Sunset Sail Cruise to Rhenia, Mykonos Beach Safari, Dinner&Drinks

The best part of this Mykonos cruise is the change of pace: after passing the island’s famous beaches, you reach quiet Rhenia, where the only easy way into the clear water is from the yacht’s swimming ladder. The return trip brings sunset colors over the Aegean, with dinner and drinks served on board.

I like the combination of swimming, snorkeling, and sightseeing in one half-day outing. I also like that the price includes a proper Greek buffet, house wine, beer, soft drinks, equipment, fuel, and taxes, rather than charging for each small extra.

The main consideration is the weather. The Meltemi winds can make the return ride rough, and there is no pier or tender service at Rhenia. If you get seasick or prefer calm water, choose your date carefully and avoid a notably windy day.

Key points before you book

• Rhenia is reached by yacht only: Plan to swim from the boat rather than walk onto a developed beach.
• The route follows Mykonos’ south coast: You pass Ornos, Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paranga, and Paradise.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect an early dinner buffet with Greek dishes, wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and hot drinks.
• The group can reach 35 people: The actual number varies with the yacht assigned and sea conditions.
• Pickup costs extra: The standard meeting point is at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, with shuttle service arranged after booking if needed.
• Wind matters: The cruise requires good weather, and rough seas can change the mood of the return ride.

Sailing past Mykonos’ famous south-coast beaches

The cruise begins at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, southwest of Mykonos Town. Meet the yacht and look for a Sunfos Alessia Yachting representative wearing a company shirt or carrying a sign. Before setting off, the crew gives a short route briefing and safety information.

The first stretch is a pleasant introduction to Mykonos from the water. The yacht follows the southern coast, where the beaches are more protected from the strong northern Meltemi winds. You pass Ornos, Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paranga, and Paradise, each with a different feel on shore, but viewed here as part of one broad coastal sweep.

I like this opening because it gives you more than a simple ride to a swimming stop. You get a water-level view of the coast and a chance to see how close these well-known beaches are to one another. It also helps you understand Mykonos as an island shaped by wind, boat traffic, and small coves.

The exact balance between sailing and motoring can depend on wind and safety. On a calm day, the sailing itself may be a highlight. On a windy day, the captain may need to adjust the route or use the motor, especially on the return.

Rhenia: two hours of swimming from the yacht

After roughly an hour at sea, the boat reaches Rhenia, also called Big Delos. It is an uninhabited islet near Delos, and it feels far less organized than the beaches on Mykonos. There are no beach clubs, rows of loungers, or paved facilities here.

The official swimming plan is simple: the yacht anchors, you use the ladder, and you enter the clear salt water directly from the boat. Snorkeling equipment is supplied at no extra charge, including a mask, snorkel, and fins. Floating noodles are also available.

This is the strongest part of the outing for anyone who wants time in the water. You have around two hours at Rhenia, enough for a relaxed swim rather than a rushed photo stop. The water is often described as clear and cool, with one account putting the temperature near 70 degrees Fahrenheit. That is refreshing, but not warm for everyone.

Do not book this trip expecting a normal beach landing. The information for the cruise specifically says that pier facilities and tendering ashore are not available. You may see the shoreline from the boat, but the dependable plan is swimming off the yacht.

Some accounts describe more than one swim opportunity during the day, including a stop before or around the Rhenia visit. The exact pattern can change with conditions, so think of the cruise as a water-based outing rather than a beach-hopping trip on foot.

The crew may point out nearby islands and coastal features as you go. Names and spelling can vary among crew members, but people have especially praised hosts such as Costas, Joanna, Bobi, Foti, Sofia, and Tarsos. The crew lineup is not guaranteed, yet the service style is clear: friendly, attentive, and involved in helping people feel comfortable on the boat.

Greek food and drinks served on board

The early dinner is one of the reasons the price makes sense. Instead of stopping at a restaurant, the crew serves a Mediterranean-style buffet while you remain on the yacht. The exact menu can vary, but examples include moussaka, chicken, potatoes, vegetables, Greek salad, bread, and tzatziki.

The meal is generally served later in the outing, with one account placing it around 2 p.m. depending on the day’s schedule. I would eat a solid breakfast and bring a small snack if you tend to get hungry between meals. The food is included, but you should not expect lunch immediately after boarding.

Complimentary drinks include white and rosé house wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea. There is also a farewell shot at the end. The drinks are part of the package, though service may not feel like a formal bar. If you want another drink, you may need to ask a crew member rather than expect one to appear automatically.

I appreciate the practical value here. A half-day yacht cruise with a cooked buffet and drinks can cost much more once you add food, alcohol, snorkeling gear, and fuel separately. At $114.89 per person, this package is fairly priced for visitors who will make use of the meal and drinks.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike buffet meals, or mainly want a quick sightseeing cruise. In that case, you are paying for several inclusions you may barely use. For most people who plan to swim and eat on board, though, the package is easier to justify.

Sunset on the return to Mykonos

After about two hours around Rhenia, the yacht heads back toward Mykonos. The timing is designed to catch the sun dropping toward the horizon, with yellow, orange, and red light across the Aegean.

This is a good time to slow down. You have already seen the main beach areas, had dinner, and spent time in the water. On the way back, the best place to sit depends on wind, sun, and the yacht layout, so move around when it is safe and keep a layer handy if the air cools.

The sunset is not guaranteed to be calm or cloud-free. The sea can also be rougher on the return, especially when the wind is up. One of the main cautions about this cruise is that a breezy day can turn the final stretch into a bumpy ride. Some people enjoy the motion, while others find it stressful.

The captain’s handling matters here. Several accounts praise the crew for navigating higher waves with confidence, but good seamanship does not make rough seas feel smooth. If you know you are sensitive to motion, ask about conditions before departure and consider taking the trip early in your Mykonos stay, when you still have room to reschedule.

What the $114.89 price really covers

The advertised price includes:

• About five hours on a sailing yacht
• Crew and safety equipment
• Greek buffet dinner
• White and rosé house wine
• Beer and soft drinks
• Bottled water, coffee, and tea
• Snorkeling mask, snorkel, and fins
• Floating noodles
• Farewell shot
• Wi-Fi
• Fuel and taxes

That is a solid list. You are not paying an extra fuel surcharge at the end, and the water equipment means you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The free Wi-Fi is a minor benefit, since most people will spend the best parts of the trip looking outward rather than at a phone.

Two costs are not included. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged for an additional charge, and beach towels are available to rent on board. If you use the standard meeting point, you avoid the shuttle fee, but you need to arrange your own way to Agios Ioannis Diakoftis.

The group can contain up to 35 people, though the number may change according to the yacht and weather. That is smaller than a large ferry excursion, but it is not a private charter. If you want a fully private experience, this is not the right format.

Meeting point, timing, and practical planning

The listed starting and ending point is C8F4+2QR, Agios Ioannis Diakoftis 846 00, Greece. The disembarkation point can change without advance notice because of weather, so keep your plans flexible after the cruise.

Pickup is not automatic. If you need a shuttle, contact Sunfos Alessia Yachting after booking. The operator may arrange transport from your hotel or from a designated meeting point based on where you stay, with an extra charge.

You need to provide each person’s full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth for the passenger list. Confirmation is normally issued at booking, although a reservation made within one day of departure may take longer while availability is checked.

The cruise requires a moderate level of fitness. You should be comfortable moving around a yacht, using a swimming ladder, and getting in and out of the water. Tell the operator about pregnancy, mobility limits, or health conditions before reserving, since participation may need to be reconfirmed for safety.

I would book this near the start of a short Mykonos stay, not on your final free day. Poor weather can cancel the outing, and the operator offers another date or a full refund in that case. A 24-hour cancellation rule applies for a full refund, so keep that deadline in mind.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos sailing trip?

This cruise suits you if you want several Mykonos experiences in one outing:

• A look at the south-coast beaches from the water
• A quiet stop near an uninhabited island
• Time to swim and snorkel
• A Greek meal without leaving the boat
• Wine, beer, and soft drinks included
• A sunset ride back to Mykonos

Families can enjoy it, and accounts describe children liking the swimming stops and the chance to see how the yacht works. The crew has also helped children learn about steering and boat handling, although that depends on the captain and conditions.

It is also a good fit for couples and friends who want a social day on the water without paying for a private yacht. The maximum group size is moderate, but you should still expect to share the deck and swimming area.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, get seasick, need a sandy beach, or prefer a tightly scheduled cultural tour. Rhenia is the setting, not a guided archaeological visit. If you want to walk among ruins or spend the day touring Delos on land, choose a separate excursion.

The cruise received a 4.7 rating from 116 reviews, with 92 percent recommending it. The most consistent strengths are the crew, the Greek food, the clear water, and the sunset. The recurring weakness is also clear: rough seas can take the shine off an otherwise excellent day.

Should you book the Rhenia sunset sail?

I would book this cruise if you want an active but easygoing day that combines Mykonos sightseeing, swimming, food, and sunset views. The included buffet and drinks make the $114.89 price reasonable, and the two-hour Rhenia stop gives you real time in the water rather than a quick photo break.

Choose your date with the wind in mind, eat breakfast, bring or rent a towel, and do not count on walking ashore at Rhenia. If the forecast is calm and you are happy entering the sea from a ladder, this is one of the better ways to see Mykonos from beyond its crowded beaches.

FAQ

How long does the sailing cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours, including the route along Mykonos’ south coast, the stop near Rhenia, the buffet meal, and the return sail at sunset.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional, available for an additional charge, and must be requested from the cruise operator after booking.

Can I swim and snorkel at Rhenia?

Yes. You can enter the water from the yacht’s swimming ladder, and snorkeling equipment and floating noodles are provided at no extra cost.

Can I walk onto Rhenia Island?

The stated plan does not include a pier or tender ashore. You should expect to swim from the yacht rather than land on a developed beach.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes an onboard Greek buffet, white and rosé house wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, tea, and a farewell shot.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.