Sailing Kleftiko and Sikia Cave, Milos: Pirates and Swimming

Sail to the pirate shelter and swim where the stories still live

A nine-hour sailing boat tour from Milos to Kleftiko Beach, Sikia Cave and five other stops along the island's volcanic west coast, with a guide in English or Greek. The boat carries beer, wine, snorkeling equipment and lunch cooked on board at Kleftiko; you swim at each stop and hear the history of local pirates from the guide. Small group size keeps the pace relaxed and the access to remote beaches only reachable by water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Milos coastal landmarks and beaches

• Pass by Firopotamos Beach village
• See traditional fishermen houses at Milos Bay
• Visit Fourkovouni hill and hear pirate stories
• View multicoloured rocks at Cape Vani
• Relax and swim at remote beach
• Enjoy scenic viewpoint
• Explore Kleftiko pirate shelter and learn stories
• Swim at Agios Dimitrios Beach and ring chapel bell

The Experience

The day starts with a stop at Firopotamos Beach, a fishing village where soft limestone cliffs hold cave houses carved centuries ago. From there the route follows Milos Bay past the colorful "syrmatas"—traditional fishermen's houses painted in different colors so owners could spot them from the water—and Fourkovouni, the hill where pirates were hanged, which is where the stories begin. A local snack arrives at Kalogries Beach before the boat heads toward the open coast.

Cape Vani comes next, a striking landmark of multicolored rock formations in red, yellow, orange, green and gray, left behind by old manganese mining. After a swim in the calm water, the route reaches Kleftiko—the highlight. Kleftiko means "pirate point" in Greek, and this remote beach was the shelter of local pirates; the guide explains the history while you're in the water and can see the rock formations up close. Lunch is cooked on board here, with wine and beer available.

The final stop is Agios Dimitrios Beach, where a small chapel sits at the water's edge. You swim out to ring the bell inside it—a moment most visitors remember. The boat carries snorkeling equipment for all the stops, bottled water, afternoon seasonal fruit, and soft drinks. The full day on the water, with swimming at each stop and the guide's stories about the pirates, is what makes Kleftiko accessible without a car or a second boat.

What’s included

• Lunch cooked on board at Kleftiko.
• beer and wine.
• bottled water, soft drinks and seasonal fruit snack.
• snorkeling equipment for all stops.
• local snack at Kalogries Beach.
• guide in English or Greek.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Odysseus A. Yacht Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this nine-hour boat day if you want to visit multiple beaches and Kleftiko's sea caves in one trip with a small group, rather than piecing together separate excursions.

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Top questions

What is Kleftiko Beach and why is it the highlight of this tour?

Kleftiko Beach is a remote pirate shelter on Milos's west coast, reachable only by boat. The name means "pirate point" in Greek, and the guide shares the history of local pirates while you swim at the site and see the dramatic rock formations that made it a hiding place.

Can I swim at every stop, or just some of them?

You swim at each stop along the route—Kalogries Beach, Cape Vani, Kleftiko, and Agios Dimitrios. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you can explore the water at every location.

Is lunch included, and what does it consist of?

Lunch is cooked on board at Kleftiko and is included in the tour price. Beer, wine, bottled water, soft drinks and an afternoon snack of seasonal fruit are also provided throughout the day.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide leads the tour in English or Greek, depending on the group.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer or have diving experience?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You swim at calm stops with snorkeling gear provided; no diving experience is required.