Athens Snorkeling: Marathon & Schinias Bay Small Group Boat

Twenty Minutes by Speedboat to Two Snorkeling Spots in a Protected Bay

You board a speedboat at Marathon Beach, ride twenty minutes to two snorkeling sites in Schinias National Park, and spend the day in crystal-clear water with a certified guide and up to six others. Equipment, water, snacks and hotel pickup are included. You bring a towel and swimwear. The whole day stays under seven people, which is what keeps it from feeling like a standard tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling tour at Marathon and Schinias

• Meet at Marathon Beach
• Take 20-minute speedboat ride
• Receive snorkeling gear and guidance
• Snorkel at Marathon Cape spots
• Explore marine life underwater
• Snorkel and relax at Schinias Bay
• Sunbathe on boat and beach

The experience

The speedboat leaves Marathon Beach and cuts across clear water toward Marathon Cape. You're one of at most seven people on board: small enough that the guide knows your name and can adjust the pace if you're finding your rhythm in the water. A certified instructor handles the gear setup, so you're not fumbling with straps while everyone waits. The ride itself takes twenty minutes, and you spend it watching the coastline change from beach to rocky outcrops, the water shifting from pale green to deeper blue.

Two snorkeling spots anchor the day. The first is around Marathon Cape, where the underwater landscape opens up: seabed detail visible even from the surface because the water is that clear. You'll see small fish moving through the rocks, the texture of the bottom, the way light bends through the shallows. The second stop is Schinias Bay, part of a Natura 2000 protected area, which means the marine life here hasn't been picked over. Between swims you can stretch out on the sandy beach or stay on the boat, towel off, drink water or juice, eat biscuits or fruit. There's no rushing to the next checkpoint or herding back to a bus on schedule.

The guide is there to help you in and out of the water and to point out where the best spots are, but this isn't a lecture tour. You snorkel at your own pace: some people stay in the water for an hour, others take breaks and watch from the boat. Basic swimming skills are required, and children need to be with an adult, but the guide will tell you honestly if a spot is too deep or if the current is stronger that day. You bring your own towel and swimwear. Everything else (snorkel, mask, fins) is provided. The trip includes hotel pickup from Nea Makri hotels if you arrange it in advance, so you don't have to navigate to Marathon Beach yourself.

Photos or video from the day come with the booking. The whole experience is built around the idea that seven people in one boat can actually relax, not just check boxes. If you've snorkeled before, you'll appreciate the protected waters and the lack of crowds. If you're new to it, the small group and the professional guide mean you're not learning alongside thirty other people.

What’s included

Your day includes free hotel pickup from Nea Makri hotels (upon request), the speedboat ride from Marathon Beach, use of snorkeling equipment, a certified professional guide, bottled water, juice or tea, biscuits or fruit, and photographs or video from the trip.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish, French and Greek

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kanelakis Diving Experiences

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to snorkel in clear protected waters without the logistics of getting to Marathon Beach yourself or joining a large group: the small size and included pickup mean you show up ready to swim.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the snorkeling tour?

Snorkeling equipment, professional guide, speedboat ride, bottled water, juice or tea, biscuits or fruit, and photos or video from the trip. Hotel pickup from Nea Makri hotels is available if arranged in advance.

What's the maximum group size?

Maximum seven people per trip, which keeps the experience personalized and allows the guide to work with each person individually.

Do I need snorkeling experience?

Basic swimming skills are required. The guide is certified and will assist you with gear and help you find the best spots, so beginners are welcome as long as they can swim.

What should I bring?

Bring your own towel and swimwear. All snorkeling equipment is provided, and the boat supplies water, juice, tea and snacks.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, free pickup from hotels in Nea Makri is available if you contact the operator in advance to arrange the details.

What are the snorkeling locations?

The tour visits Marathon Cape and Schinias Bay, both in a protected Natura 2000 area known for clear water and marine life. Schinias includes a sandy beach where you can rest between swims.