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

The best part of this day is the contrast: ancient Delos first, then a quiet swim stop at Rhenia. You get ruins, open water, Greek food, and a proper sailing outing without trying to cram several islands into one rushed ferry trip. The boats are comfortable, and crew members including Captain Dimitris, George, Evgenia, and Zak have been praised for their friendly, hands-on service.

I especially like the generous Greek lunch and the chance to swim, snorkel, or paddleboard in Rhenia’s clear water. I also like the small-group feel, which can make it easy to ask questions, help with the ropes, or simply stretch out on deck. The main drawback is time at Delos: about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes is enough for a taste, but not enough for a slow archaeological visit. Wind, spray, and limited shade are other things to consider.

Key points to know before you book

• Delos comes before Rhenia: You visit the ancient island first, then spend roughly two to three hours swimming and relaxing.
• The lunch is a real part of the experience: Expect a buffet of Greek dishes prepared on board, with beer, house wine, soft drinks, and water included.
• The boat is sailed with a motor: Depending on the wind, you may see the main and jib sails raised, or spend more time cruising under power.
• Rhenia is the relaxing half: The uninhabited island offers clear water, sheltered coves, snorkeling, and paddleboarding rather than monuments or shops.
• Bring protection from sun and spray: A towel, swimwear, sunscreen, jacket, and a copy of your passport or ID are required or strongly advised.
• Check the departure time carefully: The main schedule describes a 9:00 a.m. start, but another notice gives a 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. departure lasting until sunset.

Why this Mykonos sailing day works so well

At $123 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Delos. It is not trying to be. You are paying for a full day on a sailing yacht, an English-speaking skipper and assistant, fuel, port charges, lunch, drinks, and a second island with time for swimming. Compared with paying separately for a boat trip, food, drinks, and a visit to Rhenia, the price is fair.

The strongest part of the plan is its balance. Delos gives the day purpose, while Rhenia gives you time to slow down. Many excursions to Delos are mostly about getting from Mykonos to the archaeological site and back. This one treats Delos as one half of the day and the sea as the other.

The atmosphere also appears more personal than a large excursion boat. A private group can be arranged, and the standard trip is built around a friendly small-group setting. The crew may let you hold the ropes, help with steering, or listen to your own music on the boat, depending on the group and conditions. That makes the sailing itself part of the activity rather than just transportation.

Leaving Mykonos New Port in the morning

The standard schedule starts at 9:00 a.m. from Mykonos New Port, with the return around 3:00 p.m. The published route also lists two possible starting and ending points connected with Grand Banks Yacht, Mykonos Cruise, or Zephyros Sailing Mykonos. Your exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check the confirmation closely.

The boat ride to Delos takes about 50 minutes to one hour. That first stretch gives you time to settle in, take photographs, and get used to the movement of the boat. If the wind is up, you may feel a lively roll across the water. Mykonos is known for windy conditions, and several people found the rougher ride exciting, while others would probably prefer a calmer sea.

Sit toward the back if you want to reduce the chance of spray. The front is the most exposed place, particularly when the boat is moving into wind or chop. You will also want a light jacket even in warm weather. The sea breeze can feel cool, and the return ride may be wet if conditions turn rough.

The yacht has padded areas where you can sit or lie down. Shade may be limited, though, so do not count on finding a covered seat all day. Bring sunscreen, water protection for your phone, and something to cover your shoulders. The crew supplies drinks, but your own sun protection remains your responsibility.

Delos: a short visit to an extraordinary ancient site

Delos is the cultural anchor of the trip. In Greek myth, it is linked with Apollo and Artemis, and the island became a major religious and commercial center in the ancient Aegean. Today, you walk among temples, houses, streets, and scattered marble remains in a setting that feels far removed from modern Mykonos.

You have about one hour to one hour and 15 minutes at Delos, depending on the day’s timing. You can leave the boat to visit the archaeological site and museum, or stay aboard to swim and relax. The admission fee is not included, and a guide is not included either. One recent price mentioned for the site was 8 euros, but confirm the current fee before you go.

I would choose the archaeological visit if you have never seen Delos. The island is too important to reduce to a quick photo stop, but even a short walk gives you a sense of its scale and setting. You will need to keep moving, though. This is not the right tour for someone who wants several hours to study every ruin, climb through every area, or take a slow museum visit.

The lack of a guide is both a weakness and a benefit. Without one, you explore at your own pace and avoid being tied to a long lecture. But the ruins make more sense with context, especially if this is your first ancient Greek site. Bring a guidebook or use your own research in advance if learning the details matters to you.

If you prefer the water to ruins, you can remain on board during this stop. That is useful for families or mixed groups where not everyone wants the same kind of sightseeing. You may swim in the clear water near Delos or simply rest with a cool drink while others visit the site.

Crossing to Rhenia for swimming and lunch

After Delos, the boat crosses the narrow strait to Rhenia. Unlike Delos, Rhenia is uninhabited and has no archaeological visit built into the stop. Its appeal is simple: quiet bays, clear water, and time away from Mykonos’s busy harbor.

The schedule allows about two to three hours here, depending on the operating plan. That is enough time to swim without feeling hurried. You can snorkel, use the available paddleboard, sunbathe on deck, or stay in the water. The exact swimming location depends on sea and wind conditions, but the purpose of this part of the trip is rest rather than sightseeing.

Rhenia is where this excursion earns much of its value. You are not just looking at the Aegean from a boat. You have a proper chance to get in, cool off, and enjoy the water. Bring your own towel and swimwear, and remember that the boat, rather than a developed beach, is your base.

Lunch is served on board during the Rhenia stop. The buffet features Greek dishes prepared fresh on the yacht. The food described across the trip includes Greek salad, bread with a cheese spread, giant beans, pasta, bruschetta, and other local specialties. The meal is light enough for a hot day but substantial enough to count as lunch.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and house wine. That is a useful inclusion at this price, especially when you consider the cost of buying lunch and several drinks near Mykonos. The crew may also offer a farewell drink before the boat returns.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. Captain Dimitris is mentioned by name for his calm handling of the boat and his ability to manage windy conditions. George is described as an energetic first mate, while Evgenia and Zak are associated with the welcoming service and onboard meal.

Names can vary by departure, but the useful point is the style of service: the crew does more than steer. They explain the route, keep drinks moving, prepare food, help passengers feel comfortable, and may let you take a turn helping with the boat. One family particularly enjoyed letting a child help steer for a short time.

That personal touch matters on a sailing trip. A silent transfer from one island to another would make the day feel ordinary. Here, you can ask about the route, learn a little about sailing, or simply chat with the crew. If you want a quiet day, you can also keep to yourself.

The boat does not always sail under full canvas. One outing had the main and jib sails up, while other conditions required more use of the motor. That is normal. The amount of sailing depends on wind, route, and safety, so book this as a yacht cruise with sailing when possible, not as a guaranteed wind-powered voyage.

Food, drinks, and the practical comfort level

The lunch receives some of the strongest praise, and I can see why. Meals prepared on board often lean toward basic picnic fare, but this one is designed as a Greek spread. Several dishes let you sample familiar local flavors without committing to a heavy restaurant meal in the heat.

The food is especially valuable because it arrives during the swimming stop. You can eat, refill your glass, and return to the water without losing time looking for a restaurant. House wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included, which keeps extra spending low.

There are a few comfort limits. Shade on deck may be scarce, and the front seats can get wet. The boat can rock in rough water, so anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully about the conditions. Sit low and near the center of the boat if possible, and avoid arriving hungry or dehydrated.

The trip is suitable for a broad age range. A family with teenagers and older adults enjoyed it, and another group included people who usually dislike boats and crowds. Still, you should be comfortable boarding a yacht, walking around a historic site, and getting in and out of the water if you want the full experience.

The ride back past Mykonos

The return journey takes about 50 minutes. Depending on the route and timing, the boat may pass views of Mykonos Town, Little Venice, and the famous windmills. This gives you a different view of the island, especially if you have spent most of your time inland or at a hotel.

The ride back can be the most exposed part of the day. Wind may pick up, and spray can reach the front of the boat. Keep your jacket nearby and protect cameras and phones. The crew’s handling of the boat is important here, and Captain Dimitris has been specifically praised for managing rougher conditions carefully.

The listed morning schedule returns around 3:00 p.m., leaving room for dinner or an evening walk in Mykonos. However, the activity information also includes a separate 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. departure that continues until sunset and passes Delos. That is a serious scheduling difference, not a minor detail. Confirm the departure time, route, and meeting point before booking, especially if you have a ferry, flight, or dinner reservation afterward.

What to bring and what is not included

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a jacket, and a passport or ID card. A copy of the passport or ID is accepted according to the tour information. You will need to send the booking team each passenger’s full name, birth date, nationality, and ID or passport number, either by email or WhatsApp.

The archaeological entrance fee at Delos is extra. A guide at the site is also extra, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You arrange your own way to the meeting point.

The trip includes the yacht, skipper, assistant, fuel, port fees, taxes, lunch, and drinks. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Mykonos plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to verify the exact sailing time.

Who should book this Mykonos cruise?

I would book this if you want one outing that combines culture and swimming. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want more than a quick Delos transfer but do not want to spend a full day at an archaeological site.

It is also a good choice if food and drinks matter to you. The Greek buffet is more than a minor extra, and the included wine, beer, soft drinks, and water make the $123 price easier to justify.

I would think twice if Delos is your main reason for coming to Mykonos and you want a detailed archaeological tour. The time on the island is short, the guide is not included, and you may feel rushed. I would also reconsider if you dislike wind, spray, boat motion, or strong sun.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a relaxed day with real variety: ancient ruins, clear water, a Greek lunch, and a friendly yacht crew. The best value comes from using both halves of the day. Visit Delos for the setting and history, then treat Rhenia as your long swim and lunch break.

Before paying, confirm the departure time, meeting point, Delos admission fee, and expected sea conditions. If those details fit your plans, this is one of the more satisfying ways to experience the water around Mykonos without arranging several separate activities.

FAQ

How long does the Delos and Rhenia cruise last?

The cruise lasts about 6 to 6.5 hours. The main schedule describes departure at 9:00 a.m. and return around 3:00 p.m., but another notice lists a 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. departure lasting until sunset. Confirm the schedule for your booking.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The departure point may be Grand Banks Yacht, Mykonos Cruise, or Zephyros Sailing Mykonos, depending on the option booked. Your confirmation should provide the exact meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet of Greek delicacies prepared on board. Dishes described include Greek salad, bread with cheese spread, giant beans, pasta, and bruschetta.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Complimentary water, soft drinks, beer, and house wine are included.

Is the entrance fee for Delos included?

No. Admission to the archaeological site of Delos is not included. A guide at the site is also not included.

How much time do you spend at Delos and Rhenia?

You spend about one hour to one hour and 15 minutes at Delos, with approximately two to three hours at Rhenia for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and paddleboarding.

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.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off service is not included. You must make your own way to the stated meeting point.