Would you like to discover Mykonos and the Cyclades by sea? Here’s a mini-guide to renting a boat in Mykonos!
Cosmopolitan and festive, Mykonos is renowned for its lively nightlife, where the international jet-set rubs shoulders. One of the best-known destinations in southern Europe, Mykonos, nicknamed the Greek Saint-Tropez, is also sought-after by yachtsmen for its strategic position in the heart of the Cyclades. At the center of the circle formed by the archipelago, Mykonos is the ideal starting point for exploring the islands of the Southern Aegean.
Do Delos, Milos, Amorgos, Naxos, Ios, Folegandros, Samos or Santorini appeal to you? Why not rent a boat from the Tourlos marina and set off to discover them, with the wind and at your own pace. To help you organize your cruise, Generation Voyage has prepared a special boat rental guide for Mykonos.
Itinerary ideas by boat from Mykonos
Among the many cruising itineraries in Mykonos, we’ve selected three ideas to discover over a weekend, a week or ten days.
Mykonos – Delos, a weekend away
Photo credit: Shutterstock – lkpro
From the port of Tourlos, set sail for Delos, the smallest of the Cyclades islands. Considered the focal point of the archipelago, this sacred island is, according to mythology, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
Accessible by day only, this Unesco World Heritage island is home to the finest archaeological site in the Aegean. The nearby island of Rhenia is also worth a visit for its crystal-clear waters.
The program includes visits to the Terrace of the Lions, the House of Dionysus and the Temple of Isis on Delos. Climb Mount Cynthe and swim in secret coves and deserted beaches on Rhenia.
Mykonos – Santorini – Mykonos via Naxos in one week
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Heracles Kritikos
Mykonos, Naxos, Koufonissi, Santorini, Ios, Paros: the itinerary of this one-week cruise around Mykonos takes you to a different island every day. Among the must-see destinations in the Southern Cyclades, don’t miss :
- Mount Zeus (1,001 metres), the Rina cave, the temples of Apollo and Demeter, the Kouros of Apollona and Flerio on Naxos;
- The village of Ano Koufonissi, the Ksylompatis cave and the Devil’s Eye natural pool at Koufonissi;
- The ancient cities of Thera and Akrotiri, the vineyards of Pyrgos, the crater of Nea Kameni, the warm waters of Palea Kameni and the caldera of Santorini;
- The natural port of Ormos, Homer’s tomb, Klima beach and Manganari bay on Ios;
- Surf, windsurf and kite on the beaches of Pounda, Platia Ammos or Santa Maria, the fishing port of Naoussa, the Byzantine path linking Lefkes to Prodromos, the Panagia Ekatontapiliani church on Paros.
Mykonos – Santorini – Crete – Mykonos: a two-week cruise
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Georgios Tsichlis
Your two-week cruise in Mykonos will take you from the port of Tourlos to Naoussa Marina. You’ll then weigh anchor for the port of Karavostasi on Ios, before setting sail for the marina of Vlychada.
After a day’s sailing, you’ll reach the port ofHeraklion in Crete. You will then head for Agios Nikolaos Marina. On the way back, you’ll call at Katapola on the island of Amorgos and finally dock at the port of Tourlos, your departure point for Mykonos.
Highlights of Santorini, Crete and Amorgos:
- The hiking trail from Imerovigli to Skaros Rock, Vlychada Beach, Red Beach and White Beach in Santorini;
- Heraklion, Knossos Palace, Ágios Nikólaos, Lake Voulismeni, Gulf of Mirabello and the fortress islet of Spinalonga in Crete;
- Chozoviotissa monastery, Agia Ana beach, Aegiali bay and Katapola in Amorgos.
What type of boat to rent in Mykonos?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Roman Sigaev
You’ll find a variety of boats for hire in the port of Mykonos. For an excursion lasting one or more days, you can opt for :
- A motorboat;
- A sailboat ;
- Catamaran ;
- Schooner;
- A semi-rigid ;
- Jet-ski;
- A yacht.
How much does a yacht charter in Mykonos cost?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Jekatarinka
The price of a boat rental in Mykonos depends on the type of boat and the season. Daily rates in high summer season range from :
- 170 to €4,200 for a motorboat with captain (or €125 to €800 without);
- 225 and €1,400 for a sailboat with captain(€225 and €800 without);
- 405 € and 2 000 € for a catamaran with captain (from 405 € without captain);
- 240 and €1,200 for a RIB with captain(€240 and €900 without);
- 900 and €4,700 for a jet-ski;
- 900 and €4,700 for a yacht with captain.
Good to know: these prices do not include fuel. All boat rentals include compulsory life-saving equipment: buoys, life jackets for children and adults, and a fire extinguisher.
How to rent a boat in Mykonos?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pawel Kazmierczak
There are two ways to rent a boat in Mykonos: directly at the Tourlos marina or online. By booking online, you’ll benefit from a wider range of boats and save time.
Specialized websites such as Samboat put you in touch with individuals or professionals offering boat rentals in Mykonos. You can also hire the services of a skipper. This is the ideal solution if you’re not a seasoned sailor or don’t have a boating license.
To make your cruise even more fun, don’t hesitate to book additional equipment such as snorkels, buoys, flippers, wakeboards…
Do I need a license to sail on Mykonos?
Boat rental in Mykonos or Greece requires a boating license, generally for vessels over 30 hp. If you rent a sailboat or motorboat with less than 30 hp, you can pilot it without a boating license.
Good to know: boating licenses recognized in their country of origin (European Union member states) are valid in Greece. So you can rent a boat in Mykonos with a French boating license.
Our tips for sailing in Mykonos?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – jankabrt
Before you set sail, keep an eye on the weather. During the warmer months, Mykonos, the Cyclades and the Aegean Sea are swept by the Meltem. This northerly wind, active from April to October, can gust strongly in July and August, making navigation between the islands sometimes tricky.
When is the best time to sail on Mykonos?
The ideal time to sail in the Cyclades is between late spring and early autumn. In other words, the best time to charter a boat in Mykonos is between May and October.
Bear in mind that summer tourist numbers are at their peak. Booking your boat well in advance is more than ever recommended!
And you, renting a boat in Mykonos… Are you with us?