Snorkeling in Skiathos: Traditional Wooden Boat with Greek Lunch

Anchor at five turquoise bays and snorkel straight from the boat's ladder.

A full-day snorkeling trip from Skiathos on a traditional wooden boat with a small group, five swimming and snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, Greek lunch cooked onboard, and a stand-up paddleboard available. The captain plans the route each morning based on sea conditions, choosing between the western bays of Skopelos island or the southern bays around Tsougrias and Arkos if the weather shifts.

Step-by-step itinerary

Relaxing boat trip with swimming and lunch

• Board traditional wooden boat
• Listen to safety briefing
• Depart port and sail to Arkos island
• Swim and snorkel at Arkos island
• Visit West side of Skopelos island
• Swim, snorkel, or paddleboard at Ekatopenindari beach
• Stop near Kastani beach for swimming and lunch
• Enjoy freshly cooked Greek lunch onboard
• Final swim stop at Tsougrias island
• Refresh with fruit salad onboard
• Return relaxed to port

The experience

The boat, Soft Machine II, leaves the port and heads first to Arkos island, a small green island ringed with pine trees. You anchor in a quiet bay close to the shore, put on the snorkeling mask the crew provides, and drop in to explore the underwater life. If snorkeling does not appeal that morning, you swim instead or stay onboard with a drink and watch the limestone cliffs and pines slope down to the water.

The second and longest stop is on the west side of Skopelos island, where the captain anchors at Ekatopenindari beach in a remote bay with turquoise water. Here you have the choice to snorkel, swim, take the stand-up paddleboard out into the bay, or stay on the boat's sundeck under the fixed tent shade. While guests are in the water, the captain prepares lunch in the galley: Greek dishes cooked fresh onboard. After almost an hour in the water, the tables are set on deck and you eat beside the beach and the cliffs, with chilled drinks available throughout the day.

The third stop is a small bay near Kastani beach, the filming location of Mamma Mia, anchored far enough out to keep the spot private. The fourth takes you to Tsougrias island, where the captain picks the best beach based on the sea state that day. If conditions allow Lalarias beach, a short walk leads to a small chapel on the cliff above. Fresh fruit salad and other snacks are served here before the return to port. If the sea is rough, the route shifts to the southern bays around Tsougrias and Arkos instead, with the same stops and the same freshly cooked lunch, just rearranged. The whole day runs seven to eight hours.

What’s included

• Snorkeling mask and fins.
• freshly cooked Greek lunch served onboard.
• use of a stand-up paddleboard.
• bottled water and chilled drinks throughout the day.
• shade tent and sunbeds on deck.
• restroom onboard.
• WiFi.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 5 May 2027

AgesAdult (12 to 88 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 16 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

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 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Traditional Yacht

Is this one for you?Book this trip if you want to snorkel and swim at your own pace without a fixed schedule dictating when you get in the water: the captain's flexibility with the route and the stops means the day adjusts to how you want to spend it, not the other way around.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 3 years): free.

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 happens if the sea is rough on the day I go snorkeling in Skiathos?

The captain designs the route each morning based on sea conditions. If the western bays of Skopelos are too rough, the boat visits the southern bays around Tsougrias and Arkos islands instead, keeping all five stops and the same snorkeling, swimming and paddleboarding options. Just in a different order.

Can I snorkel the whole time or do I have to swim?

At each stop you choose what to do. You can snorkel with the mask and fins the crew provides, swim without gear, take out the stand-up paddleboard, or stay onboard on the sundeck under the tent shade with a drink and watch the scenery.

Is lunch included and what kind of food is it?

Lunch is included and cooked fresh onboard by the captain: Greek dishes served on the boat's deck beside the water. Chilled drinks are available throughout the day, and fresh fruit salad and other snacks are served at the final stop.

How many people go on this boat and is there shade?

The boat holds a small group and has a fixed 25-square-meter tent for shade above the stern deck, plus sunbeds for twelve guests at the bow sundeck. There is also a wide walk-around deck and a user-friendly swimming ladder for getting in and out of the water.

What is included in the snorkeling equipment?

The crew provides snorkeling masks and fins. You can also use the stand-up paddleboard at any stop, and the boat has a restroom onboard, bottled water, and WiFi.