Kleftiko and West Milos Half-Day Catamaran Cruise

The fishing villages of the gulf: Klima, Skinopi, Areti and Fourkovouni

Soon after leaving Adamas, the catamaran glides along the western shore of the gulf, where the fishing villages of Milos sit right on the water. Their houses, called sirmata, are built into the soft volcanic rock with the boat garage on the ground floor and living rooms above, and their doors and balconies are painted in bright red, blue, green and yellow. Klima is the best known, but Skinopi, Areti and Fourkovouni are just as charming and much quieter.

From the sea you see the villages exactly as their builders intended, a row of colourful doors at the waterline below the white houses of Plaka on the hill. The catamaran slows down for photographs while the crew explains how fishermen hauled their boats inside for the winter storms. It is the perfect gentle start to a morning on the water.

Arkoudes and Cape Vani

At the mouth of the gulf rise the Arkoudes, two volcanic rocks whose shapes look remarkably like a mother bear and her cub resting on the sea. The name simply means bears, and they are one of the island's favourite landmarks. Beyond them the coast becomes wilder, with no roads, villages or beaches visible from land.

The catamaran then reaches Cape Vani on the north-west tip of Milos, where the cliffs glow in shades of rust and black. This is the site of an old manganese mine, and you can still see the loading ramps and tunnels cut into the rock, as well as a natural arch standing in the water. The colours here are at their best in the clear morning light.

Kalogries bay and Sykia cave

Kalogries is a remote bay on the west coast, with a small pebble beach and water so clear that the anchor is visible on the seabed. It can only be reached by boat, and it is the first swim stop of the cruise. You can dive from the catamaran, swim to the beach or float in the calm water before the boat continues south.

Next comes Sykia cave, one of the most unusual sights of Milos. The roof of this large sea cave collapsed long ago, so sunlight pours through a natural skylight onto a small beach and turquoise water inside. The catamaran stops at the entrance for photographs; the light is especially beautiful in the late morning, when the sun is high.

Kleftiko: two hours among the sea caves

The highlight of the day is Kleftiko, on the south-west corner of the island. Towering white rocks, arches and tunnels rise from the turquoise sea, and the bay was once a hideout where pirates kept their ships out of sight. With about two hours at anchor, you have plenty of time to swim through the arches, snorkel along the rocks and simply relax on deck. A Kleftiko boat trip is the only easy way to see it, as there is no road.

Lunch is freshly prepared on board, with meat, seafood or vegetarian dishes inspired by traditional Greek cooking, and vegan or gluten-free meals on request. Halal meat is not available on Milos, so the seafood or vegetarian choice is the easy option. Snacks and soft drinks are served throughout the morning.

The return to Adamas and windy-day plan

After Kleftiko the catamaran sails back to Adamas, arriving around 3:15 pm, which leaves your afternoon free for Plaka or a sunset at Sarakiniko. The best time to visit Milos for this cruise is from June to September, when the sea is warmest, though May and October are calmer and quieter.

In July and August the meltemi, a strong summer north wind, can make the west coast rough. If the wind is stronger than force 5, the cruise ends at Agia Kyriaki beach on the south coast instead of Adamas, and a transfer back to Adamas is provided. With strong northern winds the cruise may run entirely on the sheltered south side, boarding at Agia Kyriaki and stopping at Gerakas, Kleftiko and Tsigrado.