Best Mykonos Boat Tours

Greece › Mykonos › Boat Tours
Updated: September 27, 2026
By Santorini Dave

See Also

• Best Hotels in Mykonos
• Best Beaches in Mykonos
• Where to Stay in Mykonos

A boat tour is one of my favorite things to do in Mykonos. Rhenia, Delos, and the south coast are the three main destinations.

If you are spending three or more days in Mykonos, I strongly recommend taking one boat tour. Rhenia is my favorite destination for swimming, Delos is best for history, and a south-coast cruise is good for seeing several beaches in one trip. Rhenia alone is worth the trip.

Which Mykonos Boat Tour Is Right for You?

• Best first boat tour: Choose a Delos and Rhenia cruise for a mix of history, sailing, lunch, and swimming.
• Best swimming: Choose Rhenia. The water is exceptionally clear, the island is uninhabited, and there are no beach clubs or roads.
• Best for families: Choose a Rhenia or South Coast cruise without a long archaeological visit.
• Best for couples: Choose a small-group catamaran or sunset cruise. Check how much swimming time is included before booking.
• Best for groups: Compare the total cost of a private charter with individual tickets. For larger groups, the price difference can be surprisingly small.
• Best for history: Choose Delos, preferably with a guide. Do not choose it if you want a lazy day of swimming.
• Best social cruise: Choose a sunset or party cruise with music and drinks. Avoid these if you want a quiet day on the water.

How to Choose the Right Mykonos Boat Tour

• Start with the destination. Delos is for archaeology, Rhenia is for swimming, and the South Coast is for beaches.
• Book the tour early in your stay. Strong Meltemi winds can change routes or cancel departures, especially in July and August. An early booking gives you time to reschedule.
• Check the departure point. Tours can leave from the Old Port, New Port in Tourlos, Ornos, or another marina. Confirm the meeting point before arranging transportation.
• Read the itinerary, not just the tour name. Check the number of swim stops, time at anchor, passenger capacity, shade, food and drinks, and whether Delos admission is included. A six-hour tour does not mean six hours of swimming.

Quick Links: Best Mykonos Boat Tours

Delos is a major highlight for history lovers, but it is not a relaxing swim stop. Choose Rhenia or the South Coast if swimming is your main priority.

• Best Small-Group Tour: Luxury Catamaran with Meals & Drinks
• Best Private Charter: 6-Hour Private Cruise with Food and Drinks
• Best for History and Swimming: Semi-Private Delos & Rhenia Cruise
• Best Sunset Cruise: South Coast Cruise – Lunch, Drinks, Swim & Sunset

What to Know Before Booking

• The wind matters. Strong Meltemi winds can make the ride rough, change the route, or cancel the tour. Captains may move a trip to the more protected south coast.
• Delos is an archaeological visit, not a swim stop. Expect uneven stone paths, strong sun, little shade, and substantial walking. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, and proper shoes. Admission is separate unless the tour says it is included.
• Even catamarans can feel rough. If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual motion-sickness medication before departure and sit near the middle of the boat rather than at the bow.
• Check what is included. Meals, drinks, towels, snorkeling equipment, transfers, and Delos admission vary by tour. Do not assume that “open bar” includes spirits and cocktails.
• Boat comfort varies. Check passenger capacity, deck space, shade, toilets, and the type of boat before booking, especially for a full-day trip.
• Many swim stops are in deep water. Weak swimmers and families with young children should check whether flotation devices or beach-entry stops are available.
• Bring a light layer. It can feel cool while sailing, especially after swimming or around sunset.

Best Private Mykonos Boat Tours

• Private Charter Advice: If you are traveling with a group, compare the total charter price with the cost of buying individual tickets. Private trips also give you more control over the route, swimming stops, and departure time.
• 6-Hour Private Cruise with Food and Drinks
  A private cruise for couples, families, and small groups who prefer a traditional wooden boat to a modern catamaran. The private format gives you more control over the route and swimming stops.
• Private Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks
  If budget is not the main concern, this is the private charter I would choose. You get a modern catamaran, Greek meal, drinks, plenty of deck space, and lots of time for swimming.
• Private South Coast Speedboat Cruise
  A fast three-hour tour of the south coast for groups who want beaches and swimming without spending most of the day on a boat. I would choose a catamaran instead if comfort is more important than speed.

Best Small-Group Mykonos Boat Tours

• Catamaran Cruise with 3-Course Meal and Transfers
  A comfortable catamaran cruise with hotel transfers, swimming, and a three-course meal cooked onboard. A good choice for couples who want a smaller boat experience with transportation included.
• Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Meals and Drinks
  My favorite all-around small-group cruise. The catamaran has good deck space, food and drinks are included, and the atmosphere is social without being a party boat.
• Delos and Rhenia Full-Day Sailing Cruise
  A traditional sailing trip combining Delos, Rhenia, lunch, and swimming. The Tourlos meeting point is especially convenient if you are staying near the New Port.
• Delos and Rhenia Cruise with BBQ Meal
  A full-day trip combining Delos, sailing, swimming at Rhenia, and a BBQ meal. A good choice if you want history and swimming in the same day.
• South Coast Cruise – Lunch, Drinks, Swim & Sunset
  An afternoon and evening cruise along the south coast with swimming stops, food, drinks, and sunset. Best for couples who want both beach time and sunset without taking two separate tours.
• Sunset Party Boat Cruise
  A social cruise with music and drinks for solo travelers, friends, and younger couples. It is not the right tour for families or anyone wanting a peaceful sunset.
• South Coast Cruise
  The simplest way to see many of Mykonos’ famous southern beaches without driving, parking, or committing to one beach club. Choose it for swimming and beaches rather than history.

Mykonos Boat Tours: Frequently Asked Questions

• What happens if the weather is bad? If the captain cancels, you will normally be offered another date or a refund. A tour can still operate in moderate wind but use a different route. This is why I book boat trips early in a Mykonos stay.
• Do I need my passport? Boat operators require passenger details for the manifest and may ask for passport or identification information. Follow the operator’s instructions about what identification to bring. When possible I prefer to fill out the information online rather than bring my passport with me on the tour.
• Which is the best month for a Mykonos boat tour? September is my favorite. The sea is warm and the biggest summer crowds have thinned. Late June is also excellent. July and August are busy and can be windy.
• Are boat tours suitable for children? Rhenia and South Coast cruises can be excellent for children who are comfortable swimming from a boat. Delos is harder with toddlers because of the heat, uneven paths, little shade, and poor stroller access.
• How much should I tip? Tipping is optional. If the crew has been excellent, a cash tip is appreciated.

Mykonos Boat Tours for Cruise Passengers

Cruise ships either dock at the New Port in Tourlos or tender passengers to the Old Port beside Mykonos Town. Your arrival point makes a big difference when choosing a boat tour.

A boat tour is an excellent Mykonos shore excursion, but timing matters more than the specific itinerary. Before booking, confirm where your ship arrives, where the boat tour starts, and how much time you have between the scheduled return and your ship’s all-aboard time.

• Confirm whether your ship docks or tenders. Ships docking in Tourlos arrive at the New Port. Tender boats normally unload near the Old Port, close to Mykonos Town.
• Do not book a departure immediately after arrival. Cruise lines may give priority tender access to passengers on their own excursions. An 8:00 AM scheduled arrival does not guarantee you will be ashore in time for a 9:00 AM independent tour.
• Leave a large return buffer. A tour’s return time is not the same as being back on the ship. Allow time for transportation, port crowds, security, and the all-aboard deadline.
• A private charter gives you more control. Departure and return times can often be arranged around your port schedule.
• Do not depend on finding a taxi. Taxis are limited and difficult to secure when several ships are in port. Use the SeaBus, a ship shuttle, a prearranged transfer, or a tour departing near your arrival point.
• A Tourlos departure can be very convenient for a docked ship. But a six-hour cruise still requires a long port call and a generous return buffer.
• Delos and Rhenia Full-Day Sailing Cruise with Meal
  This tour meets in Tourlos, making the departure point convenient for ships docked at the New Port. Book it only if your port schedule comfortably allows enough time for the full cruise and your return to the ship.