Milos Catamaran: Kleftiko & Kleftiko Caves Half-Day Cruise

Five hours on a catamaran to the pirate caves of Kleftiko, with lunch cooked while you swim

You board a shared catamaran at Milos and sail to Kleftiko and surrounding coves for swimming, snorkeling, and onboard meals. The crew provides snorkeling gear, serves Greek lunch cooked on board, and shares the history of each stop. You choose between a morning departure (9am–2pm) or afternoon (2:30pm–7:30pm), and you'll need to arrive thirty minutes early. The boat holds a small group, and everything — entry, transport, food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment — is included in the price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran cruise and swimming stops

• Board catamaran 30 minutes early
• Sail past Firopotamos fishing village
• View multicolored boathouses
• See Cape Vani rock formation
• Swim in turquoise water
• Enjoy first snack on board
• Photo stop at Cave of Sikia
• Swim and snorkel at Kleftiko
• Eat lunch cooked on board

The Experience

So you're standing on the dock at Milos, and the crew is already laughing about something — probably because you showed up exactly on time and everyone else is still ten minutes away. The catamaran leaves at 9:00 or 14:30, depending on which slot you picked, and you need to be there thirty minutes early, but honestly that's when the day actually starts. You board, grab a spot on deck, and then you're moving. The boat heads straight for Firopotamos, a traditional fishing village with those painted boathouses everyone photographs, and the crew starts pointing out the multicolored rocks of Cape Vani as you pass. It's not a long sail — maybe twenty minutes — but it's the kind of thing that makes you realize you're actually in the Cyclades and not just looking at pictures of them.

The first swim stop comes at a spot with turquoise water so clear you can see straight down, and they hand you snorkeling gear and a noodle without you asking. You're in the water for maybe forty minutes, and when you climb back on board they've already got the first snack ready — seasonal fruit, cold water, whatever's in season that week. Then you're moving again toward Cave Sikia, which is genuinely a cave you can swim into, and the crew tells you the actual history instead of just pointing. After that comes Kleftiko, the main event. It's called the pirate's shelter because it actually was one, and there are caves carved into the rock face that you can swim through. The water is so green-blue it doesn't look real. You get another swim window here, and this time when you come back up the crew has lunch ready — Greek salad, chicken with vegetables, tabbouleh, sometimes a granola bowl with yogurt. Everything's cooked on the boat using fresh ingredients from the local market, which you can taste. Wine and beer are included if you want them, and so is Coca-Cola and orange juice if you don't.

The whole thing is five hours, and you spend maybe half of that in the water and half on the boat eating or watching the coast. The crew knows the stories — actual myths and history, not the tour-guide version — and they'll talk if you ask, or leave you alone if you want to sit quiet. By the time you're heading back to the dock, you've seen four different spots, swum twice, eaten twice, and the boat smells like salt and whatever wine people ordered. You're tired in that good way where you actually did something instead of just driving past it.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup (if arranged separately), boarding on a shared catamaran, entry to Kleftiko and surrounding coves, snorkeling gear and swimming noodles at each stop, a full Greek breakfast, a cooked lunch prepared on board using fresh local ingredients, seasonal fruit, and unlimited water, Coca-Cola, orange juice, wine, and beer. The crew shares stories and myths of the area throughout the journey.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Odysseus A. Yacht Cruises

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see Kleftiko and swim in the caves without renting a private boat or figuring out how to get there yourself — the catamaran handles transport, meals, and snorkeling gear, and the five-hour window fits a half-day without eating up your whole afternoon or morning.

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Top questions

What time does the catamaran leave Milos?

Two departures: 9:00am–2:00pm or 2:30pm–7:30pm. You must arrive thirty minutes before departure.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles are provided at each stop.

What food is served on the catamaran?

Breakfast (granola bowl, tortillas with cheese and turkey), Greek salad, tabbouleh, chicken with vegetables, and seasonal fruit. Water, Coca-Cola, orange juice, wine, and beer are included.

How many stops does the tour make?

Four main stops: Firopotamos fishing village, Cape Vani, Cave Sikia, and Kleftiko. You swim at two of them.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling equipment is provided, but you can bring your own if you prefer.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The catamaran and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

How long is the tour?

Five hours total, including sailing time, two swimming stops, and meals on board.