6 Hours Tour to Delos and Rhenia Islands with Sailing Yacht

Delos, then a swim in open water. This six-hour outing pairs ancient Delos with a relaxed sail to Rhenia, giving you two very different sides of the Cyclades in one day. I like the small maximum group of 12, and I like that the crew serves a fresh lunch with wine, beer, and soft drinks included. The main catch is that Delos admission costs an extra €20, and much of the day is spent getting between islands.

The complimentary hotel pickup makes the morning easier, especially since you need to reach Tourlos Marina for the sailing yacht S/Y Aeolus. I also like the chance to enjoy real sailing conditions rather than only a motorboat ride. On a windy day, the crew may let you sit toward the front while the yacht sails back to Mykonos, though the sea and weather will shape how much sailing you actually get.

Key points to know before booking

• Two islands, two moods: Delos offers an archaeological visit, while Rhenia provides swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and time on the water.
• Small group limit: The yacht carries no more than 12 people, making this a quieter choice than a large excursion boat.
• Hotel pickup included: A complimentary shuttle takes you to Tourlos Marina and returns you to your hotel afterward.
• Lunch and drinks are covered: Expect shrimp pasta, Greek salad, bottled water, unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks.
• Delos costs extra: The archaeological site entrance fee is €20 per person and is not part of the tour price.
• Weather controls the day: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and the trip also requires a minimum number of bookings.

Why this Mykonos boat trip works well

At about $150.51 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Delos. You are paying for a full half-day outing, hotel transportation, a sailing yacht, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and time at two islands. That package can make sense if you want a simple day with most costs settled in advance.

The small group matters. A maximum of 12 people gives the boat a more personal feel than a large ferry or crowded excursion vessel. You can ask the crew about the route, get help with the snorkeling equipment, and find a comfortable place on deck without competing with dozens of other passengers.

I would not book this only as a Delos transport service. If your main goal is to spend several hours examining temples and monuments, a direct visit with more time ashore may suit you better. This outing gives you roughly an hour at sea from Tourlos to Delos, a visit to the archaeological site, a stop at Rhenia, lunch, and the return trip. The appeal is the combination.

The best day will likely be one with enough wind for the yacht to sail properly. One particularly strong part of the experience is the ride back when conditions allow sailing. The crew may invite you toward the front of the boat, where the motion and open views make the return feel like more than a transfer. Calm weather may create a gentler ride, but it can also mean less sailing action.

Leaving Tourlos Marina on S/Y Aeolus

The morning starts at 9:00 a.m. with pickup from your hotel, Airbnb location, or cruise ship meeting point. The shuttle takes you to Tourlos Marina, where S/Y Aeolus is docked. After the tour, the same complimentary shuttle service takes you back.

This arrangement is useful because Mykonos transportation can be one more thing to organize during a busy holiday. You do need to provide accurate accommodation details. The operator asks for your full name, a phone number with country code, and your hotel, Airbnb, or cruise ship information. WhatsApp is preferred for communication, so having it installed may help with pickup messages.

Port authorities also require passport details for every participant. You should provide these in the requested format, or at least make sure the required information is supplied before departure. If your lodging details are not known at booking, they must be added one week before the excursion.

The yacht carries up to 12 people. That number is small enough to support a friendly atmosphere but large enough that the boat will not feel like a private charter. If you want a completely private outing, this is not advertised that way. If you want something calmer and more intimate than a large group cruise, the group size is a strong point.

One hour across the water to Delos

The trip from Tourlos Bay to Delos takes about one hour. That travel time is part of the experience, but it also explains why the total six-hour schedule does not translate into six hours at the islands. The tour information notes that the remaining time is used for transportation.

Delos is one of the Aegean’s most important archaeological sites. Here, your visit focuses on walking among ancient monuments and reading the information signs placed around the site. This is a self-guided stop, not a guided archaeological tour.

That distinction matters. You can move at your own pace and pause where you want, which is useful if you prefer quiet observation over a fixed explanation. On the other hand, you will not have a guide interpreting the ruins, pointing out details, or answering questions as you walk.

Bring patience and sensible expectations. You are visiting an outdoor archaeological site, not a polished museum. The value comes from seeing the remains in their actual setting and using the monument signs to build your own understanding. If you already know something about Delos, you may appreciate the freedom. If the site is new to you, read the signs carefully and keep track of your time.

Entrance is not included. The required fee is €20 per person. Add that to the advertised price when comparing this outing with other boat trips. The tour price covers transportation to Delos, but not the archaeological admission itself.

You should also remember that Delos is only one part of the day. The boat does not give you unlimited time there, so this is best for someone who wants a first look at the island before moving on to swimming and lunch at Rhenia. It is less suitable if Delos is the main reason for your visit and you want a long, detailed archaeological study.

Rhenia for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch

From Delos, the yacht takes about 30 minutes to Rhenia. The tone of the day changes here. Instead of monuments and signs, you get crystal-clear water, snorkeling, swimming, and lunch served on board.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, which saves you from packing your own mask and gear. The exact time in the water can vary with the day’s schedule, but the Rhenia stop is listed at about two hours and 30 minutes. That is the longest pause of the outing and gives you time to enjoy the water without rushing straight back onto the yacht.

Rhenia is the part of the tour that rewards bringing a relaxed mood. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, and enjoy the setting from the boat. Towels are not included, so bring your own. That is an easy item to forget when you are focused on Delos, but you will want something dry after swimming.

Lunch is freshly prepared on board. The meal includes shrimp pasta and Greek salad, along with bottled water, unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks. This is a useful inclusion because you do not need to find a restaurant between the two islands, and the meal fits naturally into the stop.

The food and drinks also add real value to the price. A separate boat ride, restaurant meal, drinks, and snorkeling rental could quickly push the cost higher. Still, you should not book this expecting a formal dining service. The attraction is a fresh Mediterranean meal served during a day on the water, not a long restaurant-style lunch.

If you do not eat shrimp, or if you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify alternative dishes. Ask the provider before booking rather than assuming a substitute will be available. The same applies to alcohol. Wine and beer are included, but you should drink sensibly, especially before swimming or in strong sun.

The return sail to Mykonos

The return from Rhenia to Tourlos Bay takes about one hour. This is where the sailing character of the trip can become most noticeable. Wind conditions determine how much the yacht sails, but a good breeze can turn the ride back into the highlight of the day.

A memorable detail from the experience is the chance to sit near the front while the boat is sailing. That position gives you a stronger sense of the yacht moving through the water, though the crew will decide what is safe and practical. The crew is described as helpful, good-humored, and willing to let people enjoy the boat when conditions allow.

Do not treat the front-of-the-boat opportunity as guaranteed. Wind is unpredictable, and safety comes first. Still, this detail helps separate the trip from a basic island transfer. You are not only being moved from one port to another. You may get a real taste of sailing, with the crew adjusting the ride to the day’s conditions.

After arrival at Tourlos, your shuttle returns you to your hotel. The exact drop-off time will depend on the day’s weather, the pace of the group, and transportation conditions. Keep the rest of your evening flexible rather than booking a tightly timed dinner or event immediately afterward.

What the $150.51 price really includes

The listed price is $150.51 per person, before the separate €20 Delos entrance fee. For a six-hour day, that is a mid-range to higher-priced excursion, but the inclusions are substantial.

You receive:

• Hotel or accommodation pickup and return
• Sailing yacht transportation
• Entry to the Rhenia swimming stop
• Lunch on board
• Bottled water
• Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment

The main value comes from convenience and variety. You do not have to arrange separate transport to Tourlos, locate a boat to Delos, find lunch, or rent snorkeling gear. In one day, you get archaeological sightseeing, a boat ride, a meal, and water activities.

The extra Delos fee is the main cost to remember. At €20 per person, a couple adds €40 to the day. I would compare the total cost, including that fee, against other Delos and Rhenia options rather than comparing only the advertised tour price.

This outing offers its best value to people who want a full, organized day and appreciate having drinks and lunch included. It offers less value to someone who plans to skip swimming, does not drink, or wants to spend most of the day on Delos.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and small groups who want a mix of culture and sea time. It also suits people who prefer a smaller boat and a social but not crowded setting. The maximum of 12 makes it a good middle ground between a private charter and a large group cruise.

It is a strong choice if you like flexible sightseeing. At Delos, you explore independently. At Rhenia, you choose how much time to spend swimming and snorkeling. On board, you can enjoy lunch and the changing conditions at sea.

You should think twice if you need a fully guided archaeological visit. Delos is not guided, and the monument signs are your main source of information during the stop.

You should also consider the physical side of the day. Most people can participate, but the outing includes boat travel, an outdoor archaeological visit, and swimming activities. The tour information does not promise special accessibility arrangements, so ask the provider directly if you have mobility or medical concerns.

The weather is another deciding factor. A canceled trip due to poor weather can be moved to another date or refunded in full. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. For peace of mind, keep some flexibility in your Mykonos schedule.

Final call: book it for the combination

Book this tour if you want Delos without giving up a proper swim day. The small group, hotel shuttle, onboard lunch, included drinks, and snorkeling gear make the $150.51 price easier to justify, even after adding the €20 Delos admission fee.

Skip it if you want a long, guided archaeological visit or a completely private yacht. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded Mykonos outing with a clear rhythm: one hour to Delos, independent exploration, 30 minutes to Rhenia, swimming and lunch, then a possible sailing ride back. The chance to enjoy the yacht from the front on a windy return is not guaranteed, but when conditions cooperate, it can be the moment you remember most.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. The schedule includes travel time, with about one hour from Tourlos Bay to Delos, 30 minutes from Delos to Rhenia, and one hour from Rhenia back to Tourlos Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Complimentary shuttle transportation picks you up from your hotel, Airbnb location, or cruise ship meeting point and returns you after the tour.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. Delos admission costs €20 per person and must be paid separately.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board and includes shrimp pasta and Greek salad. Bottled water, wine, beer, and soft drinks are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the swimming stop at Rhenia. Towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. A full refund is also offered if the minimum number of participants is not met.