Kleftiko Semi-Private Sailing Day Trip with Lunch Milos

Adamas: setting sail from the port of Milos

Adamas is the port and main village of Milos, set inside a wide natural harbour that was once the crater of a volcano. The yacht leaves the quay at 09:00, and the first hour is a gentle sail across the gulf with views of the whitewashed hillside of Plaka, the old capital, and the colourful fishing villages along the shore, where boathouses are cut into the rock at the water's edge.

How to get to Milos: ferries from Piraeus take about three to seven hours depending on the vessel, and short flights land at the small island airport. Adamas is the base for almost every boat trip, so most hotels are a few minutes away by taxi. Because of port rules, the full names, dates of birth and passport or ID numbers of all guests are needed when you book.

The coast of Milos on the way to Kleftiko

Kleftiko lies on the south-west tip of the island, and the captain chooses the route there according to the wind. On calm days the yacht follows the wild west coast, where there are no villages and the cliffs show the volcanic past of Milos in bands of red, yellow and white. When the summer north wind blows, the captain prefers the sheltered south coast, passing coves such as Firiplaka and Tsigrado, famous for their pale cliffs and clear water.

Either way, the sail itself is part of the pleasure. With fewer people on deck than on large excursion boats, you can sit at the bow, watch the coastline change and ask the crew about the island. Is a Kleftiko boat trip worth it? Most of our guests say this slower, quieter approach is what made their day.

Kleftiko: the pirates' bay

Kleftiko is a cluster of tall white rocks rising from the sea, cut by the waves into arches, tunnels and caves. The rock is volcanic tuff, soft enough for the sea to carve and bright enough to turn the water an intense turquoise. Its name recalls the pirates who once hid their ships between the pillars, invisible from the open sea, and it is often called the Meteora of the sea because of its towering shapes.

There is no road to Kleftiko, only a long rough hiking trail, so arriving by boat is by far the easiest and most comfortable way to see it. The yacht anchors in the bay for a long stop. The best time to visit Kleftiko is from June to September, when the water is warm, and in the morning or early afternoon, when the light reaches deep into the caves.

Snorkelling and the dinghy ride into the caves

Once anchored, you are free to swim from the yacht and explore with the snorkelling equipment provided by the crew. The seabed is a mix of white sand and rock, and the water is so clear that you can see small fish and the shapes of the caves from the surface. The crew takes underwater photos with an action camera, so you can keep the memories without risking your own phone.

The dinghy then takes small groups into the caves and narrow passages that the yacht cannot enter. Inside, the colour of the water changes from green to deep blue as sunlight filters through the openings, and the walls echo with the sound of the sea. The ride is calm and suitable for guests who prefer not to swim far.

Lunch on board and the sail back to Adamas

After the swim, a traditional Greek lunch is freshly prepared on board and served with soft drinks in the shade of the deck. Typical dishes include Greek salad and home-style cooking; tell us about any dietary needs when you book. Halal meat is not available on Milos, but vegetarian and seafood choices are easy to arrange.

In the afternoon the yacht sets sail back towards Adamas, and when the sea allows, the captain adds a further swim stop in a quiet cove along the way. You can use the freshwater shower before arriving. The yacht docks in Adamas in the late afternoon, about eight hours after leaving, in time for sunset in Plaka.