Soleil 40

The Soleil 40 in pictures

Full gallery of the Soleil 40 yacht - click a photo to enlarge.

Technical specs

Cruising from Mykonos

The classic day aboard Soleil 40 points west to Delos and Rhenia, the two islands that define a Mykonos charter. We slip out of Mykonos New Port at Tourlos early, while the sea is still glassy and the meltemi has yet to build, and cross the short channel in under half an hour. Delos is a protected archaeological site, so we anchor off and you step ashore to walk among the ruins before the midday heat.

From Delos it is a brief hop to Rhenia, the uninhabited island next door, where a string of sheltered coves hold water the colour of turquoise glass. This is where Soleil 40 drops anchor for lunch and a long swim, tucked behind a headland that blunts the afternoon wind. Because the meltemi tends to strengthen after noon, the captain reads the forecast each morning and may reverse the order, taking Rhenia first when the north wind is set to blow hard. By late afternoon we ease back toward Tourlos, the Mykonos skyline and its windmills catching the low sun.

Chartering from Mykonos: your questions

Where does the charter depart from in Mykonos?

Charters aboard Soleil 40 depart from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, just north of the town, with the Old Port used as an alternative pick-up point when conditions or timing call for it. The crew confirms the exact meeting point and time the day before, and both ports are a short taxi ride from the main resorts and beaches.

What are the best months to charter around Mykonos?

The season runs from May to October. June and September offer warm seas with lighter crowds and generally gentler wind, while July and August are the hottest and liveliest months but also when the meltemi blows most consistently. May and October are quieter and well suited to relaxed cruising when you are flexible with the itinerary.

How does the meltemi affect our day, and which days are best?

The meltemi is the strong north wind of the Aegean summer, and it usually builds through the afternoon. Mornings are the calmest part of the day, so the captain starts early and plans routes to stay in the lee of the islands. On the windiest days the sheltered southern coast and Rhenia's coves stay comfortable, and the captain reads the forecast each morning to choose the best plan.

Can we reach Delos, Rhenia or Paros on a day charter?

Yes. Delos and Rhenia sit just across a short channel from Mykonos and are the classic day cruise aboard Soleil 40, easily combined in a single outing. Paros and Naxos are reachable on a full day in settled weather, best begun early to cross before the meltemi builds; for a relaxed pace over several islands a multi-day charter is the better choice.