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The Mykonos Sail Cruise to Delos and Rhenia is the simplest first pick: 6 hours at sea, a 4.83 rating, and $141.90 per adult for 2 travelers in summer 2027. This guide covers day trips and excursions, all leaving from Mykonos. Delos entry is not included on every boat, and most tours have no open dates in winter.
Verified on for the June 1 to August 31, 2027 window, via the Viator partner API (prices, ratings, availability).
Mykonos is famous for its beaches and its nightlife, but it is also a strong base for day trips. We searched the Viator catalog for experiences that leave from Mykonos, kept only those rated at least 4.7 with 100 or more combined reviews, then removed the tours that depart from another island, cover the town alone, or stay closed through the summer. Ten remained: five on the water and five on land, from a $77.19 wine tasting to a private yacht charter at up to $1,245.88 per adult. We also kept only two private tours, to keep the list balanced.
Before you choose a date, read the calendar. Every price and availability figure here comes from the June 1 to August 31, 2027 window. Our default winter window, from November 23, 2026 to January 21, 2027, showed no open day for eight of the ten tours, so we priced a 92-day summer window instead, and all ten tours were open on every day of it. In a test over late November to January, eight of the ten had no open dates at all, and the boats to Delos follow a seasonal timetable. Each card gives the price for two adults, the rating, and what is and is not included, so you can compare a sail with a land tour before you book. If you only book one, start with the Mykonos Sail Cruise to Delos and Rhenia Islands, the simplest first choice for a full day at sea.
Choose by profile. If you have one free day and want the sea, pick a boat to Delos. If you want the island at your own pace, the private car tour is the most flexible. If you are on a cruise ship, the port pickup tour is built around your ship’s schedule. Five of the ten tours are on the water, and the cheapest of them, the Delos and Rhenia sail at $141.90 per adult, excludes the Delos entrance.
Why Mykonos Works as a Base for Day Trips
Mykonos is one of the Cyclades, and most of its excursions leave from the harbors and beaches of the island itself. That matters for the reader who thinks of a day trip as a ferry ride to another island. Here the choice is wider: a boat that sails out to a neighboring islet, a private car that circles the island, a shared bus with a guide, a winery in Marathi, or a kayak from Panormos beach on the north coast.
Delos is the reason many visitors book a boat. According to the Wikipedia entry on Delos, legend places the birth of the god Apollo on the island, and UNESCO inscribed the archaeological site as a World Heritage site in 1990.
Rhenia, the neighboring islet, is the swim stop on most of the sailing trips in this list. The catamaran lists two hours there, and the other sails mention Rhenia without stating how long the stop lasts. The BBQ cruise with transfer costs $164.60 per adult against $141.90 for the sail, a gap of $22.70, and its price includes the hotel transfer, towels and drinks.
Season and access decide your plan more than anything else. Operator listings describe the sailing season to Delos and Rhenia as running roughly from April to late October, but those listings are not official schedules, so treat the dates as a guide. The official Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities page lists 2026 tickets at 20 euros full price and 10 euros reduced, with opening hours that change from month to month. The same page says the site is closed to the general public for part of the winter, roughly from December to March, with access by written request. We have not confirmed the exact closing dates or a weekly closing day, so check before you travel.
If you prefer to skip organized boats, you can reach Delos on your own by ferry. Indicative fares on Ferryhopper put a Delos round trip at about 25 euros, and they also run to Naxos and Paros, with crossings of about 40 minutes to Delos and Naxos and about an hour to Paros. These ferries leave from Mykonos and are not Viator products, so they are not in the list. We mention them so you can compare the cost of planning the day yourself with the price of a guided day.
The 10 Day Trips and Excursions Compared
| Experience | Duration | Price per adult (base 2) | Rating (reviews) | Free cancellation | Days available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sail to Delos and Rhenia | 6 hours | $141.90 | 4.83 (328 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
| 2. Delos and Rhenia Cruise with BBQ and Transfer | 6 hours | $164.60 | 4.86 (100 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
| 3. Catamaran Day and Sunset Cruise | 5 hours | $158.93 | 4.87 (230 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
| 4. Private Luxury Yacht Cruise | 5 hours | $791.79 to $1,245.88 | 4.96 (49 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
| 5. Port Pickup Small-Group Tour | 4 hours | $119.20 | 4.93 (261 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
| 6. Small-Group Half-Day Tour | 4.5 hours | $123.74 | 4.85 (552 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
| 7. Half-Day Highlights Shared Bus Tour | 3.5 hours | $78.33 | 4.70 (361 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
| 8. Private 4-Hour Island Tour | 3 to 4 hours | $187.31 | 4.99 (136 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
| 9. Wine Tasting in Mykonian Land | 2 hours | $77.19 | 4.96 (405 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
| 10. Sea Kayaking at Panormos | 2 hours | $204.33 | 5.00 (88 on Viator) | Yes | 92 of 92 |
Prices and availability checked on the Viator partner API on November 9, 2026, for June 1 to August 31, 2027. They can change. Ratings are combined Viator and TripAdvisor scores; the number in brackets is the Viator review count.
The 10 Best Day Trips and Excursions from Mykonos
1. Sail to Delos and Rhenia
We would start with this one. The Mykonos Sail Cruise to Delos and Rhenia Islands gives you a full day on the water with the two stops that define the format: Delos, the sacred island where legend places the birth of Apollo and which UNESCO has protected since 1990, and Rhenia, where the boat anchors for a swim. Lunch is a barbecue served on board, with beef kebab, chicken, grilled vegetables, Greek salad and seasonal fruit, and wine, beer and water are part of the price. Several costs sit outside it: the 2026 entrance fee of 20 euros to the Delos site, cocktails and other special drinks, gratuities, and the optional guided tour at Delos, which the listing prices at 45 euros per person. Hotel pickup is available for 20 euros per person for the round trip, so ask whether your hotel is close to the Agios Ioannis dock before you book. This is not a private charter, and the full day is the plan rather than a quick trip.
- Delos and Rhenia in one sailing
- BBQ lunch, wine and beer on board
- Delos entrance (the 2026 fee of 20 euros) not included
2. Delos and Rhenia Cruise with BBQ and Transfer
Choose this cruise when the drinks and the ride matter as much as the sights. It leaves from the Platis Gialos embarkation area, and the price includes a shared transfer to and from your hotel at no extra cost. On board, the crew serves a freshly prepared BBQ, with soda, bottled water, coffee or tea, alcoholic beverages, a towel, sunscreen, snorkel gear and water toys. Those inclusions explain the $22.70 gap per adult over the Delos sail above, which excludes its Delos entrance and does not include a transfer. Read the listing before you book for one open question: it does not say whether the Delos entrance fee is covered, and it lists tips and special drinks as extras. If the Delos ticket matters to your plans, ask the operator in writing before you pay. The listing has 100 reviews on Viator, a smaller base than the sail above, so weigh the rating with that in mind. Pack a light bag for the swim, and expect a full day on the water.
- Shared hotel transfer included
- BBQ, drinks and snorkel gear listed
- Delos entrance not stated in the listing
3. Catamaran Day and Sunset Cruise
This is the cruise to book if the sunset matters more than the archaeology. You choose a morning or a sunset departure on a catamaran from New Port in Tourlos, and the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off by luxury van. The boat does not land at Delos: it sails past the site without a stop, subject to weather, and spends two hours at Rhenia for swimming and snorkeling, with equipment supplied. The meal is a fresh traditional dish with seafood pasta or meat options, and soft drinks, bottled water and homemade rosé are included, with stand-up paddling offered when the weather allows. Towels and the drop-off at Delos are not included. With 1,265 combined reviews, it is the most reviewed boat trip in this list, though only 230 of those are on Viator, where it rates 4.6. If you want to step onto Delos, choose the Delos and Rhenia sail above instead.
- Morning or sunset departure
- Delos passed without a landing
- Hotel pickup by luxury van included
4. Private Luxury Yacht Cruise
If your group wants the boat to itself, this is the one. The yacht is a brand-new motor yacht run by Nostos Mykonos Yachts, and the charter is private for your group only, with hotel or villa pickup included, a deck shower, Wi-Fi, and wine or beer served on board. The boat leaves from the jetty of Agia Anna Paraga beach, near Pinky beach bar. The default route runs along the southern coast of Mykonos, and the listing offers Rhenia or Delos as an alternative, depending on the weather. Be careful with the price. Per adult, it runs from $791.79 to $1,245.88 for two travelers, and the listing gives a range rather than one fixed figure, so ask for a quote for the number of guests you have. The listing also shows route prices in euros under exclusions, 250 euros for the southern coast and 375 euros for the Delos or Rhenia route, so ask for an all-in quote before you pay. Gratuities are not included. Only 49 of its 142 combined reviews are on Viator, so read the most recent ones before you decide.
- Private charter for your group only
- Hotel or villa pickup included
- Gratuities excluded, route fees listed separately
5. Port Pickup Small-Group Tour
This is the tour for a cruise day that starts at the port. The vehicle is a premium Mercedes with air conditioning, and the operator collects you at the ship and returns you on a guaranteed schedule, which matters when the ship will not wait. The format is semi-private or private, depending on your choice, and the route shows you the island beyond the port. The price does not include gratuities, or the entrance to the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, which is optional at 2 euros per person. Bring 2 euros if you want to see the monastery, since the listing treats the entrance as optional. The tour is built around the ship, so the ship timetable sets your day. If you are staying on the island for several nights, the half-day tour from a hotel gives you more flexibility, with a pickup at your door.
- Pickup at the cruise ship, guaranteed return
- Air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle
- Monastery entrance (2 euros) optional
6. Small-Group Half-Day Tour
This is the island tour with the most Viator reviews in this list, 552 of them, and it mixes walking and driving in one half-day. You start on foot in the pedestrian zone of Mykonos Town, then an air-conditioned vehicle takes you across the island to the highlights and a swim stop. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included, so you do not need a taxi to reach the start. At $123.74 per adult, the price sits in the lower half of the list. It includes the monastery entrance fees, a light snack and a tasting of tsipouro, the Greek grape spirit, which is a good way to end a morning. The listing does not name gratuities as an exclusion, but ask at booking. Choose this tour if you want one guided half-day with some walking and no driving yourself. The walking is confined to the start, in the pedestrian zone, and the rest of the tour is by car.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Monastery entrance fees included
- Light snack and tsipouro tasting
7. Half-Day Highlights Shared Bus Tour
This is the budget option, and it is clear about the trade-off. You join a shared, air-conditioned bus with an English-speaking local guide and drive the island for about two and a half hours, then walk through Mykonos Town for the rest of the tour. At $78.33 per adult, it costs well below the private tours in this list. The rating is 4.70, exactly at the threshold we used to build the list, so we treat it as a solid choice rather than a standout one. Food, drinks and hotel pickup are not included, so meet at the New Port gate of the cruise ship terminal and budget for a drink on the walk. It suits cruise passengers with a short time in port, and travelers who want an overview before choosing a longer tour. In our winter test it had open dates on 11 of 60 days, so check the calendar before you plan around it.
- Shared air-conditioned bus
- English-speaking local guide
- Food, drinks and hotel pickup excluded
8. Private 4-Hour Island Tour
If you want the island at your own pace, this private car tour is the most flexible option in the list. A driver-guide takes your group in an air-conditioned vehicle for three to four hours, through beaches, quieter spots and the well-known sights. The route can be adjusted if you contact the driver in advance. Pickup at your preferred location is offered, so the listing’s named start, the Fabrika bus station, is a starting point rather than a limit. Bottled water, all fees and taxes, and pickup and drop-off are included. This is also the only product in our winter test that was open on all 60 days, from late November to January, so it is the one to consider if you visit outside the summer. At $187.31 per adult for two travelers, it costs more per person than the shared tours, and you pay for the car and the guide, not the seat. Ask for a quote for your group size before you book, since the per-person figure here is for two adults.
- Private car and driver-guide
- Route adjustable on request
- Open all 60 days of our winter test
9. Wine Tasting in Mykonian Land
For a short afternoon with a clear reason to be on the island, this winery tour at Marathi is the least expensive product in the list, at $77.19 per adult for two travelers. You meet at the vinery, taste the wines, and the price includes Mykonian appetizers and all fees and taxes, with orange juice for children. Two hours is one of the shortest slots in the list, so it fits between a beach morning and dinner without much planning. It is a food and tasting format rather than a sightseeing tour. With 1,840 combined reviews, it has the largest count in this list, although 405 of them are on Viator, where it rates 4.9. It does not suit travelers who want Delos or the coast, but it pairs well with a sea trip or a town walk on another day.
- Winery tasting at Marathi
- Mykonian appetizers included
- Two hours, the lowest price in the list
10. Sea Kayaking at Panormos
This is the only product in the list where paddling is the point, and it is the only one with a perfect score, 5.00 across 150 combined reviews and 88 on Viator. You start at Panormos beach, on the far left side in front of the Albatross Club, in a double sit-on-top kayak with a life jacket and paddle. The guides are BCU-certified sea kayaking coaches and first aiders, and the operator is a family business that has run nature tours since 2011, which shows in how the route is planned around the coast rather than around the town. Snorkel gear, 1.5 liters of cold water and a light local snack, usually dried figs, are included. At $204.33 per adult, it is the highest price in the list apart from the private yacht, and two hours is a short window for that cost, so choose it for the paddling rather than as a sightseeing trip. Bring sunscreen, and wear clothes you can get wet in.
- Double sit-on-top kayaks and life jackets
- BCU-certified guides and first aiders
- Snorkel gear and a light snack included
Before You Book: Practical Facts
Operator listings put the Delos and Rhenia boat season at roughly April to late October. Eight of the ten tours had no open dates in our late November to January test. Check the calendar on the listing before you plan the week around any of them.
The official Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities page lists 2026 tickets at 20 euros full price and 10 euros reduced. The Delos and Rhenia sail cruise excludes the fee, so ask every operator in writing whether the ticket is covered before you pay.
Ferryhopper lists indicative ferry fares from Mykonos to Naxos and Paros. These ferries leave from Mykonos and are not Viator products, but they are a simple way to add a second island to a longer stay.
How to Choose by Traveler Profile
Cruise passengers with one day in port should start with the port pickup tour. The ship sets the timetable, and the tour guarantees the return. The small-group option works if you want to see the island by car without a long walk. If you are staying several nights, the half-day tour from a hotel gives you more freedom, since hotel pickup is included.
Couples who want a memorable afternoon have two strong options. The catamaran’s sunset departure is the most atmospheric choice, although it passes Delos without a stop. The private four-hour tour gives you a car, a driver-guide and a route you can adjust. For a quieter afternoon with a glass of wine, the Marathi tasting fits into two hours and leaves the evening free.
Families want simple logistics and a swim stop. The Delos and Rhenia cruises include snorkel gear and a meal on board, and one of them includes the hotel transfer. Check what each boat supplies, because towels are an exclusion on the catamaran and included on the BBQ cruise. The small-group half-day tour suits children who can handle a few walking stretches in town, and the shared bus tour is the lowest-cost island sightseeing tour in the list.
Budget travelers should look at the wine tasting and the shared bus, at $77.19 and $78.33 per adult. The shared bus excludes food, drinks and hotel pickup, and the wine tasting meets at the vinery. Ferries are the other budget route. You can plan your own Delos visit by ferry and buy the official entrance ticket, and save the guided cruise for a day when you want the lunch and the swim.
Travelers with limited mobility should ask before they book. The listings do not describe boarding steps, deck access or how much walking each stop involves. The private car tours reduce walking more than the shared tours do, and the town walk on the small-group half-day tour is the part to question first.
Anyone visiting in winter should check the calendar first. In our late November to January test, only the private four-hour island tour had open dates on every day. The half-day highlights tour had 11 open days out of 60, and the other eight tours had none. That is a sharp change from summer, so confirm the date before you build a trip around it.
Three mistakes come up most often. First, assuming Delos is included. The sail cruise excludes the 2026 entrance fee of 20 euros, the catamaran sails past without landing, and the other listings do not say it plainly. Second, assuming the summer price holds in other months. The prices in this guide are for June to August 2027 only. Third, skipping the gratuities line. Several boats and tours exclude tips, and a small amount for the crew or guide is a normal courtesy to budget for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mykonos day trip has the highest rating?
The sea kayaking trip from Panormos beach has the top score in this list, 5.00 across 150 combined reviews, 88 of them on Viator. The private four-hour island tour is close behind at 4.99 across 501 combined reviews, 136 on Viator. The kayak is a two-hour paddle, while the car tour covers much more ground, so the better choice depends on what you want to do. Check the review detail before you book, since a perfect score on fewer reviews is a smaller sample. Kayak details.
Is Delos included in the boat trips?
Not on every trip. The Delos and Rhenia sail cruise excludes the 2026 entrance fee of 20 euros to the site, and its optional guided tour is extra. The catamaran sails past Delos without a landing, subject to weather. The BBQ cruise with transfer does not say in its listing whether the entrance is covered, so ask the operator in writing. The private yacht offers Delos as an alternative route when the weather allows. Compare the Delos sail.
Can I do these day trips in winter?
Mostly no. In our test over late November to January, eight of the ten tours had no open dates. The half-day highlights tour had 11 open days out of 60, and the private four-hour island tour was open on all 60. The boats to Delos follow a seasonal calendar, and the official Delos site is closed to general visitors for part of the winter. The prices in this guide are for summer 2027, so check each listing before you plan a winter trip.
How much does a day trip from Mykonos cost?
The shared tours start at $77.19 per adult for the Marathi wine tasting and $78.33 for the shared bus tour, both for two travelers in summer 2027. The sea trips apart from the yacht sit between $141.90 and $164.60 per adult, and the kayak costs $204.33. A private yacht starts at $791.79 per adult and reaches $1,245.88, so the choice between a shared seat and a whole boat changes the budget a lot. Ask for a quote for your group size before you commit.
Do the prices include tips?
Gratuities are excluded on the Delos and Rhenia sail cruise, the private yacht and the port pickup tour. The BBQ cruise lists tips as an extra. The other listings do not mention them, so ask the operator before you book. Budget a small amount per person for the crew or guide, and ask the operator what is customary. Several listings exclude gratuities, so add them to your budget before you book.
Can I cancel these tours for free?
All ten tours showed free cancellation on Viator when we checked them on November 9, 2026. For the other tours, the cut-off is set on each listing, so read it before you pay. Keep your confirmation email, and note the time zone of the cut-off.
Sources
- Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities: Delos hours and prices, accessed November 9, 2026
- Delos, Wikipedia, accessed November 9, 2026
- Ferryhopper: ferries to Delos, accessed November 9, 2026
- Ferryhopper: top day trips from Mykonos, accessed November 9, 2026
- The Crazy Tourist: 15 best day trips from Mykonos, accessed November 9, 2026
- Travel + Leisure (TravelAwaits): best day trips from Mykonos, accessed November 9, 2026
- Alentour: boat cruise from Mykonos to Delos and Rhenia, accessed November 9, 2026
- Magpie: Mykonos Delos and Rhenia cruise listing, accessed November 9, 2026
- Viator partner API: product prices, ratings, review counts and availability for the ten tours, checked November 9, 2026
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