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

The best part of this Mykonos cruise is the change of pace. You leave the beach clubs behind, sail past the island’s famous southern shore, and spend time in the quiet waters off Rhenia, an uninhabited islet reached only by boat. The return trip brings a sunset over the Aegean, with dinner and drinks served on deck.

I like the combination of swimming and snorkeling straight from the yacht and a generous Greek buffet that includes dishes such as moussaka, chicken, potatoes, salad, bread, and tzatziki. The main thing to consider is the wind. Mykonos is the Island of Winds for good reason, and a rough return crossing can turn a calm outing into a lively ride.

Key points to know

• Rhenia is the quiet centerpiece: You spend about two hours near the uninhabited islet, away from Mykonos’s organized beaches.
• Swimming is from the yacht: Use the ladder, complimentary mask, snorkel, fins, or floating noodles. There is no pier or tender ashore.
• The Greek meal is a real part of the value: Expect an early dinner buffet, plus house wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and hot drinks.
• The southern coast makes a fine opening sail: You pass Ornos, Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paranga, and Paradise.
• The crew can make the day: Costas, Joanna, Bobi, Foti, and other crew members have been praised on different departures, but the assigned team varies.
• Book early in your stay: Poor weather can cancel a sailing, and this gives you time to move it to another date.

Setting sail from Agios Ioannis

The cruise begins at C8F4+2QR in Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, where you meet the yacht and the Sunfos Alessia Yachting crew. Look for a crew member wearing a company shirt or carrying a sign with the operator’s name. The standard meeting arrangement is at the yacht itself, not automatically at your hotel.

A shuttle can be arranged for an additional charge after booking. The operator may collect you at your hotel or at a designated meeting point, depending on where you stay. I would not leave this until the morning of the cruise. Contact the operator ahead of time if you need a transfer, especially if you are staying away from Agios Ioannis.

Once aboard, the crew gives a short safety briefing and explains the route. The yacht size and passenger count can vary, with a maximum of 35 people. That matters because this is not always a tiny private sailing trip. Still, the group limit is modest compared with a large excursion boat, and several departures have had enough room for people to spread out.

The return point can change because of weather. That is a small but important practical detail if you have dinner reservations, a ferry connection, or a tight evening plan.

Passing Mykonos’s southern beaches

The first stretch follows Mykonos’s southern coastline, where the beaches sit on the more protected side of the island. The route passes Ornos, Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paranga, and Paradise, giving you a useful view of the coast from the water.

From a yacht, these beaches look different from the usual shore-level view. You see the curves of the bays, the bright water close to land, and the busy beach areas from a distance. The ride also gives you a feel for why the south coast is popular: it is more sheltered from the strong northern Meltemi winds than many other parts of Mykonos.

This is a good time to settle in, take photos, and watch the crew prepare for the longer crossing. The cruise is not built around guided sightseeing at each beach, so do not expect a detailed stop-by-stop tour. The pleasure is in the view and in seeing several well-known stretches of coast during one sailing.

Depending on the yacht, route, and weather, you may spend time under sail or use the motor when needed. The experience is still a sailing cruise, but conditions decide how much time the sails are up.

The crossing to Rhenia

The trip to Rhenia takes about an hour. Rhenia is also called Big Delos, though it is separate from the famous archaeological island of Delos. It is uninhabited and accessible only by yacht, which gives this part of the outing a quieter feel than Mykonos’s main beaches.

The appeal is simple: there are no beach clubs, sun loungers, or rows of umbrellas around your swim stop. You remain on the yacht and look out over clear water and low, open island scenery. It is a pause from the crowded side of Mykonos without requiring a full day away from the island.

Keep expectations realistic about going ashore. The stated arrangement is swimming from the yacht’s ladder, with no pier facilities and no tender service to land. A past route has included a swim toward shore and views of old foundations, but you should not book this expecting a guaranteed walk on Rhenia or an archaeological visit.

The yacht carries complimentary snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, and floating noodles. The water is clear enough for a pleasant look below the surface, although conditions, visibility, and water temperature vary. Some departures have included two chances to swim, but the exact number depends on the route and weather.

If you do not want to swim, you can stay aboard, enjoy the views, and use the time to relax. The cruise works for mixed groups because one person can snorkel while another sits in the shade or takes photos. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a change of clothes if you dislike sitting in damp swimwear later.

Two hours in a quiet Aegean cove

The schedule allows about two hours around Rhenia. That is long enough to swim without feeling rushed, but it also means this is not a nonstop sightseeing trip. The heart of the experience is a slow afternoon on the water.

The crew prepares the meal during this stop. Past menus have included moussaka, chicken, potatoes, vegetables, Greek salad, bread, and tzatziki. The exact dishes can change, but the food is presented as a Mediterranean-style buffet with traditional Greek flavors.

I see real value in having the meal served aboard. At $114.89 per person, you are paying for five hours on a yacht, crew, fuel, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, Wi-Fi, food, and a selection of drinks. A beach restaurant meal and separate boat trip would quickly push the cost higher, while this packages the main expenses into one outing.

The timing is worth noting. The meal is described as an early dinner, and past departures have served it around 2 p.m. If you eat a light breakfast and expect a late lunch, you may become hungry before the buffet appears. I would have breakfast and carry a small snack if you need food at regular intervals.

Drinks include white and rosé house wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea. The supply is included, but service may not be constant on every departure. You may need to ask a crew member when you want another drink rather than expect a glass to appear automatically.

There is also a farewell shot at the end. You can simply skip it if you do not drink alcohol.

The sunset return to Mykonos

After the Rhenia stop and meal, the yacht heads back toward Mykonos. This is when the cruise changes character. The sunlight softens, the sea takes on darker blue tones, and the horizon can fill with yellow, orange, and red as the sun drops.

The sunset is one of the strongest reasons to choose this departure over a standard daytime boat trip. You get the famous Mykonos water views first, then the coast in evening light on the way back. Keep your camera handy, but also leave time to watch without looking through a screen.

The sea may be calm, or it may be rough. Several departures have described higher waves as part of the fun, while another found the return crossing harrowing in strong conditions. That difference is not a contradiction. Mykonos weather can change the mood of the same route from gentle to bumpy.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels easiest, avoid a heavy meal right before boarding, and consider bringing your usual remedy. Anyone who wants a perfectly still boat ride should choose a calm forecast or consider a land-based sunset plan instead.

The operator may cancel because of poor weather, offering another date or a full refund. I recommend booking this early in your Mykonos stay, particularly if your visit is short. You then have a chance to reschedule if the Meltemi makes the sea unsuitable.

Crew service and the feel on board

The crew is a major part of the experience. Names associated with well-liked departures include Costas, Joanna, Bobi or Bobbitos, and Foti, although you should not assume the same people will be aboard your trip. Their role goes beyond sailing: they explain the route, prepare or serve food, help with swimming gear, and keep an eye on comfort and safety.

The strongest pattern is friendly, attentive hosting. Families have found the crew welcoming to children, including one captain who showed a child how to steer and explained parts of the boat. That does not turn the cruise into a children’s program, but it suggests a relaxed atmosphere for mixed-age groups.

You should still think of this as an active boat outing. Boarding, moving around the deck, climbing the swimming ladder, and handling a moving yacht require moderate physical fitness. Tell the operator about pregnancy, mobility limits, or health concerns before reserving. Participation is subject to a safety check.

Wi-Fi and safety equipment are included. A beach towel is not. You can rent one aboard, but bringing your own may be simpler if you have space.

Who gets the most from this cruise

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several Mykonos experiences in one block of time: a coastal tour, an island swim, a Greek meal, and a sunset sail. It suits couples, families, and small groups who enjoy being outside and do not need a full archaeological tour.

It is especially useful for a short Mykonos stay. You see several southern beaches, reach a less developed island, and spend only about five hours away from the main resort area. The $114.89 price is reasonable for the package, provided you use the swim stop and enjoy the meal and drinks.

It is less suitable if you want to walk around Rhenia, visit Delos’s ruins, or spend the whole day on a beach. The boat does not provide guaranteed shore access at Rhenia, and Delos is not presented as a formal land excursion.

It may also be the wrong pick for anyone who dislikes open-water motion. The yacht can encounter rough seas, especially on the return. Check the forecast, but remember that conditions can still shift.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation normally arrives when you book, unless you reserve within one day of departure. In that case, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability.

The operator requires passenger details for the sailing list: each person’s full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth. Have those details ready instead of treating them as a last-minute formality.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. Weather cancellations and cancellations caused by too few participants lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

There is public transportation near the meeting point, but pickup is not included by default. If you need a shuttle, request it after booking and ask about the extra charge.

Should you book the Rhenia sunset sail?

Book it if you want a relaxed but active half-day on the Aegean, with clear swimming water, a proper Greek buffet, included drinks, and sunset views from a yacht. The mix is hard to beat for a first visit to Mykonos, and the small-island stop gives you a break from the busiest beaches.

Skip it if your priority is walking through ancient ruins, guaranteed calm water, or a full beach day on land. The biggest variable is the weather, so choose a date early in your stay and be honest about how well you handle boat motion. For the right forecast and the right expectations, this is a well-priced way to see Mykonos from the water.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours. Time is spent sailing along Mykonos’s southern coast, reaching Rhenia, swimming, eating aboard, and returning around sunset.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

The listed meeting and return point is C8F4+2QR, Agios Ioannis Diakoftis 846 00, Greece. The disembarkation point may change without advance notice because of weather.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional, available for an extra charge, and must be requested after booking. The operator arranges transport from your hotel or a designated meeting point based on your accommodation.

Can I swim and snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. You can swim from the yacht’s ladder, and complimentary masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles are provided. There are no pier facilities or tender trips ashore at the Rhenia stop.

Is food included?

Yes. An onboard early-dinner buffet is included. It features Mediterranean-style Greek dishes, with examples including moussaka, chicken, potatoes, vegetables, salad, bread, and tzatziki.

Which drinks are included?

White and rosé house wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea are included. A farewell shot is also provided.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum listed group size is 35 people. The number aboard can vary depending on the yacht assigned and the weather conditions.

What happens if the weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The cruise also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason leads to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.