Snorkeling in Paros: Gulet Cruise to Blue Lagoon & Despotiko

Three turquoise bays in one day, snorkel gear ready when you arrive

A full-day gulet cruise from Paros to Antiparos, Blue Lagoon and Despotiko with snorkeling equipment, lunch and drinks included. The boat holds a maximum of 25 guests, keeping the atmosphere relaxed. You swim and snorkel at three stops: Sostis or Faneromeni beach in Antiparos, then Despotiko (where the stop depends on sea conditions, shifting to Livadi Beach, the Temple of Apollo channel, or the White Cliffs), and finally the Blue Lagoon near Panteronisi. A traditional Greek lunch with local ingredients is served at Despotiko, along with fresh fruit and local spirits at the Blue Lagoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day gulet cruise experience

• Board traditional wooden gulet Galatea
• Swim and snorkel at Sostis or Faneromeni beach
• Visit Despotiko island and enjoy buffet lunch
• Stop at Blue Lagoon for fresh fruit and drinks

The experience

Galatea departs from Paros as a traditional wooden gulet carrying no more than 25 people, which means you're not jostling for deck space or waiting in a line to enter the water. The boat heads first to Antiparos, stopping at either Sostis or Faneromeni beach on the southern side. Both have transparent turquoise water and are marked as excellent snorkeling spots. The seabed here is clear enough that you can see what you're looking at, and the beaches themselves are less crowded than the main island ports.

From Antiparos, the route moves to Despotiko, a wild, smaller island west of Antiparos. Where you stop there depends on the sea that day: it could be Livadi Beach with its green waters, or the channel between Antiparos and Despotiko where you can see the Temple of Apollo and the ruins of Cycladic civilization from the water. This is where the buffet lunch arrives: Greek specialties made with local ingredients, plus free soft drinks, wine, beer and ouzo. If weather or rough seas make Despotiko unreachable, the boat pivots to Agios Myronas and Agios Nikolaos instead, keeping the day intact.

The final stop is the Blue Lagoon near Panteronisi, a small archipelago of rocky islets that form a natural swimming pool in the channel between Paros and Antiparos. The water here is the turquoise the Aegean is famous for, and it's the last place to snorkel before heading back. Fresh fruit and local spirits are served at this stop. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the whole day, along with bottled water, coffee and tea. The full cruise runs eight hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment for all three stops.
• a traditional Greek lunch with local ingredients at Despotiko.
• fresh fruit and local spirits at the Blue Lagoon.
• complimentary soft drinks, wine, beer, ouzo, bottled water, coffee and tea throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jul 2027

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Senior (71 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian 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.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Galatea daily cruise

Is this one for you?The eight-hour duration means you leave the morning open for a waterfront breakfast in Paros or a walk through town, and you're back by evening for dinner. The small group of 25 keeps the boat from feeling like a floating resort, and the three snorkeling stops (each with different water clarity and marine life) give you variety without the logistics of booking separate excursions.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

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 snorkeling like at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon near Panteronisi is a natural swimming pool formed by rocky islets in the channel between Paros and Antiparos, with turquoise water and clear visibility for snorkeling. It's the final stop of the day before returning to Paros.

Will we definitely stop at Despotiko, or could the itinerary change?

Despotiko is on the route, but the exact stop depends on sea conditions. You might visit Livadi Beach, the Temple of Apollo channel, or the White Cliffs. If conditions make Despotiko unsafe, the boat visits Agios Myronas and Agios Nikolaos instead, so the day still includes three swimming and snorkeling stops.

What food and drinks are included on the cruise?

A traditional Greek lunch with local ingredients is served at Despotiko, along with fresh fruit and local spirits at the Blue Lagoon. Throughout the day you have access to complimentary soft drinks, wine, beer, ouzo, bottled water, coffee and tea.

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

Snorkeling equipment is provided for the entire cruise, so you don't need to bring or rent gear separately.

How many people will be on the boat?

Galatea carries a maximum of 25 guests, keeping the atmosphere relaxed and avoiding the crowded feel of larger tour boats.