Shared Mykonos Sail Cruise to Delos and Rhenia Islands

Ancient Delos is the star here: a UNESCO-listed island where marble ruins and the story of Apollo meet the open Aegean. Then the mood changes completely at Rhenia, where you can jump into clear water, use the complimentary snorkel gear, and eat lunch from the onboard grill.

I like the smart mix of history and pleasure. You get about 90 minutes on Delos, then roughly two and a half hours for swimming, food, and sun. I also like the generous onboard service, with coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, and water included. The main caution is the sea: strong wind can make the ride bumpy, and the loose gangplank at the dock can be awkward for anyone with mobility trouble.

• Delos with a choice of pace: Explore the ancient ruins independently, pay extra for a guided visit, or stay aboard and swim nearby.
• Rhenia swimming stop: Use snorkels, masks, swimming noodles, or life vests in calm-looking natural-pool waters.
• Fresh Greek BBQ lunch: Grilled meat, vegetables, Greek salad, tzatziki, seasoned rice, and fruit are served onboard.
• Spacious gulet setting: Depending on the group, the cruise uses the 89-foot Andreas or 72-foot Atlantis.
• Useful drinks included: Coffee, tea, refreshments, water, beer, and red and white wine come with the fare.
• Extra costs to plan for: Hotel transfers are €20 per person, Delos admission is €20, and a professional guide costs €45.

A Six-Hour Mix of Ruins, Sea, and Lunch

This is not simply a boat ride with a quick photo stop. It is a full half-day built around two very different Greek islands. Delos gives you archaeology and myth. Rhenia gives you water, food, and a chance to do very little.

The cruise leaves at 9:30 a.m. from Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, on the southwestern side of Mykonos. You receive a short safety talk and an outline of the day, or you can scan the onboard QR code for more information. Life vests are available if you want one, and the crew can provide swimming noodles for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

The boats are described as Andreas, an 89-foot gulet with a maximum group size of 40, or Atlantis, a 72-foot gulet with a maximum group size of 30. The overall activity can accommodate up to 70 people, but the boat allocation keeps each sailing group smaller. You go barefoot onboard, both for comfort and safety, so wear something easy to remove.

Sailing Out from Agios Ioannis

The first part of the day is a gentle orientation at the dock, followed by the cruise toward Delos. The listed timing includes about 40 minutes sailing toward the island, with the return leg taking about an hour. The exact feel of the crossing depends heavily on the wind.

On calm days, this is the relaxing part many people want from a Mykonos excursion: open water, a wide deck, and time to settle into the boat. On windy days, it can be an active ride rather than a smooth glide. One reported experience found the return especially choppy, with several people feeling seasick after lunch.

I would bring motion-sickness medication if you are prone to it, and I would avoid eating heavily before the longer crossing home. The crew cannot control the Aegean wind. They can, however, change the route or cancel when conditions are not suitable, with notice usually sent the evening before.

Delos: Marble Ruins and the Birthplace of Apollo

Delos is the reason to choose this cruise over a standard swimming trip. The island is associated with Apollo and is presented here as a UNESCO archaeological site dating back to 3500 BC. You get about an hour and a half to visit the ruins, which is enough for a meaningful look but not enough for a slow, exhaustive archaeological study.

You have two choices. Pay €45 per person in advance for a professional guided tour, or explore on your own after paying the €20 entrance fee. The self-guided option gives you freedom and may suit you if you want to walk at your own pace. The paid guide makes more sense if ancient sites can feel confusing without context.

The ruins are exposed, and the sun can be intense. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes for the walk. The island has vending machines near the museum shop, but you should not rely on finding refreshments at every point of the visit.

Ninety minutes passes quickly. You can see the main remains and get a feel for Delos, but one person wished for more time. If archaeology is your main reason for booking, the short stop is the key limitation. If you want an attractive balance between ruins and swimming, the timing works better.

You can also stay aboard instead of going ashore. The boat remains near a bay, allowing you to sunbathe or swim while others explore. That makes the trip workable for mixed groups, especially when one person wants ancient sites and another would rather stay near the water.

Rhenia for Swimming and the Onboard BBQ

After Delos, the boat heads to Rhenia, where the schedule allows about two and a half hours. This is the most relaxed section of the day. The stop is intended for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and lunch rather than organized sightseeing.

The water is described as being like a natural pool, though conditions can vary. Complimentary masks and snorkels are available, along with swimming noodles and life vests. Fins are not provided, so do not expect a full snorkeling setup. You can swim toward the rocks to look for fish, but the main pleasure is the clear water and the chance to cool off after Delos.

The lunch is freshly prepared onboard. The menu includes grilled pork sticks, beef and lamb kebabs, grilled eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, Greek salad, tzatziki, seasoned mixed rice, and seasonal fruit salad. This is a substantial meal, not just a sandwich between stops.

Beer, red and white wine, water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are included. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks cost extra. I like this arrangement because you do not have to keep buying a drink every time you sit down, but you should budget separately if you want bar-style drinks.

The order of activities matters. You explore Delos first, then swim and eat. That makes the Rhenia stop feel especially welcome, but it also means the return crossing comes after lunch. If you are sensitive to motion, give yourself time before eating heavily and keep water close.

What the Crew Adds to the Day

The crew is a major part of the experience. The host explains safety and the schedule, checks on passengers, offers drinks, and helps people in the water. Dimitri and Thomas are specifically noted for helping an older passenger with mobility needs and for staying patient with people throughout the day.

Marissa from Greece Sailing also received credit for arranging an alternative meeting solution when a passenger did not realize a separate ride to the yacht had to be scheduled. That is useful evidence of a crew willing to solve problems, though you should still arrange transportation in advance rather than count on a last-minute fix.

The onboard atmosphere is generally described as relaxed rather than a loud party cruise. Families, teenagers, older children, and adults can all find something to do. The wide boats give you room to lie back, even when the sailing group is full.

The barefoot rule and the changing gangplank deserve attention. Boarding may involve stepping across a plank that is not fixed to the dock, and waves can make it move. Crew members assist, but this is not the easiest outing for anyone who has serious trouble with balance, stairs, or getting on and off a boat.

Is $151 Good Value?

At $151.16 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning near Mykonos. But the fare includes a six-hour cruise, lunch, snorkeling equipment, drinks, a host, and personal insurance. For a day that combines transport between islands with food and swimming, the price is reasonable if you plan to use most of what is included.

The extra costs can change the calculation. Add €20 for Delos admission and €45 for the professional guide, and the total rises quickly. Hotel pickup and drop-off add another €20 per person. A couple choosing all three upgrades would spend considerably more than the advertised base fare.

You can keep the cost down by arranging your own way to Agios Ioannis, paying only the entrance fee, and exploring Delos without the guide. That is likely the best value for independent visitors who are comfortable finding their way around ancient ruins.

The cruise is also more valuable if your schedule is tight. Instead of arranging separate transport and meals for Delos and Rhenia, one boat handles the whole day. It is especially practical for people arriving by cruise ship, though you must allow enough time to reach the meeting point.

Getting There and What to Pack

The meeting point is Greece Sailing sail cruises at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis. The boat returns there at the end of the day. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged for €20 per person, but it must be reserved ahead and paid in advance. Pickup is generally 30 to 60 minutes before departure, and the driver contacts you the evening before.

Use a valid phone number that works through internet communication. Passport, ID, or driving licence details are required when booking for insurance purposes.

Pack:

• Swimsuit, hat, and high-factor sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes for Delos
• A light jacket in early or late season
• A towel and dry clothes
• Motion-sickness medicine if you need it

The sunscreen warning deserves emphasis. Delos is exposed, and the boat deck offers little escape from the sun once you settle in. Bring more than you think you need, especially if you plan to swim and then remain outside for lunch.

Who Will Enjoy This Mykonos Cruise?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want one day that covers several sides of the Cyclades. It suits couples, families, and mixed-age groups because you can choose ruins, swimming, or simply staying onboard.

It is a good fit for:

• Anyone interested in ancient Greek sites
• Swimmers who want time in clear island water
• Families with older children and teenagers
• Cruise passengers looking for a full-day shore excursion
• People who prefer lunch and drinks included in the price
• Visitors who want a relaxed boat setting instead of a party cruise

I would think twice if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or need very easy boarding. The crossing can be windy, and the ride is not always gentle. I would also choose a different activity if you want several hours on Delos, since the archaeological visit is limited to about 90 minutes.

The overall rating is 4.8 out of 5, with 96 percent recommending it. That fits the strongest parts of the day: crew service, food, swimming, and the appealing contrast between Delos and Rhenia. The weaker points are practical rather than dramatic, mainly sea conditions, the short archaeology stop, and boarding access.

Should You Book It?

Book this cruise if you want a well-filled day with ancient ruins, open water, a hearty Greek lunch, and helpful crew members. The best version of the experience is a calm-weather day when you can explore Delos, jump into Rhenia’s water, and enjoy the deck without rushing.

Before paying, decide how you will reach Agios Ioannis, whether you want the €45 guide, and how comfortable you are with a six-hour boat outing. If those details suit you, this is one of the stronger all-around ways to connect Mykonos with Delos and Rhenia in one trip.

FAQ

How long is the Mykonos sailing cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours, including the sailing time, the Delos visit, and the Rhenia swimming and lunch stop.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Greece Sailing sail cruises at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, Mykonos.

Does the boat return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point in Agios Ioannis Diakoftis.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Roundtrip pickup and drop-off are available for €20 per person. It must be reserved in advance and paid ahead.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is €20 per person and is not included in the base price.

Can I book a guided tour of Delos?

Yes. A professional guided tour is available for €45 per person. It must be reserved and paid for in advance.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch with BBQ meat, grilled vegetables, Greek salad, tzatziki, seasoned rice, and fruit is included.

Are drinks included?

Coffee, tea, refreshments, water, beer, and red and white wine are included. Cocktails and other alcoholic drinks can be purchased separately.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If conditions are unsuitable, you will be informed the evening before about itinerary changes or cancellation. If the experience is canceled because of weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.