Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer

Reviewed · DELOS & RHENIA CRUISES

Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer

5.0 · 11 reviews 6 hours (approx.) From $2,335 Operated by Set Sail Mykonos · Bookable on Viator
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Two islands, one easy morning. You’ll see the Delos archaeological site in a focused window, then head to Rhenia for swimming and snorkeling in calm, protected coves. I love that the day blends big-time ancient sights with real water time, not just photo stops. I also like that snorkeling equipment, lunch, and beer and wine are already built in. The main catch: Delos entrance fees are extra, and there isn’t a separate tour guide included.

This is built for small-group comfort. It runs as a private activity for your group only (up to 14), and you start at 9:00am with optional hotel pickup. You’ll get a mobile ticket, and the day loops back to the same meeting point.

One more practical consideration: the day depends on weather, and Delos can close. If that happens, you may pass by Delos by boat, but there won’t be a landing/drop-off there.

Key Points I’d Plan Around

Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer - Key Points I’d Plan Around

  • Delos in one hour: enough time to hit the highlights without eating your whole day.
  • Rhenia’s four beaches: Glyfada, Stena, Lia, and Ambelia, all in sheltered spots.
  • Snorkeling gear included: you’re not scrambling for equipment once you’re in the water.
  • Lunch plus beer and wine: a real midday break on the water, not just snacks.
  • SUP only if conditions allow: it’s there for you, but weather decides.
  • Delos closure fallback: you’ll still get the sea view, but landing may be canceled.

How This 6-Hour Private Sail Works From Mykonos

Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer - How This 6-Hour Private Sail Works From Mykonos
This trip is simple in structure: morning departure from Mykonos, one archaeological stop, one swim-and-snorkel stop, then back again. Total time is about 6 hours, and the start time is 9:00am. If you’re trying to fit Delos into a day without turning your whole vacation into a logistics project, this format helps.

You meet at Mathios Tavern (Mykonos 846 00), and the experience ends back at that same spot. If you want pickup, it’s available upon request, but you must share your exact pickup location by 10pm the previous day. That’s the kind of detail that can make or break a smooth morning, so I’d treat it like a checklist item.

It’s also genuinely private for your group. With up to 14 people, you still feel the “group” aspect of a cruise, but it’s not the same as squeezing into a large public boat. You can keep conversations going, hear what the crew is saying while you’re moving around, and generally get a day that feels tailored.

Swim and ruins in one run: more Delos and Rhenia boat days

Delos: A Fast Pass Through Apollo and Artemis Territory

Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer - Delos: A Fast Pass Through Apollo and Artemis Territory
Delos is the big name on this itinerary, and it’s why people do this cruise. It’s tied to Greek myth in a big way, often described as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Even in a short visit, it has the power to make you feel like you’re walking through layered time.

Your Delos stop is about 1 hour, and Delos entrance fees are not included. You should budget €20 per person for the site ticket. Since there’s no tour guide included, you’ll want to rely on the crew’s on-the-water storytelling (and your own curiosity) while you’re there. The upside of the short time is that you’re less likely to feel dragged through “every ruin,” and more likely to focus on the most memorable bits.

Here’s the realistic part: one hour at Delos is not enough to read every inscription or trace every street. It’s enough to get oriented and leave with a mental map. I like that the cruise format doesn’t pretend 60 minutes equals a full museum day. Instead, it gives you the essentials, then moves you to the fun part: the sea.

Also note the Delos backup plan. If Delos closes, you may still sail by Delos, but there won’t be a drop-off. So if Delos landing is your top priority, keep an eye on weather and closure risk.

Rhenia: Uninhabited Beaches for Snorkel, Swim, and Time to Breathe

Rhenia is the palate cleanser after archaeology. It’s uninhabited and has four sandy beaches tucked into sheltered coves: Glyfada, Stena, Lia, and Ambelia. The reason this matters is simple: protected water usually means calmer swimming conditions, especially compared to open-coast vibes.

Your Rhenia stop is about 2 hours, which is a sweet spot. Long enough to swim, snorkel, and even try a second pass through the water without rushing. Short enough that you still feel like you’re on a “cruise day,” not stuck in one place all afternoon.

Admission ticket is included for the Rhenia segment, so you’re not looking for extra payments once you’re out there. And because snorkeling equipment is included, you can go straight from boat to water. If you want a more “active” day, bring the snorkel mindset. If you want a slower pace, that’s allowed too. Rhenia is the kind of spot where floating and watching the water can be the whole plan.

SUP is also part of the offer, but only weather permitting. If it’s too choppy or conditions aren’t right, don’t make it a deal-breaker. In wind, that “maybe” is real.

Lunch, Beer, and Wine: The Midday Reset You’ll Appreciate

Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer - Lunch, Beer, and Wine: The Midday Reset You’ll Appreciate
This is one of those tours where the food is more than a checkbox. Lunch is included, and so are beer and wine. That means you’re not timing your day around tavern lines or hunting for something that fits your travel schedule.

The lunch itself is described as delicious, and that tracks with what usually works on sailing days: keep it simple, keep it filling, and get you back into the water. With alcohol included, it also becomes part of the vibe. You’ll likely slow down after swimming, eat, and then enjoy the sailing time without stress.

A practical thought: beer and wine are included, so if you’re the kind of traveler who wants to stay sharp for snorkeling and photos, pace yourself. You’re on the water for hours, so staying comfortable matters.

The Crew, the Sailing Feel, and Why This Day Doesn’t Drag

Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer - The Crew, the Sailing Feel, and Why This Day Doesn’t Drag
This is a sailing day, not a bus day. That changes the energy. You’re moving through open water, the boat leans with wind and waves, and the time feels more like a floating plan than a checklist.

From the tone you get in the feedback, the crew is friendly and works to keep the day fun while still sharing context. You’ll get bits of information as you pass locations around Delos and on the way to Rhenia, which helps the short Delos window land better. It also makes it easier to understand what you’re seeing when you’re staring at ruins that don’t come with a printed label map.

Since you don’t have a tour guide included, the crew’s role becomes even more important. In practice, you’ll want to ask questions early, before you’re buried in beach towels and goggles. A quick, casual conversation can turn a random walk around the site into something more meaningful.

Price and Value: What $2,335.98 Really Means for Your Group

Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer - Price and Value: What $2,335.98 Really Means for Your Group
The price is $2,335.98 per group (up to 14 people). That’s the big number, and the value depends on how many seats you fill.

  • If you fill the full group of 14, that’s about $167 per person.
  • If you have fewer people, the per-person cost rises, because the total price stays the same for the group.

What you’re paying for is a private sailing day with real included extras: fuel, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and beer and wine. You’re also getting your own time windows at Delos and Rhenia without waiting on a bigger schedule. For many people, that’s the core value: you’re buying fewer hassles and more time where you actually want to be.

The main additional cost is Delos entrance (€20 per person). Beach towels aren’t included either. Those are easy add-ons, but they’re still costs to consider in your total budget.

If you’re deciding whether this is worth it compared with a bus-and-walk day, I’d ask yourself one question: do you want to earn your Delos visit with sea time and swimming built around it? If yes, this pricing starts to look sensible fast.

Practical Tips so Your Day Runs Smoothly

Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer - Practical Tips so Your Day Runs Smoothly
I’d plan your “packing and pacing” the way you would for a beach day plus a short museum walk.

Money and tickets

  • Delos entrance fees are not included. Bring what you need for the €20 per person ticket.
  • Rhenia’s on-water segment doesn’t call for extra entrance fees.

Swim setup

  • Snorkeling equipment is included, but you still benefit from bringing your own comfort items if you have them.
  • Beach towels are not included. If you want to avoid buying or borrowing one, bring your own.
  • Alcohol is included with lunch, so keep water intake in mind after swimming.

Weather reality

  • The experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the trip may be canceled and you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.
  • SUP is weather dependent, so treat it as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

Time and pickup

  • You start at 9:00am and you’ll meet at Mathios Tavern.
  • If you want pickup, send your exact pickup location by 10pm the day before. This is the kind of detail that prevents you from standing around confused at dawn.

Delos landing risk

  • If Delos closes, the boat may pass by but not drop you off. If Delos is your main goal, it’s worth understanding that the sailing day includes a backup plan, not a promise.

Who This Cruise Fits Best

Private sailing cruise to Delos & Rhenia with Lunch & Transfer - Who This Cruise Fits Best
This tour fits best if you want a vacation day that balances sightseeing with rest. It’s ideal for:

  • Couples and small groups who want privacy without paying for a whole exclusive super-yacht.
  • Families and friends who like the idea of snorkeling and swimming, not just photos.
  • Travelers who prefer a short, focused Delos visit rather than spending half a day in a site that can be tiring in heat.

If you’re the type who wants a slow, deeply guided walkthrough of Delos with extensive interpretation, this might feel too short. The Delos portion is about one hour, and there’s no separate tour guide included. But if you want the “Delos taste” plus a strong swim payoff, the pacing is on your side.

Should You Book This Delos & Rhenia Private Cruise?

I’d book this if you want the best version of a half-day itinerary: ancient ruins for orientation, followed by real time in the water. The standout value for me is the combination of snorkeling gear, lunch, and beer and wine wrapped into a private group sailing day. You’re not spending your day on logistics.

I’d hesitate if Delos landing is non-negotiable for you. Closure happens, and the plan may switch to a pass-by without a stop. Also, budget for the €20 per person Delos entrance fee and plan for towels since they aren’t included.

If you can accept those two points, this is a strong choice for a Mykonos day that actually feels like time away, not time scheduled.

FAQ

What time does the cruise start?

It starts at 9:00am.

How long is the experience?

The duration is approximately 6 hours.

Where do we meet, and where does it end?

You meet at Mathios Tavern (Mykonos 846 00, Greece), and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pick up and drop off are available upon request.

Are Delos entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees to the Delos Archaeological Site are not included and cost €20.00 per person.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if Delos is closed?

If Delos closes, the trip may include passage by Delos island but not a drop off.