The best part of this Mykonos excursion is the contrast: ancient Delos in the morning, open-water swimming at Rhenia afterward. You spend the day on a sailing yacht rather than a large ferry, with a maximum of 12 people and a crew that may let you sit up front when the wind is strong.

I like the small group and the fact that lunch, snorkeling gear, water, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included. The complimentary hotel shuttle also removes the need to find Tourlos marina on your own. The main drawback is that Delos is self-guided, and its €20 admission fee is extra.

Key points to know before booking

• S/Y Aeolus carries no more than 12 people, giving the outing a quieter feel than a standard island cruise.
• Delos is an independent visit, so you read the monument signs rather than follow a guide.
• Rhenia provides the water time, with swimming, snorkeling equipment, and a Mediterranean lunch served on board.
• The boat ride takes a large share of the six hours, including about one hour each way between Tourlos and the islands.
• Hotel pickup and return are included, but you must provide your hotel, Airbnb location, or cruise ship name.
• The €20 Delos entrance fee is not included, while lunch, drinks, bottled water, and snorkel equipment are covered.

Setting out from Tourlos on S/Y Aeolus

Your day begins around 9:00 a.m. with pickup from your hotel by complimentary shuttle. The shuttle takes you to Tourlos marina, where the sailing yacht S/Y Aeolus is docked, then returns you to your accommodation after the cruise.

That transfer matters in Mykonos. Tourlos is the working port area, and arranging your own transport can add a small chore to an otherwise easy morning. Give the operator your full hotel name, Airbnb location, or cruise ship name when you book so the pickup can be arranged properly.

The boat ride from Tourlos to Delos takes about one hour. This is not wasted time. You get a long stretch of open water before the ruins appear, and the sailing itself is part of the appeal. On a windy day, the crew may let you ride near the front of the yacht on the return leg. That can be the most thrilling part of the day, as the bow rises and the boat moves under sail.

You should keep expectations sensible. A six-hour tour sounds long, but the stated travel time accounts for about two hours of it, plus roughly 30 minutes between Delos and Rhenia. The actual time at the two stops is limited, so this works best as a compact taste of both islands rather than a slow, all-day visit.

Delos: a self-guided hour among ancient ruins

Delos is the cultural heart of the outing. The island was an important religious and commercial center in the ancient Aegean, and its ruins give you a reason to put down your swim gear and spend time on land.

You have about one hour to explore. There is no included guide, so you follow the signs at the monuments and decide what deserves your attention. That arrangement suits independent sightseers who like to move at their own pace, but it is less helpful if you want a detailed explanation of the site, its myths, and its archaeology.

An hour is enough for a first look, but it is not enough for a leisurely examination of every ruin. You will need to keep an eye on the meeting time. The practical advantage is that you can focus on the sections that interest you most instead of following a fixed commentary.

The Delos entrance fee is €20 per person and must be paid separately. This is the most important extra cost to remember when judging the tour price. The advertised rate is $150.51 per person, but your real outing cost includes the admission charge.

I would bring a phone or camera for the monument signs if you want to read them again later, though the tour information only confirms that signs are available on site. The visit is best approached as a concentrated archaeological stop, not a full museum day.

Rhenia: two and a half hours for swimming and lunch

After Delos, the yacht takes about 30 minutes to Rhenia. Here the mood changes from ruins to water. You get roughly two and a half hours for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch on board.

The water is described as crystal blue, and the crew provides snorkeling equipment. That is useful because you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel, though you will need to bring a towel. Towels are not included.

Rhenia is the part of the trip for anyone who wants a break from Mykonos sightseeing. You can swim, use the provided gear, and enjoy the water without arranging a separate beach transfer. Since the tour does not promise a guided snorkeling session, you should think of this as casual equipment use and free swimming rather than a structured marine excursion.

Lunch is freshly cooked on board. The meal includes shrimp pasta and Greek salad, with unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks. Bottled water is also included. The menu is straightforward, but it fits the setting well: a warm meal after time in the water, served without sending you ashore to find a restaurant.

If you do not eat shrimp, the supplied details do not list an alternative main dish, so that is worth checking before booking. The same applies to any dietary restriction. The information confirms the meal, but not substitute options.

The alcohol allowance can make this feel more like a relaxed sailing lunch than a strict sightseeing transfer. Use good judgment around swimming, especially since the outing combines wine and beer with time in the sea. Soft drinks and water are available if you prefer to stay refreshed without alcohol.

Why the small group changes the experience

The maximum group size is 12 people. That is a major reason to consider this cruise over a larger island boat. With fewer people aboard, it should be easier to find a place to sit, speak with the crew, and move between sailing, swimming, and lunch without feeling lost in a crowd.

The crew is also part of the appeal. The strongest praise for this experience centers on the captain and mates being helpful, good-humored, and willing to involve the group in the sailing. When the wind cooperates, passengers may be allowed up front on the way back, creating a more active ride than a simple motorboat transfer.

Do not book on the assumption that strong wind is guaranteed. Sailing conditions depend on the day, and the special front-of-boat experience is tied to having enough wind. Still, the possibility adds character to the outing and helps separate it from a basic transport cruise.

The boat is named S/Y Aeolus, and the provider is Mykonos Sea Excursions, also known as Mykonos Sailing Dream. No individual captain or guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular crew member when booking.

The real value of the $150.51 price

At $150.51 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Delos. The extra €20 admission charge brings the price higher, and the six-hour schedule means you are paying for a compact experience rather than a full-day cruise.

Still, the price includes several items that can quickly add up on a boat outing:

• Hotel pickup and return shuttle service
• Sailing transport to Delos and Rhenia
• Lunch cooked on board
• Bottled water
• Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment

That bundle makes the price easier to justify, especially if you value convenience and a small group. You are not paying separately for a beach restaurant, snorkel rental, or taxi to Tourlos.

The value is strongest for someone who wants three different Mykonos experiences in one morning and afternoon: archaeological ruins, sailing, and swimming. It is weaker for a visitor who wants a long, detailed Delos visit or a serious sailing lesson. The tour gives you a taste of each, not an expert-level session in any one category.

The price also makes more sense if you plan to use the included food and drinks. If you do not drink alcohol or have dietary restrictions that prevent you from eating the listed lunch, part of the package may be less useful to you.

Timing, pickup, and what to bring

The advertised start time is 9:00 a.m., with hotel pickup before the boat departs. The return takes about one hour from Rhenia to Tourlos, followed by the shuttle back to your hotel. Allow for the fact that the end time is approximate because road transfers and sailing conditions can affect the schedule.

You must provide passenger information for the booking. The operator asks for the full name of each participant, or at least the lead passenger, a full phone number with country code, passport details in the required format, and the name of your hotel, Airbnb, or cruise ship.

The passport details are requested because of port authority requirements. A phone with WhatsApp installed is preferred for communication, and any missing hotel or passenger information should be supplied no later than one week before the excursion date.

Pack lightly, but do not forget:

• A towel
• Swimwear
• Sun protection
• A phone or camera
• Any medication or personal items you need for six hours

Only the towel is specifically confirmed as not included. The other suggestions are practical choices for a day involving sun, swimming, and time on a yacht, not items supplied by the operator.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos sailing day

I would recommend this tour to you if you want variety and a small group. It suits couples, friends, and independent sightseers who can enjoy Delos without a guide and who want a proper swim stop afterward.

It is also a good match for anyone staying in Mykonos who wants hotel transport handled for them. The included shuttle keeps the day simple, while the lunch and drinks mean you do not have to plan meals between the two islands.

Families may appreciate the mix of history and water, but the supplied information does not give age rules, child pricing, or specific family facilities. Most people can participate, yet you should consider your own comfort with a six-hour boat outing and swimming from the yacht.

This is less suitable if you need a fully guided archaeological visit. The signs at Delos provide information, but there is no dedicated guide explaining the site as you walk. It is also not the best pick if you want to spend most of the day on a beach, since the schedule includes only about two and a half hours at Rhenia and no beach facilities are specified.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels it, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum group size is not reached.

Seven practical details worth weighing

The outing has earned a perfect rating from 11 submitted ratings, with all recommending it. The most praised feature is not just the scenery. It is the combination of a quiet group, a lively crew, and the chance to enjoy real sailing when the wind is right.

That matters because boat excursions can feel interchangeable. Here, the best day has a clear rhythm: ancient stones at Delos, a short sail to Rhenia, a swim and snorkel, then lunch and drinks before the yacht heads back.

The independent Delos visit is both a strength and a weakness. You get freedom, but you also need to take responsibility for learning what you are seeing and returning to the yacht on time. If you want context, read the signs carefully and use your one hour well.

The Rhenia stop is more relaxed. You can use the snorkeling equipment, swim in the clear water, and eat without leaving the boat. Just remember that towels are not supplied and the meal is specifically listed as shrimp pasta with Greek salad.

The return leg may be the high point for sailing fans. A strong breeze can allow time at the front of the yacht, giving you the sensation of moving with the boat rather than simply riding in it. Conditions vary, so treat that as a welcome possibility, not a promise.

Should you book this Delos and Rhenia cruise?

Book it if you want a small-group day with ruins, swimming, lunch, and sailing in one package. The included shuttle, food, drinks, and snorkeling gear make the $150.51 price reasonable for a convenient Mykonos outing, even after adding the €20 Delos entrance fee.

Skip it if your main goal is a long guided archaeology tour, a full day at the beach, or a specialized snorkeling trip. You will get a brisk Delos visit, a generous water stop, and plenty of time in transit.

For the right visitor, this is a nicely balanced day. You see why Delos matters, get out on the Aegean, and finish with the kind of lively sailing ride that can turn a standard island excursion into a memorable one.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and return shuttle transportation, lunch, bottled water, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks, and use of snorkeling equipment.

Is the Delos entrance fee included?

No. The Delos admission fee is €20 per person and must be paid separately.

Is the tour guided at Delos?

No. The Delos visit is not guided. You can use the information provided on the monument signs while exploring independently.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. About one hour is spent traveling from Tourlos to Delos, 30 minutes traveling from Delos to Rhenia, and one hour returning from Rhenia to Tourlos, with the remaining time used for the island stops and activities.

Where does the tour start?

You are picked up from your hotel by complimentary shuttle transportation and taken to Tourlos marina, where S/Y Aeolus is docked.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use at Rhenia. Towels are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.