MILOS EXPLORER LONG SWIMS

We meet on the outside terrace at the Apollon Rooms, the sister hotel of the Soultana Rooms, where we hold a welcome meeting featuring a description of the days ahead, followed by a safety briefing. Following this, we go to the beach situated near our accommodation for a short acclimatisation swim, before taking a short walk into Pollonia for dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Our first swim starts from the beach located near our hotel. This swim is a mix of coastal and a crossing. We commence our trip 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 passing Papafragas and Pachena which are homes to the island’s most impressive collections of caves and tunnels, before we finish at Kofto Islet, home to a colony of Capsian gulls. The caves along this route 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 before carrying out the return leg back to Milos.

Today we start swimming from the peninsula of Goupa-Kara on Kimolos before heading across to Polyaigos and then coastal swimming along its remote northern coast, made up of headlands and sheer drop offs. We finish the morning’s swim at Asketis cave situated underneath the peak of the same name.

In the afternoon, we head to the village of Prassa on Kimolos’ northeast coast, where the island’s chalk production is based. The beaches here more closely resemble the tropics due to their white sands and clear blue waters. From here we head south along the coast past thermal baths and jagged cliff sides before we arrive at the uninhabited Klimatonissia islets which lie in the Pyrgi Channel.

The morning sees us head back to the northern coast of Milos with a swim along the coastline between Kofto islet 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 of the swim is breathtaking, as we reach the resting place of the Princess of Dubai, one of Greece’s best preserved shipwrecks.

In the afternoon, we swim west from Mandrakia towards the fishing village of Firopotamos. The depth of the water fluctuates here, which also varies the colour of the water during our swim. Our finish point at Firopotamos sees us arrive at the village’s colourful fishing huts and a local church, before heading back to Pollonia.

This morning, we travel by boat around Milos’ mountainous east coast. The morning swim starts at the old sulphur mines near Thiafes. From here we journey around the coast under the imposing peak of Mt Soleta before arriving at Fyrligkos Bay. On the way, be sure to look out for the stunning coastline colours and sulphur bubbles rising from the sea floor, which is a result of volcanic activity.

After stopping for lunch and a rest, we head slightly further west along the coast to the beach at Aghios Georgios. From here we aim 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 morning we set off early to head to the remote south-west tip of Milos. We board the boat at Provatas and motor towards the iconic Kleftico region. This area is renowned for its truly spectacular rock formations, caves and tunnels, as well as its history, which is rich with tales of pirates and stolen treasures. The coastline features an impressive array of stacks, caverns and tunnels.

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 past the ancient fishing community of Klima with its historic catacombs dating from the 1st-5th Century, before finally arriving into the small hamlet of Schinopi.

After the exertions of the week, we have time for breakfast and a relaxing swim on the beach just outside our accommodation before the trip finishes at 10:00.

We have given this trip a ‘Challenging’ grading. These trips are for experienced open water swimmers who want to push themselves.

Swimming Distances

*Please note that these swims are an example of what may take place during the course of your trip and should be used as a guide only. Actual swim locations and distances will vary according to local weather and sea conditions.

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 Conditions

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.

Weather Caveat

For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. As a consequence, open water swimming holidays require a certain degree of on-trip flexibility which can result in changes to the planned itinerary. These changes often add a touch of uniqueness to your trip and will be communicated to you by your SwimTrek guides as quickly as possible.

Group Size and Boat Support

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

Boat support on this trip includes one main yacht and two support 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.

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.

For more information, please visit our Packing List page on the website.

SwimTrek will supply swim hats, water, and electrolyte drinks. The guides will no longer distribute shared drinks bottles but will fill your personal drink bottles. Please ensure these are clearly marked to help our coaches identify yours. If you would like to use a wetsuit, rash vest, snorkel, or fins during your swims, please ensure that you bring these with you.

There are many options for travelling to Milos, however, the easiest routes are to fly into either Athens or Santorini and then catch a connecting flight or a ferry to Milos. Once you have arrived in Milos, a transfer is the easiest way to reach the hotel.

As SwimTrekkers come from all over the world, and join our swimming holidays in numerous destinations, we don't currently offer flights as part of our SwimTrek packages. We do however want to do as much as we can to ensure that our guests get the best deals when travelling to one of our trips so check out our SwimTrek flight tips page on the website.

IMPORTANT: While it is recommended that you purchase your ferry tickets online in advance, it is worth mentioning that ferry operators and third party websites may 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.

Flights to Athens

Overnight Accommodation in Athens

If you need to stay overnight in Athens prior to or after your SwimTrek trip and would like to be close to the port, the Hotel Phidias is a great option. Guests arriving to or departing from the port can also get a free transfer to and from the hotel. For further information, please visit: www.hotelphidias.gr.

Flights from Athens to Milos

From Athens airport, there are direct flights to Milos available on selected days with Olympic Air. Once released, flight schedules and availability can be found at www.olympicair.com.

Ferries from Athens to Milos

The journey from Athens (Piraeus Port) to Milos takes 3-4 hours and costs approximately €120 return. To check ferry times and make sure that they match up with your flight arrival or departure, please visit www.travelmetomilos.com.

Flights to Santorini

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 visit www.santorinitransport.com for prices and journey times.

Ferries from Santorini to Milos

The journey from Santorini to Milos takes 2-3 hours and costs approximately €100 return. To check ferry times and make sure that they match up with your flight arrival or departure, please visit www.travelmetomilos.com.

Transfer from Milos Port/Airport to Soultana Rooms

Travel Me To Milos offers a shared transfer service from Milos port or airport to the Soultana Rooms in Pollonia which coincides with all scheduled flight and ferry arrivals on the island from 08:00 until 22:00. For scheduled arrivals and departure pickups outside this time frame, private transfers are available.

The shared transfer service must be booked in advance, at the latest by 14:00 the day before the transfer.

Transfer price per number of guests

To book your transfer, please contact info@travelmilos.com or +30 22870 41008.

Accommodation during this trip is in simple and traditional Greek rooms at the ideally located Soultana Rooms (www.soultanamilos.com) in the quiet fishing village of Pollonia. The hotel is run by a local Greek family and offers accommodation directly in front of the islands of Kimolos and Polyaigos. Our accommodation is based on twin-share rooms with en suite facilities. There are a limited number of single supplement rooms which can be reserved during the booking process, subject to availability.

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation and Trip Extension Options

If you require any additional nights’ accommodation before or after the trip, this can be arranged directly via Travel Me To Milos: www.travelmetomilos.com who can be reached by email at info@travelmilos.com or by telephone at +30 2287 041008.

Food and Drink

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 €30-€35.

For more information on any of the following sections please visit the Travel Advice page of our website.

Money, Extra Expenses and Tipping

You should bring extra money with you to cover such items as ferry transfers, dinners and drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, etc. The local currency is the Euro (€). Please note that there are ATMs available on the island, however, there are only two in Pollonia so suggest that you bring some money with you. Please also note that the Greek Ministry of Tourism has introduced an Overnight Stay Tax. This is payable upon arrival at the accommodation at a rate of €0.50 per room, per night.

We believe that tipping is done entirely at your own discretion. If you have been provided with excellent it may be something you wish to do. Your SwimTrek Guides can advise on local norms for service providers like boat crew, waiters or taxis. Nothing is expected for your SwimTrek Guides but many groups like to present something to the Guides at the end of the trip.

Responsible Travel

SwimTrek is conscious of the importance of protecting the world’s natural wonders. We are acutely aware of our responsibility to not only take care of the natural environments which we are lucky enough to explore, but also to educate our guests about the importance of conservation efforts and responsible tourism. It’s for this reason that we have worked so closely with our partners to ensure that our trips are conducted in the most responsible and sustainable way possible, working tirelessly to minimise the impact of our presence on local marine life and the natural habitat.

For more information, please visit our Responsible Travel page on the website.

Passports and Visas

Greece is part of the European Union. Non-residents of Greece require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. Citizens of all EU member states, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not require a visa to enter Greece. Please note that visa regulations are subject to change and we advise that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Travel Insurance

We consider comprehensive travel insurance to be essential, and we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance which includes, but is not limited to, cover for illness, accident, emergency repatriation, ambulance, air ambulance, helicopter rescue services, cancellation, lost luggage and delays. Your travel insurance should also cover you for open water swimming and any other activity listed in your trip itinerary (including races and competitions, where applicable). Please read your policy details carefully and remember to take them with you on your trip for your own reference. For further information, please visit our Travel Insurance page on the website.

Health Information and Recommended Vaccinations

Here at SwimTrek we pride ourselves on our focus on safety and the well-being of all our guests. As we operate in some beautiful and remote locations medical facilities are not always easily accessible. SwimTrek Guides, and many staff working for our local partners, are first aid trained. However we ask that you read our Travel Health page to ensure that you are informed about general Travel and Swim Health precautions.

Travel Plugs & Electricity

There is complimentary Wi-Fi internet access in the hotel. For a useful source of information on the different electrical outlets, electrical plugs, and electric sockets, please visit worldstandards.eu/.