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

Mykonos is already a pretty day-trip magnet, but this cruise adds two big reasons to get out on the water: you’ll see Delos and you’ll swim at Rhenia, an uninhabited island with postcard-clear bays. The best part is the small-group feel on a proper sailing yacht, with time to enjoy the sea instead of rushing from one stop to the next.

Two things I really like here are the onboard vibe and the food. The crew keeps things friendly and hands-on, whether that’s showing you how to help with sailing, or just making sure you have drinks while you soak up the sun. And the Greek buffet lunch is more than a snack, it’s a real meal, with chilled wine included.

One drawback to plan for: this is a day on open water. Mykonos can get windy, so expect some chop, and you may get a bit wet depending on where you sit and what the weather does.

Key things worth knowing before you go

• Delos time is flexible: you can explore the archaeological site and museum if you want, or stay onboard and soak up the views.
• Rhenia is the swim-focused stop: you get around three hours in coves with crystal-clear water for swimming and snorkeling.
• Snorkel and paddleboarding are on the agenda: gear is provided, plus stand-up paddleboarding at Rhenia for those who want it.
• Lunch is a real Greek spread: buffet-style Greek delicacies served onboard, with wine and drinks included.
• Crew names show up often: you might be guided by a captain like Dimitris or Dimitrioss, with an assistant such as George or Evgenia, and lunch service that may include Zak.
• Timing can vary by departure: morning departures return around mid-afternoon, while later schedules can run until sunset.

Why this Mykonos sailing day feels different

A lot of Mykonos tours turn into a checklist. You hop off, you hop on, you see a few highlights, then you’re back on the bus. This one trades that model for sea time.

You start with sailing out of Mykonos, then you hit Delos, one of the most important ancient places in the Aegean. After that, the day switches gears and turns into a swim and sun cruise over to Rhenia. For many people, Delos is the headline. For your body, Rhenia is the payoff.

And because it’s a small group on a yacht, the day feels more like you’re sharing it with the crew than queueing through it. If you like the idea of helping trim sails, holding ropes, or just lying back and watching the coastline slide by, this format fits.

Getting aboard: the yacht, the crew, and where you start

Your boarding point can vary by option, but it centers on Mykonos port areas such as Grand Banks Yacht or Mykonos Cruise / Zephyros Sailing Mykonos. The cruise departs from Mykonos New Port, with schedules that can run in the morning, and also later in the day.

Before you go, do a small admin task that makes life smoother. You’ll need to send passenger details (full names, date of birth, nationalities, and ID or passport numbers). The operator asks for this either as a photo of your ID or passport sent by email or WhatsApp. It’s not hard, but it is essential for getting through ports and documentation.

Once aboard, the vibe tends to be practical and easy. People describe crew members as attentive and welcoming, and the skipper is typically focused on sailing safely, even when conditions get rough. This matters on Mykonos because the wind is part of the island’s personality.

If you’re with kids, a mixed-age group, or you just don’t want the day to feel strict, you’ll probably appreciate the relaxed tone. The boat includes padded areas for sitting or lying down, which helps a lot if the sea gets choppy.

Delos Island stop: ancient ruins, museum choice, and what you should do

Delos is the ancient “must see,” but the best way to handle it is to think like you have a timer. You usually get around 1.5 hours total for Delos activities, and some parts of the stop are spent in the surrounding area before you choose whether to head to the archaeological site and museum.

Here’s the good part. Delos isn’t just one monument, it’s a whole grid of ruins that rewards wandering. Even if you keep it simple, you’ll get that wow feeling of a huge sacred island that once had real daily life.

The practical tradeoff is time. If you plan to explore the site plus the museum, you need to move at a steady pace. Admission to the archaeological site is not included, and a tour guide at the site is not included either. If you want expert narration, you may need to plan for that on your own, or just read up beforehand so the stones make more sense once you’re there.

If you’re more into the sea day than the museum day, you can stay onboard with a drink and enjoy the Delos coastline from the water while others do the inland visit. That choice is built into the experience, and it’s a smart way to keep everyone happy.

Sailing over to Rhenia: the swim-and-snorkel payoff

After Delos, the cruise crosses a narrow strait toward Rhenia, an unspoiled, uninhabited island known for its bays and coves. This is where your schedule stops being about history and starts being about comfort.

You’ll have about three hours here, which is enough time to do the classic sequence:

1) swim first while the water feels cool and crisp,

2) snorkel second, when you’ve warmed up,

3) then settle into “deck life” with sunbathing and drinks.

Rhenia’s standout is clarity. The water is described as startlingly transparent, which is exactly what you want for snorkeling. If visibility is good (and it often is), you’ll be able to see what’s under the surface without needing to work too hard.

You can also snorkel with gear provided. And if you want to add something active without going full athletic, stand-up paddleboarding is part of the experience here too.

One small seating tip matters for anyone who hates feeling wet. If you prefer to stay dry, it’s best to avoid sitting at the front of the boat. That advice is worth listening to on a windy day.

Lunch on board: Greek buffet done right

The food is one of the most praised parts of this cruise, and I get why. On many boat tours, lunch feels like an afterthought. Here, you’re eating onboard between swim time and the sail back, and the lunch is described as a freshly prepared buffet of Greek delicacies.

Expect local favorites like Greek salad and bread with spreads, plus heartier items such as giant beans and pasta. Some descriptions include bruschetta as well. The important bit for your decision making is that the lunch is substantial, not a token plate.

Drinks are included too: soft drinks, beer, house wine, and water. In real terms, it means you can plan your day without worrying about buying beverages every time you’re thirsty or hungry.

If you’re trying to keep travel energy up, this matters. Delos takes focus, Rhenia takes physical energy, and the meal is timed to help you enjoy both instead of fading in the middle of the day.

Time on the water: what timing means for your day

The duration is typically 6 to 6.5 hours. What changes is the departure time and how the late-day option behaves.

There’s a morning departure from Mykonos New Port around 09:00, with the plan finishing back in Mykonos around 15:00 after a farewell drink. If you’re the type who likes a full day that still leaves dinner options open, that timing is great.

There’s also a later schedule that departs around 16:00 or 16:30, runs until sunset, and passes by Delos. That version may feel more like a sea and sky show with a shorter Delos element, and it can be a good fit if you want calmer crowds or you prefer golden light over midday sun.

Either way, the boat ride segments are meaningful. You’re not just sitting between stops. The sailing portions give you that classic Aegean feeling, including views passing by Mykonos landmarks such as Little Venice and the windmills.

Sea conditions and comfort: how to dress for a Mykonos sailing day

Mykonos can be windy, and boats can rock. Several people mention rougher water and a captain managing it well, so don’t assume the sea will be calm.

Plan to dress like you might need options:

• swimwear and a towel (you’ll want to jump in fast),
• sunscreen (strong sun even when it looks breezy),
• a jacket (wind on the water can chill you),
• and bring your passport or ID card, since a copy is accepted.

A small comfort detail matters. Even if the boat has padded seating, wind and spray can happen. If you want to stay comfortable, pack a lightweight dry layer you can throw on when you’re out of the water.

If you get motion sick easily, you might want to take it seriously and plan accordingly. The experience is sailing, and even with a good skipper, it is still open sea.

Price and value: is $123 worth it

At about $123 per person, the value comes from combining several things that would otherwise cost you separately in Mykonos. You’re paying for a guided sailing day with a professional English-speaking skipper and assistant, plus:

• lunch onboard with Greek buffet food,
• complimentary soft drinks, beer, house wine, and water,
• and the major activities: Delos access time and Rhenia swim time with snorkeling gear and paddleboarding.

What’s not included is also clear. Delos archaeological site admission is extra, and there’s no tour guide included at the site. So if you’re the type who wants a narrated walkthrough inside the museum, you might pay more to get that separately.

But if you’re happy exploring at your own pace, this price usually feels fair. You’re basically buying a high-quality sea day with food and drinks, and the ancient site visit is the bonus that gives the trip a sense of purpose beyond sunbathing.

Who should book this sailing cruise, and who should skip it

Book it if you want a classic Aegean day that mixes meaning and relaxation. It’s especially good for:

• families and mixed-age groups, since people of many ages can enjoy both Delos walking and Rhenia swimming,
• couples who want something different from the usual Mykonos nightlife plan,
• anyone who cares about small-group pacing and doesn’t want to feel herded,
• swimmers and snorkel fans who want real time in clear water.

Consider skipping if:

• you hate the sea when it gets windy,
• you only want a major narrated Delos experience with a guide in the museum space,
• or you’re trying to keep costs down without optional site admissions.

Should you book this Delos and Rhenia cruise

I think you should book this if your ideal Mykonos day includes three ingredients: sailing, swimming in clear coves, and a properly filling Greek lunch onboard. The small-group feel and the praised crew service make it the kind of trip where you’re not just watching from the sidelines.

If you’re deciding between a “history only” day and a “beach only” day, this one balances both. Delos gives you the ancient anchor. Rhenia gives you the reset. And because drinks and lunch are included, you’ll spend more of the day enjoying, less of it budgeting.

If the weather turns rough, go in prepared. Bring your jacket, plan for some spray, and use the sailing time as the main event. Do that, and this cruise is very likely to land as one of the best memories of your Mykonos trip.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The cruise runs about 6 to 6.5 hours.

Where does the sailing cruise start from?

It departs from Mykonos New Port, with meeting points that can vary by option. Starting/boarding can be at Grand Banks Yacht or at Mykonos Cruise / Zephyros Sailing Mykonos.

What is included in the price?

You get the sailing yacht, a professional English-speaking skipper and assistant, lunch onboard with a buffet of Greek delicacies, and complimentary soft drinks, beer, house wine, and water. Fuel charges, port fees, and taxes are also included.

Do I need to pay extra for Delos?

Admission fee at the archaeological site of Delos is not included, and a tour guide at the archaeological site is also not included.

Is there time to swim and snorkel?

Yes. At Rhenia you have around three hours for swimming and snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding is available.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. You’ll also want your passport or ID card (a copy is accepted).