time to relax without racing to the next beach.

Before paying, confirm the boat’s drink and snack supplies, how long you will spend at Delos, and whether a guide can be arranged. If your group is small or Delos is your central goal, a different tour may offer better value. For a larger group seeking a flexible day with swimming, scenery, and sunset views from the water, this is a strong Mykonos choice.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 10 a.m. and ends back at the Ornos meeting point.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at the Ornos dock at Embarkation for Yacht Charter in Ornos, Mykonos. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for your group only, with up to nine people.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price. Pickup from a hotel dock may be offered if applicable, so you should arrange this in advance.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. Admission to the Delos archaeological site costs €12 per adult and is paid separately.

Are drinks and food included?

Bottled water, snacks, fresh fruit, beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. The operator advises that drinks are supplied generously with safety in mind, so confirm the exact arrangements before departure.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the cruise.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund.