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

Ancient Delos and the clear coves of Rhenia make a fine pair: one gives you Greek mythology and ruins, the other gives you a ladder into cool Aegean water. I like that this six-hour sailing trip does not force you to choose between culture and the sea. You can help raise the sails, learn a little steering, or simply stretch out on deck.

I also like the friendly crew and onboard meal, which turn a basic boat transfer into a social day out. The main caution is timing. Delos can feel rushed, especially on a hot day, while rough wind may make the crossing bumpy or even force a schedule change.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different islands: Swim from the yacht at Rhenia, then walk among the temples and marketplaces of Delos.
• Real sailing time: You can assist with the sails or receive a short steering lesson, weather permitting.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect pasta with Greek-style dressing and salad, or a Mediterranean buffet with fruit.
• Delos admission costs extra: Bring cash for the archaeological site entrance fee.
• The sea sets the schedule: Wind can cause rough water, reduced sailing, or a changed departure time.
• A small-group feel is possible: Numbers can reach 35, but some departures have had as few as 8 to 14 people.

Why pair Rhenia swimming with ancient Delos?

This outing works because it gives you two sides of the Cyclades in one morning and afternoon. Rhenia is about the water: a quiet bay, a golden-sand beach, and a swim reached from the yacht’s ladder. Delos is about sacred temples, old marketplaces, stone streets, and the remains of a major Greek religious and trading center.

I find the contrast especially useful if your Mykonos stay is short. A beach day alone can feel easy to arrange, and Delos can be visited by a simpler boat excursion. Here, you get both without arranging separate transport, a beach stop, lunch, and a guide on your own.

The boat departs at about 9:00 a.m. and the advertised price is $145.12 per person. That is not a cheap ferry ride, but it covers the yacht and crew, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, and the licensed English-speaking guide at Delos. You still pay the Delos entrance fee and any optional hotel transfer.

Boarding in Mykonos and getting underway

The listed meeting point is at Olia Hotel Mykonos Paralia. Look for a Sunfos Alessia Yachting representative or crew member wearing a company shirt or carrying a sign. The optional shuttle is not included, so you need to contact the operator after booking if you want a pickup or drop-off. The transfer price depends on the arrangement.

Before setting out, the crew gives you an itinerary briefing and a safety talk. This is a useful start, since the day includes open water, a moving boat, and a shore visit with uneven ancient ruins.

If the weather allows, you can take part in the sailing. The crew may show you how to raise the sails or give you a short lesson in steering. I would take advantage of this if you have never sailed before. It is a small detail, but it makes the crossing feel like an experience rather than a ride from one port to another.

You can also stay on deck and watch the Aegean pass by. Free Wi-Fi is included, though I would treat it as a convenience rather than the reason to book. The sun, wind, and views are the better entertainment.

Rhenia after about an hour on the water

After roughly an hour, the yacht anchors in a sheltered bay at Rhenia. There is no pier and no tender service to carry you ashore. You enter the water using the yacht’s swimming ladder, so you should be comfortable climbing down and back up from open water.

This arrangement has a pleasant advantage: you can swim directly from the boat into clear, turquoise water. The cove feels more removed than the busy beaches of Mykonos, and the long stop gives you time to float, swim, and relax instead of squeezing in a ten-minute dip.

Masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles are available at no extra charge. Keep your expectations sensible, though. This is primarily a swimming stop. One account found little to see underwater, so I would not book the tour for serious snorkeling. Bring your own mask if you care about fit, but the supplied equipment covers the basics.

The water can be chilly, and wind may make it rough. On calm, sunny days, this is likely the most relaxing part of the outing. On a windy day, you may get wet even while sitting on the boat, and the swim may feel brisk rather than leisurely.

Lunch with wine on the yacht

After swimming, lunch is served onboard. The food may be Italian pasta with a Greek-flavored dressing and Greek salad, or a Mediterranean-style buffet with fresh local fruit. House white and rosé wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and instant coffee or tea are included.

The meal is served in a shared setting, so you sit down with the other people on your yacht. That can be part of the fun, especially when the group is small. Several accounts praised the homemade pasta and generous portions, while others found the meal basic or heavy on pasta, bread, and cheese.

I would call lunch practical rather than gourmet. It gives you a proper meal after swimming and keeps you from having to find food on Delos, where shade and facilities are limited. Tell the operator about dietary needs before booking, since crew members have accommodated special requirements on past departures.

Drinks may not always be sitting in front of you. If you want wine, water, or soft drinks, ask the crew directly. The farewell shot at the end is also included, though you can simply decline it if you do not want alcohol.

Walking through Delos with an English-speaking guide

After about two hours at Rhenia, the yacht continues to Delos. This island is linked in Greek mythology with Apollo, and its archaeological site preserves the remains of an ancient religious and commercial center.

A licensed English-speaking guide leads the shore visit. Past guides have included Fanny, Silia, and Elisa, although your guide may be someone else. The best part of this visit is the explanation. Without context, Delos can look like scattered marble, broken columns, and low stone walls under a strong sun. A good guide helps you picture the temples, public spaces, markets, and sacred areas that once filled the island.

You can see ancient temples and marketplaces, then visit the museum’s collection of artifacts. The route may also include a climb toward Mount Kynthos for views over the island and surrounding sea. That climb adds effort in the heat, so pace yourself and carry water.

The tour description allows roughly two hours at Delos, with about 90 minutes set aside for the guided portion. In practice, the exact balance can change. A late return to the yacht, wind, or a long Rhenia stop can leave you with less free time than expected. Some departures have provided only about 40 to 45 minutes on Delos, which is enough for an introduction but not enough to explore every corner.

This is the chief weakness of the experience. If Delos is your main reason for booking, ask the crew at the start how much time is planned for the guided route and how much remains for independent exploration. You should also expect direct sun. Wear a hat, apply sunscreen, and carry water. The pale ruins reflect heat, and there is little shade.

The Delos entrance fee is not included and is payable in cash onsite. The wireless radio device for the guided tour is complimentary if supplied, but loss or damage may result in a charge.

The return to Mykonos

Once the Delos visit ends, you return to the yacht for the trip back. Depending on the weather and time of day, the ride may be smooth and restful or fairly rough. The crew cannot control the wind, but a capable captain can make a major difference when conditions turn lively.

Several people have described the return as a beautiful finish, especially when the light softens later in the day. The crew closes the outing with a traditional Greek farewell toast before you disembark in Mykonos.

The end point can change because of weather. Check the final instructions rather than assuming you will leave from and return to exactly the same place. If you have a dinner reservation, ferry, or flight, leave plenty of time after the stated six-hour duration.

Group size, comfort, and the realities of sailing

The maximum is 35 people, though the yacht assigned to your departure depends on the boat available and the weather. That range matters. A departure with eight people can feel intimate and easy, while 14 people may already feel crowded for some passengers. At the full maximum, deck space and access to the swimming ladder will be more limited.

The crew receives particularly strong praise for being attentive, friendly, and reassuring. Names such as Captain Stellios, Thanos, Orpheas, Marios, Chris, and Stefinos appear in accounts of especially warm service, though the exact team changes.

The boat is not a luxury yacht charter where every passenger has a private corner. You share space, food, and the swimming area. That is part of the value, but you should be comfortable with a social format and changing group dynamics.

A moderate level of fitness is required. You need to board the yacht, use a swimming ladder if you swim, walk over an archaeological site, and possibly climb Mount Kynthos. Pregnancy, mobility limitations, and health concerns must be discussed before booking so the operator can confirm safe participation.

What the $145 price really buys you

At $145.12, the tour makes the most sense if you want several services bundled together. You are paying for six hours aboard a staffed sailing yacht, transport between Mykonos, Rhenia, and Delos, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, safety equipment, Wi-Fi, fuel, taxes, and the Delos guide.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a Delos boat trip, a guided site visit, and a swimming cruise. The cost is less appealing if you mainly want to swim, since Mykonos has less expensive beach options. It is also less compelling if you want a long, unhurried archaeological visit, because the Delos portion can be shortened by weather or timing.

The optional pickup is another expense. If your accommodation is near the meeting point or public transport, arranging your own way there may save money. Confirm the meeting instructions after booking, since shuttle service is not automatic.

Weather can change the whole day

Wind is the factor you need to take seriously. Mykonos is known for strong Aegean breezes, and this is an open-water sailing trip. Wind can produce rough seas, make the boat spray passengers, prevent proper sailing, move the cruise to a different time, or cancel the outing.

The operator recommends booking near the beginning of your Mykonos stay. That is smart advice. If bad weather cancels your date, you may have another chance to reschedule rather than losing the experience entirely.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or insufficient numbers cause the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this Mykonos sailing trip?

I would choose this for you if you want a mix of history, swimming, and open water without planning several separate outings. It suits couples, families, and small groups who enjoy sharing a meal and meeting people from different places.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to Mykonos when time is limited. Delos gives the day cultural weight, while Rhenia prevents the excursion from becoming a long walk among ruins in the sun.

I would hesitate if you get seasick, dislike group meals, need guaranteed calm water, or want a long independent visit at Delos. Take motion-sickness medicine before departure if you know rough water affects you, and bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a dry change of clothes, and cash for the entrance fee.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most varied day trip from Mykonos: sailing instruction, a clear-water swim, a shared lunch, and an introduction to one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. The crew and guide can make the day feel personal, and the combination offers good value for the price.

Skip it if Delos alone is your priority and you want hours to explore at your own pace. In that case, choose a visit with a longer archaeological schedule. For everyone else, this is a strong pick, provided you accept the weather risk and understand that Rhenia swimming is the star water activity, not a serious snorkeling expedition.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos sailing tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, beginning at about 9:00 a.m. The timing can change because of weather, sailing conditions, and the time spent at each stop.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional and available for an additional charge by request after booking. Transfers may use your hotel or a designated meeting point, depending on its location.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the sailing yacht and crew, lunch, white and rosé house wine, soft drinks, bottled water, instant coffee and tea, snorkeling equipment, floating noodles, Wi-Fi, safety equipment, fuel, taxes, the Delos guide, and a farewell shot drink.

Is the entrance fee for Delos included?

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

Can I snorkel at Rhenia?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and fins are available for complimentary use. The stop is mainly suited to swimming, and underwater sights may be limited.

Do I need to bring a beach towel?

A beach towel is not included, but one is available onboard for rental.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or health concerns?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Pregnancy, mobility limitations, and health issues must be reported before reservation so the operator can confirm whether participation is safe.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The operator may also change the departure time or disembarkation point because of wind and sea conditions.