Milos Boat Tours – How To Choose The Perfect Milos Sailing Tour For You

Updated on May 2nd, 2024

Taking a sailing tour around Milos is the perfect way to see the highlights of this beautiful Greek Island. After all, you cannot miss world-famous Kleftiko, Sarakiniko beach & your chance to swim in the crystal blue water! Here is all the information you need to find the best Milos boat tour for you. “

Where?

Milos Island, Cyclades, Greece

Why?

In August 2018, I visited Milos Island as part of a Greek Island-hopping holiday. It was my second time on this beautiful island but on this occasion, I truly fell in love with it. The day I spent on a sailing tour was definitely my highlight. I am keen to share the reasons why this should not be missed on any holiday around the Greek archipelago.

If you fancy doing a similar trip, then don’t miss my First Timer’s Guide to Greek Island-Hopping.

Milos is one of the most dramatic islands in the Cyclades due to its volcanic heritage. This has created a 125km coastline full of different minerals, rock formations, multicoloured cliffs & over 70 beaches. In addition, you will find crystal clear waters of all shades of blue & green. As you explore Milos it delivers an impressive geology lesson. However, it is generally one of the smaller and quieter islands in the Cyclades & there are far fewer tourists than many of its more famous neighbours like Santorini, Paros, Naxos & Mykonos.

For a detailed itinerary, check out my guide on the 21 Best Things to Do in Milos.

A Milos boat tour is highly recommended to see the best coastal features of the island & the beaches that are inaccessible by any other means. It also allows you the opportunity to swim in the idyllic small bays with crystal clear turquoise waters.”

Milos Boat Tours – How To Choose The Perfect Milos Sailing Tour For You

All Are Not Created Equal

This was the 2nd time I’d visited Milos & also my second boat tour. On my first, we spent a day on the water but only actually discovered half of the island. The way out to Kleftiko was beautiful with the sun shining. We had plenty of opportunities for tanning on the deck while admiring the island from afar. We stopped for lunch at a restaurant & then headed back the same way.

When the guide came out in her thermals & waterproof jacket we were confused. All we had was our beach clothes. The rest of our tour friends took shelter under the canopy. The only seats left for my sister & me were at the front where we were lashed by waves for the full journey home.

We only had a towel to huddle under to protect us which ended up soaking wet & cold. I thought the trip home would never end but we kept our spirits high & took our soaking bodies straight to the bar for a hot Irish coffee on our return to warm up!”

So, when my friend suggested repeating the experience, I was sceptical….

If you would like to book a boat tour in Milos, Greece, below are a few options:

How Do You Choose Your Boat?

After my second tour, I was so blown away by the beauty of the island that I decided to dedicate a whole blog post to the day alone. As a result, I have created the list below to help you when selecting your tour. The day is not cheap so it’s important that you feel you are getting your money’s worth.

Half or Full Island?

I have done both & can categorically say that Milos is so beautiful with amazing geology that it is well worth taking the full island tour if you can.

Half-Day or Full-Day Trip?

As with my previous experience, some tours go around half the island & stop for a sit-down lunch. This means that you will often go out slowly & see the sites but return quickly. The better option is that if you have a full day, use it to see the whole island.

When to Go?

Ask all the questions & book as soon as you arrive on the island. That way you get the best choice & the sellers will recommend the best day for the wind (which can impact where you start, which direction you head, half or full island). Whatever they say about the best day, take their advice if possible. The boat tours will also get booked up more quickly at weekends.

What Else Is On Offer?

Make sure you note all the extras. Many Milos boat tours offer underwater photos, unlimited bar, masks & snorkels. Also, ask about the number of people on the boat as some may be very crowded.

Which Type of Boat?

Tourist boats can be 2-tier & very overcrowded. If you opt for a yacht there are likely to be fewer people & if you do, go for a newer vessel rather than an older one (advice we were given by a local).

Ask Around

Ask a few people before you decide. The attitude of the sellers will often give you a steer as to how the tour is likely to be & cheaper does not often mean better. The boats get back to the harbour after 7pm & this is when they do their selling. Take your time to look around & speak to the vendors so you can more easily see what type of vessel you’ll be travelling in.

If you would like to book your perfect Milos boat experience, check out my personally curated list of activities HERE.

Which Boat Did I Choose?

We stayed at Hotel Eleni, very close to the port in Adamas & I could not recommend it highly enough. The hotel is run by Eleni herself who is the most adorable, enthusiastic & helpful person you could wish for on reception! Apart from a lovely clean room & great outside terrace, the breakfasts were amazing (a huge array of options for only €7.50 per person). After doing our research at the port we came home to ask Eleni for her advice. She showed us the boat which was run by her husband & son, named after her. She told us which would be the best day to go & called to reserve our places.

All we knew was that if the boat had the same level of attention to detail as its namesake then it would be a fantastic experience. They did not disappoint us!”

What To Expect

Sailboat “Eleni” was a 57-foot sailing yacht which held 25 – 36 people. As such it was one of the larger boats of its kind operating in Milos. When we were there it didn’t feel too full & there was plenty of space for those who wanted to enjoy the sun or shelter in the shade. When I visited, the tour was €90 per person (cash only), payable on the day (prices may change so please check before going). We started the tour at 9.30am from Adamas port & arrived back at 7pm. The crew were excellent & we were well looked after, informed, fed & entertained by our excellent guides Palmeta & George.

The extras on the tour included the use of masks for swimming (no snorkels) & photos taken by Palmeta throughout the day with a GoPro. This included underwater pictures, all provided on a CD at the end of the day. For all others, this meant returning to the port after 10pm to pick it up. As we were staying at Eleni’s place, they were delivered to our door!

The food throughout the day cruise was all freshly prepared & delicious. It included pre-breakfast (cake), breakfast (sandwich), pre-lunch (bread & salami), lunch (pasta with tuna & tomato sauce), ice cream & as much wine, ouzo, soft drinks & water as you cared to drink. As long as they know a day before they can also provide a vegetarian option.

What Are The Highlights of a Milos Boat Tour?

During the full-day Milos boat tour, we saw mineral mines, catacombs, colourful fishing villages, the best Milos beaches (some only accessible by climbing down a ladder or swimming to them), pirate caves, rocks of all colours of the rainbow, abandoned villages and sea bluer & clearer than you can really believe is natural. Here are my favourite spots not to be missed:

1. Catacombs

The catacombs are the first place we passed & are carved out of the pumice stone cliffs in caves 150m above the surface of the sea. They have been deemed the most ancient monument of Christianity & used as a cemetery from the end of the 2nd century BC. They are second only to the catacombs of Rome. You can also visit these from the land which sounds like an interesting trip.

2. Klima

Klima is a fishing village with a collection of cottages, all painted brightly, with the sea lapping against them.

It’s very picturesque & if you’re lucky like we were you will also see the men casting their nets as you pass. The good thing is you get to see Klima on the way in & way out so 2 chances to photograph this beautiful spot.”

I would also recommend a visit on foot/bus/car as a walk along by the cottages is stunning. You can read more towards the end of this post.

3. Vani

Vani has rainbow-coloured rocks rising sharply out of the water due to the plethora of minerals that the cliffs contain. For this reason, it used to be a focus for mining activity & you can still see the remnants of this on the side of the cliff. As you round the cape, they take you really close to the rocks, so you get an impression of how deep the cliffs soar through the water. Here the sea is a beautiful, clear green colour – absolutely spectacular!

4. Sikia Cave

The area of Sikia Cave is stunning due to the volcanic nature of the island. Black obsidian cliffs lie on top of the white rock. Sikia Cave & beach is only accessible by boat, or swimming. A fig tree stands above the hole where the roof of the cave collapsed & the cave is named after this.

Unfortunately, due to the size of our boat, Eleni couldn’t enter. We could see a few smaller boats which had negotiated their way in. It’s an interesting location, even without being able to go inside…but there’s plenty of beautiful things to explore on this island!

5. Kleftiko

World-famous Kleftiko is one of the highlights of the day & any Milos boat tour. It is the most photographed spot on the island. Here we got a chance to stop & have a swim in the beautiful turquoise water that surrounds the white rock archway.

The caves here were once a refuge for pirates & if I was a pirate, I could happily hide in this gorgeous spot forever!”

We borrowed masks from the boat, so we could see the rocks under the pristine waters. The fish were swimming under us & we were mesmerised by the ripples in the sandy bed as we swam through the caves.

6. Tsigrado

Although on the boat tour we did not get to this beach, I loved the concept of it. The beach is only accessible if you climb over the cliff & lower yourself down by a ladder & rope. Once there it is clearly a popular place to be & apparently also has a small café.

7. Gerakas

This was one of my favourite beaches in Milos & is again only accessible by boat. We stopped & took up the opportunity to swim there through the crystal-clear water. The boat provides fins & floats if you aren’t a confident swimmer, but we decided to go without. Once on the beach, it is formed of gravel & is a beautiful spot to sit & enjoy the views.

Beware that the gravel has a strong attraction to getting stuck in your bikini & I spent a good 10 minutes to clear mine after a short sit on the beach as the waves lapped my legs!”

Once empty, its great people watching to see the realisation as others stand up to assess the contents of theirs:-)!

8. Polyaigos

Polyaigos is a small island just off Milos with orange & white rocks, forming a dramatic backdrop to the waters which challenge to be the bluest I have seen anywhere. Even I couldn’t believe how filtered & photoshopped the pictures looked without any work & how almost unnatural the colour of the sea is here.

It’s a very inviting swim & a great place to take advantage of the underwater camera with the pristine waters & excellent visibility.

9. Glaronisia Islets

Spectacular & breathtaking are 2 words that sprung to mind as we approached these rocks, looking striped as the formations show their volcanic origins.

Through the impact of great pressure, the rock has shaped into long thin hexagonal columns. They soar from the water to create an otherworldly landscape.”

Apparently, you can only view a similar phenomenon in Tasmania. To me, it resembled a much smaller version of the Giants Causeway in Ireland.

10. Sarakiniko

Sarakiniko Beach is made of volcanic white rock which has been eroded by the wind & waves. It literally looks like marble or the surface of the moon. As we passed on the boat brave souls were jumping from the higher rocks into the sea, performing to their audience across the water.

We also visited on foot, taking the bus. Yet another must-do on this stunning island. See below for more details.

11. Arkoudes

This was the final famous site of Milos which we passed on our way back to the port. Arkoudes is also known as “Bear Rock”.

My friend thought it looked more like a rabbit from a distance. At the right angle though, the bear-like resemblance is unmissable.”

There is no doubt Arkoudes is an impressive sight. However, with all the other incredible formations we had seen today, it kind of paled into insignificance.

Milos is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most beautiful islands I have visited just for its stunning & varied geology. Although I love to recommend this place, please don’t feel pressured to go. I love the fact that it still feels a little less “discovered” than its more famous neighbours!

Where To Stay in Milos

Milos has many options of accommodation & I would recommend staying in Adamas. This will put you close to the busy port with its wide selection of hotels & restaurants. Obviously, my top recommendation would be Hotel Eleni but if you would like to save money then why not try Anna Zisimos? Alternatively, if you feel like totally blowing the budget then check out Arco Solium Suites.

Booking.com

Where else should you visit in Milos?

In terms of Milos, then I would recommend a couple of extra days to explore even more what this stunning island has to offer. My recommendations are:

Sarakiniko Beach

You will have seen this from your Milos sailing tour but it’s well worth closer inspection. We had been told that this is a ‘must-do’ when visiting Milos & I couldn’t agree more. Sarakiniko is nicknamed “Luna Beach” & it truly felt like we were walking on the moon.

The beach is made of volcanic white rock which has been eroded by the wind & waves. It literally looks like you are walking on marble.”

Take a couple of hours to explore (we arrived by bus just after 11 & left at 1pm), swim, relax & marvel at the beautiful rock formations. You can make camp for the day but there is limited actual sand & no shade.

Plaka

Plaka is an inland town which is very picturesque & well worth a visit. Our first stop was to climb to the top of the Kastro, a church on top of the one very dominant hill. My advice is to get there early & go straight up. This is partly because you can avoid the intense heat & there are fewer people (we were alone). However, the main reason to go early is that it stops you from assessing how high it looks & talking yourself out of the climb (it looks way worse than it actually is!). The views from the top are well worth the effort as you take in the whole island, stunning villages & the sea surrounding Milos from this vantage point.

Klima

From Plaka, we decided it was only a 30-minute walk to get to the picturesque fishing village of Klima. In the midday sun, we started our trek, realising ½ way that it was all downhill & we would need to make it back up in the heat before we could get the bus back home.

The walk was worth it (a drive would be even better!), despite arriving very hot & with a huge sense of foreboding about the return journey.”

Once again, Klima is worth closer inspection than you are able to do from the sailing boat. As mentioned, Klima is a collection of gorgeous fishermen’s cottages, all painted brightly, with the sea lapping against them. It’s very picturesque & in , you have a welcome restaurant in the centre for some shade & a chance to cool off.

Finally, when we decided to brave the walk back up the hill, I came up with the genius plan of trying to hitch a lift & after a few unkeen drivers passed us, we struck lucky with a couple who gave us a lift all the way back to Adamas. Therefore, my advice is to think carefully before you brave the walk, knowing you may have to climb back up in the heat. Be prepared.

In conclusion…

If you haven’t got the picture yet, I love this island & one of the best ways to see everything there is to take a Milos boat tour. I hope I have been able to offer a comprehensive summary of what you need to consider when you are planning your perfect trip. Milos is one of the islands not to be missed on your Greek Island Hopping Itinerary around the Cyclades.

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