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Ios-Sikinos Kayak Circumnavigation
Lodging | Activities |
|---|---|
Family Owned Inns | Kayak |
From | Duration |
|---|---|
Ios | 8 Days, 7 Nights |
Included
Guides, ground transportation, support vehicle, lodging, meals per itinerary (B, D), all kayaking equipment, instruction, and entry fee into the archaeological sites.
Skill Rating | Van Supported |
|---|---|
1 | Yes |
Single Supplement | Price |
|---|---|
$800 | $4,365 |
Not Included
Air to Greece and ferry to Ios, drinks and lunches, personal clothing and accessories, full medical, baggage and trip cancellation insurance, airport taxes and gratuities. Solo occupancy supplement not included.
Upcoming Dates:
June 5-12, 2027
September 3-10, 2027
Join us as we explore the overlooked islands of the Cyclades! On this adventure, we will circumnavigate Ios and Sikinos, sister islands off the coast of Santorini. Ios has what every Greek island should; unspoiled beaches, turquoise waters, ancient ruins, and crystal blue waters.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Your Northwest Passage Guides will meet you on the beautiful island of Ios. As there is no airport on the island, it can be accessed by ferry from various places, but most frequently Santorini. We will meet you at the port and transport you to our hotel outside the village of Chora. After we settle into our accommodations there will be time in the afternoon to explore the village or beach, and possibly get out on the water to conduct our introductory sea kayaking clinic. As evening falls, we will get to know one another and discuss the planned itinerary over sunset drinks and a delicious dinner on the coast. (D)
Day 2: After an energizing breakfast, we will hop into our kayaks for our first day out on the water. We begin our circumnavigation of Ios by heading southeast along the coast. As we pass numerous isolated and pristine beaches we will have our choice of where to stop for a picnic lunch and a dip in the Aegean Sea. Our destination for the day is the small fishing village of Manganari, located on the southern point of Ios. We will return to our hotel and regroup later to enjoy a hardy dinner of fresh, local cuisine. (B, D)
Day 3: We will round the southern point of Ios and continue up the coast of the island. Along this portion of the coast there are many inlets to explore. We will glide past long stretches of white sand beaches, as well as smaller beaches isolated by rock formations. We will spend the day exploring the best of them, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way. We will end our day of paddling at Agia Theodoti beach, where our van will meet us and transport us back to our inn. As usual, we will spend the evening at leisure, enjoying the Greek culture, food, and hospitality. (B, D)
Day 4: Today we launch our kayaks with a renewed enthusiasm, for today is the day we complete our circumnavigation of Ios! We will launch from Agia Theodoti beach, and paddle the remainder of the island. Another sublime day of picnics, secluded beaches, swimming, and paddling awaits us. At the end of our day, we will paddle right into Chora, and celebrate our speedy circumnavigation in the appropriate Ios fashion - on the beach! Dinner is on your own tonight, giving you a choice of the numerous restaurant possibilities in town, as well as a chance to set your own schedule for the evening. (B)
Day 5: Heading out from Chora Bay, we will cross the six miles of open water to Sikinos to launch our second island circumnavigation. Once we have reached the eastern tip of Sikinos, we will follow the southern coast of the island to the main port of Alopronia. As this is one of our shortest days, there will surely be time to investigate this quiet and unspoiled island. We will perhaps enjoy a traditional wine tasting at sunset followed with dinner in Alopronia, enjoying the unique pace of life on unspoiled Sikinos. (B, D)
Day 6: Today is sure to be a long, but rewarding day. Due to the steep nature of the terrain in this last leg, there are fewer resting points, but strengthened and rejuvenated from the past week, we will endeavor to circle the island! On the north coast of the island, we will stop for a picnic lunch. By the end of the day, we will have completed our circumnavigation of Sikinos, and have become familiar with its remote beauty. Back in the Port of Alopronia a well-earned shower, dinner, and bed awaits us all... (B, D)
Day 7: Our last full day, we will return to Ios. Once again paddling the six-mile stretch of open water back to Chora, we will end our week of exploration and kayaking. As this is a shorter day, people will have the option to continue kayaking in the area, stay in town to sight-see and shop, or simply relax on the beach. In the evening we will enjoy our celebratory dinner and reminisce on our favorite memories from our adventure in the Cyclades. (B, D)
Day 8: After breakfast, we gather our belongings and bid farewell to this incredible island. We transfer you to the ferry port so that you can make it back to Santorini (Thira) for any connecting flights. (B)
* Note: This is our intended itinerary. As with any adventure travel, the forces of nature can be unpredictable, causing us to make adjustments and changes to the itinerary. Rest assured that our many years of exploring have provided us with numerous options if changes need to be made. If it is too windy to paddle, various hiking, cultural and historical options will make you glad for the winds.
My wife and I just returned from our Kayaking Adventure in Crete. While I'm
seldom at a loss for words, there are things about this trip that are
difficult to convey accurately. In many ways, I felt as if I was transported
back in time 2000 years...only I still had internet access and could watch
Greek pro soccer on a flat screen HD TV at a seaside taverna, that was only
accessible on foot or by water. It was an odd and beautiful juxtaposition of
the ancient and the modern that was totally natural, comfortable and most of
all fun.
By way of background, my wife and I are mid fifties and pretty active. We are
regular gym goers, ski 45 to 50 days a season and paddle the quiet waters
around our home near Long Island Sound in Southeastern Connecticut regularly.
Neither of us had ever been to Europe and after building careers, raising
kids and putting them thru college, now was our time. So there was a lot of
anticipation and build up to this trip. I can say unequivocally that it
exceeded my expectations.
Our trip was guided by Northwest Passage founder and owner Rick and his
assistant guide Emily. Rick is a pretty interesting guy. A middle American
small business owner and family man who's job happens to be leading adventure
trips around the world to places like Crete, Italy and the North and South
Pole to name just a few. Having done this trip for many years he definitely
has it dialed in. Totally on top of the situation both on and off the water,
you always felt he was in complete control. Emily was as adorable as she was
competent and friendly. Together they made the whole trip move seamlessly.
But for me, the star of the entire experience is the water around the island.
I had always held a vision of that water based on travel photos that I have
seen, but no photo can do it justice. The beautiful, warm, crystal clear aqua
seas around Crete are simply magnificent. When the sun is overhead and the
water is calm you can see down over 100 feet or more. When the sun changes or
the wind kicks up they can change to sapphire or inky black. And around every
turn there is endless variations of rock, cliff and sea formations that I
never tired of looking at. The paddling could be challenging at times (we hit
some pretty strong headwinds on a few occasions)but I never felt anxious or
uncomfortable. Each day the paddling was broken into 3 legs and anyone who
chose to could opt out if they didn't want to paddle one or more sections.
Between Rick and Emily they adapted to both the individual and group needs,
so I think that everyone got as much or as little as they wanted on any given
day.
On land the accommodations were clean, comfortable and waterfront. The food
was simple, local, fresh and delicious. They people were universally friendly
(I suspect due largely to the fact that Rick has been there so many times
that when we walked in it was like the return of the prodigal son). Best of
all, our group brought together a diverse selection of strangers who finished
the week treating each other like friends and family. It was as completely
authentic and unpretentious an experience as I can imagine having.
If you want to sit on a beach all day and have a cabana boy bring you Rum
Punch while you are on vacation, this might not be the trip for you. If, on
the other hand, you want to literally immerse yourself in some of the most
beautiful water in the world, experience life like a local and finish each
day with that wonderful fatigue that comes from doing a vigorous but fun
activity all day long (and makes that first cold beer taste like heaven) this
is your adventure. My sincere thanks to Rick, Emily and all the Northwest
Passage staff for truly making this the trip of a lifetime!! Rob and Ann
Keville, East Lyme, CT.
Our Belize kayak and camping trip was not what anyone expected due to unseasonably windy, rainy and cool weather. But we had a grand adventure nonetheless! How many times in your life do you get a chance to help a Belizean captain right and bail his swamped boat? Learn the ebb and flow of life on a tiny uninhabited Caribbean island? See a tiger ray leaping from the water trying to shake off the eel attached to its middle? Backpedal furiously to avoid a collision with a huge loggerhead turtle swimming your way as you snorkel? Eat comforting conch stew at a picnic table, the taste heightened by the sweetness of plantains and sharpness of the ubiquitous Marie Sharp's hot sauce? We experienced all that and much more with our small group this February. Our guide and fearless leader CP was perpetually cheerful and accommodating even as we confronted multiple days of high seas after landing on Moho Caye. He gave us opportunities to kayak whenever conditions permitted but also kept us safe. The local support team of Ian and his son Shane were steady and resourceful even under adverse circumstances. In addition to providing information, guidance and motor transport when needed, they fed us well, including platters of fresh fruit and hot fry jacks cooked in a primitive outdoor kitchen. This was our fourth trip with Northwest Passage, and we are on the lookout for our next one. As always, the company and its excellent staff provided a personalized, unique and fun adventure trip. Derek Belize 2026
My son and I had a fabulous time. Crystal clear water for paddling and swimming. Great scenery. Clean, comfortable accommodations. Wonderful professional, competent, helpful, friendly and enthusiastic guides Chris and Sean. I'd do it again in a heartbeat but I think next time I'll try a different trip.
By Chuck F on Sep 30, 2024
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