About this tour
When Charlie from our team booked this private 3-hour cruise from Mykonos, we were after something beyond the standard Delos ferry run. The boat taps the island complex — Delos (ancient ruins), Rhenia (beaches), and smaller rocky islets — that most daytrippers miss or rush through. It's the kind of outing where you're swimming in proper turquoise Aegean water, snorkel gear in hand, with an open bar keeping things relaxed. The vibe is low-key island-hopping rather than museum-marching; the crew handles navigation while you handle the swimming and drinking.
Highlights
- Private boat means flexibility to linger at good beaches without ferry schedules.
- Snorkelling kit included; Aegean seabed is genuinely worth poking around in.
- Open bar throughout — beer, wine, soft drinks all covered.
- Anchor at Rhenia's quieter beaches, less crowded than main Mykonos strips.
- Captain handles the seamanship; you focus on swimming and eating.
- Towels provided, so no need to pack extras.
- Views of the archaeological layers at Delos without the tourist crush.
- Three hours feels right for the islands without overdoing it.
What to expect
The boat collects you from a Mykonos pier and heads straight out to the island cluster. You'll likely spend time anchored off Rhenia first, where the water is calm and clear enough to jump straight in. If snorkelling appeals, grab the gear and drift along the seabed — nothing fancy, but decent visibility and the odd small fish. The open bar kicks in early; most crews will make you a cold drink as soon as you're settled.
Delos is the historical stop. If you spring for the 12-euro entry fee, the captain or crew can point you toward the main ruins — temples, mosaics, theatre terraces — though three hours doesn't allow for deep exploration. Many skip it and stick to beach and water time instead. The boat keeps moving between spots depending on wind and your interest. By hour three, you're heading back, salt-crusted and fairly content.
What travellers say
- Private boat cuts ferry crowds; direct access to less-trampled beaches.
- Open bar included — no nickel-and-diming for drinks.
- Snorkelling gear provided and the Aegean clarity is worth using it.
- Three hours is efficient without feeling rushed or exhausting.
- Captain steers; you swim, drink, relax.
- Towels bundled in; packs down your luggage needs.
- Delos archaeological site entry fee (12 euros) not included.
- Choppy seas on windy days; not suitable for queasy or pregnant travellers.
- No hotel transfers — you arrange your own pier transport.
- Young children under 3 impractical; lap-sitting on a moving boat.
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This works brilliantly if you want to swim without the ferry-load chaos. The open bar and towels mean you travel light. Snorkelling is genuinely included, not an upsell. Three hours is realistic — long enough to feel unhurried, short enough to fit into a day of other activities. The private boat setup means a smaller group, so less jostling for sunbed space.
The Delos archaeological fee (12 euros per adult) isn't included, and if history's your main draw, three hours is tight. The boat rocks on choppy days — not ideal for queasy stomachs or pregnant travellers, as flagged. Kids under 3 aren't recommended; under that, it's tight logistics (lap-sitting on a moving boat). Peak summer means other private boats will be anchored nearby, so it's not isolation, just less crowded than a ferry. No hotel pickup, so you're arranging your own way to the pier.
Bring sunscreen, a rash vest if you're fair-skinned, and water shoes for rocky entry points. The boat provides towels and snorkel gear. Groups are small (exact size varies). Book early in the season if you want pick of departure times. Midday departures (10–11 a.m.) tend to catch calmer water.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.