Self-Launched Sailing Week in the Cyclades: Mykonos to Naxos & the Small Cyclades
8 days · Cyclades Islands, Greece
Much Better Adventures charges £2,995
No-markup version: ~£1,150 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the premium operator markup and self-launch your own Cyclades sailing adventure. By chartering a bareboat or crewed catamaran directly, staying in budget guesthouses on nights ashore, and booking activities independently, you can sail the same stunning route — Mykonos, Rinia, Paros, the Small Cyclades, Koufonisia, Naxos, and Delos — for a fraction of the cost. All the Aegean swims, coastal hikes, taverna feasts, and hidden coves; none of the tour operator premium. Costs below are per person based on a group of 8 splitting a catamaran charter.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Mykonos & Set Sail
Mykonos
Fly into Mykonos Airport (JMK) — budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet serve Mykonos from the UK via Athens, or book a direct charter flight in summer. Take a taxi from the airport to Tourlos Port (New Port) — around €20–€30, 10–15 mins. Board your pre-booked catamaran (see charter notes below) and meet your fellow sailors. After a safety briefing, cast off for a short afternoon sail to a sheltered anchorage nearby. Swim off the stern, watch the sunset from the flybridge, and enjoy a self-cooked dinner on board using fresh produce picked up at Mykonos market before departure.
🚌Taxi from JMK airport to Tourlos Port (~£22). Catamaran under your own charter.
🛏On board your chartered catamaran (en suite cabin, twin share)
- →Taxi from Mykonos Airport to Tourlos Port (~€25, ~£22)
- →Board your directly chartered catamaran — book via Sailogy, Zizoo, or Click&Boat for significant savings over operator rates
- →Afternoon sail to a sheltered anchorage (1–2 hrs)
- →Sunset swim off the stern
- →Self-catered dinner on board using fresh local produce
Rinia's Clear Waters & Sail to Paros
Rinia & Paros
Wake early and swim off the boat before breakfast. Sail south to uninhabited Rinia island (~1.5 hrs), famous for crystal-clear water and deserted bays. Drop anchor for snorkelling and paddleboarding — bring your own snorkel masks (buy cheaply in Mykonos Town, ~€10) or pack from home. After a lazy lunch on board, continue south to Paros (~2.5 hrs). Arrive at Naousa harbour in the late afternoon — moor at the public quay or a local marina. Wander the charming whitewashed streets of Naousa and pick a harbourside taverna for dinner. Try fresh grilled octopus and a carafe of local wine.
🚌Sailing: Mykonos anchorage → Rinia → Naousa, Paros (~4 hrs total)
🛏On board catamaran, anchored or moored near Naousa, Paros
- →Morning swim at anchor off Rinia
- →Snorkelling and paddleboarding at Rinia (gear on boat or buy snorkel ~£9)
- →Sail Rinia to Naousa, Paros (~2.5 hrs)
- →Wander Naousa's harbour and old town (free)
- →Taverna dinner in Naousa — budget €20–€30pp (~£17–£26)
Into the Small Cyclades
Small Cyclades (Iraklia / Schinoussa / Koufonisia)
Depart Paros and sail south-east into the Small Cyclades (~3–4 hrs), a scattering of quiet, unspoilt islands that see a fraction of the tourist footfall of their bigger neighbours. En route, look for secluded coves to anchor and swim. Depending on conditions, aim for Iraklia or Schinoussa for the night. Take a short hike to a hilltop viewpoint — both islands have easy, well-marked trails. Moor in the small harbour and eat at one of the handful of traditional tavernas — the fish mezze here is exceptional and prices are among the cheapest in the Cyclades. Optional: snorkel over the submerged WWII seaplane wreck near Iraklia with local dive/snorkel guide (~€25pp via local boat).
🚌Sailing: Paros → Small Cyclades (~3–4 hrs)
🛏On board catamaran, moored in small harbour (Iraklia or Schinoussa)
- →Sail Paros to Small Cyclades (~3–4 hrs)
- →Swim stops en route in hidden coves
- →Hike to hilltop viewpoint on Iraklia or Schinoussa (free, ~1 hr)
- →Optional: guided snorkel of WWII seaplane wreck (~£22pp via local operator)
- →Taverna dinner ashore (~€18–€25pp, ~£15–£22)
Slow Days in the Small Cyclades
Small Cyclades
Embrace the unhurried pace of the Small Cyclades. Spend the morning anchored in a sheltered bay — swim, read on the bow, or try paddleboarding. Sail a short leg to the next island or a quieter anchorage in the afternoon. There's no agenda today beyond soaking it in. Lunch on board using fresh bread, feta, tomatoes, olives and cold cuts from a village minimarket (incredibly cheap here — budget ~€5–8pp for supplies). In the evening, anchor in a peaceful bay and enjoy a self-cooked Greek feast on board: grilled fish, Greek salad, local wine.
🚌Sailing: short hop within the Small Cyclades (~1–2 hrs)
🛏On board catamaran at anchor in sheltered bay
- →Morning swim and paddleboard session at anchor
- →Short afternoon sail to next anchorage (~1–2 hrs)
- →Village minimarket shop for lunch supplies (~£5–7pp)
- →Self-catered dinner on board — grilled fish, Greek salad, local wine (~£10pp in supplies)
Koufonisia Coastal Trail & Sail to Naxos
Koufonisia & Naxos
Koufonisia is the unmissable highlight of any Small Cyclades itinerary. Anchor off the south coast and walk the famous south-to-north coastal trail (~3 miles, ~2 hrs) past sea caves, natural rock pools, and wind-carved white limestone. The trail is waymarked and completely free. Reward yourself with lunch at a taverna in Koufonisia's main village — the fresh fish here is outstanding. Book ahead if visiting in peak season (July–August). After lunch, sail north towards Naxos (~2–2.5 hrs). En route, if seas are calm, anchor briefly near Rina Cave and swim inside. Arrive at Naxos and moor at the town port or anchor in a nearby bay.
🚌Sailing: Koufonisia → Rina Cave → Naxos (~2.5–3 hrs)
🛏On board catamaran, moored at Naxos Town port or anchored nearby
- →Walk Koufonisia's south-to-north coastal trail (free, ~3 miles, ~2 hrs)
- →Swim in natural rock pools along the trail
- →Taverna lunch in Koufonisia village (~€18–€25pp, ~£15–£22)
- →Swim into Rina Cave (conditions permitting — free)
- →Sail Koufonisia to Naxos (~2–2.5 hrs)
Explore Naxos
Naxos
Naxos is the largest and greenest Cycladic island — a full day here is well deserved. Option A (culture lovers): Walk up to the Venetian Kastro fortress in Naxos Town (free entry to exterior, small museums inside ~€3), wander the old town's marble-paved alleys, and visit the iconic Portara marble doorway on the islet of Palatia — one of Greece's most striking ancient monuments, free to visit. Option B (hikers): Catch a local KTEL bus inland (~€3) to the mountain village of Halki and hike back via Byzantine paths and ancient towers. Option C (beach day): Hire a scooter (~€20/day) and ride south to the long sandy beaches of Plaka or Agia Anna. Regroup in the evening for dinner in Naxos Town (Chora) — explore the backstreets behind the waterfront for authentic, cheaper tavernas away from the tourist strip.
🚌Local KTEL buses around Naxos (~€2–4 per journey) or hire a scooter (~£17/day)
🛏On board catamaran, moored at Naxos Town port
- →Visit the Portara (Temple of Apollo gateway) — free
- →Explore Naxos Town's Venetian Kastro and old town — free
- →Option: KTEL bus inland to Halki village (~€3 each way, ~£2.50)
- →Option: Scooter hire to southern beaches (~€20/day, ~£17)
- →Dinner in Naxos Town taverna (~€20–€30pp, ~£17–£26)
Delos Archaeological Site & Final Sail
Delos & Mykonos waters
Sail north from Naxos towards the sacred island of Delos (~3–4 hrs), the legendary birthplace of Apollo and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Anchor offshore and take the dinghy ashore, or if you prefer, anchor near Mykonos and take the public ferry to Delos from Mykonos Old Port (ferries run daily in season, ~€25 return including site entry, bookable via Delos Cruises or at the port). The site is extraordinary: marble temples, the iconic Avenue of the Lions, ancient mosaics and sweeping island views. Allow 2–3 hrs to explore properly. Return to the boat for your final evening — anchor in a sheltered spot near Mykonos, cook a celebratory dinner on board with the best ingredients you can find, and toast the week on the flybridge at sunset.
🚌Sailing: Naxos → Delos → Mykonos anchorage (~3–4 hrs). Public ferry to Delos if needed (~£22 return inc. entry).
🛏On board catamaran, anchored near Mykonos
- →Sail north towards Delos and Mykonos (~3–4 hrs)
- →Visit Delos Archaeological Site — public ferry from Mykonos Old Port (~€25 return inc. entry, ~£22) or dinghy from your own boat + site entry €12
- →Explore the Avenue of the Lions, Temple of Apollo, ancient mosaics (2–3 hrs)
- →Final sunset swim off the boat
- →Celebratory self-catered dinner on board
Return to Tourlos Port & Departure
Mykonos
After an early breakfast on board, make the short final sail back to Tourlos Port (New Port) to return the catamaran. Complete the handover checklist with the charter company. From Tourlos Port you can take a taxi to Mykonos Airport (€20–€30, ~15 mins) for flights departing after 1pm, or catch an onward ferry to Athens (Piraeus) or other islands directly from the port — ferries to Athens run several times daily in season (~€35–45, ~3.5 hrs by fast ferry, bookable on Ferryhopper or DirectFerries). If you have time before your flight, drop your bags at the port and take a quick taxi into Mykonos Town for a final coffee and a wander.
🚌Taxi from Tourlos Port to JMK Airport (~£22) or ferry to Athens via Ferryhopper (~£33)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Short final sail back to Tourlos Port (~1 hr)
- →Catamaran handover and disembarkation
- →Taxi to Mykonos Airport (~€25, ~£22) — depart no earlier than 1pm
- →OR: onward ferry to Athens (Piraeus) via Ferryhopper (~€38, ~£33, 3.5 hrs fast ferry)
- →Optional: final coffee and wander in Mykonos Town before departure
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,150 | £2,995 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,845 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,150
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Sailing Week in the Cyclades: Mykonos to Naxos & the Small Cyclades cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,150 per person for 8 days in Cyclades Islands, Greece. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £2,995 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,150 — a saving of roughly £1,845 (62%) per person.
How long is the Cyclades Islands, Greece trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Cyclades Islands, Greece.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a sailing, adventure, culture trip through Cyclades Islands, Greece, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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