Sailing trip to Naxos beaches, Rina Cave and Koufonisi with lunch

Sail to the exotic islands of Koufonisia, the secluded beaches of Naxos and the famous Rina Cave, with a small group of maximum 18 people and expert crew. You will chance upon secret coves, unspoiled beached and bays with crystalline turquoise water.

Duration
9 hours

Available
Every day

Small Group
Max 18 people

Meeting point
Port of Naxos

Start time
08:30am

What better reason to leave the lovely Naxos for a day, than a chance to sail to the exotic islands of Koufonisia, the secluded beaches of Naxos and the famous Rina Cave in the comfort of a sailing boat? Travel with a small group of maximum 18 people and expert crew on board; you will chance upon secret coves, unspoiled beached and bays with crystalline turquoise water. On board you will find all the equipment for snorkeling and local food and wine to taste the typical Greek cuisine.

Tour program of the Koufonisi boat trip with Rina Cave:

Meeting point at the port of Naxos at 8:15am, where you will meet the crew and get on board a comfortable sailing boat.
We set sail at 08:30 am and cruise along the island’s south coast. Enjoy some time for swimming and snorkeling in one of many bays and beaches along the coast such as Kalados bay, which offers untouched, secluded and tranquil beaches with deep blue waters.
As soon as we leave, another highlight stop is awaiting: Rina Cave. Considered one of the most beautiful places in Naxos, the cave is located in the Kalandos area, on the island’s southern coast; here you will be dropping anchor and enjoy some time to swim under the rock dome and explore the vibrant coral and marine life or you can also climb on top of the cave’s entrance and dive into the crystalline waters.
The next stop will be Koufonisia, a paradise on Earth right in the heart of the Aegean sea. Koufonisia is a group of 3 islands: Ano Koufonisi, which is populated, and Kato Koufonisi and Keros, both uninhabited. The scenery in Koufonisia is beyond words! Unreal turquoise water, glittering sand, laid-back atmosphere, and Cycladic architecture create a true wonder amid Cyclades archipelago. Dip in the sea, open your eyes and look ahead the blue waters of Koufonisia in its majestic splendor. You will be amazed!
Our last selected spot for the day will be Alyko beach with turquoise colored waters making it an ideal sheltered swim stop.
By 6:00 pm you will be arriving at the port of Naxos, just before the sun sets!

*The itinerary of the cruise is strongly related to the sea and weather conditions: the captain will have a personalized approach, working with the conditions of the day to decide the best route, and combining together the most important destination.

**This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

The price includes: English speaking crew – Lunch on board – Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages – Equipment for snorkeling – Small tender to explore the coasts.

Don’t forget: Valid ID or passport – Towel – Swimsuit – Sunscreen – Sun hat – Sunglasses – Camera.

Maximum: 18 people on board.

To know more about your boat trip...

The Cyclades: which are the islands?

The Cyclades are a cluster islands of different sizes located in the Aegean Sea which form a circle: it is precisely for their shape that they take the name Cyclades, from the Greek (kiklos). The Cyclades archipelago has in total 220 islands, but the most important are: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Paros, Ios, Kea, Citnos, Milos, Kimolos, Mykonos, Naxos, Policandro, Tinos, Serifos, Thirnos, Folegandros, Sikinos, Sifousos, Koufonisa, Schinoussa, Iraklia and Santorini. Visiting all the Cyclades, as you can imagine, may be a challenging task and it would require too much time, leaving very little room for relaxation, which is instead one of the prerogatives for those on holiday. For this reason, if you want to visit the Cyclades from Naxos, you have a great option: a boat trip that will allow you to discover the best of the islands around Naxos, exploring little known bays and caves of rare beauty, away from the stress of crowded ferries and crowded beaches. The history of the Cyclades is very ancient: the most important civilization of the Mediterranean was born here and many think that the ancient lost city of Atlantis was actually here, in the Cyclades. Why should you visit the Cyclades? If you are still not happy, know this: the beauty of these islands has no comparison. The Cyclades, each with its own characteristics, are authentic pearls in the Aegean Sea, all of them heated by the sun and featuring the traditional architecture recognizable all over the world: white houses with blue windows and doors, azure domed churches, narrow lanes and windmills. If, to this, we add the beauty of the beaches and the Aegean Sea, we are sure you will understand why the Cyclades are absolutely unmissable.

Kalados bay

Kalados bay is among the most visited destinations on the whole island of Naxos. The beach here is very large and well sheltered from the winds, therefore it is a popular destination for those who love swimming and snorkeling. Getting to Kalados by land may be very stressful and particularly difficult, in fact you have to walk through the sparsely populated hinterland of the island or choose an alternative dirt road, which is not very practical except if you are driving a quad bike. So, the best way to reach Kalados Bay is definitely by sea. Discover Kalados bay with a sailing trip from Naxos, it will be a truly memorable experience.

Rina cave

Another absolute must-see in Naxos, but not easily accessible, is the Rina Cave. Rina Cave is located on a pristine beach with exotic green waters, in the area of Kalandos, on the southern coast of the island. There, next to the beach and among the reflections of the sea, you can see the cave named after the village of Rina, not far away. In the cave you can see some bird nests and a fresh water spring on the left side. Easy to guess, this part of the coast is sheltered from the wind and excellent for swimming.

The Koufonisia archipelago and the islands of Ano Koufonisi, Kato Koufonisi and Keros

The Koufonisia archipelago extends for 26 square kilometers and includes Ano Koufonisi and Kato Koufonisi, separated from each other by a channel of 200 meters. This particular area of the Cyclades is characterized by the simplicity of rural life and the unspoiled nature. Ano Koufonisi is the smallest and most picturesque of the Cyclades, without electricity until a few decades ago and the favourite holiday resort of the Athenians. Kato Koufonisi is instead almost completely deserted, a pristine paradise with crystal clear waters and fine sand; it will not be difficult to find wonderful coves where you can swim. In the southern part of this island there are beautiful beaches from which you can see the islet of Keros, now uninhabited but once an important center of the Cycladic culture, so that among the most important archaeological finds of all the Cyclades period have been brought to light.

Alyko beach

It is in Naxos, too, that you can find a beach of Caribbean connotations: we are talking about Alyko beach. The peculiarity of this beach is the landscape which is recognizable from afar with the cedar forest that slopes down towards the beach. In this spectacular beach you'll find crystal clear water where you can snorkel with the equipment provided on board. If you want to see one of the best beaches in Naxos and feel like you're in the Caribbean, take a boat tour from Naxos to the Cyclades and don't miss Aliko beach: the shades of the sea in this part of the island are exceptional.

Lunch on board: which are the Greek specialities?

During the Cyclades boat trip from Naxos you will taste some of the typical Greek dishes on board the sailing boat. Among these are the saganaki (Greek fried cheese), the moussaka (aubergine and meat pie), the briam (a mixture of potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, mint, garlic, basil), and the Greek salad with feta or xinomisitra (soft and creamy cheese locally produced). If you are in Greece and want to taste the local specialties, you will definitely have to try one of these delicacies.

Useful tips for the Cyclades island boat trip

During your boat tour to the Cyclades we recommend that you protect yourself from the sun and don't forget your sunscreen. The Cyclades are a very sunny and windy area, so by sheltering yourself from the sun and choosing the right route, will allow you to enjoy the boat excursion with lunch to the Cyclades islands.

Q&A

How long is the boat trip to Naxos, Rina cave and Koufonisi with lunch?

This boat experience lasts around 9 hours.

Are there plans to stop for a swim on this tour?

Yes, during this boat tour there will be stops to swim and snorkel.

Are there toilet breaks during the tour?

On board there is the opportunity to use the restroom.

What is included in the boat tour?

In the boat tour it is included a lunch with local typical Greek dishes, accompanied by complimentary drinks.

Why is the itinerary flexible and not fixed?

The itinerary varies according to sea and weather conditions. For your safety on board, the captain will decide the best route to take every day by evaluating the sea and wind conditions.

Will the tour be cancelled in case of heavy rain or rough sea?

Yes, in case of bad weather/sea conditions the tour might be cancelled. In case of cancellation we are happy to offer our customers the choice of an alternative date or, in case of inability to rebook, the full refund.