The best part of this six-hour trip is the change of pace: you leave Mykonos behind by sailboat, walk among Delos’s ancient ruins, then trade stones for a swim near Rhenia. It gives you two very different Aegean experiences in one day. Delos offers history, while Rhenia supplies the water time.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which makes reaching Tourlos Marina simple, and I like the small-boat feel described by the guests who sailed with captain Bob and chef-sailor Ernesto. The shrimp pasta, Greek salad, and drinks add real value to the $158 price. The main drawback is that the entrance fee to Delos is extra, and you need to bring your own towel.

Key points at a glance

• Sail from Tourlos Bay aboard S/Y Aeolus, with hotel transportation included before and after the trip.
• Visit UNESCO-listed Delos, where you can explore ancient Greek ruins at your own pace.
• Swim and snorkel near Rhenia in clear Aegean water during a relaxed stop of about two and a half hours.
• Eat lunch on board, with shrimp pasta, Greek salad, dessert, wine, beer, and soft drinks.
• Travel with an English-speaking crew, including captain Bob and chef-sailor Ernesto.
• Plan for the extras, especially the Delos entrance fee and a towel, which are not included.

Sailing Away From Mykonos at Tourlos Bay

Your day begins with complimentary pickup from your hotel in Mykonos. You need to tell the operator your pickup point at least a day ahead, then wait outside at the agreed time. The shuttle takes you to Tourlos Marina, where S/Y Aeolus is docked.

That transfer matters. Tourlos is Mykonos’s main port area, and arranging your own ride can add cost and hassle. With pickup and return included, you can focus on the sea day instead of sorting out transport. Still, confirm the meeting time carefully. The instructions ask you to be outside your hotel when agreed, so this is not a good tour for a casual, last-minute morning.

The boat is a sailing yacht rather than a large sightseeing vessel. That usually means the ride feels more personal and connected to the water, though space is naturally more limited than on a ferry. One of the strongest details from the experience is the attention to passenger comfort. The crew was described as safety-conscious, friendly, and careful about everyone’s well-being, with a number of people on board considered ideal.

The boat ride itself is part of the attraction. You get open views of the Aegean and a calmer way to move between islands. Sailing also gives the day a pleasant rhythm: ancient ruins first, then lunch, swimming, and time in the sun. If you prefer constant guided commentary or a packed schedule, this may feel too loose. If you like a day with room to breathe, it fits well.

Delos, Where the Aegean’s Past Takes Center Stage

Delos is the cultural anchor of the trip. The island is UNESCO-listed and known for its ancient Greek ruins, so this is much more than a quick photo stop. You have time to walk through the archaeological site at your own pace and learn about the island’s past.

The tour description does not promise a private archaeological guide or a fixed walking route. That gives you freedom, but it also means you should set realistic expectations. You may receive general information from the English-speaking host, then explore independently. If you want to understand every temple, mosaic, and stone fragment in detail, read up before you go or use any available site information during your visit.

I like the contrast between Delos and Mykonos. Mykonos is famous for beaches, nightlife, and whitewashed streets. Delos gives you a quieter, more historical setting, even though the site is a popular stop. Walking among exposed ruins helps explain the importance of the island in a way that a museum display cannot.

Remember that Delos admission is not included. The supplied details do not give the fee, so check the current amount before booking and carry the payment method required for entry. This is the clearest extra cost attached to the excursion. The tour price covers the yacht, hotel transfers, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment, but not access to the archaeological site.

Wear practical clothing and shoes suitable for walking on uneven historic ground. The tour only specifically requires a towel, but sun protection is sensible for a day spent both outdoors and on the water. Since no towels are provided, pack one from your hotel.

Rhenia’s Clear Water and Unhurried Swim Stop

After Delos, the yacht heads to Rhenia for the more active part of the day. Here you can swim and snorkel in clear water, with snorkeling equipment supplied. The stop is listed as about two and a half hours, which is generous compared with the brief swim breaks found on many boat excursions.

That amount of time lets you choose your own pace. You can snorkel for a while, swim, sit aboard, or simply enjoy the setting from the yacht. The activity is not described as a guided snorkeling lesson, so you should be comfortable managing your own time in the water. The crew provides equipment, but you still need to bring a towel.

There is no promise of a particular marine animal, reef, or underwater sight. That is worth noting. You are booking clear-water swimming and snorkeling, not a specialist wildlife trip. Conditions can affect visibility and comfort, and the supplied information does not specify whether the boat anchors at a beach or offshore. Think of Rhenia as a relaxed water stop rather than a tightly programmed excursion.

I like the way this stop balances Delos. Six hours of ruins would feel tiring, especially under the strong Greek sun. Swimming after the archaeological visit breaks up the day and gives you a chance to cool off before lunch or afterward, depending on the crew’s timing.

Lunch on S/Y Aeolus: Shrimp Pasta, Salad, and Drinks

Lunch is served on board, which saves you from losing time looking for a restaurant on Rhenia. The menu includes shrimp pasta and Greek salad, with dessert also listed among the provided food and drink. Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are included, so the price is not just paying for transport and sightseeing.

Food quality can make or break a full-day boat trip. The meal received particularly strong praise, and Ernesto is identified as both the chef and a sailor. That combination gives the lunch a personal touch rather than the feel of a prepacked snack service. If you enjoy Mediterranean-style meals and seafood, the menu should suit you well.

The drinks package adds useful value. A cold soft drink after swimming, or a glass of wine with lunch, is already covered. As always, take care with alcohol around swimming and the hot sun. You can enjoy the meal without treating the drinks as something you need to use simply because they are included.

The dining setup is aboard the yacht, not at a formal waterfront restaurant. Expect a casual meal shaped by the boat’s space and schedule. That is part of the charm, but it may not suit anyone seeking a long, leisurely restaurant lunch with lots of menu choices.

The Crew: Bob at the Helm and Ernesto in the Galley

The crew is one of the most appealing personal details attached to this sailing day. Captain Bob is described as attentive, friendly, and fun, with a clear focus on making the trip safe and enjoyable. Ernesto handles the food and also sails, giving the small crew more than one role.

That matters because a six-hour boat outing depends heavily on the people running it. A warm crew can make a shared yacht feel easygoing. A distracted crew can make the same route feel awkward. The available feedback points to careful attention to passenger welfare, and the number of people aboard was considered well judged.

The host or greeter speaks English. That is useful at pickup, on the yacht, and during the Delos portion of the day. The information does not promise commentary in other languages, so English is the language to expect.

Do not assume the tour is fully guided at every moment. You will explore Delos at your own pace, and the swimming stop is designed for personal enjoyment rather than a formal class. The crew’s role appears to center on navigation, safety, hospitality, food, and practical help.

Is $158 a Fair Price?

At $158 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Delos or spend time on the Aegean. But the comparison should include what is bundled into the fare: hotel pickup and drop-off, a six-hour sailing trip, access to snorkeling equipment, lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, and the route to both Delos and Rhenia.

The value is strongest if you want a full day without arranging separate transport, meals, and water activities. A simple boat transfer would not provide the same combination. You also avoid the time and planning involved in finding your own way to Tourlos Marina.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is only to see Delos. Since the entrance fee is extra, you should add that to your budget. Likewise, if you do not care to swim, snorkel, eat seafood, or spend much time on a yacht, you may not use enough of the included features to justify the cost.

The small-boat setting also has value that is hard to measure. The trip is intended to feel more personal than a crowded ferry ride, and the positive comments about the number of people aboard support that impression. Still, group size is not stated as a fixed number, so check current availability if having a particularly intimate setting is important to you.

Who Will Enjoy This Six-Hour Island Trip?

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want three things in one day: ancient ruins, time in the water, and a meal on a sailing yacht. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a boat day and uneven archaeological ground.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Mykonos and want to see more of the Cyclades without changing hotels. The included transfers remove one of the day’s minor headaches, while the six-hour length leaves the experience substantial without taking up an entire waking day and night.

You should think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. You may also want a different outing if you dislike small boats, need a highly structured guided tour, or are looking for a dedicated archaeological lecture.

The combination of walking and swimming means you should pack for both. Bring a towel, and wear clothing that works for sun, boat time, and Delos’s outdoor paths. The supplied information does not specify changing facilities, so a simple cover-up or dry clothing is sensible.

Practical Details Before You Reserve

The experience lasts six hours, but starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. Pickup details are arranged in advance, and you must tell the operator where to collect you the day before. Wait outside your hotel at the agreed time, not inside the lobby unless the operator tells you otherwise.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mykonos plans are still shifting. These options do not remove the need to confirm pickup and availability, so handle those details early.

The experience is offered in English. Snorkeling equipment and lunch are included, but towels and the Delos entrance fee are not. The tour provider is Mykonos Sea Excursions.

Should You Book It?

Book this sailing trip if you want a balanced Mykonos day that combines Delos archaeology with Rhenia swimming. The included meal, drinks, transfers, and equipment make the $158 fare reasonable for a full six-hour outing, especially if you value convenience and a smaller yacht setting.

Skip it if Delos alone is your priority, since the entry fee is extra and the visit is not presented as a fully guided archaeological tour. For everyone else, the mix is the point: ancient stones in the morning, clear Aegean water afterward, and shrimp pasta waiting aboard S/Y Aeolus.

FAQ

How long does the Delos and Rhenia sailing tour last?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Where does the boat leave from?

The sailing yacht S/Y Aeolus departs from Tourlos Marina in Mykonos, also referred to as Tourlos Bay.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Complimentary shuttle transportation collects you from your hotel and returns you there after the tour. You must provide your pickup location a day in advance and wait outside at the agreed time.

Is the entrance fee to Delos included?

No. The entrance fee to Delos is not included in the tour price.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes shrimp pasta and Greek salad. Dessert, unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the swimming and snorkeling stop at Rhenia Island.

What should I bring, and is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Bring a towel, since towels are not provided. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.