Sunset Sail Cruise to Rhenia, Mykonos Beach Safari, Dinner&Drinks

Clear water, quiet coves, and dinner at sea. This five-hour cruise takes you from Mykonos along the island’s southern beaches to uninhabited Rhenia, where you can swim straight from the yacht and snorkel in open Aegean water. I especially like the mix of scenic sailing and free time in the sea, plus the generous Greek buffet and included wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and water.

The crew also earns high marks for being friendly and attentive. Past guests single out Costas, Joanna, Bobby, Foti, Sofia, and others for warm service and skilled handling of the boat. The main drawback is weather: a windy return can be rough, and the buffet is served later in the outing, so you should eat breakfast and bring patience for a lively ride home.

At a glance

• Rhenia by yacht: Reach a quiet, uninhabited island that you cannot visit by ordinary beach bus or taxi.
• Mykonos beach safari: Pass Ornos, Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paranga, and Paradise from the water.
• Swim from the boat: Use the yacht ladder to enter clear water, with masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles provided.
• Greek meal included: Expect an early dinner buffet with Mediterranean dishes such as moussaka, chicken, potatoes, salads, bread, and tzatziki.
• Drinks included: White and rosé house wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, tea, coffee, and a farewell shot are covered.
• Small-group feel: The boat holds no more than 35 people, with the final number depending on the yacht and weather.

Sailing past Mykonos’s southern beaches

Your meeting point is at Agios Ioannis Diakoftis, where a Sunfos Alessia Yachting representative and crew member will greet you by a company shirt or sign. The tour begins with a short safety briefing and an outline of the route before the yacht leaves its mooring.

Pickup and drop-off can be arranged for an extra charge, but they are not automatically included. If you are staying somewhere away from the meeting point, contact the operator after booking rather than assuming a shuttle will appear at your hotel.

The first part of the cruise follows Mykonos’s southern coastline. This side of the island is protected from the strong northern Meltemi wind, which is one reason the beaches here are so popular in summer. From the deck, you pass Ornos, Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paranga, and Paradise.

This is a useful way to see the famous beaches without spending the day moving between crowded roads and packed parking areas. From the water, you get a broader view of the coves, beach clubs, rocky shore, and white buildings scattered across the island. The boat ride itself is part sightseeing trip and part slow transition into holiday mode.

The exact balance between sailing and motoring depends on the wind. On calm days, the crew may set the sails for a more traditional sailing feel. On other days, the engine helps keep the schedule and handles rougher conditions safely.

The one-hour crossing to Rhenia

After the southern coast, the yacht heads toward Rhenia, also called Big Delos. The crossing takes about an hour. Rhenia is uninhabited and reachable only by boat, so it offers a very different setting from Mykonos’s organized beaches.

Do not expect a developed beach stop with a café, changing room, pier, or tender service. The planned access is from the yacht’s swimming ladder, and you remain connected to the boat throughout the stop. That lack of facilities is part of the appeal, but it also means you need to arrive prepared with swimwear, sun protection, and anything you may want close at hand.

The water is the main attraction. It is clear, salty, and generally inviting for a swim or a look below the surface. Masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles are supplied at no additional charge. You can use them at your own pace during the roughly two-hour stop.

This is a good fit if you like swimming from a boat rather than spending the day on a crowded strip of sand. It is less suitable if you need easy shore access, a long walk on land, or a fully structured beach activity.

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to manage the yacht ladder and move around a boat that may shift with the water. Pregnancy, mobility concerns, and health conditions should be disclosed before booking so the operator can confirm that the outing is safe for you.

Swimming and snorkeling from the yacht

The swimming stop gives the cruise its strongest sense of freedom. There is no formal lesson and no required group activity. You can swim, use the floating noodles, snorkel for a while, or stay on deck and watch the water.

Several past outings included two chances to swim, although the central itinerary specifically describes the Rhenia stop. Conditions, route changes, and safety decisions can affect the final plan. The crew has the final say if wind or waves make a stop unsuitable.

The snorkeling equipment is basic but practical: mask, snorkel, and fins. You do not need to pack a full set unless you prefer your own gear. A beach towel is not included, though one can be rented onboard.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap if you have them, and a dry layer for the return trip. The Aegean sun can feel strong even when the wind keeps the deck comfortable. You should also keep personal items secured, since a boat deck is not the place for loose phones and wallets.

A Greek buffet served onboard

The meal is one of the most praised parts of the cruise, but timing matters. The buffet is served later in the outing, around the early-dinner period and, according to several accounts, sometimes near 2 p.m. That is why I would eat a proper breakfast before arriving and carry a small snack if you tend to get hungry between meals.

The exact menu can vary, but the food described includes moussaka, chicken, potatoes, vegetables, Greek salad, bread, and tzatziki. The cooking is done onboard, which gives the meal a homemade character rather than the feel of a packaged excursion lunch.

The buffet format works well after swimming. You can fill your plate, sit on deck, and eat while the boat rests in the Rhenia area. Some people may find the meal light or late, while others will appreciate the relaxed timing and familiar Greek flavors.

Drinks are included throughout the cruise: white and rosé house wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea. A farewell shot is also offered near the end. The crew is often praised for keeping drinks available, though service is not necessarily a constant open bar. You may need to ask when you want another drink.

Unlimited drinks can make the $114.89 price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise buy lunch and several drinks separately. Still, I would judge the value mainly by the boat time, remote swimming stop, meal, and crew service, not by how much alcohol you can consume.

Sunset on the return to Mykonos

After about two hours around Rhenia, the yacht turns back toward Mykonos. The return is timed for changing light, with yellow, orange, and red tones over the Aegean as the sun drops.

This is the cruise’s most memorable visual moment. You have already seen the beaches in full daylight, swum in clear water, and eaten dinner. The sunset gives the ride home a slower, more reflective finish.

The sea can also be rough on the return, especially when the wind rises. That is not necessarily a sign of poor handling, but it can feel uncomfortable if you are not used to open-water sailing. One outing had notably rough seas, and the return ride felt intense even though the captain handled the boat well.

If you are prone to seasickness, choose a calm-weather date if possible and sit where the motion feels manageable. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a sailing excursion on the Aegean, not a flat-water harbor cruise.

Crew service and group size

The crew is a major reason this cruise receives such strong marks. Names reported from different outings include Costas, Joanna, Tarsos, Bobby, Bobbitos, Foti, Sofia, and Alessia. Spelling may vary, and the assigned crew can change, but the consistent pattern is friendly service, practical help, and a relaxed tone.

Some crew members have helped children understand the boat or even shown them how the yacht is steered. Others have been praised for explaining Mykonos beaches and making the group feel comfortable during rougher water.

The maximum group size is 35 people, though the actual number depends on the yacht assigned and the weather. Several outings had enough open space for people to spread out, which matters on a five-hour trip. You are not booking a private yacht, but this is also not described as a giant party boat.

The social atmosphere can vary with the group. You might find families, couples, and small groups sharing the deck. The included food and swimming time give everyone something to do, even if you prefer not to socialize constantly.

Price, timing, and practical value

At $114.89 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mykonos from the water. It is a solid value if you plan to swim, eat onboard, enjoy several drinks, and spend most of the day on the yacht.

The price covers the five-hour cruise, crew, fuel, taxes, safety equipment, Wi-Fi, snorkeling gear, floating noodles, buffet dinner, and the listed drinks. A comparable day can become expensive once you add a boat fare, a meal, beach purchases, and drinks, so the bundled format is useful.

The tour is booked an average of 22 days ahead, which suggests that securing a date early is sensible during busy periods. I would schedule it near the beginning of your Mykonos stay rather than on your final day. If bad weather cancels the cruise, an earlier booking gives you a better chance to move it to another date.

The cruise requires passport details for every participant, including full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth. Confirmation is normally issued at booking, although bookings made within one day of departure may require a short wait while availability is checked.

The disembarkation point can change without notice because of weather. Plan your evening with some flexibility instead of booking a tight dinner reservation immediately after the stated return time.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this outing if you want several Mykonos experiences in one package: coastal sightseeing, a remote-island stop, swimming, snorkeling, Greek food, drinks, and sunset views.

It suits couples looking for a scenic day on the water, families whose children enjoy swimming, and cruise passengers with limited time who want more than a short harbor trip. The crew’s friendly approach also helps make the day comfortable for mixed-age groups.

You should think twice if you dislike boat motion, need guaranteed calm water, or want a beach with chairs and services. The ride can become rough in windy conditions, and the main swim stop is accessed from the boat rather than through a developed shore facility.

The experience is also less ideal for anyone who wants a full archaeological visit. The cruise focuses on the sea and scenery around Rhenia and Delos, not a guided land tour of ruins.

Should you book it?

I would book this cruise if the forecast is good and you value time on the water more than a formal sightseeing tour. The strongest combination is the remote Rhenia swim, attentive crew, generous Greek meal, and sunset return.

Book early, eat breakfast, bring sun protection, and leave room in your schedule for weather changes. If you are comfortable with a yacht ladder and the possibility of choppy seas, this is a well-rounded way to experience Mykonos beyond its busy beaches.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours, including the coastal sightseeing, the trip to Rhenia, time for swimming and snorkeling, dinner, and the return to Mykonos.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The listed meeting and return point is C8F4+2QR, Agios Ioannis Diakoftis 846 00, Greece. The disembarkation point may change because of weather conditions.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional, available for an additional charge, and must be requested from the operator after booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The yacht provides masks, snorkels, fins, and floating noodles at no extra charge.

Can I swim directly from the yacht?

Yes. The planned swim access is through the yacht’s swimming ladder. Pier facilities and tendering ashore are not available.

What food and drinks are included?

The onboard buffet includes traditional Greek and Mediterranean dishes. Included drinks are white and rosé house wine, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea, plus a farewell shot.

Is a beach towel included?

No. Beach towels are available to rent onboard.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.