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

The best part of this Mykonos day is the contrast: you spend one hour sailing across the Aegean, then swim from the yacht in a quiet Rhenia cove before walking through the sacred ruins of Delos. It turns a crowded-island holiday into a day of clear water and ancient stones.

I like the chance to help raise the sails or try the wheel, and I like that lunch, water, soft drinks, wine, and snorkeling equipment are included. The main catch is time at Delos. A two-hour site visit can feel rushed, and some departures have had only 40 to 45 minutes for the actual ruins after delays and the beach stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Rhenia is a swim-from-the-yacht stop: You enter the sea by ladder, not from a pier or tender.
• Delos is the serious cultural part: A licensed English-speaking guide leads you through the UNESCO-listed ruins, with admission paid separately.
• Lunch is included: Expect pasta with Greek flavors or a Mediterranean buffet, salad, fruit, drinks, and house wine.
• The boat size can vary: Departures may be intimate, with eight to 14 people, or approach the stated maximum of 35.
• Wind matters: Rough water can make the crossing wet and uncomfortable, and strong winds may cause a delay, change, or cancellation.
• The $145.12 price covers plenty: You still need to budget for Delos admission, optional transfers, and possibly a beach towel.

Why this Mykonos cruise works so well

Mykonos is famous for whitewashed lanes, beach clubs, and strong summer sun. This cruise gives you a different view of the island group. You leave the busy shore behind, cross open water under sail when conditions allow, and reach two places that feel very different from Mykonos town.

Rhenia is about slowing down. You anchor in a sheltered bay with a golden-sand beach nearby, then swim in clear turquoise water. Delos is the opposite: dry, exposed, and filled with temples, marketplaces, sacred precincts, and fragments of a major ancient city.

I see this as a particularly good choice if you want both Greek archaeology and time in the sea. A standard Delos boat trip focuses on the ruins. A beach cruise may give you swimming but little cultural context. This outing tries to do both in six hours.

The average booking lead time is about 43 days, which tells you that popular summer dates can fill early. I would book ahead if your dates are fixed, but I would place the cruise near the beginning of your Mykonos stay. If wind cancels the trip, you have a better chance of moving it to another day.

Meeting the yacht at 9 a.m.

The advertised start is 9 a.m. at the sailing yacht near Olia Hotel Mykonos, in Mykonos 846 00. You meet a Sunfos Alessia Yachting representative and crew at the embarkation point. Look for a shirt or sign with the company name.

Hotel pickup is not part of the basic price. It can be arranged for an additional charge after booking, either from your hotel or from a designated meeting point. Ask about this promptly if you are staying away from the listed meeting area.

You need to provide each passenger’s full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth for the passenger list. Keep your passport details handy when booking. Also note that the return disembarkation point can change without advance notice because of weather.

Once aboard, the crew explains the route and gives a safety briefing. If you are curious, you can help raise the sails or receive a short steering lesson. If you would rather conserve your energy, the deck is made for watching the islands slide by and enjoying the sun.

The yacht size depends on the boat assigned and the conditions. The maximum is 35 people, but some departures have been much smaller. An eight-person boat feels like a private outing. A boat carrying 14 can still feel pleasant, though the available space becomes more important when the sea gets rough.

Sailing across the Aegean

The first sailing stretch takes about an hour. In calm weather, this is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. You get the pleasure of moving by wind and water instead of simply being transported to a destination.

Do not picture guaranteed smooth sailing. Mykonos is known for strong winds, and the Aegean can become choppy. Some people have described the ride as bumpy or wet, while others found the crew confident and reassuring in difficult conditions. The captain cannot control the sea, but the crew can manage safety and comfort as conditions change.

Pack motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to seasickness. One passenger specifically recommended taking Dramamine before a rough departure. You should also bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light layer. Even a sunny day can feel chilly once the boat is moving, and the water at Rhenia may feel cold at first.

Free onboard Wi-Fi is a useful extra, though I would not make it the reason to choose the trip. The main attraction is being away from shore. Still, Wi-Fi helps if you need to send a message or check an arrangement later in the day.

Swimming in Rhenia’s clear water

After roughly an hour, the yacht anchors in an unspoiled Rhenia bay. The stop lasts about two hours, although the exact balance of time can shift with sea conditions and the Delos schedule.

This is a swimming stop, not a beach landing. You enter the water from the yacht’s ladder. There are no pier facilities, and the boat does not tender you ashore. The nearby beach gives the cove its golden-sand setting, but you should not assume you will spend the break walking along that beach.

The water is the star. It can be remarkably clear, with shades of blue and green that make a simple swim feel special. Floating noodles are available, and the crew provides masks, snorkels, and fins at no extra charge.

Set your expectations carefully about snorkeling. The equipment is included, but the cove may not offer much marine life or underwater scenery. One account of the trip described it as a fine swimming experience rather than a true snorkeling excursion. I would choose this tour for the water, the boat, and the setting, not for coral, fish, or a major underwater spectacle.

The water temperature also varies by season and personal tolerance. Some people may swim for a long time, while others will prefer a shorter dip and time on deck. A towel is not included, though one can be rented aboard. Bringing your own towel is usually the simpler option if you have room.

Lunch, wine, and a shared table

After swimming, lunch is served on board. The listed choices are Italian pasta with Greek-flavored dressing and Greek salad, or a local Mediterranean-style buffet with fresh fruit. White and rosé house wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and instant coffee or tea are included.

The food seems to be one of the more variable parts of the experience. Some departures have served homemade pasta and sauce that passengers considered excellent. Other meals have been called basic or too heavy on pasta, bread, and cheese. I would treat lunch as a pleasant onboard meal rather than a restaurant tasting menu.

Dietary needs can be handled, but mention them when you reserve. The meal is served family style, so you eat alongside the other people on the yacht. That can be a nice social moment, especially on a small boat, but it gives you less personal space than a private charter.

Drinks are complimentary, though you may need to ask the crew rather than wait for constant table service. The final farewell toast adds a friendly Greek touch at the end of the outing.

Walking through ancient Delos

From Rhenia, the yacht continues to Delos. In Greek mythology, Delos is the birthplace of Apollo. Historically, it was a major religious and commercial center, and its ruins provide a rare chance to walk through the remains of an ancient Aegean city.

A licensed English-speaking guide leads the site visit for about 90 minutes according to the inclusions, though the broader stop is listed at roughly two hours. Guides on different departures have included Fanny, Silia, and Elisa. The individual guide is not guaranteed, but the aim is a guided visit rather than a simple drop-off with no context.

You can expect to see temple remains, sacred areas, marketplaces, and artifacts in the museum. The guide’s role matters here. Broken columns and low stone walls do not explain themselves, and a good explanation helps you picture how worship, trade, and daily life once fit together.

The site is open, sunny, and exposed. There is little shade during the walk, so use sunscreen, wear a hat, and carry the water provided by the crew. The heat can make a long talk in one location tiring. Some departures have allowed a satisfying visit, while others have felt rushed because late returns from Rhenia or scheduling changes reduced exploration time.

The itinerary also mentions climbing Mount Kythnos for views of Delos and the surrounding sea. That adds a physical element, so bring shoes suitable for walking over uneven ground. You need a moderate fitness level for the cruise and ruins, and you should notify the operator before booking if you have mobility or health concerns, are pregnant, or need special arrangements.

Delos admission is not included. You pay the entrance fee in cash on site. A wireless radio device for the guided tour may be provided without charge, but availability is subject to the operator’s conditions, and you can be charged for loss or damage.

Returning to Mykonos by boat

After the Delos visit, you return to the yacht for the voyage back to Mykonos. Depending on the wind, this may be a peaceful sail or a wet, lively ride. The afternoon light can be beautiful, and the return gives you time to sit back after the hot walk around Delos.

The tour ends after about six hours with a farewell shot drink. Exact arrival and disembarkation arrangements can change because of weather, so avoid booking a tight evening dinner, ferry, or flight connection.

I appreciate the way this final leg rounds out the day. You have had a swim, eaten lunch, learned about one of the Aegean’s most important ancient sites, and spent real time on a sailing yacht. That variety is the strongest reason to choose this outing.

What the $145.12 price really buys

At $145.12 per person, the price is fair if you value the combination of transport, crew, lunch, drinks, swimming gear, and a guided Delos visit. You are not paying only for a boat transfer. Fuel, taxes, safety equipment, Wi-Fi, and the six-hour yacht cruise are also included.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quick swim. You could be spending a good part of the cost on archaeology and sailing time that you may not care about. It is also not the final total because Delos admission, optional pickup and drop-off, and towel rental cost extra.

The maximum group size of 35 deserves attention. A small boat with eight to 14 people offers a more personal feel. A full departure will be less intimate, especially during lunch and while moving around the deck. Ask about the expected boat size if that matters to you, though the final allocation can depend on safety and weather.

I would call the tour good value for couples, families, and mixed-interest groups. One person can care about ancient temples, another can swim, and nobody has to spend the entire day doing only one thing.

Weather, comfort, and who should book

You need a moderate level of fitness, comfort with ladders, and tolerance for sun and open water. The swim requires you to climb down and back up the yacht ladder. Delos involves walking over uneven ancient ruins and possibly climbing toward Mount Kythnos.

The strongest weather warning is wind. The cruise may be moved, canceled, or altered in poor conditions. If the operator cancels because of weather or does not meet its minimum number of participants, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and changes are not refunded or accepted.

I would recommend this for you if you want a full Mykonos day with real variety, enjoy being on the water, and are willing to accept a flexible schedule. It is especially good for anyone who would otherwise have to choose between Delos and a beach outing.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed calm seas, dislike swimming from a boat, or want several unhurried hours at the archaeological site. I would also skip it if snorkeling is your main goal. The water is beautiful, but this is better described as sailing, swimming, lunch, and guided archaeology.

Should you book this Delos and Rhenia cruise?

Yes, if you want one well-rounded day beyond Mykonos and can handle the weather risks. The crew is repeatedly praised for being friendly, capable, and attentive, with names such as Captain Stellios, Marios, Thanos, and Orpheas associated with especially warm departures. The Delos guides, including Fanny, Silia, and Elisa on different days, have also helped bring the ruins to life.

Book it early in your stay, bring sun protection and a light jacket, plan for motion sickness if needed, and keep your evening schedule open. Most important, think of Rhenia as a clear-water swim and Delos as a guided introduction, not an all-day archaeological study. With those expectations, the $145.12 cost buys a memorable mix of sea, food, and ancient Greece.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos sailing cruise?

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

Where does the cruise begin?

The listed starting point is the sailing yacht near Olia Hotel Mykonos, Mykonos 846 00, Greece. Look for a Sunfos Alessia Yachting representative or crew member wearing a company shirt or carrying a sign.

Can I swim from the yacht at Rhenia?

Yes. You enter the water using the yacht’s swimming ladder. Pier facilities and tendering ashore are not available, so you should be comfortable getting in and out of the sea from the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles are available for complimentary use. The stop is best suited to swimming, since the area may not have much to see underwater.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served aboard the yacht and may include pasta with Greek-flavored dressing and Greek salad, or a Mediterranean-style buffet with fresh fruit. House wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and instant coffee or tea are included.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. Admission to the archaeological site of Delos is paid separately in cash on site.

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

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. You should advise the operator about pregnancy, mobility limitations, or health issues before booking so participation can be reconfirmed for safety.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The operator may also change the disembarkation point or schedule because of weather conditions.