All inclusive cruise Sailing Cruise to Delos&Rhenia beaches

White sand, ancient stones, open sea. This Mykonos sailing trip combines a photo stop at UNESCO-listed Delos with swimming and beach time at peaceful Rhenia. I like the freshly prepared Greek buffet and the generous drinks package, which includes water, soft drinks, beer, and house wine. The main concern is that the experience depends heavily on wind and sea conditions.

I also like the small-group limit of 25 people. That gives the boat a more personal feel than a large day cruiser, and the crew can point out sights along the route. At $138.18 per person, the price is fair if you want lunch, snorkeling gear, and several hours on the water, but remember that the Delos entrance fee is extra.

The trip has a 4.5 rating from 17 ratings, with especially strong praise for the food, crew, views, and swimming stop. Still, one serious account describes a rough return in gale-force conditions and raises concerns about safety communication. Check the forecast, ask about the sailing plan, and do not treat a day at sea like a guaranteed calm-water outing.

Key points to know before sailing

• Two departure times are listed: The cruise begins at either 9:00 or 10:30 am, so confirm your exact start time before setting out for Tourlos.
• Delos is mainly a photo stop: The boat pauses near the archaeological site, but the listed schedule does not promise a full guided visit ashore.
• Rhenia provides the main beach time: Expect anchorage in a secluded bay, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or time on the beach.
• Lunch is prepared on board: The buffet features Greek dishes, with water, soft drinks, beer, and house wine included.
• The group is capped at 25 people: This is smaller than a typical large excursion boat, though the available boat space can still feel limited in rough seas.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or full refund, and cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable.

From Tourlos toward Delos and Rhenia

The day begins at Mykonos Cruise and Zephyros Sailing in Tourlos, Mykonos. The listed start time is 9:00 or 10:30 am, depending on the departure assigned to your booking, and the cruise lasts about five and a half hours.

Tourlos is Mykonos’s main new-port area, rather than the famous old harbor in the center of town. You will need to arrange your own way to the meeting point because private transportation is not included. The activity also ends back at Tourlos, which makes planning your return simpler.

The first hour at sea is part of the appeal. From the boat, Mykonos looks different than it does from its narrow lanes and busy waterfront. The crew may point out landmarks along the way, giving you small bits of local orientation without turning the cruise into a formal lecture.

The boat carries no more than 25 people, a useful limit for a half-day trip. You should still expect shared seating and shared access to the swimming equipment. This is not a private yacht charter, but it is also not a giant sightseeing vessel packed with dozens or hundreds of people.

Bring a light layer even on a warm day. Wind can make the ride feel cooler, and the return crossing may feel very different from the morning departure. Sea conditions around the Cyclades can change quickly, so flexible expectations are part of the deal.

Delos: an impressive sight, with limited time

The cruise pauses at Delos on the way to Rhenia. This island is one of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is tied to Greek mythology and ancient religious life, which gives the stop more weight than a simple scenic pass.

The supplied details describe this as an opportunity to photograph Delos. That wording matters. You should not assume that the boat stop includes enough time for an archaeological tour, a guide, or a walk through the ruins.

The Delos entrance fee is not included in the price. Since the planned experience centers on a boat view and photo stop, confirm exactly what access is offered on your sailing date before budgeting for admission. If your main goal is to explore the sanctuary and museums on foot, a dedicated Delos excursion may suit you better.

For this cruise, Delos works as a striking first chapter. You get a look at the island from the water, then continue toward a quieter stretch of coast. I like that balance. The day does not spend all its time among ruins, and it does not reduce the ancient site to a vague view from far offshore.

Photography conditions can be excellent, but the boat’s movement and bright Greek sun may make it hard to capture every detail. Keep your camera ready, protect it from spray, and do not let the photo stop distract you from simply looking up.

Rhenia delivers the relaxed part of the day

After the Delos stop, the boat continues to Rhenia, about an hour from the departure area according to the tour description. Rhenia is known here for a secluded bay, pale sand, and clear water away from the heaviest crowds.

This is where the schedule opens up. The boat anchors, and you can choose how active or lazy you want the rest of the morning to be. Swim from the yacht, use the provided snorkeling equipment, walk onto the beach, or stay on board and sunbathe.

Stand-up paddleboarding is also offered as an option. The details do not state how many boards are available or how long each person can use one, so think of it as an added activity rather than the central feature of the cruise.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing your own mask and fins. Keep your expectations sensible. This is a calm-water swimming stop, not a specialist marine-life expedition. You may see underwater life in the clear water, but the appeal is the easy access to the sea and the chance to cool off.

Rhenia suits people who want a classic Greek island day without a packed schedule. You get a beach, a boat, sunlight, and time to choose your own pace. Families, couples, and groups of friends can all make good use of the stop, provided everyone is comfortable around open water and changing sea conditions.

The main limitation is that a secluded bay does not mean a private island. Other boats may be nearby, and beach space may not feel completely exclusive. The wording suggests a quieter setting, not a guaranteed empty beach.

A Greek buffet that earns its place

Lunch is served back on the yacht. It is described as a buffet of Greek dishes prepared fresh on board, with enough food to go around. The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this cruise, with particular approval for freshness, flavor, and generous portions.

That matters because food can make or break a half-day sailing trip. A small snack would leave you searching for lunch as soon as you returned to Mykonos. Here, the meal is part of the experience and helps turn the boat into your base for the afternoon.

The included drinks make the price easier to assess. You receive bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and house wine. That is a useful package for a warm day at sea, especially when you are paying for a meal and refreshments in a popular island setting.

You should not expect an à la carte restaurant or a long tasting menu. The meal is a buffet, and the selection is not specified in detail beyond Greek delicacies. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, contact the operator before departure rather than assuming the buffet will meet them.

The positive food feedback is unusually consistent. People who expected ordinary excursion catering found the meal much better than anticipated. I would treat lunch as one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular sailing over a bare-bones boat trip.

What the $138.18 price really covers

At $138.18 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Mykonos. It is also not simply a short boat ride. The price includes fuel and port charges, taxes, all listed fees, lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, house wine, and snorkeling equipment.

That package gives the cruise reasonable value for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat outing, a meal, drinks, and water access. The value is strongest if you plan to swim and eat on board rather than treating those features as minor extras.

The calculation changes if your main goal is Delos. The entrance fee is separate, and the scheduled stop may not provide the full archaeological visit you want. In that case, compare this cruise with a dedicated Delos tour before booking.

The trip also includes the atmosphere of a small shared sailing experience. You pay for time on the sea, not just transportation between two points. If you enjoy open views, swimming, and an easy social setting, the price is defensible.

If you dislike group excursions, want complete control of the schedule, or need guaranteed calm water, the value is less convincing. A private charter would offer more control, but it would also cost far more. This cruise sits in the middle: more personal than a large boat, but still a shared outing.

The crew and the mood on board

The crew receives warm praise for being friendly, funny, patient, and capable. One especially positive account singles out a female captain and her first mate as a pleasure to spend time with, while another praises the skipper and deputy for their patience and competence.

That kind of crew can make a big difference on a five-and-a-half-hour trip. You are spending much of the day in a compact space, so a welcoming team helps everyone settle in. The best version of this outing feels informal and sociable rather than stiff.

Still, the feedback is not uniformly positive. One account describes poor communication and disorganization, while another reports a sharply unpleasant exchange with the captain after a rough return. Those claims conflict with the many positive comments about the crew, but they should not be brushed aside.

Before departure, ask where life jackets are stored and what the plan is if the sea becomes rough. The available information does not state that a formal safety briefing is provided, and one serious account specifically says none was given. A responsible boat outing should make safety procedures clear, especially when children or less confident swimmers are aboard.

The operator allows service animals, and most people can participate. No special physical standard is listed, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, moving around a beach and swimming area, and coping with sea motion.

Rough-weather concerns deserve attention

Most of the appeal depends on good weather. The cruise can be canceled for poor conditions, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is sensible, but it also tells you something important: weather is not a minor detail here.

One very negative account describes a return during gale-force winds and reported 10 to 12 foot seas, with people at the front of the boat getting soaked and struggling to hold on. The account also alleges that life jackets were not visibly available and that the post-trip discussion became hostile.

You cannot know the full circumstances from one account, and the other feedback describes enjoyable, well-run outings. Still, the safety concern is specific enough to take seriously. Check the marine forecast, ask whether the captain expects conditions to worsen, and speak up if you feel unsafe.

If you get seasick, bring whatever remedy you normally use. The supplied information does not promise a smooth ride, and a sailing boat can feel lively even when the beach stop is calm. People who need a predictable, sheltered outing may prefer a larger vessel or a land-based activity.

The strongest practical advice is simple: do not book this as a must-do activity on the final day of your holiday. A weather cancellation or a rough crossing can affect your plans, and the sea does not follow your itinerary.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos sailing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want several experiences in one outing:

• A scenic boat ride from Mykonos
• A look at Delos from the sea
• A sandy beach and clear water at Rhenia
• Swimming and snorkeling without arranging separate equipment
• Greek food and drinks served on board
• A group small enough to feel more personal

It is particularly suited to couples, families with older children, and friends who want a relaxed half-day outside Mykonos Town. The 18-year-old in one family’s group reportedly considered it the best activity of a 10-day holiday, which fits the appeal: it combines scenery, food, history, and freedom to choose your own pace.

I would be more cautious if you are booking mainly for ancient-site exploration. Delos is a stop, not clearly a full shore visit. I would also hesitate if you are uncomfortable with wind, boat motion, or changing conditions.

Book early if you have fixed plans, since the experience is often reserved about 25 days ahead. Confirm the departure time, ask how Delos access works, and make sure you know where in Tourlos to meet.

Cancellation and practical details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start. A cancellation or change made less than 24 hours before departure is not refundable, even if you become ill shortly before the cruise.

The operator’s response to one late refund request confirms that this rule is applied strictly. If you feel unwell, do not wait until the last hour to contact the company.

The activity is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and ends at the same Tourlos meeting point. Public transportation is nearby, but private transportation is not included. Towels are also not included, so bring your own if you plan to swim or sit on the beach.

Should you book it?

I would book this cruise if your ideal Mykonos day includes open water, a quiet beach, a look at Delos, fresh Greek food, and drinks without constant extra charges. The lunch, crew praise, small group size, and included snorkeling gear give it better value than a simple sightseeing cruise.

I would not book it blindly. Confirm the start time, ask about the Delos stop and safety briefing, check the forecast, and understand that the return can be rough. If those conditions suit you, this is a well-rounded way to see a quieter side of the islands. If you need a fully controlled schedule or a calm-water guarantee, choose a different outing.

FAQ

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $138.18 per person. Fuel and port fees, taxes, lunch, drinks, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment are included. The Delos entrance fee is not included.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes. It begins in the morning and returns in the early afternoon.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at Mykonos Cruise and Zephyros Sailing in Tourlos, Mykonos. Private transportation is not included, though the meeting point is near public transportation.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet of Greek dishes prepared on board. Water, soft drinks, beer, and house wine are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Stand-up paddleboarding is also offered as an activity at the Rhenia stop.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund for your own cancellation.