Mykonos is best known for its beaches, Chora, and nightlife. But if you stay on the island for more than two or three days, there’s plenty of time in your itinerary for something other than the beach in the morning and a night out.
The options are quite specific: windsurfing and water skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing to Rhenia and Delos, as well as jeep tours through the interior and along the northern side of the island. The right choice depends mainly on the weather, how much time you have, and whether you’re looking for an intense activity or a more relaxed exploration.
Water sports: Where to find them
Not all of Mykonos’s beaches are suitable for the same type of activity. Their orientation and the wind create different conditions from one beach to another. Kalafati is one of the top spots for water sports. It’s particularly known for windsurfing, and there are organized centers in the area offering activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and tubing.
For windsurfing, Ftelia is also worth considering. Its location in the bay and its exposure to northern winds have made it a favorite among windsurfers. Korfos and Megali Ammos are also among the beaches that benefit from the island’s strong winds.
If you’re more interested in jet skiing or parasailing, there are options available at Elia and Kalafati.
Here’s a practical observation: the wind in Mykonos isn’t just part of the scenery. It can determine whether a water activity will take place and under what conditions. It’s therefore a good idea to confirm that the activity is running on the day itself, especially when a strong meltemi is blowing.
Diving and snorkeling for a different perspective on the island
Mykonos also offers organized options for those who want to see what lies beneath the surface of the Aegean Sea. You don’t necessarily need to be a certified diver. The island has dive centers offering introductory courses for beginners, organized dives for certified divers, and snorkeling. There are centers in Kalafati, Paradise Beach, and Lia.
For more experienced divers, the options are clearly more extensive. The island’s dive centers highlight reefs, rocky formations, caves, and shipwrecks. One specific example is the Anna II wreck, a cargo ship that sank in 1995 and is now a popular dive site.
If scuba diving seems like too much for your vacation, snorkeling is the simplest option. It takes less time and can be combined with an organized boat tour.
Sailing to Rhenia and Delos
A full-day or half-day boat trip completely changes your perspective of the island. The most common routes head to Delos and Rhenia or along the southern coast of Mykonos.
Delos adds a historical element to the excursion, while Renia is usually used for stops for swimming and snorkeling. There are organized tours that combine both islands in a single day.
If you’re not interested in visiting an archaeological site, there are also cruises that focus more on the sea and the beaches of the southern coast. Boat tours may stop at Psarou, Platis Gialos, Paranga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, Elia, Kalo Livadi, and Kalafati, depending on the itinerary and weather conditions.
Before booking, check exactly what the excursion includes. The “Delos & Rhenia cruise” does not always mean that admission or an organized guided tour of the Delos archaeological site is included. The itineraries vary considerably.
Jeep safari: The other side of Mykonos
The jeep safari in Mykonos is particularly worthwhile because it takes you on an exploration away from Chora and the crowded southern beaches. Organized off-road routes typically pass through parts of northern and eastern Mykonos, rural areas, and smaller roads. Available tours include stops at the Armenistis Lighthouse, Agios Sostis, Ano Mera, Paleokastro, Kalafati, Kalo Livadi, and Agrari. The exact route depends on the tour operator.
That’s what makes the experience so interesting. In just a few hours, you witness the transition from the cosmopolitan coastal area to a much drier Cycladic landscape, with sparse vegetation, fields, small chapels, and more secluded shores.
The Armenisti Lighthouse, to the northwest, is a must-see stop because of its unobstructed view of the Aegean Sea. Ano Mera, on the other hand, offers a glimpse of the island’s interior that’s hard to catch if your travels are limited to the route between Chora, the beach, and Corfos Rearl Suits.
Not all jeep safaris are the same. Some are led by a professional driver, while others may allow participants to drive themselves. In the latter case, you should check in advance the requirements regarding a driver’s license, the driver’s age, and insurance coverage. The terms vary by organizer and should not be taken for granted.
Hiking and biking away from Chora
Mykonos isn’t as well-known as a hiking destination as other Cycladic islands, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any trails.
The area around Ano Mera and the northern and eastern coasts are better suited for such activities because they are away from the hustle and bustle of Chora and the popular southern beaches. There are organized hiking and biking trails to areas such as Fokos, and longer routes have also been mapped out that connect Ano Mera with more secluded beaches.
In the summer, however, timing matters. A route with no shade at 2:00 p.m. is a very different experience from the same route early in the morning. Water, a hat, and proper shoes are essential, and on hot days, it’s best to avoid the midday hours.
How to choose an activity in Mykonos
If you only have one weekend on the island, there’s no real need to pack your schedule with organized activities. One experience is enough and leaves time for the beach and Chora. For a longer stay, the options open up. You can, for example, spend one morning doing water sports and another day sailing or going on a jeep safari. That way, your activities don’t take away from the time you want to spend at the beaches.
The choice can be even simpler:
- For excitement and action: windsurfing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, or other water sports.
- To explore the underwater world: scuba diving or snorkeling.
- For enjoying the sea without much physical effort: day sailing or a cruise.
- To see the island’s interior and quieter areas: a jeep safari.
- For a slower pace: hiking or a bike ride, preferably in the morning or late afternoon.
What to check before booking
For activities in Mykonos, weather conditions can change the schedule, especially at sea. For sailing, diving, and water sports, check the weather forecast and the organizer’s policy in case of strong winds.
For jeep, ATV, or buggy tours, check who is driving, what license is required, and what the insurance covers. Also, don’t assume that transportation from the hotel, meals, fuel, or equipment are automatically included in the price. Packages vary.
For water activities, a change of clothes, a towel, water, sunscreen, and a hat will cover most of your needs. For off-road driving or hiking, opt for closed-toe shoes instead of flip-flops.
Mykonos offers enough activities to fill a trip without having to pack every hour of the itinerary. Breakfast in Kalafati, a dive in Lia, or a jeep tour to Agios Sostis offer three quite different perspectives on the same island. The most practical approach is to choose one or two that truly suit your travel style and leave the rest of your time free.
A great starting point for exploring different sides of Mykonos
Korfos is the ideal area to use as your base for your daily outings and plan different activities depending on the weather and your mood. Korfos is located near Chora and is also known for its conditions that attract windsurfers, so the sea remains part of the experience even on days when you haven’t planned an organized excursion.If you’re planning your vacation in Mykonos, start by choosing two or three activities that truly interest you and leave time for spontaneous stops. Distances on the island may seem short on a map, but a day is much more enjoyable when it isn’t just a series of appointments and transfers.
Discover Corfos Pearl Suites in Korfos and plan your days in Mykonos from here. Book your stay on time!
