Our first swim starts at Kalogeros, which means ‘The Monk’. It is a 60m tall rock stack composed entirely of columnar jointed basalt and is an impressive start point for our first swim of the week. From here we swim along the coast towards Papafragas which is one of the island’s most impressive collections of caves and tunnels. The caves all have multiple chambers and entrances.

Following a chance to relax and have lunch on the boat, we head out on our first crossing of the week to the volcanic phenomenon of Glaronissia Island with its imposing geology. After swimming through one of the island’s tunnels, we carry on by crossing to two other small islands.

Today we explore the islands located north of Milos. Our first swim takes us to eastern Kimolos where we first discover a series of rocky outcrops featuring tunnels ripe for swimming through. From here we touch the Kimolos coast before heading across to Polyaigos, using a lava stack as our sighting point before arriving at a stunning sandy beach.

In the afternoon, we head up Kimolos’ west coast before arriving at the village of Prassa in the far northeast, where the island’s chalk production is based. The beaches here more closely resemble the tropics due to their white sands and blue clear waters. We either swim around the island of Prasonisi or head south on a coastal traverse past thermal baths and a jagged coastline.

The morning is taken up swimming along the coastline between Sarakiniko and Mandrakia which has undergone large scale erosion over the years. This has led to the formation of about 20 sea caves and arches which are simply spectacular to swim through. The finish has to be one of SwimTrek’s most spectacular, as we reach the resting place of the Princess of Dubai, one of Greece’s best preserved shipwrecks.

In the afternoon we head back to Mandrakia and continue swimming west towards the fishing village of Firopotamos. The depth here fluctuates, which also varies the colour of the water during our swim. Our finish point at Firopotamos features colourful fishing huts and a church.

We get picked up from Pollonia and travel by boat around Milos’s mountainous West coast.

The morning swim starts at Fyrligkos and we journey around the coast to Paliochori beach. On the way be sure to look out for the stunning coastline colours and bubbles rising from the sea floor, which is a result of volcanic activity.

After stopping for lunch and a rest, we head towards the beach of Tsigrado for a real swim adventure as we swim through caves, hop across bays and travel underneath sheer rock formations and cliff faces.

This day is surely the highlight of the trip as we travel by bus to the remote South-West tip of Milos. We board the boat at Provatas and motor towards Kleftiko, renowned for its past significance in piracy. This coastline swim features sea stacks, swim throughs, caverns and tunnels to name but a few. It really is a special place.

In the afternoon we travel up the island’s West coast and into Milos Bay where we arrive at the picturesque fishing village of Fourkovouni which has traditionally been sheltered from the north winds. From here we swim south towards the impressive ancient fishing community of Klima with its historic catacombs dating from the 1st-5th Century.

After the exertions of the week, it’s time for a relaxing swim on the beach just outside our accommodation before the trip finishes at 10:00.

Equipment Checklist

In addition to your daily non-swimming clothes, we also recommend that you bring the following items:

*Try to bring one clear lens and one tinted lens for different light conditions.

SwimTrek will supply swim hats. We will have a limited supply/range of flippers, rash vests and wetsuits available on the trip, however we cannot guarantee sizes for all. If you have your own flippers, rash vest or wetsuit, we would recommend you bring these with you in order to maximise your enjoyment of the trip. Please note that SwimTrek will provide water and electrolyte drinks in shared water bottles on your safety boat. If you prefer to use your own drink bottle, please feel free to bring one along.

Swimming Distances

Swimming Conditions

Swimming in the sea is a fantastic experience, however you should be aware that certain marine life such as sea lice, jellyfish, sea urchins and coral could be present during the swims. In all cases we will work on reducing your contact with these creatures, however if you suffer from anaphylaxis, please consult the office prior to booking.

Walking Distances

There are small walks on this trip which are mainly to get us to and from the start and finish of a swim. Most walks take place on recognised paths and tracks, however there may be cases where we walk along trails or other unsealed surfaces and care should be taken in these areas.

Temperatures

*Please note that these temperatures are indicative and should be used as a guide only.

Group Size and Boat Support

This trip has a maximum group size of 15. The group will be split into a maximum of three groups, based on speed, with each group being accompanied by their own safety vessel/escort.

Boat support on this trip includes one main boat and two inflatable boats to be piloted by your SwimTrek guides and a local boat pilot. Please note that this boat support is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed.

There are many options for travelling to Milos, however the easiest routes are to fly into either Athens or Santorini and then catch either a connecting flight (from Athens only) or a ferry and transfer to the hotel. While we have outlined various travel options below, they are subject to change and should be used as a guide only. We also suggest that you use the following websites to search for alternative flight and ferry options for this trip.

Flights: Skyscanner Ferries: Travel to Milos

IMPORTANT: While it is recommended that you purchase your ferry tickets online in advance, it is worth mentioning that neither ferry operators nor third party websites will issue an ‘e-ticket’ at the time of booking, i.e. you will not be able to print your ticket prior to travel. You will have the option to either have your ticket sent to you via courier (upon payment of a postage fee) or to pick up your ticket when you arrive in Greece. Pick-up locations can vary from one ferry operator to the next and often include locations in central Athens, as well as offices which are located at your selected departure port. For any enquiries about ticket collections, please contact the ferry operator or booking agent directly. Whichever route you choose to take, we recommend reserving all flights and ferries to and from the islands as early as possible prior to travel in order to avoid price rises and availability issues.

The following airlines fly to Athens from various European destinations, you can then catch an onward flight or ferry from Athens to Milos.

Flights from Athens to Milos

From Athens airport you can fly directly into Milos via Olympic Air, if their schedule permits. Once released, flight schedules and availability can be found here. From the airport you can connect with the Travel Me To Milos transfer below.

Travelling from Athens (Piraeus Port) to Milos Port

To get to Piraeus port, leave Athens airport and connect with the X96 bus which goes direct to Piraeus harbour (approx. 1-hour journey time). The express bus leaves every 20 minutes during the day and every 40 minutes at night from the airport’s arrivals level (between doors four and five) to Karaiskaki Square in Piraeus, which is located right outside the ferry harbour. The ticket booth is adjacent to the bus stop, with the journey costing approximately €6 per person.

Ferries between Piraeus Port and Milos run up to five times a day, depending on the time of year. The journey takes 3-4 hours and costs approximately €110-€120 return. To check ferry times and make sure that they match up with your flight arrival or departure, please visit Travel To Milos. Please note that the ferry departure and arrival times should be used as a guide only as they can vary by as much as one hour from the stated times.

Transfer Prices from Milos Port or Airport to Apollon Rooms

There is an opportunity to take advantage of a shared transfer service from Milos port or airport to the hotel through our partners at Travel Me to Milos, to book a place on this service please visit Travel Me To Milos.

The tables below indicate the rate that you will be offered at the time of making your booking, however if it is possible to add fellow swimmers to the same transfer, the total cost will be reduced accordingly. The final cost will be communicated to you after your arrival on the island, once all the group members have arrived. Payment of the transfer must be made within two days of your arrival according to the instructions that you will receive in your transfer confirmation letter.

From Milos Port to the Hotel

From Milos Airport to the Hotel

Please note that Travel Me To Milos will try to group travellers according to their arrival time so that discounts can be offered, however this may not always be possible. Please ensure your booking is made 48 hours before the date of your departure.

The following airlines fly to Santorini from various European destinations, you can then catch an onward ferry from Santorini to Milos.

Travel From Santorini Airport to Milos Port

From Santorini airport you will need to get a transfer to the ferry port as there is no local bus service available. Please use Santorini Transport for prices and journey times.

Once at the port, there is the option of ferries which run between Santorini and Milos 1-2 times a day, depending on the time of year. The journey takes 2-3 hours and costs approximately €100-€110 return. To check ferry times and make sure that they match up with your flight arrival or departure, please visit Travel To Milos. Please note that ferry departure and arrival times should be used as a guide only as they can vary by as much as one hour from the stated times.

Transfer from Milos Port to Apollon Rooms

There is an opportunity to take advantage of a shared transfer service from Milos port or airport to the hotel through our partners at Travel Me to Milos, to book a place on this service please visit Travel Me To Milos.

The table below indicates the rate that you will be offered at the time of making your booking, however if it is possible to add fellow swimmers to the same transfer, the total cost will be reduced accordingly. The final cost will be communicated to you after your arrival on the island, once all the group members have arrived. Payment of the transfer must be made within two days of your arrival according to the instructions that you will receive in your transfer confirmation letter.

From Milos Port to the Hotel

Please note that Travel Me To Milos will try to group travellers according to their arrival time so that discounts can be offered, however this may not always be possible. Please ensure your booking is made 48 hours before the date of your departure.

Accommodation

We stay at the ideally-situated Soultana Rooms and Apollon Rooms in the fishing village of Pollonia. These neighbouring hotels are both run by the same Greek family and offer simple and traditional Greek rooms which are located directly in front of the islands of Kimolos and Polyaigos. Our accommodation is based on twin-share with en-suite facilities, with limited single rooms available at a supplement.

To book extra nights in Milos, either before or after your trip, please contact the hotel directly by e-mailing: info@travelmilos.com .

Overnight Accommodation in Athens (Piraeus)

If you need to stay overnight in Piraeus prior to or after your ferry, the Hotel Phidias is a great option. For further information, please click here.

Meals

All breakfasts and lunches are included in your trip price, however dinners are at your own expense. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to explore and experience the local cafes and restaurants of your choice over the course of your trip. The average price of a two course dinner in a local restaurant in Pollonia is between €20-€25.

Extra Expenses

You should bring extra money with you to cover such items as ferry transfers, dinners and drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, etc. Please note that there are ATMs available on the island, however, only two in Pollonia so we would advise to bring your money with you. The local currency is the Euro (€).

Passports and Visas

Milos is part of Greece. You require a full passport, that should be valid for 6 months beyond the expected length of stay. You should check if you require a visa. Most nationalities including EU, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens do not require a visa to enter Greece. Visa regulations do change so please remember to check for the most up-to-date information.

Vaccinations

There are currently no essential vaccination requirements for Greece, however it is advisable to re-check this information eight weeks before you travel. You should also ensure that your immunity to tetanus and polio is up-to-date.