Mykonos: Delos & Rhenia Sailing Cruise with Lunch

Summary

Sail from mykonos to delos then rhenia for ancient ruins swimming and lunch

You’ll board a sailboat in Mykonos for a day trip across bright water to Delos’ ancient ruins before drifting over to Rhenia’s quiet beaches. Swim or snorkel where there’s no one else around and share a homemade Mykonian lunch with your small group on deck. It’s not rushed; you’ll feel that slow island rhythm settle in by the end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sailing cruise to Delos and Rhenia

• Depart Tourlos Marina at 09:00am
• Arrive at Delos Island archaeological site
• Explore Delos Island for one hour
• Return to boat for traditional Mykonian lunch
• Sail to Rhenia Island
• Enjoy time at Rhenia's sandy beaches and waters

Top questions

How long is the sailing cruise from Mykonos to Delos?

The cruise from Tourlos Marina to Delos takes about one hour each way.

Is lunch included during the sailing tour?

Yes, a traditional Mykonian lunch is served onboard after visiting Delos.

Can you swim at Rhenia island during the cruise?

Yes, there are stops at Rhenia’s beaches where you can swim or snorkel.

Are transfers included for this Mykonos sailing cruise?

Transfers are available upon request for an additional charge during offer periods.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on board?

Yes, snorkeling gear is included for guests who want to use it at Rhenia.

How much time do you get to explore Delos archaeological site?

You’ll have approximately one hour to explore Delos before returning to the boat.

Who leads the sailing cruise from Mykonos?

The boat is operated by an English-speaking licensed skipper and their assistant.

What’s included

Your day includes sailing from Mykonos with an English-speaking skipper and sailor, stops at both Delos archaeological site and Rhenia island’s beaches, use of snorkeling equipment and SUP boards if you want them, plus a homemade lunch with wine or beer served onboard before returning in the afternoon; transfers are available if requested ahead of time.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way the sea smelled different just past Tourlos Marina — sharper, almost metallic, mixed with something herbal I couldn’t place. We set off right on time, sails snapping, and I caught myself grinning like a kid. Our skipper, Nikos, pointed out Delos as it came into view — just a pale smudge at first. He told us how Apollo was supposedly born there but shrugged like even he didn’t buy the myth entirely. The sun already felt strong on my arms by the time we docked.

I wandered around Delos for that hour, trying to imagine what it must’ve sounded like when it was full of priests and traders instead of just wind and our scattered footsteps. There’s this one mosaic floor near the old temple — broken in places but still wild with color. I tried to say “kalimera” to a local guide leading another group; she smiled politely but kept moving. Maybe I should’ve practiced more Greek. Back on board, someone handed me cold white wine (I think it was local?) and plates started appearing — olives, cheese, something fried that tasted like oregano and salt air.

Rhenia was next — bigger than Delos but completely empty except for us and a few other boats anchored far off. The water there is ridiculous: green-blue stripes you only see in postcards. I jumped in without thinking about how cold it would be (it’s bracing), then floated on my back watching clouds drift over Mykonos in the distance. Lunch tasted better than anything I’d had all week, maybe because everyone ate together at this long table on deck, passing bread around and laughing about who’d spent the most time snorkeling versus napping in the sun.

It’s funny — you expect these day trips from Mykonos to be all about photos or ticking boxes (“Delos ruins? Check.”), but it felt slower than that. More like being let in on some quiet secret between islands. I still think about that view from Rhenia’s beach — just sand, water, wind, nothing else for miles.