Athens: Full-Day Saronic Islands Cruise with Lunch & Swimming

Eight Hours on the Water: Why the Saronic Islands Feel Like Leaving Athens Behind

You board at 8:45am and spend the day swimming and snorkeling at three Saronic Gulf islands — Agistri, Moni (or Metopi if weather changes it), and Aegina — with a traditional Greek lunch and unlimited drinks served on deck. Hotel pickup from Athens is included, snorkeling gear is provided, and you return in the late afternoon. The pace is slow and the water is the point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day cruise to Saronic Islands

• Board the Greek sailing ship at 8:45 am
• Sail from Athens enjoying coastline views
• Arrive at Agistri and swim or snorkel
• Explore Agistri beaches and local shops
• Return to ship and sail to Moni Island
• Swim and snorkel near Moni Island
• Enjoy Mediterranean buffet on board
• Sail to Aegina Island
• Visit Aegina market and try pistachio treats
• See Archaeological Museum and Apollon Temple
• Stroll Aegina town and swim at beach
• Board ship and sail back to Athens

The Experience

There's something about boarding a wooden sailing ship at 8:45 in the morning that shifts your whole day into a different rhythm. You're still close enough to see the city's coastline fade, but far enough that the urban noise stops mattering. The all-day cruise to Agistri, Moni and Aegina pulls you out of Athens and into the Saronic Gulf — three islands, one boat, eight hours that feel longer and shorter at the same time. Breakfast arrives first: cakes, cookies, coffee, orange juice. Then the soft drinks, beers and wine start flowing, and you realize this isn't a rushed itinerary. It's a day built around sitting still and watching the water change color.

Agistri comes first, about an hour and a half of swimming and snorkeling in turquoise water so clear you can see the bottom. The island is small enough that you can rent a bike and loop it in an afternoon, or just find a beach and stay put. Some people browse the souvenir shops near the harbor; others jump straight into the sea. The crew doesn't rush you. When it's time to leave, you head back to the boat and sail toward Moni — a smaller islet where you don't actually step ashore. Instead, you dive straight into the water from the deck, snorkel through the marine life, maybe jump off the ship if you're feeling it. If weather makes Moni unreachable, Metopi takes its place: another patch of turquoise water and sandy beach, equally good for the same reason. After the swimming, the Mediterranean buffet arrives on deck — Greek salads, grilled fish, fresh fruit, all of it eaten while the boat rocks gently and the horizon stretches in every direction.

Aegina, the last stop, is famous for pistachios and has the ruins to prove it lived longer than most islands. The Archaeological Museum and the Temple of Apollo are there if you want them, but most people wander the local market, try the pistachio treats, swim one more time, and then settle into the return sail to Athens. The whole day includes snorkeling equipment, life jackets, pool noodles, hotel pickup if you need it, and enough drinks to make the afternoon blur pleasantly. Weather can shift plans — the captain reserves the right to change the route — but that's the trade of sailing. You're not on a schedule. You're on a boat.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Athens accommodations, welcome breakfast with cakes, cookies, orange juice and coffee, unlimited soft drinks, beers and wine throughout the day, a traditional Mediterranean Greek lunch buffet with fresh seasonal fruit, snorkeling equipment and life jackets, and time to swim and explore at Agistri, Moni (or Metopi as a weather alternative) and Aegina. Customized dietary preferences can be arranged in advance.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cruise in Greece

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day on the water without planning three separate island visits, arranging transport between them, or bringing your own snorkeling gear — the boat handles the logistics and the route, leaving you to swim, eat and watch the Saronic Gulf pass.

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Top questions

What time does the cruise leave Athens?

Boarding begins at 8:45am. Departure times can vary slightly depending on weather and passenger arrivals.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Mediterranean Greek buffet with salads, grilled fish and seasonal fruit is served on board. Dietary preferences can be requested in advance.

Can I snorkel?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets and pool noodles are provided. You'll have time to snorkel at Agistri and Moni (or Metopi), and can swim at Aegina.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select that option at booking. The pickup covers hotels and accommodations in Athens.

What if the weather is bad?

The captain reserves the right to alter the route or reschedule due to weather. If the tour is cancelled, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.

How long is the full day?

The cruise runs approximately eight hours from boarding to return to Athens.

What's included to drink?

Unlimited soft drinks, beers and wine are included throughout the day, plus welcome drinks and coffee on boarding.

Is this suitable for families with young children?

Yes. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though swimming and snorkeling are optional.