Exploring the Greek Islands by Boat

As a seafaring people, the Greeks have a well-developed sailing culture. With hundreds of islands and a long coastline, there is plenty of water to explore in Greece. If you want to take a more independent trip, you can charter a boat to take you around.

Keen sailors might want to crew the boat themselves, while those looking to relax can hire a crew along with the vessel. Both of these options tend to be quite expensive, but you can get some good deals if you are traveling in a larger group.

Alternatively you can use the ferry services, which range from large ships on longer routes to tiny launches in between smaller islands. There are overnight trips from Piraeus to Crete with cabins down to 10-passenger boats in the Small Cyclades.

In fact, this group of small islands, which includes Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissi, Donoussa and Amorgos, is perfect for island hopping. With such short distances between the islands, you can take out a sea kayak to explore, while strong swimmers can make some crossings using their open-water swimming skills.

There are options at every price point, and you can go with a specialized tour operator or plan your own trip. In a culture so connected to the sea, it’s a great way to see Greece and understand its people.

http://www.visitgreece.gr/