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Milos-Kimolos Kayak Adventure
The "Isle of Aphrodite" reminds us that she was a Sea Goddess as well - as the varied, beautiful volcanic coastline with its sea caves and secluded beaches is ideal for a kayak trip.
Lodging | Activities |
|---|---|
Family Owned Inns | Kayak |
From | Duration |
|---|---|
Adamas | 8 days, 7 nights |
Skill Rating | Van Supported |
|---|---|
2 | Yes |
Single Supplement | Price |
|---|---|
$900 | $4,365 |
Included
Guides, ground transportation, support vehicle, lodging, meals per itinerary (B, L, D), all basic kayaking equipment, instruction and entry fee into ruins.
Not Included
Air or ferry to Milos, lunches, drinks and one dinner, personal clothing and accessories, full medical, baggage and trip cancellation insurance, airport taxes and gratuities. Solo occupancy supplement not included.
Upcoming Dates:
June 13-20, 2027
September 27-October 4, 2027
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Milos by ferry or flight; transfer to Adamas, (originally Adamanthos, possibly named for a Minoan prince of Crete), the port town of Milos. We plan to spend the afternoon on our introductory kayaking lesson and enjoy an orientation to the beautiful waters of Milos Bay. Welcome drinks during sunset and dinner follow when we'll share plans for the amazing week to come. (D)
Day 2: After breakfast and checkout, we head to the water’s edge and prepare for the day's paddle. From Adamas we paddle across the 2-mile harbor mouth and head west to Cape Vani. We’ll paddle south after rounding the Cape to explore the remote beaches and capes of the west shore. Our take-out point for the day is at Agios Ioannis bay. Packed picnic lunch. (B,D)
Day 3: Today we round the southwest corner of the island and head east. We’ll paddle past the most impressive arches, caves and electric blue water on the entire island, beautiful Kleftiko, once a hideout for pirates who concealed their vessels in small fjords behind these picturesque rocks. We land on the beach of Provatas steps from our rooms. Dinner tonight is on your own with a short drive to the main village on the island, Plaka. Packed picnic lunch. (B)
Day 4: A short paddle today from Provatas along the south shore east to the remote village of Paleochori. Our cappuccino stop at Kiriaki beach allows plenty of time to explore. Sandy beaches and warm hospitality await at the Artemis studios. A festive dinner on the beach in Paleochori includes geothermal cooking from the vents along the beach of this volcanic island. (B,D)
Day 5: From Palechoro we paddle east rounding the southeast corner and heading north exploring the steam vents, mineral pools, and caves that seawater, volcanic activity, and the Greek gods have sculpted over the centuries. Catacombs and the ghostly ruins of an impressive sulfur mine both speak to Milos' ancient past. The paddling day is highlighted by the crossing of the channel over to Kimolos, the northern neighbor to Milos, whose bright cliffs have given it the name of the "The Silver Island". If time allows, we’ll hike to a scenic view spot on Kimolos and watch as the sun sets over Milos. Our evening accommodations at Aliki overlook our “home” island of Milos. Packed picnic lunch. (B,D)
Day 6: Today we’ll circumnavigate the entirety of Kimolos before returning to Milos. At one of the many remote beaches, we’ll stop to enjoy a picnic lunch and then float over the ruins of an ancient city whose walls are visible on calm days. Crossing the channel, we'll keep an eye out for a pack of small wild dolphins that have accompanied us before. Back on Milos, we’ll stop at our favorite seaside taverna in Apollonia. Packed picnic lunch. (B,D)
Day 7: With one circumnavigation complete, the second awaits. The north coast with its many beaches, offers immense caves, arches and rock formations providing us ample opportunity to stop and enjoy the stunning beauty. The Papafragas caves are a short paddle from Apollonia and offer what many call the best caves on the island. Near Sarakiniko lies a shipwreck dwarfing our kayaks in comparison and providing just a glimpse at the power of the Mediterranean. After we paddle west past the bay of Firopotamos we’ll head around Cape Kabanes south into the large bay of Milos. We’ll return to Adamas circumnavigation complete. A final dinner together concludes our week-long adventure. (B, D)
Day 8: After breakfast, we’ll then transport you back to the Milos airport/ferry by 11:00am allowing you to make necessary connections. (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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