Mykonos Sail Cruise to Delos and Rhenia: Swim and ancient ruins

You swim in the same waters where ancient Delos once thrived, then eat lunch on the boat.

A six-hour sailing cruise from Mykonos visits the 3500-year-old ruins of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and stops at Rhenia island for swimming and snorkeling in clear Aegean waters. The yacht carries a maximum of 30 to 40 passengers depending on which vessel is assigned. A crew member briefs you on safety and itinerary before departure. You can either join a professional guided tour of the ancient site or walk the ruins on your own, and lunch (grilled meat and vegetables, Greek salad, feta, bread and seasonal fruit) is served on board with wine, beer and soft drinks included. Snorkeling gear, life vests and swimming noodles are available at no extra cost. Hotel pickup and drop-off, the guided tour at Delos, and entrance fees are optional add-ons you can book at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail to Delos and Rhenia Islands

• Board the boat and receive safety briefing
• Sail towards Delos island
• Explore ancient Delos or swim nearby
• Sail to Rhenia island for swimming
• Enjoy BBQ lunch on board
• Sail back to meeting point

The experience

The boat leaves Mykonos and sails toward Delos, the ancient sanctuary island that sits about an hour offshore. Once you arrive, you choose your own pace: either join a professional guide who walks you through the ruins and explains the 3500-year history, or explore the site on foot at your own speed for roughly 90 minutes. If neither appeals, stay on the yacht and swim in a sheltered bay while others are ashore. The crew manages the timing so everyone boards again before the sail to Rhenia.

Rhenia island is where the day opens up. The waters are shallow and clear enough to see the seafloor (the operator calls them a natural pool), and snorkeling gear is included and ready to use. If you're not a confident swimmer, the crew provides noodles or life vests without fuss. While you're in the water or floating on deck, the galley prepares lunch: grilled beef kebab and chicken, roasted vegetables, mixed rice, Greek salad, feta cheese, tzatziki, bread and fresh fruit. Wine, beer, coffee and tea come with it. You eat on board, barefoot like everyone else (a safety rule on the yacht), and can stay in the water between courses if you want.

The yacht itself matters here. Depending on the group size, you'll sail on either the Andreas (89 feet, up to 40 passengers) or the Atlantis (72 feet, up to 30 passengers). Both are wide and comfortable enough that even a full boat has room to lie back and rest. A live guide speaks English and Greek. If weather turns rough, the crew notifies you the evening before about changes or cancellation. The sail back to Mykonos takes the final stretch of the afternoon.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and life vests.
• freshly prepared Greek BBQ lunch with grilled meat and vegetables, salad, feta and bread.
• wine, beer, coffee, tea and soft drinks.
• professional crew briefing and safety instructions.
• access to both Delos and Rhenia island stops.
• personal insurance.

Options for this experience

4 options

Full-day sailing excursionGuide in English or Greek · 09:30

Sailing trip including a ride to and from the pierGuide in English or Greek · 09:30Booked transport: pickup from your hotel, accommodation, port or airport. The fare is €20 per person for the round trip and is paid in cash on arrival.

Sailing trip with a guided walk around DelosGuide in English or Greek · 09:30Booked guided visit to Delos: €45 per adult or €40 per child (ages 6–12), plus a €20 per person entrance fee; the total is paid in advance.

Including transfer and guided walkGuide in English or Greek · 09:30Booked transfer and guided visit: the transfer is €20 per person (paid on the spot), and the guided tour is €45 per adult or €40 per child, plus €20 per person for admission (paid in advance).

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Greece sailing by Chios Yachting team

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want to combine ancient history with swimming in one outing. The schedule holds all three stops (Delos, Rhenia, and the return sail) inside a single afternoon, so you don't need to plan separate days. The guided tour of Delos and hotel pickup are optional, so you can build the day around what matters to you.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I get a guided tour of the ancient Delos ruins, or do I explore on my own?

A professional guided tour of Delos is available as an add-on for 45 euros per person, plus a 20-euro entrance fee to the archaeological site. If you skip the tour, you can walk the ruins yourself during the 90-minute stop, or stay on the yacht and swim instead.

What's included in the lunch on Rhenia island?

Lunch includes grilled beef kebab and chicken, roasted vegetables, mixed rice, Greek salad, feta cheese, tzatziki spread, bread and seasonal fruit. Wine, beer, coffee, tea and water are served throughout the day.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear, or is it provided?

Snorkeling gear is included and complimentary. The crew also provides swimming noodles and life vests if you're not a confident swimmer or want extra flotation.

Is hotel pickup included, or do I need to get to the meeting point myself?

Hotel pickup and drop-off is available as an optional add-on for 20 euros per person, paid on the spot. You must pre-reserve it when you book. Public transportation to the meeting point is also available nearby.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the cruise?

If weather conditions are not suitable for sailing, the crew will notify you the evening before about possible changes to the itinerary or cancellation.

How many people typically sail on this cruise?

The yacht carries a maximum of 30 to 40 passengers depending on which vessel is assigned. The Atlantis holds up to 30, the Andreas up to 40. Both yachts are wide and comfortable, so there's always space to relax even when full.