Blue Lagoon and Antiparos Boat Tour from Pounta Paros
- Duration3.5 hours
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Overview
This relaxed boat tour leaves the small harbour of Pounta on the west coast of Paros and spends three and a half hours in the turquoise strait between Paros and Antiparos. A skipper-guide takes you to the green islet of Agios Nikolaos for a first swim, then to the Blue Lagoon of Panteronisia, where you have about an hour to swim and snorkel in shallow, glassy water, and finally to a sheltered bay off Antiparos for a last dip. Masks, snorkels and fins, water, soft drinks and seasonal fruit are on board, with a shaded deck for breaks. It is a shared small-boat trip that suits families, couples and friends, with morning and afternoon departures.
Highlights
- About an hour of swimming and snorkelling in the Blue Lagoon of Panteronisia
- First swim at Agios Nikolaos islet, crowned by a small white chapel
- Three swim stops in the clear, sheltered strait between Paros and Antiparos
- Mask, snorkel and fins included; look for fish and, with luck, sea turtles
- Water, soft drinks and seasonal fruit served on board
- Shaded deck for resting between swims
- Morning departure for calm water, or afternoon for golden light
- Easy start from Pounta, with free parking near the harbour
Full Description
Pounta and the Paros–Antiparos strait
Pounta is a small seaside village on the west coast of Paros, about 15 minutes by car south of Parikia. It is best known as the harbour of the little car ferry to Antiparos, which crosses the narrow strait in under ten minutes, and its windy beach is a favourite spot for kitesurfers. From its quay you can already see the white houses of Antiparos on the other side.
The strait between the two islands is shallow, studded with tiny islets and protected from the open Aegean, which is why it has some of the clearest and most colourful water in the Cyclades. Your boat leaves from here in the morning or afternoon, so you spend the whole trip on the water instead of sailing long distances, and almost every minute is spent swimming, snorkelling or enjoying the view.
Agios Nikolaos islet
The first stop is the small islet of Agios Nikolaos, a green hump of rock just off Antiparos topped by a little whitewashed chapel. The seabed around it drops gently from pale sand to rocks and seagrass, which attracts shoals of small fish and makes it one of the best snorkelling spots in the strait.
Put on the mask and fins and explore the rocks, or simply float in the clear water and enjoy the view back towards Paros. Good swimmers sometimes swim ashore to look at the chapel, while others stay on deck in the shade. The skipper-guide explains the islands around you and points out where the water is deepest and where it is calmest, so first-time snorkellers feel comfortable from the start.
The Blue Lagoon of Panteronisia
Panteronisia is a cluster of small, uninhabited islets in the southern part of the strait, and between them lies the famous Blue Lagoon of Paros: a shallow channel of white sand where the water turns an unreal shade of turquoise. Because it is enclosed by the islets, the surface is often glassy even when there is a breeze elsewhere, so it is ideal for children and relaxed swimmers.
You have about an hour here, the longest stop of the tour, to swim, snorkel, stand in waist-deep water or just float and take photos. Many travellers ask whether the Blue Lagoon is worth visiting by boat, and the answer is yes: there is no road to it, so a boat is the only way to reach it. The best time to visit is in the morning, when the light is soft and the lagoon is quieter.
The coast of Antiparos and the final swim
After the lagoon, the boat heads to a final swim stop near Fira islet or Agios Spyridon off the coast of Antiparos, chosen by the skipper according to the wind. Here you can have a last swim while the crew serves refreshments and fresh seasonal fruit, before cruising back to Pounta past the low hills and coves of Antiparos.
Antiparos itself deserves a visit on another day. The car ferry from Pounta is the easiest answer to how to get to Antiparos: in minutes you reach its main village, built around a 15th-century Venetian castle, with lanes of white houses and bougainvillea. Up on the hill of Agios Ioannis lies the famous Antiparos cave, with stalactites and stalagmites inside a deep chamber, an easy half-day trip that pairs perfectly with this boat tour.
Itinerary
- Meeting at Pounta harbourMeet the skipper-guide at the harbour about 15 minutes before the 10:30 departure and board the boat after a short safety briefing.
- Agios Nikolaos isletFirst swim and snorkel stop of about 30–40 minutes around the rocky islet and its chapel.
- Blue Lagoon of PanteronisiaAbout one hour of free time to swim and snorkel in the turquoise lagoon.
- Fira islet or Agios SpyridonFinal swim stop near the Antiparos coast, chosen by the weather, with fruit and soft drinks served on board.
- Return to PountaCruise back to the harbour, arriving about three and a half hours after departure.
What's included
- Boat trip with skipper-guide
- Swim stops at the Blue Lagoon and nearby islets
- Mask, snorkel and fins
- Water, soft drinks and seasonal fruit on board
- Shaded deck
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 4–12
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- A half-day plan — about 3.5 hours
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- People prone to seasickness may prefer the morning departure, when the sea is usually calmer
Meeting point
The boat leaves from Pounta harbour on the west coast of Paros, next to the quay of the small car ferry to Antiparos. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup is not included: Pounta is about 15 minutes by car or taxi from Parikia and reachable by local bus, and there is free parking for guests in front of the meeting point. The morning trip leaves at 10:30 and the afternoon trip at 14:30.
Important information
- Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a hat and reef-friendly sunscreen
- Wear your swimsuit under your clothes to make the most of the first stop
- The route and stops can change with the wind; in July and August the northerly meltemi can make the sea choppy, and the skipper always chooses the most sheltered bays
- Snorkelling gear is provided, but basic swimming ability is recommended
- The trip is suitable for all ages; children should be supervised in the water at all times
- Lunch is not included; light snacks, fruit, water and soft drinks are served on board
- Halal food is limited on Paros; seafood and vegetarian choices are easy to find in Pounta and Parikia after the trip
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private tour?
It is a shared small-boat tour with other travellers. Both the morning and the afternoon options follow the same route with the same inclusions.
Can we change the itinerary or the pace?
The route is set, but the skipper adapts the order and the final stop to the wind and sea, so you always swim in the calmest water of the day.
How many people are on the boat?
It is a small boat with a shaded deck, so the group stays small and relaxed compared with the large excursion boats from Parikia.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, with a reduced price for children. The booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You make your own way to Pounta harbour, about 15 minutes by car or taxi from Parikia, with free parking in front of the meeting point.
What is included?
The boat trip with skipper-guide, three swim stops including the Blue Lagoon, mask, snorkel and fins, water, soft drinks and seasonal fruit. Lunch, hotel transfers and tips are not included.
How long is the tour?
About three and a half hours: 10:30 to around 14:00 in the morning, or 14:30 to around 18:00 in the afternoon.
Is it suitable for children or people with reduced mobility?
Yes for children: the lagoon is shallow and calm, and the trip is suitable for all ages. Boarding from the quay needs a step down, so travellers with reduced mobility should contact us before booking.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and a light layer for the ride back. A waterproof phone case is useful for photos.
What is the best time of day and season?
The morning is usually calmer with soft light; the afternoon has warmer water and golden light on the way back. June and September are ideal months, with warm sea and fewer boats than in August.
Will we see sea turtles?
Sometimes. Sea turtles are occasionally seen in the strait, along with plenty of small fish around the rocks, but wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date and departure time in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes.
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