Family Greek Coast Caique Cruise

Over View

Join our captain, Thanos, on board a traditional Greek motorised sailing boat and explore the forts and ruins scattered along this historic coastline. Along the way there is ample opportunity to drop anchor and swim in the sea, soak up the sunshine on deck and visit tranquil fishing villages and family run taverns to sample the delicious local Mediterranean cuisine in the evenings.

Thrill of adventure at sea – Cruise around the beautiful Greek island of Evia for six nights on a traditional wooden boat.

Swimming – In the warm, azure waters of the Aegean Sea, straight from the boat.

Relax – Wake up to a new view every morning in the Mediterranean.

Itinerary

Day 1 Join trip at Athens Airport and transfer to Evia Island to board our caique

Our trip begins at Athens International Airport (airport code ATH) at 7pm. The latest your flight can arrive is therefore 6.30pm. We will travel together as a group by bus to the port of Rafina or Marathon where we catch a ferry to the island of Evia. On arrival it is a short taxi or minibus ride to Karystos where our caique is moored. Before settling into our cabins we meet our friendly boat crew and enjoy a welcome drink.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you may have time to wait ahead of our group transfer to Evia this evening. You can make the most of this time by taking the opportunity to explore the nearby city of Athens, which is easily accessible from the airport on regular metro trains – the signage is in English and no changes of train are required. There are also luggage storage facilities available at the airport.

The MV Isidoros II is a traditional family-owned wooden caique with just eight guest cabins that Explore exclusively charters. The caique is listed as a historic vessel and there are fewer than 80 of this iconic Greek designed boat left in existence, so being able to stay aboard is a real treat. It was built in 1962 and was originally used as a cargo ferry before being converted in 1974 to the comfortable passenger cruiser it is today.

Our boat has a large sundeck and a comfortable galley for meals. There is a bar where you can purchase a range of local wine and beer, spirits and soft drinks. There is also a boat ladder and snorkelling equipment available on board to make the most of the many swimming opportunities. All of the cosy cabins are en suite with windows and large fans and there is complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Our boat has a real home from home feel and you are free to move around as you please. You can even choose to sleep on deck under the stars if you wish to enjoy the clear night sky and cool night breeze.

Evia is one of the largest Greek islands, but still remains off of the main tourist trail. In summer and on the weekends you’ll find the main visitors are the Greek’s leaving the city of Athens to enjoy the waterfront tavernas and uncrowded beaches. Visiting Evia is therefore a very authentic local experience. The rugged coastline is dotted with market towns, fishing villages, secluded coves and wide sandy beaches. The sea is clear and warm, making it a wonderful spot to swim and snorkel. The pine covered hills provide the perfect backdrop and also help to keep the evenings temperatures cooler.

Please note that the order of the itinerary and inclusions may vary due to weather and cruising conditions.

Day 2 Sail to the bay of Panagia, a small fishing village lying in the shelter of a fjord.

Each morning a hearty breakfast is prepared for you consisting of fresh bread, cheese, ham, eggs, cereals, Greek yoghurt, honey, marmalades, fresh seasonal fruits and orange juice with coffee or English tea. Our captain also serves tea and coffee with biscuits or cakes at eleven o’clock on deck.

After breakfast we set sail for our first destination, the bay of Panagia, a small fishing village lying in the shelter of a fjord. En route we will stop to swim in the waters off the rugged and undeveloped coastline. Once in Panagia there is the opportunity to see terrapin turtles in the streams behind the picturesque church of St Mary or swim and snorkel in the fjord waters of the bay.

Lunch is generally a hot regional speciality with a vegetarian option served with seasonal salad and a traditional appetiser.

Dinner will be in one of the small characterful seaside waterfront taverns offering barbecue seafood and traditional dishes with local wine, beer and soft drinks.

Day 3 Cruise to Porto Buffalo, a delightful small fishing port steeped in ancient history, sailing later that day to Eretria.

Today we will cruise to the Gulf of Evia, where the island splits from the mainland. Greek legends romantically claim that the divide was caused by Poseidon piercing the earth with his trident. We travel via Porto Buffalo, a small fishing village port in southern Evia renowned for its fresh fish, the port hosts a beautiful and private lagoon where we spend time at the sandy beach or if you wish, why not practice jumping off the boat from the top deck into the turquoise Aegean Sea.

We continue at a leisurely pace cruising to Eretria, one of the most well known cities of ancient Greece and the birthplace of our alphabet. The town boasts an extensive archaeological site with a superb museum. We enjoy our evening in the long cosmopolitan promenade watching the small ferries coming and going to the mainland.

Day 4 Spend the morning in Eretria with its ancient baths and mosaics. Cruise to Nea Styra in the afternoon.

We make the most of the mornings perfect location with a visit to the museum and the towns archaeological site along with time to wander along the boulevard where you will find many gift shops. Alternatively, there is the opportunity to go for a swim and snorkel before cruising towards Nea Styra. This area has a number of stunning beaches and boasts a beautiful coastline with clear waters inviting you to swim and snorkel. The rolling hills above Nea Styra lead to a silver-green valley of olive trees where we have the opportunity to explore in the afternoon. As the sun sets in the historic bay of Marathon, the promenade comes to life with all the locals and visitors experiencing a typical Mediterranean stroll before dining alfresco.

Day 5 Swim and snorkel in Nea Styra. In the afternoon cruise to Figias and on to Marmari.

After a leisurely start to the day, we set sail and cruise towards Figias and onto Marmari, a typical Aegean fishing village with numerous tavernas and cafes dotted along the promenade. There is ample opportunity to swim and snorkel off the boat close to the rocky shores.

Day 6 Cruise to Petali Islands for swimming and on to Karystos

This morning we cruise towards the archipelagos of Petali, where seven private and exclusive islands offer the best of a ‘jet set’ life in the Aegean. Once the summer residence of the Greek royal family, today it is the playground of the Picasso family, the Embiricos ship owners, and other such tycoons. Maria Calas, one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century, spent many summers here and we drop anchor to enjoy the good life ourselves with opportunities to swim, snorkel or just relax on the deck amongst the rich and famous. In the late afternoon we set sail for Karystos.

Day 7 Cruise to Bouros Bay and then on to Karystos, overnight in a hotel.

This morning we can visit the Venetian mountain castle of Castello Rosso in Gourna which is a well preserved 4th crusade fortresses that commands the sea corridor between Asia and Europe, the entry to the Black Sea.

Our final stop on our cruise is Bouros in Karystos bay where we will drop anchor for the last time to swim and snorkel in the amazing clear waters of the Aegean. After docking at the harbour we bid farewell to our friendly crew. Tonight we stay in a waterfront hotel in Karystos. We can visit the famous Montofoli winery estate or enjoy an afternoon in Kohyli Coves which is walking distance from our hotel.

Day 8 Ferry to Rafina and transfer to Athens Airport where our trip ends

Departing Karystos this morning we take a short taxi or minibus ride back to Marmari or Styra to board the ferry for the journey back to Rafina or Marathon on mainland Greece. Our ferry will depart at approximately 9.50am. From Rafina we transfer to Athens International Airport (airport code ATH), where we will arrive at about 11.30am and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 1.30pm.