Best Tours in Mykonos: Delos, Beach Boats & Sunset Cruises

Mykonos has a reputation as a party island, but its most rewarding experiences are on the water — either sailing to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Delos, bouncing between its protected coves by boat, or watching the sunset from a catamaran looking back at the windmills. Here’s what’s worth booking, with honest assessments of price and quality. All prices are approximate as of 2026.

Delos Archaeological Day Trip

Delos is a 30-minute ferry ride from Mykonos Old Port, and it’s arguably more impressive than anything on the main island. The entire uninhabited island is an archaeological site — birthplace of Apollo and Artemis according to Greek mythology, and once one of the most powerful trading cities in the Aegean.

The ruins include the Terrace of the Lions (five remaining marble lions from the original 16, dating to 600 BCE), the House of Dionysus with an extraordinary floor mosaic, the Sacred Lake, and a theatre with views over the entire site.

Official Delos Ferry runs from Mykonos Old Port at 9am and 10am, returning at 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Return ferry ticket EUR 22. Site entry EUR 12 (combined ticket for the museum available at EUR 18). Going independently is straightforward and lets you set your own pace.

Delos Guided Tours from Mykonos depart at 9am, include the ferry and a 2-hour guided walk of the site with a licensed archaeologist, and return by 1:30pm, from EUR 55 per person. The guide makes a genuine difference here — the site’s layout is complex and the plaques are sparse.

GetYourGuide lists combined Mykonos food tour plus Delos options from EUR 85, though the combination makes for a very long day. Better to do Delos as a focused morning.

Duration: 4–5 hours (including ferry time)
Difficulty: Moderate — the site is large (2km of walking) and exposed, with uneven terrain
What’s included: Ferry ticket, site entry, guide (on guided tours)
Best time: 9am departure to avoid afternoon heat; site is open 8am–8pm in summer
Best season: April–October (site closes in winter)

Beach Hopping Boat Tours

Mykonos has more than 20 beaches, but the most scenic — Agrari, Elia, Kapari, and the twin coves of Merchia and Ftelia — are best reached by boat. Beach-hopping tours run daily from the Old Port, typically visiting 4–5 beaches with swim stops.

Mykonos Sea Tours runs a 5-hour beach boat tour from EUR 50 per person (shared boat, up to 30 people). Route includes Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia. Basic — you’re on a motorboat with a lot of other people.

Mykonos Beach Cruises offers a smaller catamaran tour (max 15 people) from EUR 75 per person, including snorkelling gear and a meze lunch on board. The smaller group and included food make it better value despite the higher headline price.

Private Speedboat Charter operators at the Old Port charge EUR 250–400 for a half-day private boat (up to 6 people) with a skipper. If you’re travelling as a group of 4–6, this works out competitively against the shared tours and gives you complete flexibility on beaches and timing.

Captain Kostas (independent boat operator at the Old Port) is frequently recommended for honest pricing and genuine local knowledge — ask for him by name if you’re arranging privately.

Duration: 4–7 hours
Difficulty: None (swimming optional)
What’s included: Snorkelling gear (better tours), food and drinks (better tours)
Best season: June–September. Water temperature peaks in August at 26°C.

Sunset Cruises

Watching the sun drop behind Mykonos’s windmills and Little Venice from the water is one of those experiences that justifies the Aegean trip. The light in the last 30 minutes before sunset turns the white buildings amber and the sea deep blue.

Mykonos Sunset Sailing runs a 3-hour catamaran from EUR 95 per person. Departure around 5:30–6pm (depending on sunset time), route circles the south coast and anchors off Little Venice for the sunset. Includes champagne and light mezze.

Calypso Catamaran offers a sunset dinner cruise from EUR 120 per person — the longer format (4 hours) includes a full grilled dinner on deck. Better for those who want the sunset to extend into the evening rather than head back to the island.

Private Sunset Charter from EUR 450 for a 4-person sailboat (3 hours) with skipper. Strong option for couples or two pairs travelling together.

Duration: 3–4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
What’s included: Drinks (all tours), food (varies — mezze vs full dinner)
Best season: May–October. The Meltemi winds are at their strongest in August — some afternoon tours are cancelled. Check conditions 24 hours ahead.

Mykonos Town Walking Tour

Mykonos Town (Chora) is genuinely disorienting — the narrow alleys were designed to confuse pirates, and they’ll confuse you too. A 2-hour walking tour covers the history of the labyrinthine layout, the Panagia Paraportiani church (an accretion of 5 chapels built over 200 years), Little Venice, the windmills, and the neighbourhoods where locals actually live away from the tourist strip.

Mykonos Walking Tours runs groups of up to 10 from EUR 35 per person. Departs from the main jetty; no booking usually required except in July and August.

Private Chora Tour with a local historian from EUR 80 per person (minimum 2) goes into more depth on the island’s trading history and the Cycladic architecture.

Duration: 2–2.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
What’s included: Guide, all entry fees (most sites are free)
Best time: Morning (9–11am) before the cruise ship crowds arrive

Booking Tips

Book Delos ferries and guided tours in advance in July and August — the site has daily visitor caps and the early slots sell first. Sunset cruises should be reserved 3–4 days ahead in peak season. Beach boat tours and walking tours can often be arranged with 24 hours’ notice. If you’re in Mykonos for more than 3 days, consider combining: Delos one morning, beach hopping one afternoon, sunset cruise another evening.