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

The best Mykonos days leave the beach behind. This six-hour sailing trip combines ancient Delos with a swim in the clear coves of Rhenia, giving you two very different sides of the Aegean in one outing. I especially like the chance to help raise the sails or try the helm, and I appreciate that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, water, and Wi-Fi are included.

The crew receives strong praise for its warmth and care, with Captain Stellios, Marios, Thanos, Orpheas, and others named warmly by past participants. The main caution is timing: Delos can feel rushed, especially on a hot day, while the water may be chilly and the ride rough when the Meltemi wind is up.

Key points at a glance

• Two major stops in one day: Swim from the yacht near Rhenia, then walk through the sacred ruins of Delos.
• Lunch is served aboard: Expect pasta with Greek flavors or a Mediterranean buffet, Greek salad, fruit, wine, soft drinks, and water.
• Delos is the cultural heart of the trip: A licensed English-speaking guide explains temples, markets, sacred areas, and museum pieces.
• Swimming is better than snorkeling here: Masks, fins, and noodles are supplied, but the cove may not offer much underwater life.
• The boat size can change: The maximum is 35 people, though some departures have been much smaller and more intimate.
• Weather matters: Wind can make the sea choppy or force a schedule change, so book early in your Mykonos stay if possible.

Why this Mykonos cruise works so well

Mykonos is easy to reduce to white buildings, beach clubs, and late nights. This trip gives you a fuller day. You spend time under sail, stop in water that looks almost impossibly clear, eat a shared meal, and then walk through one of Greece’s most important ancient sites.

That mix is the real value. A standard boat outing may give you swimming and sunshine. A standard ruins tour may give you temples and a guide. This one links both, so you do not have to choose between time on the water and Greek archaeology.

At about $145.12 per person, the price is fair if you use the inclusions. You are paying for six hours aboard a sailing yacht, crew, fuel, safety equipment, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, and the guided portion of Delos. You still pay the Delos admission fee separately, and optional hotel transfers cost extra, so the final amount will be higher for some people.

I would see it as good value for a full day rather than a cheap boat ride. The food and drink alone are not the reason to book. The value comes from combining transport between islands, a swim stop, a meal, and a guided archaeological visit in one well-organized outing.

Meeting the yacht and setting sail from Mykonos

The scheduled start is 9 a.m. at the yacht meeting point near Olia Hotel Mykonos. Look for a Sunfos Alessia Yachting representative or crew member wearing a company shirt or holding a sign. The exact return point can change because of the weather, so pay attention to instructions on the day.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. They can be arranged for an additional charge after booking, either from your hotel or from a nearby meeting point. I would ask about this soon after reserving, particularly if you are staying away from the main Mykonos area.

Before departure, the crew explains the plan and gives a safety briefing. You can then settle on deck or take part in the sailing. If conditions allow, you might help raise the sails or receive a short lesson in steering. That small opportunity makes the outing feel more like a sailing experience and less like a ride on a motorboat.

The yacht type and number of people vary. The stated maximum is 35, but some departures have had only eight people, while another had 14. That is a major difference. A small group allows more room around the deck and easier contact with the crew. A fuller boat may feel crowded, especially when everyone sits down for lunch or gathers near the swimming ladder.

The first sailing leg takes about an hour. The Aegean can be smooth and bright, but it can also turn rough. Several people found the ride windy or bumpy, and one particularly gusty day made sailing difficult. The captain cannot control the sea, of course, but an experienced crew can make the ride feel safer and more manageable.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take that seriously. One participant specifically advised using Dramamine before the trip. Bring a secure bag for loose items, since wind and spray can make the deck a wet place.

Swimming from the yacht at Rhenia

Rhenia is the relaxed portion of the day. The yacht anchors in a sheltered bay near a golden-sand beach, and you enter the water by the boat’s swimming ladder. There are no pier facilities, and the yacht does not take you ashore by tender, so this is a swim from the boat rather than a beach landing.

The water is the star here. It is turquoise, clear, and refreshing. Several people described it as some of the clearest water they had seen, even after trips to the Caribbean. You can swim toward the beach, float beside the yacht, or use the supplied noodles if you prefer not to work too hard.

Masks, snorkels, and fins are available at no extra cost. Still, I would set your expectations correctly: this is mainly a swimming stop. One person found little to see underwater and felt the experience was advertised too strongly as snorkeling. If you want colorful reef life, this may disappoint. If you want a beautiful place to cool off in the Aegean, it works very well.

The water can be chilly, and the wind may make it hard to stay in for a long time. You might prefer to swim early in the stop, before the breeze picks up or you lose your nerve. A beach towel is not included, though one can be rented aboard.

The schedule allows about two hours at Rhenia, including the swim and lunch. This generous pause is part of the appeal. You are not being hurried out of the water after ten minutes. At the same time, that long stop has caused some frustration when it left less time for Delos later in the day.

Pasta, Greek salad, and drinks on deck

Lunch is served aboard after the swim. The meal may be Italian-style pasta with a Greek-flavored dressing and Greek salad, or a local Mediterranean buffet with fresh fruit. Reviews of the meal range from basic to excellent, with several people praising homemade pasta and sauces prepared by the cook.

That variation probably reflects both personal taste and the menu on a particular departure. Some people found the meal too heavy on pasta, bread, cheese, and other carbohydrates. Others wanted a takeaway portion because they enjoyed it so much. I would expect a generous, casual boat lunch, not a restaurant meal.

House white and rosé wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and instant coffee or tea are included. The crew is attentive, but you may need to ask directly for another drink rather than expect table service. The meal is served family style, which helps create a social mood with the other people aboard.

Dietary requirements can be handled, but tell the operator before the trip. This is especially important because the meal is shared and prepared in a compact galley. The crew has received praise for accommodating different needs when informed in advance.

Walking through the sacred island of Delos

Delos is the reason I would choose this outing over a basic swim cruise. In Greek mythology, the island is linked to the birth of Apollo. Historically, it was a major religious and commercial center, and its remains cover a broad open site.

After Rhenia, you go ashore for a guided visit with a licensed English-speaking guide. The tour covers temples, marketplaces, sacred areas, and artifacts in the museum. You can also walk toward Mount Kynthos for views across the island and surrounding sea, though the heat and available time may affect how far you go.

The guides can make a real difference. Fanny received warm praise for bringing the ruins to life, while other participants specifically valued the careful explanations given by Silia and Elisa. A good guide helps you picture Delos as a working religious and trading center rather than a collection of broken stones.

The advertised guided portion is about an hour and a half, while the overall stop is described as roughly two hours. In practice, timing can vary. On some departures, the visit felt perfectly balanced. On another, people had only 40 to 45 minutes and felt they had barely seen the site. Delays returning from the water can reduce the time available, and the guide’s speaking pace also matters.

There is little shade at Delos. The sun reflects off the pale stone, and the site can feel punishing in summer. Wear a hat, use strong sunscreen, and carry the bottled water supplied by the crew. Good walking shoes are more useful than sandals if you plan to reach higher ground.

The entrance fee is not included and must be paid in cash on site. A wireless radio device for the guided tour may be supplied at no charge, but availability is not guaranteed, and you can be charged for loss or damage. Ask the guide or crew how the system works before walking away from the group.

The return sail and Greek farewell toast

After the archaeological visit, you return to the yacht for the trip back to Mykonos. Depending on conditions and the time of day, the ride may offer warm afternoon light and broad views across the Aegean. Some people particularly enjoyed the return near sunset.

The day ends with a traditional farewell shot and a Greek toast. It is a small touch, but it gives the outing a clear finish instead of simply dropping you back at the harbor and sending you on your way.

The return can be just as windy as the morning ride. Keep a layer within reach, even if Mykonos feels hot when you leave. A breezy deck may feel wonderful in the afternoon, but wet swimwear and strong wind can make you cold.

What the crew does best

The strongest part of this experience is the human service. Crew members have been praised for being friendly, calm, and attentive, especially when the sea turned rough or someone needed extra help.

Communication before departure also appears to be a strength. On one occasion, the operator shifted a morning cruise to the afternoon because of wind and explained the change clearly. In another case, a late-arriving family received phone calls and help finding the yacht rather than being simply left behind.

Names associated with particularly warm service include Captain Stellios and Marios, as well as Thanos and Orpheas. Captain Stefinos was also singled out for making the day relaxing. The crew’s attitude matters here because the boat is your transport, dining room, swimming platform, and resting place all at once.

The guides and yacht crew are separate parts of the day, so the quality of Delos commentary may not always match the quality of the sailing service. Most feedback about the archaeological guides is positive, but one person found the English explanations less clear than expected. That is worth remembering if Delos is your main reason for booking.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want variety. It suits couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who like meeting people over a shared meal. It is also a strong choice if you have only a few days in Mykonos and want to add Delos without arranging separate boat transport and an archaeological tour.

You should be comfortable climbing a swimming ladder, walking over uneven ancient ground, and spending several hours exposed to sun and wind. A moderate level of fitness is required. Pregnancy, mobility limitations, and health concerns must be declared before booking so the operator can confirm that participation is safe.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet private charter, a guaranteed small group, a soft ride, or serious snorkeling. It is also not ideal if you dislike group meals or long periods in direct sun. The boat may carry up to 35 people, and the sea decides how smooth the day will be.

Try to schedule it near the start of your Mykonos stay. Poor weather can cancel or change the outing, and an early booking gives you a better chance to move it to another date. If conditions are unsafe, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund.

Practical packing advice for six hours aboard

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, and a light layer for the ride home. Pack a towel or budget for the onboard rental, since a beach towel is not part of the package.

Keep some cash available for the Delos entrance fee. You will also want a secure place for your passport details and booking information, since the operator requires each passenger’s full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth for the passenger list.

Wi-Fi is available aboard, but I would treat it as a useful extra rather than a reason to book. The best parts of the day are away from a screen. Use it to check messages, then put the phone away while you swim or watch the sails.

Should you book the Rhenia and Delos cruise?

Book it if you want one well-filled day that combines sailing, swimming, lunch, and archaeology. The crew service is a major plus, Rhenia offers a fine swim stop, and Delos gives the trip real cultural weight.

Before paying, ask about the expected group size, current departure time, pickup cost, and how much time is planned at Delos. If you need extensive time among the ruins, a dedicated Delos excursion may suit you better. If you want the most varied day on the water for about $145 per person, this is a strong choice, provided you accept wind, chilly water, and a schedule that can shift with the sea.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos sailing cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, beginning at 9 a.m. The schedule includes sailing to Rhenia, time for swimming and lunch, a visit to Delos, and the return journey to Mykonos.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional and available for an additional charge after booking. Transfers may be arranged from your hotel or from a designated meeting point, depending on where you stay.

Is the entrance fee for Delos included?

No. The Delos archaeological site entrance fee is paid separately in cash on site.

Is lunch included on the yacht?

Yes. Lunch is included and may feature pasta with Greek flavors and Greek salad, or a Mediterranean-style buffet with fresh fruit. Complimentary house wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and instant coffee or tea are also provided.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles are available for complimentary use. The Rhenia stop is best understood as a swimming break, since underwater sights may be limited.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What information is needed after booking?

The operator requires each participant’s full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth for the passenger list before departure.