Mykonos is famous for its beach clubs, but the water around it tells an older story. A short crossing away lies Delos, the sacred island of Apollo, and beyond it uninhabited Rhenia, whose quiet coves most day visitors never see. Here are the harbours, routes, 2026 rules and what a skippered charter includes.
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Quick answer: Mykonos and Delos by boat
- Best departure harbour: Ornos or Platys Gialos for beach days; the old port for Delos; Tourlos for yachts and longer trips.
- Best half day route: Ornos along the south coast to Psarou, Platys Gialos, Paraga and Elia.
- Best full day route: Delos in the morning, then lunch and swimming in the sheltered coves of Rhenia.
- Best months: June and September, when the meltemi is usually less persistent than in July and August.
- What to book ahead: the boat and skipper, Delos tickets for a fixed time slot, and a berth at Tourlos if you arrive on your own yacht.
This guide is part of our Greece by Boat series. The hub on Greece yacht charter compares the Ionian Islands and the Cyclades and links every area guide.
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Mykonos Town and Ornos are the most practical bases for boat days. Most luxury hotels are seasonal, and summer rooms sell early.
Why this stretch of water is special
Mykonos, Delos and Rhenia sit so close together that one day can combine a swim off a sandy beach, a walk through a sanctuary that drew pilgrims from across the Greek world, and lunch in a cove with no road access. For travellers who know Italy, the link is direct: the Greek colonists of Syracuse built a Temple of Apollo on Ortigia, and seeing Apollo’s birthplace after our guide to boat tours from Syracuse and Ortigia closes a very satisfying circle.
The catch is the meltemi, the strong northerly summer wind of the Aegean. The south coast and the channel between Delos and Rhenia are the usual refuges; the north coast is often too rough on a windy day.
Harbours and marinas: where boats leave from
Mykonos old port (Mykonos Town)
The scheduled boats to Delos leave from the old harbour on the Mykonos Town waterfront, within walking distance of Little Venice. According to the Municipal Port Fund of Mykonos, it berths only motor yachts over 25 metres; sailing yachts are not permitted. It suits town guests who want Delos without a car.
Tourlos (the new port)
Tourlos, a short drive north of town, handles ferries, cruise ships and yachts under 25 metres, including sailing yachts and RIBs. The Port Fund takes online berth requests for arrivals within 30 days; a request is not a guarantee. Yacht movements between 09:30 and 10:30 need prior VHF approval, and moored arrivals are accepted from noon until sunset. Check the current harbour instructions before you sail.
Ornos and Platys Gialos
These south coast bays are the practical bases for beach days, a short drive from the airport and from the hotels at Ornos, Agios Ioannis and Psarou. Small boats and sea taxis work from both. Pick up points depend on the swell, so confirm the exact spot with your skipper the day before.
Five routes in detail
Route 1: South coast beaches (half day)
Leave Ornos and follow the coast east past Psarou, a small, sheltered bay known for its scene, and Platys Gialos with its tavernas. Continue past Paraga, Paradise and Super Paradise to Elia, one of the longest beaches on the island. Swim off the rocky points between bays rather than inside the busy beach fronts, where swimmers have priority. Allow three to four hours, with a drink ashore at Platys Gialos or Elia.
Route 2: The quiet east (half day or full day)
Around Elia the coast grows calmer. Agrari, a small bay with clear water, lies right next to Elia on its western side, and Kalafatis further east is a broad sandy beach popular with windsurfers. Between Elia and Kalafatis, low cliffs and rocky inlets make good snorkelling stops; ask your skipper which small sea caves are safe to enter, as they are only worth visiting in calm water. Lunch ashore at Kalafatis. From Platys Gialos this is a long half day, or a full day with a lazy lunch.
Route 3: Delos and Rhenia (full day)
The classic. Visit Delos at opening time, before the heat builds, allowing two to three hours for the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Terrace of the Lions, the theatre quarter and the museum. Then cross the narrow channel to Rhenia for an afternoon in its coves, such as Glyfadi (also written Glyfada) and the bay of Agios Georgios; spellings differ between charts. Rhenia has no water or shops, so bring everything. Expect to return in late afternoon.
Route 4: Rhenia only (half day or sunset)
If you have seen Delos, or travel with children who would rather swim than walk, go straight to Rhenia. Its bays are deeply cut, so on a meltemi day your skipper can usually find a sheltered cove. A late afternoon departure from Ornos with a sunset return is a relaxing way to spend a Mykonos evening.
Route 5: Tinos (longer day)
Tinos lies just north of Mykonos and suits a long day on a fast motor yacht or an overnight under sail. The harbour town is dominated by the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, a major pilgrimage site, and the island is known for its marble villages. The crossing is exposed to the meltemi, so in July and August it depends entirely on the forecast. If the wind is up, swap it for Route 3.
Rules, protected areas and 2026 restrictions
Rules are set nationally by the Hellenic Coast Guard and locally by each port authority, and local orders can change during the season.
Delos: archaeological site rules
- Opening hours: the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades lists Delos as open daily, 08:00 to 20:00 in its general listing, with shorter hours from September (08:00 to 16:00 in November) and a winter closure from 1 December to 31 March, when visits are possible only by written request. Last admission is 20 minutes before closing. It also closes on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 and 26 December.
- Tickets: the Ephorate lists admission at 20 euros full and 10 euros reduced, with e-tickets available online.
- No overnight stays: Delos has no accommodation; visitors leave by closing time.
- On site: no climbing on monuments, no drones without prior authorisation, no eating or smoking, no pets apart from assistance dogs, and no swimwear.
Visiting Delos on a private boat: our research turned up contradictory information here. Some sailing guides state that yachts may not anchor off Delos and land unsupervised, while private skippered charters regularly advertise Delos visits. It was not clear to us which arrangements apply to which boats, so confirm with your skipper and the Mykonos port police. The scheduled boat from the old port is the reliable fallback.
Natura 2000 and anchoring
Rhenia lies inside the Natura 2000 site “Nisides Mykonou: Rineia, Chtapodia, Tragonisi kai Thalassia Periochi” (GR4220027), which includes the surrounding marine area. The Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency notes that specific management rules are still being prepared, so there is no published list of anchoring bans. Anchor on sand rather than seagrass, never take stones or fragments from the shore (antiquities are protected by law), and take all rubbish back.
Swimming zones and speed near beaches
Under the Hellenic Coast Guard’s General Port Regulation No. 20, motorboats must stay at least 100 metres outside the buoyed swimming zone of a beach, or 200 metres from where swimmers usually enter the water where there are no buoys. Within 200 metres of a shore without swimmers, speed is limited to 5 knots. Local port authorities can add further restrictions, so check with your skipper or the port police.
Closures in 2026
At the time of writing we found no official 2026 notice of rockfall closures on Mykonos, Delos or Rhenia. Notices are issued locally and can appear mid season, so check with the skipper or harbour.
Types of boat and what a charter includes
A RIB is quick and ideal for the south coast and Rhenia, but tiring in a swell. A motor yacht has shade and a cabin and handles Tinos best. A sailing catamaran is stable and popular for Delos and Rhenia days. A monohull suits multi-day Cyclades cruising.
A private skippered day usually includes the boat, skipper, fuel for an agreed route, snorkelling gear and soft drinks. Often extra: lunch, alcohol, Delos tickets, a licensed guide, extra fuel for route changes, mooring or port fees, and a gratuity. Get the inclusions in writing before paying a deposit.
Bareboat in Greece: the person in command needs a recognised licence (an ICC or equivalent certificate is generally accepted), and a second experienced crew member must be on the crew list. The port authority decides, so confirm current requirements with your charter base and the Hellenic Coast Guard. For a first Cyclades trip, the meltemi alone makes a skipper advisable.
Comparison table
| Route | Departure | Duration | Highlights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South coast beaches | Ornos | 3 to 4 hours | Psarou, Platys Gialos, Paraga, Elia | First day, beach lovers |
| The quiet east | Platys Gialos or Ornos | Long half day to full day | Agrari, Kalafatis, rocky inlets | Snorkelling, fewer crowds |
| Delos and Rhenia | Old port or Ornos | Full day | Sanctuary of Apollo, Glyfadi, Agios Georgios | History and swimming |
| Rhenia only | Ornos | Half day or sunset | Empty coves, sheltered water | Families, couples |
| Tinos | Tourlos | Long day or overnight | Panagia Evangelistria, marble villages | Calm days, return visitors |
Best months, winds and practical tips
The boat season runs roughly from May to October. June and September are the sweet spots: warm sea, fewer crowds, and a meltemi that tends to blow less persistently than at its July and August peak. When it blows, it can last several days and makes the north coast, the Tinos crossing and the open water to Delos uncomfortable. Scheduled Delos boats can be cancelled in strong wind. In the Ionian, the summer wind is the gentler maistro, one reason first time sailors often start there; for another Cycladic option, see Paros, Antiparos and Naxos by boat.
- Bring: reef safe sunscreen, a hat, water shoes, cash for small tavernas, and covered shoulders plus walking shoes for Delos.
- Seasickness: a catamaran or larger motor yacht is steadier than a RIB. Take any remedy before boarding.
- Booking timing: for July and August, book the boat several months ahead and buy Delos tickets as soon as your date is fixed.
- August crowds: leave early, visit Delos at opening time and save the busiest beaches for late afternoon.
Charlotte’s tip: keep the day flexible around the wind
Book a full day but agree only the first stop in advance. Ask the skipper to check the morning forecast and set the order on the day: Delos then Rhenia if the channel is calm, or a sheltered south coast cove first if the meltemi is up.
Where to stay near the harbours
Cavo Tagoo Mykonos
On the northern edge of Mykonos Town, on the road to the new port, Cavo Tagoo is the most convenient choice here for both harbours: the old port is roughly a kilometre away and Tourlos a short drive. Its saltwater infinity pool, spa and restaurant make it a strong town base. The hotel closes in winter; ask the hotel for exact 2026 dates.
Best for: Delos by scheduled boat and yachts arriving at Tourlos.
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Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos
On its own peninsula on Ornos Bay, Santa Marina has a private sandy beach, infinity pools, a spa and several restaurants, and says it is around ten minutes from the airport, port and town. Boats for the south coast and Rhenia work from Ornos Bay, so the start of a boat day is effortless.
Best for: families and anyone who wants a beach and a boat on the doorstep.
Kalesma Mykonos
Kalesma sits above Ornos Bay, between Ornos and Agios Ioannis. It opened with 25 suites and two villas, each with a private pool, and a 2025 expansion added around 20 further suites, so ask which room categories include a private pool. Ornos beach, where many boats collect guests, is a short walk away, and a complimentary shuttle runs to town. Ask the hotel about seasonal dates.
Best for: couples who want privacy and an easy start from Ornos.
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Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos
Opened for its first summer season in 2026 above Kalo Livadi Bay, it has 94 rooms, suites and villas, a private beach and two infinity pools. It is close to Agrari and Kalafatis but further from the old port. Ask the hotel whether boats can collect guests from its beach.
Best for: the quieter east coast and Route 2.
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Compare hotels in Mykonos Town, Ornos and the south coast for your dates.
If you are weighing Greece against home waters, our hub on yacht charter in Italy covers Sardinia to Sicily, and the Aeolian Islands by boat is the closest Italian match for windy island hopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Delos on a private boat?
Sources disagree on whether private yachts may land independently. Confirm with your skipper and the Mykonos port police; the scheduled boats from the old port are the reliable alternative.
Can I stay overnight on Delos?
No. Visitors must leave by closing time. For a night on the water, anchor in a sheltered Rhenia cove or return to Tourlos.
What happens if the meltemi blows?
Your skipper will usually switch to the south coast or the sheltered side of Rhenia. Keep a spare day for Delos.
Do I need a licence to hire a boat in Mykonos?
Not for a skippered charter. For bareboat, the person in command needs a recognised licence such as the ICC, and a second experienced crew member must be listed. Confirm with the charter base and the port authority.
