Mykonos Sail Cruise to Rhenia, Guided Tour of Delos, Lunch&Drinks

The best part of this Mykonos boat trip is the pairing of ancient Delos with a swim stop at Rhenia. In one day, you move from Apollo’s sacred island and ruined marketplaces to clear Aegean water, a sandy cove, and lunch served from the yacht.

I like the friendly crew and the chance to help raise the sails or try the wheel under the skipper’s guidance. I also like that lunch, wine, soft drinks, water, and snorkeling equipment are included. The main caution is time: Delos can feel rushed, especially on a hot day, and rough wind can change the plan.

Key points at a glance

• Rhenia swim stop: Anchor near a golden-sand beach and enter the water from the yacht’s ladder.
• Delos with a licensed guide: See temples, markets, sacred areas, and museum artifacts with about 90 minutes set aside for the guided visit.
• Homemade-style lunch: Expect pasta with Greek flavors or a Mediterranean buffet, salad, bread, cheese, and fresh fruit.
• Weather matters: Strong wind can make the crossing choppy, prevent sailing, or force a schedule change.
• Good value at $145.12: The price covers the yacht, crew, guide, lunch, drinks, fuel, taxes, Wi-Fi, and snorkeling gear, but not Delos admission.
• Plan for heat and walking: Delos has little shade, and the tour requires a moderate level of fitness.

Why combine Rhenia and Delos in one day?

Mykonos is famous for white buildings, beaches, and nightlife. Delos gives you something different: a major archaeological site reached by sea. Rhenia adds the simple pleasure of swimming in clear water away from the main island.

That contrast gives this excursion its purpose. You are not spending six hours on a boat without a destination, and you are not spending the whole day walking among ruins. The sailing connects two very different parts of the Cyclades.

The balance is not exact. Delos and Rhenia each receive roughly two hours in the broad plan, but the actual time at Delos can feel shorter once disembarkation, the guided talk, and the walk through the site are counted. If Delos is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations realistic.

The tour begins around 9 a.m. and runs for about six hours. The number of people can reach 35, though the yacht assigned and the group size depend on the boat and the weather. Some departures have been notably smaller, with only eight or 14 people, while others feel less spacious.

Meeting the yacht and learning the ropes

You meet the crew at the sailing yacht near Olia Hotel Mykonos. Look for a Sunfos Alessia Yachting representative wearing a company shirt or holding a sign. The exact disembarkation point can change because of weather, so pay attention to the operator’s instructions.

Before leaving, the crew explains the route and gives a safety briefing. If you want a little more than a passive cruise, you can help raise the sails or receive a short steering lesson while the yacht heads into the Aegean. If you prefer an easier morning, sit on deck and watch Mykonos recede behind you.

The boat may not sail under full canvas if the wind is too strong or conditions are unsuitable. That does not mean the day is a failure. Several departures have continued safely in rough or windy seas, but the ride can be wet and bumpy. Bring a steady stomach, and consider taking motion-sickness medicine before departure if you are prone to seasickness.

Free Wi-Fi is included, though the best reason to look up from your phone is the open water. The crew also supplies safety equipment, bottled water, instant coffee, and tea. A farewell drink comes at the end of the day.

Rhenia: a swim from the yacht, not a beach day

After about an hour, the yacht anchors in a quiet bay off Rhenia. This is the day’s most relaxed stop. The water is clear and refreshing, and the view is made up of pale sand, low island slopes, and anchored boats rather than resort buildings.

You enter the sea by the swimming ladder. There is no tender service or pier access, so you should be comfortable climbing down from the boat and back up again. The yacht does not take you directly onto the beach.

Masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles are available at no extra cost. Still, you should think of this primarily as a swimming stop. The water is excellent for cooling off, but it may not offer much to see beneath the surface. One of the less favorable experiences came from expecting a full snorkeling excursion and finding little marine life at the anchorage.

The water temperature can also be chilly, especially if the wind is up. You may enjoy a long float, but do not assume you will spend two full hours snorkeling. Sunbathing on deck is the other obvious choice.

Lunch onboard with wine and a view

After the swim, lunch is served on the yacht. The food is generally plentiful and designed for a shared table. Depending on the menu, you may receive Italian pasta with a Greek-style dressing and Greek salad, or a Mediterranean buffet with fresh local fruit. Reviews also describe pasta, bread, cheese, and salad, with some meals prepared by the crew.

The meal is a practical part of the price rather than a formal restaurant experience. Some people find it tasty and homemade, while others find it basic or too heavy on carbohydrates. If you prefer a light lunch, the pasta and bread combination may feel substantial.

White and rosé house wine, soft drinks, and water are included. You may need to ask the crew for a drink rather than expect one to appear automatically. Dietary requirements have been handled on some departures, but you should advise the operator before booking so they can confirm what is possible.

Lunch also creates one of the nicer social moments of the day. Everyone sits together after the swim, and the boat’s small size can make the meal feel warm and informal. On a fuller departure, though, seating and personal space may be limited.

Delos: temples, markets, and a sacred island

Delos is the intellectual center of the excursion. In Greek mythology, it is the birthplace of Apollo, and in antiquity it became a major religious and commercial center. Today, you walk through the remains of temples, marketplaces, homes, and sacred areas on an island where there is little shade.

A licensed English-speaking guide leads the visit. Fanny has been praised for bringing the ruins to life, while Silia and Elisa have also guided departures. The quality of the experience depends partly on the individual guide and the group’s timing, but the guided format is important. Without context, columns and broken walls can blur together. With a good explanation, you can picture Delos as a working pilgrimage and trading center rather than just a field of stones.

The guide may point out sacred artifacts and then take you into the museum, where sculptures and other finds help fill in the gaps left by the ruins. You can also walk toward Mount Kynthos for views over the island and surrounding sea. That climb adds effort and time, so listen carefully to the guide’s instructions and wear shoes suitable for uneven ground.

The biggest drawback is the heat. Even a strong guide can lose the group’s attention when the sun is intense and there is little cover. Carry water, use sunscreen, and wear a hat. One departure found the two-hour Delos stop too long in the heat, while another felt that the archaeological visit was rushed, with only 40 to 45 minutes of useful exploration.

This difference may come from late returns to the yacht, the assigned guide, or changes in the day’s schedule. Ask at the start how much time you will have on land and where to meet the group. If you want to explore every corner of Delos at your own pace, a dedicated Delos excursion may suit you better.

Admission to the archaeological site is not included. You pay the entrance fee in cash onsite. A wireless radio device for the guided tour may be supplied, but it is subject to availability and possible charges for loss or damage.

The return across the Aegean

Once the Delos visit ends, you return to the yacht for the ride back to Mykonos. The afternoon crossing can be calm and leisurely, or it can turn into a lively ride if the wind rises. The crew has earned strong praise for handling difficult conditions, but no captain can make rough water smooth.

The return gives you time to sit on deck, talk with the other people onboard, or simply watch the islands pass. Some departures arrive in time for beautiful late-day light, and the trip ends with a traditional Greek farewell toast.

The schedule may shift if the wind is too strong. One morning departure was moved to the afternoon after the operator assessed the conditions. Another could not run because the weather was severe. This is normal for a sailing trip, but it is also why I recommend placing this excursion near the beginning of your Mykonos stay. If the weather cancels your first date, you have a chance to reschedule.

What the $145.12 price really covers

At $145.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Delos. But the cost includes a six-hour yacht cruise, crew, fuel, taxes, lunch, house wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, safety gear, and the guided archaeological visit.

That package makes the price reasonable if you want both a boat day and a historical site. You would otherwise pay separately for transport, food, drinks, and a guide. The value is strongest for someone who wants a social outing with several activities rather than a private sailing charter.

You still need to pay the Delos entrance fee, and hotel pickup and drop-off are extra. Transfers can be arranged after booking for an additional charge, either from your hotel or from a designated meeting point. If you are staying far from the marina, ask about the transfer cost before committing, since high pickup fees have been a complaint.

The group limit is 35, but the actual boat matters more than the maximum number. A small group can make the day feel intimate. A full yacht may mean less room on deck and more competition for the ladder, shade, and seating.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos sailing trip?

I would choose this excursion if you want to combine history, swimming, a meal, and a day on the water without organizing each part yourself. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who likes a social boat ride with a clear plan.

Families should note that the crew has been attentive to young children, including a three-year-old on one departure. Still, the sea can be rough, the ladder requires care, and Delos involves walking in strong sun. Parents should decide if their children can manage those conditions.

History lovers will appreciate the guide, especially if Delos is high on your list. Swimmers will enjoy Rhenia, but dedicated snorkelers may feel let down by the lack of underwater sights. People who dislike boats, heat, or uncertain weather should consider a land-based activity instead.

A moderate fitness level is required. Pregnancy, mobility concerns, and health conditions must be disclosed before booking so the operator can confirm if the trip is safe.

What to bring for six hours on the water

Pack lightly, but do not arrive unprepared. You will want:

• Sunscreen and a hat for the exposed deck and Delos
• A swimsuit and a change of dry clothes
• Comfortable walking shoes for the archaeological site
• Cash for the Delos entrance fee
• Motion-sickness medication if you need it
• A towel, or money to rent one onboard
• Water-friendly protection for phones and valuables

The boat supplies bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and floating noodles. A towel is not included, though rental is available. You may also want a light layer because the wind can make the ride feel cool even on a sunny day.

Free Wi-Fi is useful, but reception and battery life should not be your main concern. Bring your phone for photos, then keep it protected when swimming or when the sea gets rough.

Booking details and cancellation advice

You need to provide each participant’s full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth for the passenger list. Confirmation usually arrives at booking, though reservations made within eight hours of departure are confirmed as soon as possible if space remains.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Because wind is a real factor around Mykonos, I would not schedule this on the final day of a short visit. Put it early in your stay and keep another date open.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want one well-rounded day that joins Delos’s ancient ruins with a swim in clear Rhenia water. The crew is a major strength, the food is included, and the sailing gives the transfer a sense of occasion rather than making it feel like a simple ferry ride.

Think twice if you need a long, independent visit to Delos, dislike choppy water, or expect serious snorkeling. The best version of this trip comes with calm weather, a smaller group, an engaging guide such as Fanny, and enough schedule discipline to protect your time on the island.

For most people who want history and the sea in equal measure, the $145.12 price is fair. Just bring sun protection, cash for admission, realistic snorkeling expectations, and a flexible attitude toward wind.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos sailing tour?

The experience lasts about six hours, beginning around 9 a.m. and ending back in Mykonos in the afternoon.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional and available for an additional charge by request after booking. Transfers may be arranged from your hotel or a designated meeting point.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. The archaeological site admission fee is paid separately in cash onsite.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard and may include pasta with Greek flavors and salad, or a Mediterranean buffet with fruit. Wine, soft drinks, bottled water, instant coffee, and tea are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles are available for free use. The Rhenia stop is best understood as a swimming break, since there may be little to see underwater.

Can I swim directly from the yacht?

Yes. At Rhenia, you enter the water using the yacht’s swimming ladder. There are no pier facilities or tender transfers to shore.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum is 35 people. The actual number depends on the yacht assigned and current weather conditions.

What happens if the weather cancels the cruise?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled. The operator may also adjust the departure time or route when conditions are difficult.