Ios boat tour: Traditional wooden boat with snorkeling and drinks

Pick your departure time and anchor at beaches no road reaches

A traditional wooden boat tour around Ios with three departure options (morning, sunset or full day) that takes you to hidden beaches for swimming and snorkeling. The Zigouala, built in 1971, carries small groups at a steady pace through the Aegean. Snorkeling equipment, Greek snacks, soft drinks and wine are included. Minimum age is 18.

The experience

The Zigouala is a 9-meter wooden boat built in 1971, the kind of vessel that still works because the design already solved the problem. A Perkins 90 HP engine moves it smoothly enough that you can stand on deck without gripping anything, and the hull is built to handle the Aegean's mood swings. You board in Ios town and choose one of three routes: the morning tour, the sunset departure, or a full day that runs both. Each one heads to different stretches of coastline: the kind with no parking lot, no taverna road, no way to reach them except by water.

Snorkeling gear is on board and ready to use. The crew points out where the water clears and where the rocks drop away. Between swims you get Greek snacks (the kind that come with ouzo or wine, soft drinks if you prefer), and the boat idles in the shallows long enough to actually eat and talk instead of rushing through a checklist. A live English-speaking guide narrates the route and handles the stops, so you're not reading a laminated card or figuring out the history yourself.

The three options let you match the tour to the rest of your day: morning if you want the beach before noon heat, sunset if you're sleeping in, or the full day if you're staying on Ios and have nowhere else to be. Each one is four to five hours on the water. The boat takes service animals, and the operator notes the tour suits all fitness levels. You swim when you want to, sit when you don't.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• Greek snacks.
• bottled water.
• soft drinks and wine.
• government fees and fuel surcharge.
• live English-speaking guide for the full route.

Options for this experience

3 options

Morning GloryGuide in English · No fixed timeTraditional boat with snacks and fruit

Sunset KissGuide in English · No fixed timeTraditional boat with snacks and fruit, lasting 5 hours

A Perfect DayGuide in English · No fixed timeTraditional boat with snacks and fruit

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 98 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

Live guideEnglish

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by IOS BREEZE

Is this one for you?The three departure times let you anchor the tour to your own schedule. Book morning if you want the beach before the day heats up, sunset if you're sleeping late, or the full day if you're staying on Ios and want both routes without a second booking.

Top questions

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 the difference between the morning, sunset and full-day tours on the Zigouala?

The morning tour and sunset kiss are separate four- to five-hour departures to different beaches. The full day combines both routes into one longer outing. You pick one at checkout.

Is snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling gear is included on the boat and ready to use at each stop. You don't need to bring anything except a towel.

What food and drinks come with the tour?

Greek snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages (wine and ouzo) are all included. The crew serves them between swimming stops.

Can I book this tour if I don't speak Greek?

Yes. The guide speaks English and narrates the entire route, so language isn't a barrier.

How many people fit on the Zigouala?

The boat is 9 meters long and carries small groups, keeping the experience intimate and the pace unhurried. Exact capacity varies by departure option.