Top 8 Activities To Do in Mykonos

Mykonos is one of Greece's most popular and glamorous islands, located in the heart of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea. The island is known for its rich history, picturesque villages with whitewashing buildings, stunning coastline and vibrant nightlife, making it a popular destination for travellers seeking excitement and relaxation.

Mykonos is home to charming villages with classic buildings, narrow streets, and bougainvillea-covered alleyways. The island is dotted with beautiful golden sandy beaches, such as Paradise Beach, Super Paradise Beach, and Psarou Beach. It is also known for its diverse scenery, with turquoise waters, rolling hills and rocky landscapes. There are plenty of outdoor activities to try while visiting Mykonos, whether you are seeking culture, sightseeing or thrilling adventures!

1. Boat Tour

Boat Tour in Mykonos
Sunfos Alessia Yachting

A scenic boat tour is one of the best ways to experience the beautiful island of Mykonos! You can choose from a short sightseeing tour or a full-day all-inclusive tour of some famous sites around the island. Enjoy panoramic coastline views, swim in secluded coves, and relax on deck while soaking up the Mediterranean sun. Sunset cruises are also very popular, offering breathtaking views of the sun sinking below the horizon. Delos is a small uninhabited island located near Mykonos and is often visited on a sailing cruise. The island holds immense historical and archaeological significance and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the island’s archaeological sites and learn about its fascinating history. Another popular island that you can visit from Mykonos is Rhenia, known for its beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters and soft sand. Rhenia remains largely untouched, making it an ideal destination for those seeking tranquillity and natural beauty. There is a boat tour in Mykonos to suit everyone!

2. Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving in Mykonos
Mykonos Diving Center

With its amazing visibility, crystal clear waters and diverse marine life, Mykonos is an ideal destination for scuba diving! There are many iconic dive sites located around the island, where divers can discover ancient shipwrecks, unique underwater caves and caverns, rocky reefs, and varied marine life including octopuses, groupers, wrasses, morays, lobsters and colourful fish. You can try scuba diving for the first time as a beginner, join a guided adventure dive as a certified diver, or even take part in a course to obtain your PADI certificate! There are sites for every experience level in Mykonos. You’ll usually travel by boat, enjoying the mesmerising views of the coastline along the way. Then, you’ll dive beneath the surface and discover a sensational new world! Scuba diving in Mykonos is perfect for those seeking a thrilling experience.

3. Water Skiing

Waterskiing in Mykonos
Super Paradise Watersports

If you’re looking for a thrilling water sport, try a wakeboarding or waterskiing session in Mykonos! Waterskiing involves skimming along the surface of the water while being pulled behind a boat. Standing on water skies or a wakeboard, you’ll glide across the water and experience the feeling of floating! Waterskiing is accessible to everyone, you don’t need any prior experience. A certified instructor will go through all of the safety procedures and techniques before you set off on the adventure. You can try waterskiing from Super Paradise Beach, a perfect way to experience the beautiful coastline and clear waters of the Aegean Sea!

4. Jeep Tour

Jeep Tour in Mykonos
Mykonos Excursions

While Mykonos is known for its sandy beaches and water activities, the island also boasts a diverse countryside terrain. A jeep tour is a great way to explore the island on off-road routes. Driving allows you to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time while getting off the beaten track. Mykonos holds a lot of historical significance, with a rich cultural heritage and landmarks dating back centuries. You could drive to Armenistis Lighthouse, an important landmark that was used to guide ships safely past the island’s rugged coastline. The cylindrical tower stands tall against the backdrop of the sea, offering stunning panoramic views! The Panagia Tourliani Monastery is another famous archaeological site on the island that you could visit on a tour. Drive through the agricultural countryside of the island, as well as the charming villages with narrow streets. A jeep tour in Mykonos is an enjoyable day trip to explore the idyllic island.

5. Flyboarding

Flyboarding in Mykonos
Super Paradise Watersports

Flyboarding in Mykonos is another exhilarating water sport which uses special equipment that allows you to fly above the water's surface and perform various aerial manoeuvres. A flyboard rider stands on a board connected by a long hose to a watercraft. Water is pressurised and propelled through jet nozzles beneath a pair of boots, generating thrust that propels the rider to soar up to 22 metres (72 feet) above the surface! This is a really fun experience that offers breathtaking views of the island’s coastline while simulating the feeling of flying in the air. You can do flyboarding as a complete beginner, the instructor will always go through safety procedures beforehand.

6. Hiking

Hiking in Mykonos
Mykonos Excursions

A hiking tour in Mykonos is an enjoyable way to explore the island’s rugged countryside on foot. Several hiking trails crisscross the island, offering breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, picturesque villages, and ancient ruins. As you hike up rocky hills, you can enjoy mesmerising panoramic views of the surrounding islands, such as Ikaria, Samos and Tinos. You can reach smaller, secluded beaches and enjoy a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters to cool you down from the walk! Explore the lush greenery and charming farm villages, experiencing a different side of this glamorous island.

7. Jet Skiing

Jet skiing in Mykonos
Super Paradise Watersports

Jet skiing is another adrenaline-inducing water sport that allows you to discover Mykonos’ coastline while driving your own water vehicle! Once again, no prior experience is needed for this activity. After brief instructions from the guide, you can rent a jet ski and drive it yourself. Starting from Super Paradise Beach, zoom across the crystal clear Aegean Sea and feel the rush of travelling at high speed on the water as you zoom past the Mykonos shoreline. Pick your preferred model and book an exciting jet ski rental in Mykonos!

8. Snorkelling

Snorkelling in Mykonos
Mykonos Diving Center

The final activity on our list is another fun water sport - snorkelling! If you can’t scuba dive, snorkelling is a perfect alternative and is welcome to people of all ages, an enjoyable day trip for families and friends. A guide will go through the instructions for snorkelling and provide the equipment (snorkel, mask and fins) that allows you to breathe underwater without diving deep. You’ll travel to shallow waters and explore underwater marine life, including octopuses, sea urchins, starfish, sea turtles, cuttlefish, squid, and corals! Whether you're exploring rocky reefs, sandy seabeds, or underwater caves, there's always the possibility of encountering something new and exciting beneath the surface. Embark on a snorkelling excursion in Mykonos and learn more about the life that inhabits the Aegean Sea!

Whether you're exploring ancient ruins, diving into crystal-clear waters, or simply soaking in the island's breathtaking vistas, Mykonos lets you discover the beauty of Greece and create memories that will last a lifetime.

While visiting the Cyclades in Greece, check out our top activities to do in Santorini next!