6 Hours Tour to Delos and Rhenia Islands with Sailing Yacht

The best part of this Mykonos outing is the contrast: ancient Delos in the morning, then a swim in the clear water around Rhenia. I like the small maximum group of 12 and the fact that hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, lunch, and drinks are included. The boat ride also has room for a little sailing fun when the wind cooperates.

The main drawback is time. About two and a half hours of the six-hour trip goes toward transportation, and the €20 Delos entrance fee is extra. Delos is also self-guided, so you read the monument signs rather than touring with an archaeologist.

Key points to know before booking

• S/Y Aeolus leaves Tourlos Marina: Complimentary hotel pickup brings you to the yacht, and a shuttle returns you afterward.
• Delos is self-guided: You can explore the ancient site and use the information signs, but admission costs €20 per person.
• Rhenia supplies the swim break: You get snorkeling equipment, time in clear water, and a Mediterranean lunch on board.
• The food and drinks are part of the price: Lunch includes shrimp pasta and Greek salad, with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water.
• The group is capped at 12 people: That gives the sailing experience a more personal feel than a large day boat.
• Wind can change the character of the ride: On a good sailing day, the crew may let you sit toward the front while the yacht is under sail.

Why the Delos and Rhenia pairing works

This tour gives you two very different Greek island experiences in one morning and afternoon. Delos is about stones, temples, old streets, and the remains of a major ancient religious center. Rhenia is about swimming, snorkeling, food, and the simple pleasure of being on the water.

That change of pace matters. A full day devoted to ruins can feel heavy in the heat, while a boat trip without a cultural stop can leave you wishing for more substance. Here, you get an hour-long ride to Delos, time to explore the archaeological site, then roughly 30 minutes by boat to Rhenia for a more relaxed stretch.

The tour lasts about six hours. It begins at 9:00 a.m., although your pickup time from the hotel will depend on where you are staying. The boat departs from Tourlos Bay, not from Mykonos Town itself, so the included shuttle is useful. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the marina.

The ride from Tourlos to Delos

The trip from Tourlos Bay to Delos takes about one hour. This is not a quick transfer squeezed between stops. It is a proper part of the outing, giving you time to settle in on the yacht and enjoy the open-water setting.

The boat is S/Y Aeolus, and the group limit is 12 people. That is a sensible size for a sailing yacht. You are not signing up for a huge boat carrying dozens of people, and the crew can offer a more personal level of attention. The information provided does not name the captain or crew, so do not book this expecting a specifically advertised guide.

The wind will affect how much actual sailing you get. On a windy day, the crew may put the yacht under sail rather than relying only on the engine. One especially appealing possibility is sitting toward the front during the return when conditions allow. That position can make the ride feel much more active and memorable, but it should be treated as a weather-dependent bonus, not a guaranteed part of the schedule.

Bring sun protection and water-friendly clothing. Bottled water is included, but towels are not, so pack your own towel. Since swimming comes later at Rhenia, you will want an easy way to change or dry off.

Exploring Delos without a guide

Delos is the cultural heart of the outing. You get the chance to walk through the archaeological site and inspect its monuments, but this is not a guided visit. Information signs provide the background you need at the ruins.

That self-guided format suits you if you like moving at your own speed. You can pause at the places that interest you, take photographs, and read only as much as you want. It also keeps the tour flexible, since the crew does not need to gather everyone around a single guide.

The tradeoff is clear. If Delos is one of your main reasons for visiting Mykonos, a separate guided archaeological tour may give you more historical context. On this yacht trip, the site visit is one part of a wider day rather than the entire focus.

Admission to Delos is not included. The extra cost is €20 per person, and you should add it to the advertised tour price when comparing this outing with other boat trips. The exact amount is listed in euros, while the tour price is shown as $150.51 per person, so the final cost can vary with exchange rates.

The timing at Delos is important. The tour information gives one hour for this stop, while the six-hour duration includes the boat transfers. An hour is enough to see part of the archaeological site, but it is not an unhurried full-day exploration. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your expectations realistic.

Rhenia brings the swimming break

After Delos, the yacht travels for about 30 minutes to Rhenia. This is where the day shifts from archaeology to the sea.

You can swim in clear water and use the snorkeling equipment supplied by the crew. The tour does not promise a specific marine sighting, so think of the gear as a way to look around in the water, not as a specialized wildlife trip. The main appeal is the chance to cool off after walking among sun-baked ruins.

Rhenia is also where the included meal becomes useful. Lunch is freshly cooked on board and includes shrimp pasta and Greek salad. That is a more substantial offering than a snack box, especially after the Delos walk and the morning ride.

Wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water are included. The phrase unlimited applies to the wine, beers, and soft drinks listed in the package. This can add real value to the $150.51 price, particularly if you would otherwise spend extra on lunch, drinks, snorkeling rental, and transport.

The listed Rhenia stop lasts about two and a half hours. That time includes the relaxed part of the day, though the full routing also notes one hour for the return from Rhenia to Tourlos. You should expect a good portion of the outing to remain devoted to getting between the islands.

What the $150.51 price really covers

At first glance, $150.51 is not a budget boat ride. The better question is what you would need to pay for separately.

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and return shuttle
• Sailing yacht transportation
• Delos and Rhenia in one outing
• Lunch on board
• Bottled water
• Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• A group limited to 12 people

Delos admission is the main extra cost, at €20 per person. Towels are also excluded. Once you add the entrance fee, this is a midrange to higher-priced day activity, but the lunch, alcohol, equipment, and transport make the package easier to justify.

I see the strongest value for couples, friends, and small groups who want a polished day on the water without arranging every piece themselves. If you only want a quick swim, there are likely simpler options. If you care mainly about Delos and want detailed historical interpretation, the self-guided format may not be enough.

The fact that the activity is often booked around 52 days ahead suggests that planning early is wise, especially if your Mykonos dates are fixed. That does not guarantee that every departure sells out, but it is a useful signal for anyone visiting during a busy period.

Pickup, paperwork, and the practical details

Pickup is offered from your hotel, Airbnb location, or cruise ship arrangement, and the same complimentary shuttle returns you after the tour. You need to provide the accommodation or ship details so transportation can be arranged correctly.

The operator asks for the full name of each participant, or at least the lead passenger, a complete phone number with country code, and passport details in the required table format. The passport information is requested by port authorities. If you do not have the final accommodation detail when booking, the last field must be supplied one week before the excursion.

A mobile ticket is available, and confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, but the information supplied does not provide a detailed accessibility description, so you should contact the operator if you have specific mobility needs.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number is not met, you will also be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

For your own cancellation, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the local time in Mykonos controls the cutoff.

Who will enjoy this yacht day most

I would choose this outing if you want a compact taste of several sides of the Cyclades. You get a major archaeological site, a yacht ride, a swim, snorkeling, and a cooked lunch without needing to coordinate ferries or restaurant reservations.

It is particularly suitable for:

• Couples wanting a more intimate boat day
• Families and friends who appreciate an included meal
• Visitors with only one free day for Delos and Rhenia
• People who prefer a small group to a large excursion boat
• Swimmers who want equipment provided
• Anyone who enjoys the possibility of sailing when the wind is strong

You may want another option if you dislike boat travel, need a long and detailed visit at Delos, or want guaranteed sailing rather than a motor-assisted trip that may use the wind when conditions permit. The one-hour transfer each way can also feel long if you are mainly interested in swimming.

The crew’s attitude can make a difference. A well-run small yacht trip depends on the captain and mates being helpful, organized, and relaxed. The strongest account of this outing describes a crew that handled the boat confidently, helped with the experience, and made room for fun. That is the sort of atmosphere this format can provide, though weather and crew interaction will naturally vary.

Should you book the Delos and Rhenia sailing tour?

Book it if you want variety in one six-hour outing and like the idea of pairing ancient ruins with a swim. The small group, hotel transfer, substantial lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear give the $150.51 price reasonable value, even after adding the €20 Delos admission.

Skip it if Delos deserves your full attention, since the visit is self-guided and limited in time. Also skip it if you want a guaranteed full-sail experience. For the right person, though, this is a smart Mykonos day: cultural in the morning, easygoing by the sea afterward, and small enough to feel more personal than a standard group cruise.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickup time may vary based on your accommodation.

Where does the boat depart from?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Complimentary shuttle transportation picks you up from your hotel and returns you there after the tour.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Is Delos admission included?

No. Entrance to Delos costs €20 per person and is paid separately.

Is the Delos visit guided?

No. The Delos visit is self-guided, with information available on the monument signs.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes freshly cooked shrimp pasta and Greek salad. Bottled water, unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for use at Rhenia.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may also lead to a rescheduled trip or full refund.