Paros North Coast Swimming and Snorkelling Boat Trip from Naoussa

Naoussa harbour and its Venetian castle

Naoussa is the most charming harbour town of Paros: a fishing village on a wide bay in the north of the island, with whitewashed lanes, little chapels and a busy waterfront. At the entrance to the old port stand the ruins of a Venetian castle from the 15th century, partly sunk into the sea, which once guarded the harbour against pirates and is now its best-known landmark.

The boat leaves from the port at 10:30, so it is worth arriving early for a coffee by the water and a look at the fishing boats. From the harbour you can see across the bay to the granite rocks of Kolymbithres and the coves of the opposite shore. Naoussa is easy to reach by bus or taxi from Parikia in about 20 minutes, which answers the common question of how to get to Naoussa from the port.

Lageri beach

Lageri lies on the eastern side of the entrance to Naoussa bay, a long beach of fine sand backed by low dunes and tamarisk trees. There is no paved road to it, only a dirt track and a path, so even in summer it stays quiet and natural, and arriving by boat is by far the easiest way to enjoy it.

The water here is shallow near the shore and turns from pale green to deep blue further out, ideal for an easy swim. The captain anchors close to the beach, and you can swim ashore to walk on the sand or stay near the boat and float in the clear water. It is one of the most beautiful beaches of northern Paros, and many guests say it is the highlight of the morning.

Tourkou Ammos and Agios Kalli

The next stops are the coves of Tourkou Ammos and Agios Kalli along the north coast, small bays of sand and rock that are rarely reached by road. Granite and marble boulders line the shore, and the seabed between them is a good place to snorkel, with small fish, sea urchins and seagrass meadows in the clear water.

At each stop you have time to jump in from the boat, snorkel along the rocks or simply relax on deck in the sun. While you are cruising between the coves, the crew serves a light meal with fresh fruit and local cheese, together with bottled water and soft drinks. The exact choice and order of the beaches can change with the wind, as the captain always looks for the calmest water of the day.

The north coast of Paros and the summer winds

The north coast of Paros is wilder than the south, with low capes, small islets and bays carved into the rock. It faces the meltemi, the strong northerly wind that blows in the Aegean mainly in July and August, so on those days the sea can be choppy and the captain may shorten the route or choose more sheltered coves; on very windy days the trip may be moved.

The best time to visit these beaches by boat is June and September, when the water is warm and the wind usually lighter, or any morning in summer, when the sea tends to be calmer. If you prefer the evening, the sunset option follows the same coast with a final swim and the sky turning gold over the Aegean on the way back to Naoussa.