Sailing past Delos beats another beach day. This is a small-group Mykonos sail capped at 12, with the easy, fun rhythm of boat time, a swim on Rhenia, and lunch that is actually part of the plan, not an afterthought. You also get stories from the crew, with captains like Evangelos and deckhand Spiros often leading the day.

I especially like the small-group setup and how relaxed it feels once you are onboard. I also like that lunch on Rhenia comes with local wine plus soft drinks (and yes, there are alcoholic drinks included), so you do not have to think about food at all.

The main consideration is conditions. Mykonos can be windy, water may be cold, and if the sea is rough the ride can feel bouncy. On some days, the operator may make safety-driven changes, including delays or rerouting.

Key details worth knowing

• Max 12 passengers means less crowding and more breathing room on deck
• Rhenia swim stop (about 2 hours) plus lunch and drinks included
• Delos is at least a pass-by, and the closer archaeological-area access depends on the tour start time
• Little Venice photo views on the return without the stress of driving or parking
• Crew-led vibe with named highlights including Captain Evangelos and Spiros

A Mykonos sail day that feels uncrowded

If your Mykonos plan starts with the idea of crowds, you will like this tour. You get out on the water early enough to feel the shift from shore chaos to sea calm, and the group stays small (up to 12). That matters more than it sounds, because on boat tours the crowd factor shows up fast: line-ups for the bathroom, noise levels at lunch, and not having a place to sprawl.

What really makes the day work is the balance. You spend real time sailing, not just hopping between stops, and the best part is the “I do not have to plan anything” feeling: lunch is included, drinks are included, and swimming is built into the schedule.

Getting to the dock: pickup, tickets, and timing

The tour runs about 5 hours and starts at 10:00 am. Pickup is offered, and it is handled with accommodations in mind (if you are staying at an Airbnb, you provide the address). The meeting point is described as near public transportation, so if you are traveling without a car you should be able to find your way to the area.

You also get a mobile ticket, which is handy in Greece where you often end up juggling paper confirmations and spotty signal. The practical takeaway: charge your phone and keep the ticket ready.

One thing to expect, based on real-world operations, is that timing can be sensitive to day-of logistics. If pickup timing or port logistics ever runs tight, the crew and captain tend to focus on getting you settled quickly once you reach the boat.

Delos from the water: what you see and what you might not

Delos is the big name here, but it helps to know how it works. The tour begins with a slow sail past Delos, tied to the myth of Apollo and Artemis. This is the kind of viewing where the guide’s storytelling can make the ruins feel less distant.

There is also an important rule: the tour will only pass by the Delos Archaeological Site for tours that start at 10:30 am. Your tour start time is 10:00 am, so you should treat Delos as primarily a pass-by experience unless your exact departure time is confirmed to include closer approach.

Also, the way Delos time is handled can vary. Some people in this style of trip find the Delos portion a bit short or not guided on the ground. If you are hoping for a long, fully guided walkthrough of the ruins themselves, you may need to look for a different Delos-focused format. For this sail day, think of Delos as “set the scene from the sea” rather than a deep, guided land tour.

Rhenia island: swimming, lunch, and the part you will remember

Rhenia (sometimes spelled Rineia) is where the day turns into a proper break. You get about 2 hours at the island, with time to swim in clear water, relax on the beaches, and enjoy lunch.

This is where value shows up. You do not bring food. You do not have to hunt down a taverna. Lunch is served as part of the stop, and it is paired with local wine plus water and soft drinks, with alcoholic drinks included overall. Several people also noted that the lunch quality exceeded their expectations, which is not common on quick boat stops.

On the water side, you might get small extras that make the stop easier and more fun:

• Masks can be provided for swimming
• There may be a small diving board for jumping in
• A paddle board may be available, though condition can vary

Two practical notes from the experience pattern of this route:

• The water can be cold, even when the sun is out. Go with a swim mindset, not a spa mindset.
• If you want photos, bring a waterproof-friendly phone setup. Clear water + bright light can make shots look amazing, but you do not want to risk your device.

If sea life happens to be around, you may spot interesting wildlife while you are swimming, including sightings like an octopus or stingray in the wild (not guaranteed, but it does happen when conditions are right).

The ride back: Little Venice for photos, without the stress

On the return, you sail by Little Venice for iconic Mykonos views. This is the kind of stop where you mainly want the angle: the buildings perched near the water, the light on the waterfront, and a chance to grab a few photos without battling crowds at the shoreline.

This part feels like the closing chapter of the day. You are already relaxed after lunch and swimming, and the sail-by gives you a sense of completing the loop: Delos on the way out, Rhenia in the middle, Mykonos landmarks on the way back.

Crew matters: why Captain Evangelos and Spiros get credit

In a good sail day, you barely notice the logistics because the crew has handled them. On this trip, that is a major strength.

People repeatedly highlight Captain Evangelos for confident handling and a friendly, informative approach, and Spiros/Spyros for being attentive and fun—checking in, keeping the mood light, and helping everyone settle into the day. You also see other captain/crew names pop up in positive experiences, like Captain Bob and Ernesto, with the common theme being hospitality and a smooth feel once you are onboard.

It is not just warmth. A capable captain changes the experience on windy days: where you anchor, how you manage boarding and swimming timing, and how you keep the group feeling safe. Several people mention that even on days with choppy sailing, the crew’s focus on comfort and order made it worthwhile.

Price and value: what $163.33 buys you in real terms

At $163.33 per person, this is not a budget half-day. But you are not paying for just “time on a boat.” You are paying for a small-group day that includes:

• Sailing (not a quick motor transfer)
• Delos pass-by storytelling
• Rhenia stop with swimming time
• A lunch that is served onboard
• Drinks included, including alcohol
• Pickup offered and drop-off included (no extra transport scramble)

If you try to replicate this yourself in Mykonos, you usually end up paying more once you add a private or semi-private boat, food, drinks, and the cost of navigating meeting points and timing. Here, you trade flexibility for structure—which is the right trade for many people, especially if you are short on days or you want a day that is mostly decided for you.

The value sweet spot is this: if you want a calmer day out of town and you want lunch and drinks handled, the price can feel fair. If you only care about land time on Delos or you want a guided ruins walkthrough, you may find other formats better matched.

Weather reality: windy seas, cold water, and reroutes

You should treat this as a weather-sensitive experience. Mykonos is famous for wind, and the sea conditions can shift quickly.

What I would plan for:

• Strong wind can make the sailing portion feel rougher than expected
• Water can be cold, so pack or plan for comfort (even if you are a brave swimmer)
• The return routing can change for safety

On at least a couple of days, people report operations adjusting because of wind, including docking at a different location. That is the kind of thing that sounds inconvenient until you realize it is often what keeps everyone safe and moving. Safety-first decisions can mean you do not get the exact same shore stop on every run, but the core experience still happens: sailing, Rhenia time, and the onboard hospitality.

There is also a real possibility of cancellation for poor weather, with a choice of a different date or a full refund. So if your schedule is tight (like a cruise day), it is smart to have your expectations flexible.

Who this tour suits best (and who might not)

This trip is a great fit if you want:

• A small-group Mykonos day that feels like a reset
• A Delos experience that is visual and story-led, not a long guided land tour
• A guaranteed lunch + drinks plan with swimming included
• A low-effort day where pickup handles the hard parts

It may be less ideal if you:

• Need a long, fully guided time on Delos ruins on land
• Get seasick easily and cannot handle choppy sailing days (wind can be a factor here)
• Have very limited flexibility due to tight cruise scheduling, since weather can force cancellations

Should you book this Delos and Rhenia sail?

I would book it if you want a classic Mykonos highlight day that combines landmark views with a real swim stop, and you care about not thinking about meals and drinks. The small-group size, the onboard lunch quality, and the crew personality (with Captain Evangelos and Spiros frequently praised) make it the kind of tour that feels fun even when conditions are not perfect.

If you are laser-focused on Delos archaeology on land, double-check the exact Delos access tied to your departure time. If you are going on a day with strong wind forecasts, pack for cold water and expect a rockier ride.

Bottom line: this is a good value day out on the water, especially if you want the Mykonos you picture, minus the full-throttle crowds.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 am.

How long is the sailing trip?

It runs for about 5 hours.

What is the group size?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered, and you may need to provide your Airbnb address if that is where you are staying.

Do we visit Delos, and is the archaeological site included?

The tour sails past Delos and shares its history. For tours that start at 10:30 am, the boat will pass by the Delos Archaeological Site. For other start times, you should expect a pass-by experience.

Where do we swim and how much time is given?

You spend about 2 hours on Rhenia Island, with time to swim and enjoy the beach area.

Is lunch and alcohol included?

Lunch is included at Rhenia, along with local wine, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included.

What if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.