If You Do One Thing in the Greek Islands, Let It Be a Boating Day You’ll Never Forget

Our time in the Greek islands was unforgettable, but this day on the water in Milos was next level.

Even if you only have a few days on Milos, booking a small-group, all-day boat tour is an absolute must. Spending a full day out on the water, sailing around the island, was hands-down one of the most incredible experiences of our entire trip.

The scenery is unreal—dramatic white cliffs, hidden coves, sea caves, and impossibly clear turquoise water that looks straight out of a travel brochure. Add in a relaxed vibe, plenty of swim stops, and a friendly crew that instantly made us feel like longtime friends, and it’s just the perfect way to experience Milos.

Truly, I adored our boating day in Greece. Case in point—I traveled for about 4 months of the year in 2024, and this was one of my top 3 favorite days of the entire year.

Here’s exactly what it is like to cruise around Milos.

Quick Link: This is the boat cruise we booked

Starting the Day

We met the couple who owns the boat and operates the tour, at the dock, then headed out by dingy to the sailboat. We were immediately served fresh drinks and found a place to relax on the deck under the warm sun.

Because the winds had been high overnight, the southern half of the island was going to be very choppy, so we had to amend our plans to go to Sikia and Kleftiko (which was certainly a bummer, but seems like this is a fairly common occurrence on Milos).

I was incredibly grateful that we still went out, though, because I’ve had other Mediterranean day cruises like this canceled due to wind and wave conditions, and it’s a big bummer! Plus, we still visited some truly incredible spots that were a nice substitute for what was on the original itinerary.

Our Hosts

The crew of our sailboat was a Greek-French couple— Marion, the wife, is French, and Nikos, the husband, is Greek. They’ve lived on Milos for years. They were so friendly and laidback and welcomed us so warmly to their boat. We instantly felt like we were just a big group of friends hanging out for the day.

Cruising and Swimming

Despite the rough winds and seas in some parts of Milos, Nikos knew where to find calm water and we had a beautiful and smooth day on the sea. We started by cruising towards the island of Kimolos, a largely uninhabited island just a stone’s throw from Milos.

It’s well-known among private sailboats and yachts for the pristine protected coves full of the most gorgeous, crystal clear turquoise water that is perfect for swimming.

We dropped anchor in a few different spots, and were able to use the noodles and sorkel gear on board, jump off the boat into the water, and just swim around and relax.

We did this a few different times —cruising on the boat for a while, enjoying the wind, waves, and views, then stopping in another great swimming spot for a bit.

Just by itself, this would have been the most incredible, idyllic day! There were very few other boats around us (even in the high season of August) and the water was warm and calm. WE LOVED IT.

>>Check rates and availability for this boat cruise

The Caves and Rocks

Normally, the cruise tours go over to Sikia and Kleftiko caves, going by dinghy in, around, and up close and personal with the caves and rock formations.

Although the sea conditions prevented us from doing that, we still got to visit a couple of really cool sea caves, going by dinghy into the center and having a bit of time to swim and explore.

We also sailed by a charming fishing village with similar vibes to Klima.

The Food

Breakfast, lunch, a snack, and unlimited drinks were provided. Everything was homemade and/or locally sourced, and was insanely delicious. Seriously, the food was a big highlight of the day.

For example, for breakfast we were served:

• Karpouzopita: A watermelon “pie” that is traditional to Milos
• Ladenia: A tomato and olive flatbread
• Fresh fruits
• Paximadia & koulourakia: Hard crackers and cookies

The watermelon pie in particular was a huge favorite among the group – it was so fresh, with just a unique flavor. We devoured it.

For lunch we were served a true feast of delicious Greek cooking, including:

• Tomato and sheep cheese skewers, with locally sourced cheese that a friend had made
• Tzatziki sauce: A yogurt and cucumber dip (and one of my favorite Greek foods)
• Greek salad: tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives topped with big chunks of feta
• Dolmadakia: Stuffed grape leaves filled with rice and herbs
• Melitzanosalata: Eggplant dip topped with a hearty sprinkle of red peppers
• Giouvetsi: A savory orzo, tomato, and meat dish
• A mixture of cooked vegetables that I’m pretty sure was called Briam

Booking Tip

When we were booking this cruise, we noticed that dates within our travel dates were filling up 3-4 months ahead of time. I would plan to book early so you don’t miss out, especially if you’re traveling in high season.

Make your reservations for this boat day here

The Wrap Up

Overall, this is a bucket list activity for Milos (and Greece in general), and it’s absolutely worth every penny. If it’s not clear from my gushing review, we adored our day out on the water, exploring Milos and I cannot recommend it enough!