Skiathos Round-Island Day Cruise with Lalaria and Blue Caves

Skiathos New Port and the start of the cruise

Skiathos town sits on the south-east coast of the island, and its New Port is where the day boats line up each morning in summer. With the default option our transfer collects you from the main island road near your hotel, the road that runs along the south coast with its numbered bus stops, and drops you at the port in time for the 09:15 departure. If you choose the port-only option, you simply walk to the boat on the waterfront.

Leaving the harbour, the boat rounds the eastern tip of the island and turns north. The first leg takes about 50 minutes, enough time to settle on deck, look back at the town spread over its two low hills and watch the green slopes of pine forest that cover most of Skiathos. Your English-speaking tour leader explains the plan for the day and the timing of each stop, which can change if the wind is strong.

The Blue Caves and Lalaria Beach

The north coast of Skiathos is wild and almost roadless, and its best sights can only be reached by sea. Before Lalaria the boat passes the Blue Caves, sea caves where the sunlight turns the water inside an intense shade of blue. Then comes Lalaria itself, one of the most photographed beaches in Greece: a curve of smooth white pebbles under steep pale cliffs, with a natural rock arch standing in the water at one end.

You have about one hour here for swimming and enjoying the scenery. The water is remarkably clear and turns from turquoise to deep blue within a few metres, so bring a mask if you have one. There is no road, no café and no shade on the beach, which keeps it unspoilt; bring water, sun protection and flip-flops for the pebbles. Is Lalaria worth the boat trip? For most visitors it is the highlight of their stay on Skiathos.

Kastro, the medieval capital

A five-minute sail east of Lalaria brings you to Kastro, the old capital of Skiathos. In the late Middle Ages the islanders moved their town onto this steep headland to protect themselves from pirates, linking it to the land only by a drawbridge. For centuries the whole population lived inside its walls, among hundreds of houses and many small churches, until the town was abandoned in the 19th century when the people moved back to the present harbour town.

The boat stops for about an hour at the small beach below the rock. You can relax and admire the ruins from the beach, or walk up the stepped path and over the bridge to the main gate, where a couple of restored churches still stand among the remains. The climb is short but steep and sunny, so take water and good footwear if you want to go up; the views along the north coast from the top are superb.

Lunch stop at Katigiorgis or Asselinos Beach

The longest stop of the day, about two hours, is reserved for lunch and swimming. Depending on the sea, the boat crosses to Katigiorgis, a tiny fishing village on the tip of the Pelion peninsula on the mainland opposite Skiathos, or stays on the island at Asselinos Beach on the north-west coast. Both have simple seaside tavernas where you can order grilled fish, Greek salads and other local dishes, and both have clear, calm water for a long swim.

Lunch is not included, so you are free to choose a full meal, a light snack or a picnic of your own. Katigiorgis feels like a hidden corner of the mainland, with pine trees reaching the water and a handful of fishing boats, while Asselinos is a long sandy bay framed by green hills. Your tour leader tells you the exact time to be back on board before the boat continues.

Tsougria Island

The final stop is Tsougria, the largest of the small islets facing Skiathos town. It is uninhabited apart from a simple beach taverna in summer, and its main beach has fine sand, shallow turquoise water and pine trees growing almost to the shoreline. After a day of pebbles and cliffs, many travellers find it the most relaxing place for a last swim.

You have about 50 minutes here before the short ride back to the New Port. From the beach you can see across to Skiathos town and its harbour. With the default option our transfer is waiting after the cruise to take you back to the main road near your hotel, so the whole day runs without any planning on your side. Is Tsougria worth visiting? Yes, especially if you are travelling with children, thanks to its gentle shallow water.