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

The best part of this Mykonos cruise is the pairing of ancient Delos and a quiet Rhenia swim in one day. You sail across the Aegean, eat lunch aboard a yacht, then walk among temples and marketplaces on a UNESCO-listed island. It gives you far more variety than a simple beach outing.

I like the friendly crew, who may let you help raise the sails or try the helm under supervision. I also like the clear cost structure: lunch, house wine, soft drinks, water, Wi-Fi, and snorkeling gear are included. The main catch is time. Delos can feel rushed, especially if the sea is rough or the schedule shifts.

Key points to know before you book

• Rhenia comes first: After about an hour of sailing, you swim from the yacht in a clear, secluded cove for roughly two hours.
• Delos needs stamina: Expect a guided walk in full sun, with ancient ruins, the museum, and optional views from Mount Kynthos.
• Lunch is served aboard: You may receive pasta with Greek flavors and salad or a Mediterranean buffet, plus fruit and complimentary drinks.
• The boat size can vary: Groups may reach 35 people, though some departures have been much smaller.
• Weather controls the day: Wind can make the crossing rough, prevent sailing under canvas, or cause a schedule change or cancellation.
• Bring cash for Delos: The archaeological site entrance fee is separate and payable on site.

Two Aegean islands, one useful day trip

At about $145.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Delos. It is a fair value if you want a full day on the water, a proper guided visit, lunch, and time to swim without arranging several separate outings.

The strongest feature is the mix. You get the sea, a sandy cove, an onboard meal, and one of Greece’s most important ancient sites. If your Mykonos plans need both culture and outdoor time, this saves you from choosing between a boat trip and an archaeological excursion.

The experience is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 608 ratings, with 90 percent of bookers recommending it. The most consistent praise goes to the crew, the Delos guide, the clear water, and the sense of a sociable day aboard a smaller yacht. The weaker points are also clear: lunch can be basic, snorkeling may offer little to see, and the Delos visit may not feel long enough.

You should also allow for Greek island weather. Wind is part of life around Mykonos, not a rare nuisance. Some departures have had fairly rough water, while others have been calm and sunny. If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual medicine before boarding and sit where you feel most comfortable.

Meeting the yacht at 9 a.m.

The stated start time is 9 a.m. at the yacht meeting point near Olia Hotel Mykonos. Look for a Sunfos Alessia Yachting representative or crew member wearing a company shirt or holding a sign.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price. They can be arranged for an extra charge after booking, with the exact meeting point depending on where you stay. This is worth sorting out early, especially if you are not near the listed starting point.

The end point can change because of weather. That matters if you have a ferry, cruise departure, dinner reservation, or flight later the same day. I would keep the evening flexible and avoid putting this cruise immediately before an important connection.

Before setting out, the crew explains the route and gives a safety briefing. You can then settle on deck, help raise the sails, or receive a short lesson in steering while the yacht heads toward Rhenia. The amount of active sailing depends on the wind. One departure may glide under sail, while another may need engine power through rough conditions.

The boat can carry up to 35 people, although group size varies with the yacht assigned and the day’s conditions. That is an important distinction. A small group can feel warm and personal, while a near-capacity boat will give you less room to spread out during lunch or find a quiet corner.

Swimming off the yacht at Rhenia

After roughly an hour, the yacht anchors in a bay on Rhenia, an island that sees less attention than Mykonos. The water is clear and bright, and the stop is built around swimming rather than a formal beach landing.

You enter from the yacht’s swimming ladder. There are no pier facilities and no tender service to carry you ashore. The golden-sand beach may be close, but you should expect to admire it from the water unless you are comfortable swimming to shore.

This is a good place to slow the day down. You can use the complimentary mask, snorkel, and fins, or simply float with one of the noodles provided. The water has been described as exceptionally clear, but do not book this as a serious snorkeling trip. The cove may have little marine life to see. It is better understood as a swimming and boating stop with basic snorkeling equipment available.

The water can also be chilly, particularly if the wind is up. You might enjoy a quick swim more than a long session. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. Towels are not included, though they can be rented aboard.

The scheduled Rhenia stop is about two hours. That gives you time to swim, dry off, relax in the sun, and take photographs. It can also create a scheduling problem. If people return late to the yacht or the sea crossing takes longer than planned, the Delos portion may be shortened.

Lunch, wine, and life aboard

Lunch is served on board after the swim. Depending on the departure, the meal may be Italian-style pasta with Greek-flavored dressing and Greek salad, or a Mediterranean buffet with fresh local fruit.

The food has received mixed reactions. Some departures have served homemade pasta and sauce that people considered a highlight, while others have found the meal basic and heavy on carbohydrates. You should expect a plentiful shared lunch rather than a restaurant meal with several courses or extensive choice.

White and rosé house wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and instant coffee or tea are included. Drinks may not always be sitting in front of you, so ask the crew when you want one. Dietary needs should be advised before reservation, and the crew has accommodated different requirements on some departures.

Lunch is also one of the social parts of the cruise. You sit with the other people aboard and share the meal family-style. That can be a pleasant way to meet people from different countries, but it means you do not control the seating or dining pace.

Free Wi-Fi is included, although the main reason to book this trip is the water and scenery, not a strong internet connection at sea. I would download anything essential before leaving Mykonos and treat the onboard connection as a useful extra.

Walking through ancient Delos

After the Rhenia stop, you go ashore at Delos. Greek mythology identifies the island as the birthplace of Apollo, and in ancient times it served as a major religious and commercial center. The ruins include temples, marketplaces, sacred areas, and other remains of the old city.

A licensed English-speaking guide leads the visit for about 90 minutes, though the exact time available can change. Guides have included Fanny, Silia, and Elisa on different departures. The guide’s skill matters here because Delos is a large open site where broken columns and foundations can otherwise be hard to read.

A good guide helps you picture the island as a living place rather than a field of stones. You can learn how religious buildings, public spaces, and trade shaped Delos, then continue to the museum to see artifacts found on the island.

The walk is exposed. There is little shade across much of the archaeological area, and summer heat can make two hours feel long. Wear a hat, apply sunscreen before arrival, and carry water. Comfortable shoes are important because the ground is uneven and you may want to walk beyond the main explanation points.

The schedule deserves close attention. Some departures have allowed a satisfying visit, while others have left only 40 to 45 minutes for the site after time was lost elsewhere. That is a meaningful drawback if Delos is your main reason for booking. You may enjoy the yacht, swimming, and lunch so much that the archaeology becomes a shorter portion than expected.

You can also walk toward Mount Kynthos for views across the island and surrounding sea. The climb adds physical effort and may not fit into a tightly managed visit. I would first stay with the guide for the core tour, then use any spare time for the museum or higher viewpoints.

The Delos entrance ticket is not included. It is paid in cash on site, and the price is not specified in the tour details, so carry enough euros. A wireless radio device for the guided walk may be supplied at no charge, but you can be responsible for loss or damage.

The return across the Aegean

After Delos, you return to the yacht for the trip back to Mykonos. The crossing may be smooth and restful, or wet and bumpy when the wind rises. The captain and crew are responsible for choosing a safe route, and the crew has been praised for handling difficult conditions calmly.

This is the time to sit back, watch the islands recede, and talk with the people you met during lunch. The crew ends the day with a traditional farewell shot toast. It is a small detail, but it gives the trip a clear ending rather than simply dropping you back at the dock.

Plan on about six hours overall, though the exact finish depends on sea conditions and time spent ashore. Do not assume that the return will arrive at the same point if the weather changes. Confirm the final disembarkation location with the operator if you have a fixed evening plan.

What the $145 price really covers

The price includes the six-hour yacht cruise, fuel, taxes, crew, the English-speaking Delos guide, lunch, house wine, soft drinks, water, coffee and tea, snorkeling gear, floating noodles, safety equipment, Wi-Fi, and the farewell drink.

That is a substantial package for a day combining transport between islands, a guided archaeological visit, a meal, and water time. It compares well with paying separately for a Delos boat transfer, a guided site visit, and a beach outing, even though the separate Delos admission fee and optional shuttle transfer remain outside the price.

The value depends on your priorities. If you want a quiet, private yacht with complete control over the schedule, this is not that product. It is a shared sailing day, and the group may be large. If you want several experiences in one booking and are comfortable with a flexible schedule, the price is easier to justify.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 43 days. That suggests planning demand, especially during the busy summer season. I would book early if your Mykonos stay is short, but schedule it near the beginning of your visit so bad weather leaves room for another date.

Who should choose this cruise

I would recommend it most strongly to someone who wants both history and time in the sea. Couples, families with older children, and friends who enjoy a social boat day can all find something here. One family even found the crew attentive with a three-year-old, though the sea and the exposed Delos site still require close judgment for young children.

You should have a moderate level of fitness. You need to climb aboard and use the swimming ladder, walk over uneven archaeological ground, and possibly handle heat, wind, and choppy water. Pregnancy, mobility concerns, and health conditions must be discussed before booking so the operator can confirm safe participation.

This is less suitable if you dislike boats, need guaranteed calm water, want a long independent visit to Delos, or expect serious snorkeling. It is also a poor match for a tight schedule on your final day in Mykonos.

The cancellation terms are straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Bad weather or failure to reach the minimum number can lead to a new date, an alternative experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Mykonos to Rhenia and Delos cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled day that joins clear-water swimming, an onboard meal, and ancient Greek sites without arranging separate transport. The crew is a major part of the appeal, and the combination is hard to match with a simple ferry trip to Delos.

Go in with realistic expectations. Snorkeling may be limited, lunch may be plain, the yacht may feel crowded, and Delos may receive less time than you hoped. Choose a calm-weather date early in your stay, bring cash for admission, sunscreen, a hat, motion-sickness medication if needed, and a flexible attitude.

If those conditions suit you, this is one of the better all-around ways to add Delos and Rhenia to a Mykonos visit.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including the sailing time, the Rhenia stop, the Delos visit, lunch, and the return to Mykonos.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 9 a.m.

Where do I meet the yacht?

The listed starting point is near Olia Hotel Mykonos in Mykonos. Look for a Sunfos Alessia Yachting representative or crew member wearing a company shirt or holding a sign.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional, cost extra, and must be requested after booking. The transfer may use your hotel or a designated meeting point, depending on its location.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. The archaeological site admission fee is paid separately in cash on site.

What food and drinks are provided?

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

Can I snorkel at Rhenia?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles are available at no extra charge. The stop is mainly for swimming, and the water may not offer much to see while snorkeling.

Do I need to bring a towel?

A beach towel is not included. Towels are available to rent on board.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The disembarkation point may also change because of weather.