Mykonos: Delos and Rhenia Full-Day Sailing Cruise with Meal

The best part of this outing is the pairing of ancient Delos with the clear coves of Rhenia. One stop gives you temples, marble ruins, and Aegean mythology. The other gives you a swim, a Greek feast, and several quiet hours on the water.

I like the friendly small-group feel and the food prepared on board. I also like that you can take an active role, from snorkeling and paddleboarding to helping with the ropes or steering. The main catch is time: Delos gets only about an hour to an hour and a half, and windy conditions can make the ride wet and rough.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different islands: See the archaeological site of Delos, then trade ruins for Rhenia’s swimming coves.
• A real Greek lunch: Expect a buffet of local dishes, with soft drinks, beer, house wine, and water included.
• Friendly crew: Captain Dimitris and assistants such as George or Evgenia have been praised for warm, attentive service.
• Bring a jacket: Mykonos is famously windy, and the bow can get wet on the return trip.
• Check your departure time: The main schedule begins at 9:00 a.m., but some sailings leave at 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. and run toward sunset.
• Budget for Delos: Admission and a guide at the archaeological site are extra.

Why Delos and Rhenia make a smart one-day pairing

Mykonos is easy to enjoy from a café or beach chair, but this trip lets you see a more complete slice of the Cyclades. Delos was a major religious and commercial center in the ancient Aegean. Rhenia, just across a narrow strait, is uninhabited and far quieter.

That contrast gives the day a natural rhythm. You start with the sea crossing and ancient stones, then spend the longest part of the outing swimming and eating. It is more satisfying than a short Delos transfer alone, especially if you want time in the water.

The advertised price is $123 per person. That is a fair package for roughly six to six and a half hours, since it includes the yacht, skipper, assistant, fuel, port charges, lunch, and drinks. Delos admission is not included, and neither is a professional guide at the site, so add those costs if you want a structured visit.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a beach outing, and a meal. It is less compelling if your main goal is a detailed archaeological tour of Delos, since the stop is short and guiding is optional.

Leaving Mykonos on a sailing yacht

The boat departs from Mykonos New Port, with meeting details depending on the sailing option you book. The listed choices refer to Grand Banks Yacht, Mykonos Cruise, or Zephyros Sailing Mykonos, so check the exact meeting point before you set out.

The crossing to Delos takes about 50 minutes to an hour. You can stretch out on the padded deck, watch Mykonos recede, or take part in the sailing when conditions allow. The crew may invite you to hold the ropes or help with steering, which adds a pleasant hands-on touch without turning the outing into a sailing lesson.

This is not always a quiet, smooth cruise. Mykonos is known for strong winds, and several accounts describe rough water, rocking, and spray. The captain has handled those conditions well, but you should bring a light jacket and avoid the very front of the boat if staying dry matters to you.

There is also limited shade mentioned in the feedback, so sunscreen is essential. If you are prone to seasickness, the open sea crossing deserves more thought than the calm Rhenia stop.

Delos: impressive ruins, limited time

Delos is the cultural heart of the outing. In Greek myth, the island is linked to Apollo and Artemis, and its ancient remains spread across an open, sun-exposed archaeological site. You will have about one hour to one hour and 15 minutes in many departures, while the wider schedule allows up to 1.5 hours.

That is enough to walk around and get a strong sense of the place. You can see the remains of temples, streets, houses, and public buildings, then visit the museum if it is open as part of your stop. The appeal is not just one famous monument. It is the feeling of walking through an entire ancient settlement on a bare island in the middle of the Aegean.

The drawback is that Delos requires choices. If you want the museum and a broad walk through the ruins, you will need to move with purpose. If you prefer to read every sign and study every architectural detail, this boat trip may feel rushed.

A guide is not included, so you can either explore independently or pay for a guide at the site. One recent account cited an admission cost of 8 euros, but entrance prices can change. Bring your passport or identity card, or a copy, as identification details are required for the booking and may be needed for the excursion.

Some people skip the ruins and stay on the yacht during the Delos stop. That is a reasonable choice if your priority is swimming, sun, and sailing, but I would not recommend it for a first visit to the island unless you have already seen Delos. Even a short walk gives the day a much stronger sense of place.

Rhenia’s coves are the day’s relaxed center

After Delos, the yacht crosses the narrow strait to Rhenia. This uninhabited island has no town to visit and no major monument competing for your attention. Its appeal is simple: clear water, quiet coves, and time to slow down.

You get roughly two to three hours here, depending on the exact schedule. The stop is built for swimming and snorkeling, with paddleboarding also available. The water is described as transparent and strikingly blue, and the setting is far more peaceful than Mykonos town.

You can swim from the boat, snorkel, lie on deck, or simply sit with a drink and watch the water. The boat acts as your base, so you do not need to carry beach gear across a long shore. Still, pack a towel and swimwear, and expect the sun to be strong.

Rhenia is not a sightseeing stop in the usual sense. There is no museum, village, or shopping street. If you want a busy program, the two or three hours may feel long. If you like unhurried time by the sea, this is likely the part of the day you will remember most.

Snorkeling equipment has been available on the boat, and paddleboarding is part of the listed activities. Ask the crew what is ready before you jump in. The exact conditions depend on wind, anchorage, and sea state.

A Greek buffet served on deck

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular sailing. The crew prepares a buffet of Greek dishes on board, rather than handing you a basic packed meal.

The food has included Greek salad, bread with a spread, giant beans, pasta, and bruschetta. The portions are generous, and the meal is paired with chilled house wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. This is the sort of lunch that works well after a swim: familiar, fresh, filling, and easy to share.

The crew members who have prepared and served the meal, including Evgenia and Zak on one sailing, have been praised for care and presentation. Captain Dimitris and assistants such as George have also been singled out for their friendly service and willingness to help.

Drinks are included, which matters at this price. You are not paying for a low base fare and then adding every beer or glass of wine. Keep in mind that the menu can vary, since it is prepared on board and depends on the crew and the day.

Sailing back toward Mykonos

The return crossing takes about 50 minutes. If the wind cooperates, the crew may raise more sail and give you a fuller sailing experience. Some departures have used the main and jib, while others have relied more heavily on the motor because of the conditions.

The return can be the roughest section of the day. Strong wind may mean spray over the bow, wet clothing, and a rolling deck. The captain has been praised for managing these conditions, but no skipper can make a windy Aegean crossing perfectly still.

On the way back, the yacht may pass views of Mykonos town, the windmills, and Little Venice. That adds a pleasant final look at the island from the water. You return around 3:00 p.m. on the morning schedule, although the separate afternoon departure information describes sailings from 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. until sunset.

That schedule difference is important. The main description presents a morning departure, while the additional information warns that some bookings leave in the late afternoon. Confirm the exact departure time for your date instead of assuming every sailing follows the same plan.

What the small-group setting means

The experience is designed around a friendly, small-group atmosphere, and private groups are available. The exact maximum number of people is not provided, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed private yacht unless you select the private option.

A smaller boat makes the day feel more personal than a large ferry excursion. You can ask the crew about sailing, help with simple tasks, and get quicker assistance when you need a drink, snorkel gear, or advice about the sea.

The tradeoff is space. A yacht deck is not a resort pool, and shade may be limited. If several people want to lie down at once, seating can feel tighter than on a big sightseeing boat. The boat is comfortable and clean according to the available details, but the experience remains a genuine sea outing, not a luxury cruise.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this for couples, families with older children, and friends who want both culture and swimming. The age range that has worked well includes teenagers through older adults, provided everyone is comfortable boarding a yacht and spending time in the sun.

It suits you if you want:

• A full day that mixes ruins and swimming
• A relaxed boat atmosphere rather than a formal lecture
• Greek food and drinks included in the fare
• Hands-on sailing, snorkeling, or paddleboarding
• A quieter beach setting than Mykonos itself

I would be more cautious if you need a fully guided archaeological visit, have serious motion sensitivity, or dislike wind and spray. Delos is not the main focus for the whole day, and the sea can be lively.

Families should bring extra sun protection, water-friendly footwear if desired, and a jacket for the crossing. The tour is not described as wheelchair accessible, so ask the provider directly if mobility is a concern.

Booking details worth checking before you pay

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now with payment later. Those terms help if the weather or your Mykonos plans remain uncertain.

Send the required passenger details with the booking: full names, dates of birth, nationalities, and identification or passport numbers. A photo of the passport or ID can be sent by email or WhatsApp, according to the booking instructions.

Pick-up and drop-off service is not included. You are responsible for reaching the correct port meeting point, which may vary by sailing option. Allow time to find the marina and verify whether your booking is at Grand Banks Yacht, Mykonos Cruise, or Zephyros Sailing Mykonos.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a jacket, and identification. A copy of your passport or ID is accepted for the required documentation.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia cruise?

Book it if you want a well-rounded day on the Aegean, with a real archaeological stop, a long swim break, and a generous Greek lunch. The combination is the main strength, and the included drinks plus attentive crew make the $123 price sensible.

Do not book it expecting a full historical tour of Delos or a calm, fully shaded boat. You will get limited time among the ruins, optional guiding, and the possibility of rough water.

For most people who want to see Delos without giving up a beach day, this is a strong choice. Confirm your departure time, budget for Delos admission, and pack for wind. Then let the crew handle the sailing while you choose your balance of ruins, swimming, food, and sun.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about six to six and a half hours.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Mykonos New Port, but the exact meeting point depends on the option booked. Listed meeting locations include Grand Banks Yacht, Mykonos Cruise, and Zephyros Sailing Mykonos.

What time does the cruise leave?

The main schedule lists a 9:00 a.m. departure and a return around 3:00 p.m. Additional booking information lists some departures at 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. until sunset, so confirm the time for your date.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet of Greek delicacies freshly prepared on board.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks, beer, house wine, and water are included.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. Admission to the Delos archaeological site is optional and not included.

Is a guide included at Delos?

No. A tour guide at the archaeological site is optional and not included.

Can I swim and snorkel at Rhenia?

Yes. The Rhenia stop is set aside for swimming and snorkeling in clear water. Stand-up paddleboarding is also listed as an activity.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a jacket, and a passport or ID card. A copy of the passport or ID is accepted.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.