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

The best part of this day is the pairing of ancient Delos and open-water swimming. You spend time among temples and marketplaces tied to Apollo, then cool off from the Greek sun in a quiet Rhenia cove. It gives you two very different sides of the Cyclades in one outing.

I especially like the friendly yacht crew and the chance to help raise the sails or try the helm. I also like that lunch, water, wine, soft drinks, snorkel gear, Wi-Fi, fuel, and safety equipment are included. The main caution is time: Delos can feel short if the boat spends longer at Rhenia or sea conditions delay the schedule.

Key points to know

• Two major stops in one day: Swim at Rhenia, then visit the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Delos.
• Swimming is from the yacht: You use the ladder into the sea, as there are no pier facilities or tender boats to the beach.
• Delos is hot and exposed: Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and sturdy shoes for the ruins and possible walk toward Mount Kythnos.
• Lunch is served aboard: Expect pasta with Greek flavors or a Mediterranean buffet, salad, fruit, wine, soft drinks, and water.
• The sea can be rough: Wind may prevent sailing under full canvas, and motion-sensitive passengers should prepare for a bumpy ride.
• The price includes quite a lot: At $145.12 per person, the package covers the yacht, crew, guide, food, drinks, equipment, and taxes, but not Delos admission or optional transfers.

Why this Mykonos sailing day works so well

At roughly six hours, this is a useful choice if you want more than a beach outing but do not want to give up an entire day. Mykonos supplies the departure point, Rhenia provides the swimming stop, and Delos brings the ancient world into the picture.

The tour has earned a 4.6 rating from 608 ratings, with 90 percent recommending it. That matches the experience on paper: the crew handles a lot for you, and the mix of sailing, lunch, swimming, and archaeology keeps the day from feeling one-note.

Still, this is not a private yacht charter. The maximum group size is 35, and the actual number depends on the yacht assigned and the weather. Some outings have been very small, while others feel less spacious. If your ideal boat day means quiet deck space and personal service, ask about the expected yacht and group size before booking.

Meeting the yacht near Mykonos at 9 a.m.

The listed starting point is near Olia Hotel Mykonos, with the yacht and crew identified by Sunfos Alessia Yachting shirts or signage. You meet the crew directly unless you arrange the optional shuttle.

The transfer service costs extra and must be requested after booking. It can be arranged from your hotel or from a designated meeting point, depending on where you stay. I would not assume that hotel pickup is included in the $145.12 price.

Once aboard, you receive an itinerary briefing and safety talk. The crew can show you how to raise the sails, and you may get a short steering lesson while the yacht heads into the Aegean. If you would rather not participate, the simple option is to settle on deck and watch Mykonos recede.

Bring a light layer even on a warm day. Several outings have been windy or chilly, and spray can reach the deck when the sea gets rough. The captain cannot control the wind, but the crew does adjust the plan when conditions require it.

Rhenia: clear water, a golden beach, and a yacht ladder

After about an hour of sailing, the yacht anchors in a sheltered bay at Rhenia. This is the day’s relaxed half: you swim from the boat, use the floating noodles, or take the free mask, snorkel, and fins into the water.

The water is repeatedly praised for its clarity and blue-green color. The beach is golden and the cove feels less developed than the main beaches of Mykonos. But be clear about the setup. You do not tender to shore, and there are no pier facilities. You enter the sea from the yacht’s swimming ladder.

That detail matters if you have limited mobility, dislike climbing ladders, or simply prefer a shallow beach entry. Pregnancy, mobility concerns, and health issues must be disclosed before booking so the operator can confirm that the outing is safe for you.

The listing calls this a swim and snorkel stop, but I would set your expectations toward swimming first. The water is beautiful, yet there may be little to see beneath the surface. The snorkeling equipment is a useful inclusion, not a promise of reefs or abundant marine life.

You may have around two hours at Rhenia, although the schedule can shift. On hot days, the water is a welcome break from the sun. On windy days, it may be too chilly for a long swim, and the crossing can be wet and bumpy.

Lunch on deck with wine and soft drinks

Lunch follows the swimming stop and is served aboard the yacht. Depending on the day, the meal may be Italian pasta with Greek-style dressing and Greek salad, or a local Mediterranean buffet with fruit.

The food has received mixed but mostly favorable reactions. Some outings have included homemade pasta and meals that handled dietary needs well. Other passengers found the lunch basic or too heavy on pasta, bread, and other carbohydrates. I would treat it as a pleasant boat lunch rather than a refined culinary event.

House white and rosé wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and instant coffee or tea are included. You may need to ask the crew for drinks rather than expect them to be placed in your hand throughout the meal.

The family-style setup encourages conversation with the other people aboard. That can be a real strength if you enjoy meeting people from different countries. It can also make the yacht feel crowded, especially when the group is near its 35-person limit.

Delos: why the guided visit matters

From Rhenia, you continue to Delos, the sacred island linked in Greek mythology with Apollo. The ruins belonged to an important trading and pilgrimage center, and the site includes temples, marketplaces, sacred areas, and a museum with ancient artifacts.

You visit with a licensed English-speaking guide for about 90 minutes, though the wider stop is described as lasting around two hours. The guide helps connect the scattered stones to daily life, religion, commerce, and the island’s role in the ancient Greek world. Without that context, Delos can look like a wide field of weathered marble. With a good guide, the remains become easier to picture.

The quality of the guiding can vary. Several guides have been praised for making the ruins memorable and explaining the site clearly. One guide named Fanny was singled out for bringing the ancient city to life. At least one outing had an English commentary that was harder to follow, so do not expect identical guiding from every departure.

The heat is the bigger concern. Much of the site is exposed, with limited shade. Wear a hat, apply sunscreen, carry water, and choose shoes that feel secure on uneven ground. The guide may also take you toward Mount Kythnos for views over Delos and the surrounding sea, but the extra walk adds effort in full sun.

The amount of free time can also vary. If the group returns late to the yacht or weather changes the schedule, the guided portion may feel rushed. Some departures have allowed only about 40 to 45 minutes on the island, while others have provided a fuller visit. If Delos is your main reason for booking, ask how much time is planned for the archaeological site and how much is guided commentary versus independent exploration.

The return sail and Greek-style farewell

After Delos, you return to the yacht and head back toward Mykonos. The ride can be calm and easy, or lively enough to leave you wet from spray. Wind may also mean the crew motors instead of sailing for part of the route. That is normal for a safe boat outing, not a sign that the trip has failed.

The return is a good time to use the Wi-Fi, relax with a soft drink, or take in the islands from the deck. The day ends with a farewell shot and a Greek toast before disembarkation.

The final landing point can change without notice because of weather. Build a little flexibility into your evening plans, especially if you have dinner reservations or a ferry to catch.

What the $145.12 price really covers

At $145.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Delos, but it is a strong package if you want both archaeology and time on the water. You are paying for a six-hour yacht outing with a crew, fuel, taxes, food, drinks, a licensed guide, safety equipment, snorkel gear, and Wi-Fi.

A simpler Delos boat transfer may cost less, but it will not necessarily include lunch, a swim stop at Rhenia, or a crew-led sailing experience. A private charter would offer more space and control, but would cost far more per person.

Two extra costs need attention. Delos admission is not included and is payable in cash on site. Optional hotel pickup and drop-off also cost extra. Beach towels can be rented aboard, so bring your own if you want to avoid that charge.

The price feels fair for someone who values variety. It is less compelling if you mainly want a long swim, a quiet yacht, or a thorough archaeological study. In that case, the built-in two-hour Rhenia stop and fixed Delos schedule may not match your priorities.

Sea conditions, comfort, and what to pack

This is a weather-dependent activity, and Mykonos can be windy. Rough crossings have been part of some outings, even when the crew handled them safely. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking your usual motion-sickness medicine before departure, as one particularly rough ride can change your view of the day.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and a dry change of clothes
• Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Shoes suitable for uneven archaeological ground
• A towel, unless you plan to rent one
• Cash for the Delos entrance fee
• A light jacket or cover-up for the crossing
• Motion-sickness medication if you normally need it

The operator asks for each passenger’s full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth for the passenger list. You also need a moderate level of physical fitness for the yacht ladder, walking around Delos, and possible uphill sections.

Schedule this tour early in your Mykonos stay if possible. Bad weather can force a cancellation or date change, and an early booking gives you more room to try again. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this Mykonos cruise?

I would choose this outing if you want a day with several ingredients: a little sailing, a clear-water swim, a casual lunch, and an ancient site with an English-speaking guide. Families have found the crew attentive, including with young children, though the water entry and hot Delos walk still require care.

It also suits couples and solo visitors who like a social boat setting. The smaller departures can feel intimate, while a larger yacht creates more of a shared excursion atmosphere. You should be comfortable with a changing schedule and the possibility of rough water.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed beach access, dislike boats that move with the sea, or want extensive independent time at Delos. The snorkeling is an optional extra rather than the central attraction, and the archaeological visit may feel too brief for serious history fans.

Should you book the Rhenia and Delos sailing tour?

Book it if you want the most varied use of six hours near Mykonos. The combination of a swim in Rhenia’s clear water, lunch on deck, and a guided visit to Delos gives the day real range. The crew’s warmth, the included drinks and equipment, and the chance to take part in sailing add value to the price.

Go in prepared for wind, sun, a yacht ladder instead of a beach landing, and a Delos visit that may feel compressed. Ask about pickup costs, group size, the planned time at Delos, and the day’s weather before you commit. For a flexible visitor who wants both the Aegean and ancient Greece, this is a very good choice.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos sailing tour last?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is the entrance fee to Delos included?

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

Can I swim at Rhenia?

Yes. The yacht anchors in a Rhenia bay for a swimming and snorkeling break. You enter the water from the yacht’s swimming ladder because pier facilities and tendering ashore are not available.

Are snorkeling equipment and towels provided?

Masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles are provided at no extra charge. Beach towels are available to rent aboard, but they are not included.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes either pasta with Greek-style dressing and Greek salad or a Mediterranean buffet with fresh fruit. White and rosé house wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and instant coffee or tea are included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel your booking for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.