REVIEW · MYKONOS
Mykonos 6hrs sailing cruise: Delos Rhenia with lunch & transfer
Book on Viator →Operated by Set Sail Mykonos · Bookable on Viator
Mykonos sailing feels like a vacation shortcut. This 6-hour cruise pairs Delos archaeology with a swim-stop at Rhenia, plus lunch and drinks on board. I like that the boat is capped at 14, so the day feels social without being chaotic. I also really like that you get real sailing time (about 5 hours) and not just a quick hop-and-scurry tour, with lunch on board included.
The main thing to watch: Delos archaeological site entry is not included, so budget for the extra fee if you’re doing the ruins stop. Still, the overall set-up is straightforward, from an easy-to-find meeting place to a ride that brings you back to the same spot.
After sailing to the islands and taking care of the water time, you get the rest of the day back in Mykonos. That’s a smart trade if you want iconic sights in the morning and then freedom for beaches, dinner, or wandering the town.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Plan Around
- Six Hours on the Water: the Pace That Works
- Getting There: Mathios Tavern Meeting Spot and Transfers
- Delos Stop: Ancient Ruins, Extra Entry, and No Dedicated On-Site Guide
- Rhenia (Rhineia): Swim Time with Snorkeling Gear and SUP
- On-Board Food and Drinks: Wine, Beer, and a Real Lunch
- Crew Personality: Friendly Care and Helpful Sailing Tips
- Price and Value: What $181.02 Buys You
- Timing: When You Return and How to Pair It with Your Mykonos Day
- Who This Cruise Suits Best
- Should You Book This Delos and Rhenia Sailing Cruise?
- FAQ
- How long is the Mykonos sailing cruise?
- Is pickup or transfer included?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do I need to pay extra for Delos?
- What do we do at Rhenia?
- What happens if the Delos archaeological site is closed?
- What if weather cancels the trip?
Key Things I’d Plan Around

- Small group cap of 14 means less waiting and more time chatting with the crew.
- Delos stop is optional-ticket based: you pay the Delos entry separately.
- Rhenia time is the fun zone: swimming plus snorkeling gear and SUP available.
- Lunch and wine/beer are included on board, which helps this feel like a complete day.
- Weather matters: the experience requires good conditions, and changes are handled by rebooking or refund.
Six Hours on the Water: the Pace That Works

This is the kind of Mykonos cruise that makes sense if you don’t want to spend your whole day in transit. The day runs about 6 hours total, starting at 9:00am and ending back at the same meeting point. You’ll spend roughly 5 hours sailing, and then there’s downtime/free time later so you’re not stuck on the boat until the sun drops.
The biggest payoff here is the mix of structure and freedom. You get a planned cultural stop (Delos) and a planned water stop (Rhenia). Then you’re released back to Mykonos with the energy to do your own thing.
Also, the small-group size helps the day stay relaxed. With a max of 14 people, you’re less likely to feel like you’re in a moving crowd. And that matters when you’re trying to eat lunch comfortably and still find a good spot to watch the coastline go by.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Mykonos
Getting There: Mathios Tavern Meeting Spot and Transfers
The meeting point is Mathios Tavern, Mykonos 846 00, Greece. The good news is that you’re not guessing where to go. The start is clearly set at a recognizable location, and the tour ends back there too, so you’re not stuck coordinating another pickup later.
Transfers are also available. There’s a free transfer upon request, but you must specify your exact pickup location by 10pm the previous day. If you’re already staying near town, you might find it simple to get yourself there on your own. Still, if you’re coming from elsewhere on the island, the transfer option can reduce stress.
One more practical point: this activity is listed as near public transportation, which is helpful if you want flexibility. And you’ll get a confirmation at booking time, plus a mobile ticket, so you can keep everything on your phone.
Delos Stop: Ancient Ruins, Extra Entry, and No Dedicated On-Site Guide

Delos is the headline island for a reason. It’s tied to major archaeological sites, and this cruise includes a stop at Delos for about 1 hour. The format is straightforward: you’ll have a scheduled window on the island to see what’s there.
Here’s the key detail to plan for: Delos archaeological site tickets are not included. The entry fee is listed as €20.00 per person. So when you’re budgeting, your total cost isn’t just the cruise price. If you’re the type who wants to see Delos properly, you should assume you’ll pay that ticket.
Another consideration: a tour guide is not included. On the boat, the skipper and assistant handle the on-board guiding, and that history talk can help you make sense of what you’re looking at. But once you’re on Delos itself, you’ll be working with your own reading, signage, or whatever context you picked up during the sailing and boat talk.
There’s also a backup plan for closures. If the Delos archaeological site is closed, the cruise is set to include passage by Delos without a drop-off. That’s not the same as walking the ruins, but at least you’re not left with an empty stop.
Rhenia (Rhineia): Swim Time with Snorkeling Gear and SUP

If Delos is the brain part of the day, Rhenia is the body part. This is described as the secret paradise next to Mykonos, with crystal-blue water and no inhabitants. The cruise schedules about 2 hours here, which is plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and just float.
What you actually get is better than a quick splash. The cruise includes snorkeling equipment, plus SUP (stand-up paddleboard). You’ll also have the chance for general swimming around the area. In practice, this is the part where you stop thinking in schedules and start thinking in comfort: shade, water temperature, and whether you want one more swim before lunch or after.
Bring the right expectations. This is not a private beach club. It’s open water time, so you’ll want to be comfortable getting on and off the boat and moving with a sea day rhythm. Also, beach towels are not included, so you’ll want your own towel or something you can dry with afterward.
One more thing I like: the Rhenia stop is built into a longer sailing day, not tacked on at the end. That way you’re not exhausted from a long day in the heat before you finally get water time.
On-Board Food and Drinks: Wine, Beer, and a Real Lunch

Lunch is included, and it’s served on board. This is the kind of detail that changes the day. You’re not hunting for food in town or hoping you find something quick between ferry routes and museum times. You get a meal that fits the sailing pace.
And the drinks are included too: wine and beer are part of the package. That makes this cruise feel like more than a transport service. It’s a proper half-day outing with time to relax after you’ve worked up an appetite from sailing and sun.
From the way this day is set up, you’ll likely eat without rushing. The Rhenia stop and sailing segments give you natural breaks. And the small group size helps lunch feel easier, since you’re not pushing through a line of 30 people all at once.
If you’re planning a birthday, family day, or a couples trip, this is a strong match. One of the best aspects described is how the crew handles everyone on board. That includes keeping the food flowing and making sure you’re set up for the water activities.
A few more Mykonos tours and experiences worth a look
Crew Personality: Friendly Care and Helpful Sailing Tips

The crew setup here is a big deal. You get a fully licensed English-speaking skipper, plus the skipper’s assistant (a sailor). On at least one sailing day, the first mate named Tina is specifically mentioned as knowledgeable and friendly, and she helped take care of a full group of 13 passengers.
That kind of crew matters for two reasons. First, sailing can be smooth and simple when people know what they’re doing. Second, your day is more fun when the crew shares context and keeps the mood light.
There’s also an example of hands-on problem-solving: the captain reportedly even helped retrieve sunglasses after they fell overboard. It’s a small story, but it hints at the kind of attention you’ll get while you’re on the water.
Expect that the crew will guide you through what to do at each stop. At Delos, that means setting up the schedule and giving you the framework to understand what you’re seeing. At Rhenia, it means helping you get snorkeling gear ready and showing how to handle the SUP time safely.
Price and Value: What $181.02 Buys You

At $181.02 per person, this cruise is priced in a way that often feels fair for Mykonos. The real value comes from the combo: sailing time, food, drinks, water gear, and time at two very different islands.
If you compare it to piecing the day together yourself, the costs add up fast. You’d still need transport between Mykonos and nearby islands, you’d still pay for entry or tours on top, and you’d still have to buy lunch somewhere. Here, lunch and wine/beer are built into the price, and snorkeling equipment and SUP are included.
Now, remember the one line item that can change your budget: Delos entry is extra at €20.00 per person. It’s still usually worth paying if you want the full Delos experience. But it’s better to plan for it than to get surprised later.
One more value factor: the group size. With a max of 14, you’re not paying for a huge crowd experience. That matters when you want a calm day with time to chat, eat, and get into the water without feeling rushed.
Timing: When You Return and How to Pair It with Your Mykonos Day

The morning start is 9:00am, and you’re back at the meeting point at the end of the tour. The schedule is designed so that you can keep your afternoon open. Since sailing and island time take about 5–6 hours total, you should have time later for Mykonos town, beaches, or dinner reservations.
This also helps you plan for weather. If conditions are solid, you’ll get a full sailing day with Delos and Rhenia. If conditions are not ideal, the experience can be changed or refunded due to weather requirements. So pick your date thoughtfully. Try not to schedule this as your only water day if your trip is short.
If you like a day that feels active but not exhausting, this is a good structure. Sailing burns energy in a pleasant way. Then the swim and snorkeling turn that effort into something fun and cooling.
Who This Cruise Suits Best
This works well for:
- Couples who want an easy Mykonos highlight without planning or logistics stress.
- Families with kids or teens who can handle snorkeling equipment and boat time (one family group with ages 9 to 16 is described as having a great time).
- Friend groups who want a small-group vibe and included food and drinks.
- People who care about Delos but still want the water to be the big payoff.
It might be less ideal if you hate paying extra fees once you arrive, or if you need a full professional on-site guide at every stop. Delos entry is separate, and a tour guide isn’t included for the ruins stop.
Should You Book This Delos and Rhenia Sailing Cruise?
Yes, if your idea of a great Mykonos day is: sailing, a major island sight (Delos), and a proper water break (Rhenia) with included snorkeling gear and SUP. The small group cap of 14, the included lunch, and wine/beer make it feel like a complete outing rather than a skimpy half-day.
I’d book it especially if you want value without a big-boat crowd. It’s also a smart choice if you’d like the afternoon to belong to you again, since the cruise is designed so you get time back on Mykonos after the sailing.
If you’re set on Delos as a deep guided experience, plan for the fact that Delos entry is extra and a dedicated on-site guide is not included. In that case, you might still enjoy it a lot, but you’ll want to be the kind of traveler who’s happy reading signage and using what the crew explains.
FAQ
How long is the Mykonos sailing cruise?
It’s listed as about 6 hours (approx.). It starts at 9:00am and ends back at the meeting point.
Is pickup or transfer included?
A free transfer is available upon request. You need to specify your exact pickup location by 10pm the previous day of your booking.
What’s included in the price?
You get a fully licensed English-speaking skipper, the skipper’s assistant, lunch on board, snorkeling equipment, fuel charges, alcoholic beverages (wine and beer), and SUP. A mobile ticket is also provided.
Do I need to pay extra for Delos?
Yes. Delos archaeological site entry tickets are not included, and the fee is listed as €20.00 per person.
What do we do at Rhenia?
Rhenia includes time for swimming, with snorkeling equipment provided. SUP is also included.
What happens if the Delos archaeological site is closed?
If Delos is closed, the cruise will include passage by Delos island but not a drop-off.
What if weather cancels the trip?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.































