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With a coastline spanning 13,676 km and more than 6,000 islands, Greece is the perfect destination for an island-hopping adventure. The three largest groups of islands, Ionian, Cyclades and the Dodecanese, lend themselves to island-hopping in particular. Distances between different islands tend to be short, and in some cases, you can even swim between islands.
July is perfect for a boat hire in Greece, particularly in the renowned Cyclades Islands. They are famous for their idyllic beaches, breathtaking landscapes and picturesque villages. Nothing more Greek than the white and blue dots along the coast as you approach Mykonos or Santorini.
These famous islands are visited by tourists from all over the world. If you wish to avoid them, hire a boat to have your own slice of Greek summer. We have asked the locals for some advice. This island-hopping route is based on locals’ recommendations.
The Lesser Cyclades, a collection of hidden gems
Every island-hopping journey in the Cyclades has to start from a relatively big island, where you can hire a boat. In this case, you might want to charter a yacht in Paros. But before you start your trip, take a couple of days to visit Paros itself. In Parikia, you can admire the famous Ekatontapiliani (Hundred Gates) church, built nearly 1,700 years ago! Paros is also famous for its vibrant nightlife. The beach bars and clubs in Naoussa and Parikia are full of young Greeks who celebrate their graduation. With a yacht charter in Paros you can also visit trendy Antiparos nearby. A small island, it has recently become popular with Hollywood stars – Tom Hanks and Madonna own residences there, among others.
From Paros or Naxos, sail to the so-called ‘Lesser Cyclades’, a collection of smaller islands popular with Greek holidaymakers. Visiting these relatively unspoilt islets is like stepping back in time, before mass tourism in the Aegean Sea. July and August are perfect for a sailboat charter in Greece, as the ‘meltemia’ winds are at their fiercest.
Iraklia, an island of legends
Your first stop could be Iraklia, right nex to Paros and below Naxos. You will hardly find a more tranquil island to escape the buzz of the Cyclades in the summer. Dock your boat in the port of Agios Georgios and swim at the nearby beach. The background is idyllically Greek: old olive, pine and almond trees offer a unique sense of serenity. From Agios Georgios, walk to the other big village of the island, Chora (or Panagia), 4km away. Chora is a tad more traditional and picturesque, as tourism hasn’t touched this small village of fishermen yet.
Nature lovers should not miss a visit to the Cave of Agios Ioannis, the seventh-biggest cave in Greece. A maze of various rooms shaped by time, visit with a local guide so as not to get lost. Legend has it that this is the cave where Odysseus encountered and tricked Polyphemous, a fearsome one-eyed giant (cyclop). The island is also part of the EU’s Natura 2000 network, as it is home to several kinds of wild birds. As expected, Iraklia has many beautiful beaches that you can visit by boat or on foot from Agios Georgios. If you hire a boat, you can sail from Agios Georgios to North Cave (Vorini Spilia) on the north of the island. Other beaches you can only reach by boat include Karvounolakkos and Alimia, both serene and with turquoise waters. On Alimia, dive to see the remnants of an Arado Ar 196 monoplane aircraft, shot down during WWII.
Schinousa, a place to relax
The next stop is Schinousa, another small dot on the map of the Aegean Sea. You can dock your boat in Mersini, the island’s port. In the two main villages, Schinousa and Messaria, there are a few taverns where you can try delicious fish, cooked in the traditional Greek way. If you hire a boat in Greece and you are lucky enough to be on the island in mid-August, don’t miss the big feast of Mary on 15th August for a Greek dance lesson! As for beaches, the locals recommend Tsingkouri, Aligaria, Almyros and Psili Ammos, as well as remote beaches such as Fidou and Leivadi that you can only reach by boat.
