A Kleftiko boat trip sails to the white sea cliffs, arches and caves on the southwest coast of Milos. It is one of the Greek tours listed on Greece VIP.
This post covers the trips, the start points, the caves, the other stops, the history, the food, the boats and the reviews. Weather, the best season and common questions come last.
What is a Kleftiko boat trip?
A Kleftiko boat trip is a cruise to the white sea cliffs and caves of southwest Milos. Boats anchor among the rocks so guests can swim, snorkel and explore the caves.
Kleftiko is not reachable by road. Guests arrive by boat, or on foot by a trail from the land side.
Half-day trips sail the west coast from Adamas and stop at two or three bays. Full-day trips circle the island and add the islet of Polyaigos.
The captain can change the route on windy days. One trip moves to the south side of the island when strong north winds blow.
- Access: By boat only.
- Swim: In the caves and bays.
- Food: Served on board.
A Kleftiko boat trip suits guests who want to swim among the arches.
Which Kleftiko boat trips run?
Six Kleftiko boat trips hold the bulk of the reviews online. Their counts run from 249 to 2,150, and every one scores 4.8 or more.
A full-day sailboat cruise from Adamas holds 2,150 reviews and scores 4.9 out of 5. It sails around Milos and stops at Polyaigos.
A semi-private yacht cruise holds 976 reviews and scores 4.8. It adds a dinghy tour of the caves and free photos from an action camera.
A half-day catamaran cruise holds 435 reviews and scores 4.8. It passes the fishing villages before Kalogries and Kleftiko.
A sailing cruise with 359 reviews and a full-day cruise with 334 reviews both score 4.8. Of their English-speaking guests, 92% gave each top marks.
A private sailing yacht trip from Adamas holds 249 reviews and also scores 4.8.
- Largest count: 2,150 reviews.
- Top score: 4.9.
- Private option: One yacht trip.
A full-day Kleftiko boat trip covers the widest stretch of coast.
Where does a Kleftiko boat trip start?
A Kleftiko boat trip starts at the port of Adamas, the main harbour of Milos. On windy days, one trip boards or ends at Agia Kyriaki on the south coast instead.
Operators meet guests at offices or flags on the Adamas waterfront, a short walk from the ferry terminal.
The yacht cruise asks for passport or ID numbers, full names and birthdates for every guest. Port rules require them at booking.
When winds pass 5 on the Beaufort scale, the catamaran trip ends at Agia Kyriaki. A free transfer then takes guests back to Adamas.
On strong north winds, that trip boards at Agia Kyriaki and swims at Gerakas, Kleftiko and Tsigrado.
- Main port: Adamas.
- Windy days: Agia Kyriaki.
- Paperwork: ID details.
Guests who want the rest of the island by sea can compare the Milos boat tours.
What does a Kleftiko boat trip see at Kleftiko?
A Kleftiko boat trip sees white cliffs and rock islets spread across three small coves. Sea and wind have hollowed the soft volcanic rock into caves and arches.
The rock is a white to yellowish tuff, built from broken pumice. It formed about 3.1 million years ago and lies in clear layers.
Darker basalt also appears in the area around the coves.
Greece lists Kleftiko as a landscape of special natural beauty. The area also belongs to the Natura 2000 network.
Boats anchor between the islets. Guests swim through the arches and into the caves, and one trip sends a dinghy inside them.
- Rock: White volcanic tuff.
- Age: 3.1 million years.
- Status: Natura 2000.
A Kleftiko boat trip turns the caves into a swimming pool with stone walls.
Which other stops does a Kleftiko boat trip make?
A Kleftiko boat trip also passes Sykia cave, the Arkoudes rocks and Cape Vani. Swim stops include Kalogries, Agios Dimitrios and, on full days, Gerakas and Polyaigos.
The half-day catamaran sails past the fishing villages of Skinopi, Klima, Areti and Fourkovouni. Their painted boathouses, called sirmata, are cut into the rock.
The Arkoudes rocks are shaped like a bear. Cape Vani shows a headland of multicoloured volcanic rock.
Sykia is a sea cave whose roof has collapsed. A natural skylight lights its entrance.
On the half-day catamaran, the first swim stop is Kalogries Bay, a quiet beach on the west coast. Another trip swims at Agios Dimitrios beach after Kleftiko.
The full-day cruise adds the lunar rocks of Sarakiniko and the volcanic Glaronisia islets in the north.
- Cave: Sykia.
- Beaches: Kalogries and Agios Dimitrios.
- Islet: Polyaigos.
A Kleftiko boat trip on the west coast reaches shores that no road serves.
What history does a Kleftiko boat trip cover?
A Kleftiko boat trip passes a coast that sheltered pirates and the mines of Milos. Crews tell the pirate stories and the myths of the island on board.
Pirates used the small coves as a base for raids on passing ships.
The caves also gave shelter to sailors in bad weather.
Local fishermen say Mediterranean monk seals once bred in the caves. Fishermen think tourist traffic has driven them off.
The full-day cruise passes the old sulfur mines in the east. It also passes the old manganese mine at Cape Vani. Its escort explains the island’s history along the way.
- Pirates: The coves were a base.
- Seals: Once bred in the caves.
- Mines: Sulfur and manganese.
Guests who want to paddle into the coves can compare the Milos kayak tours.
What food comes with a Kleftiko boat trip?
A Kleftiko boat trip serves lunch on board, at anchor near the caves on two trips. The longer trips add breakfast, fruit and an open bar.
The full-day cruise serves pasta with tuna sauce and salad at Kleftiko. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are available on request.
The half-day catamaran serves a chef’s lunch of meat, seafood or vegetarian dishes, with house wine. One reviewer liked that the food was cooked on board.
The sailing cruise with 359 reviews serves a light breakfast, lunch and seasonal fruit. It buys fresh ingredients at the local market each day.
The cruise with 334 reviews adds an open bar with wine and beer.
- Diets: Vegan and vegetarian.
- Drinks: Wine and beer.
- Cooking: Done on board.
A Kleftiko boat trip treats lunch at anchor as part of the view.
What boats run a Kleftiko boat trip?
A Kleftiko boat trip runs on sailboats, catamarans or a motor yacht. Group sizes range from a private party to 25 guests per boat.
The full-day cruise uses three sailboats, each taking up to 25 people. One reviewer found the wooden seats hard over long hours.
The semi-private yacht takes 20 to 26 people. It has a double cabin, two bathrooms with separate toilets and a fresh-water shower.
Snorkel gear comes on board, and one trip adds swimming noodles. The private yacht trip also carries paddleboards.
The yacht cruise sends guests into the caves in a small inflatable dinghy and offers free underwater photos.
- Largest groups: 25 per sailboat.
- Gear: Snorkels and paddleboards.
- Extra: A dinghy cave tour.
A Kleftiko boat trip on the yacht adds a cabin and a shower for the day.
What do reviewers say about a Kleftiko boat trip?
Reviewers praise the crews, the food and the swim stops on a Kleftiko boat trip. Complaints focus on hard seats, tipping pressure and wind that cuts stops.
On the full-day cruise, 95% of English-speaking guests gave top marks. One reviewer called the trip fabulous and praised the swimming spots.
A half-day catamaran guest praised the crew, the food and the music. The group size felt right too.
The summary for that trip asks for more courteous service and no pressure to tip.
On the sailing cruise, one guest enjoyed the day even though the wind cut part of the plan.
On the cruise with 334 reviews, the summary asks for more time at each stop.
- Praise: Crews and swim stops.
- Complaint: Wooden seats.
- Tip: Book a calm day.
Guests who want a sail with fewer stops can compare the Milos sailing tours.
How does weather shape a Kleftiko boat trip?
A Kleftiko boat trip depends on the wind, which decides the route and the stops. The Milos weather station logged a 30.5 °C high average this July. June and July brought no rain.
July peaked at 36.4 °C on 22 July, and August at 35.8 °C on 26 August. August brought just 0.2 mm of rain.
Last July peaked at 37.2 °C on 9 July, and last June averaged a 28.5 °C high.
North and northeast winds dominate the summer on Milos. Average wind speeds at the station sit near 10 km/h in July.
Model data for the sea off Kleftiko gives 0.63 m average waves this July. August averaged 0.77 m.
Seas build in winter. Waves averaged 1.67 m this January and peaked at 3.72 m on 21 January.
Autumn can turn fast. Waves reached 3.24 m on 3 October this year.
- Calmest month: July, 0.63 m waves.
- Hottest day: 36.4 °C on 22 July.
- Rough peak: 3.72 m in January.
A Kleftiko boat trip on a windy day can move to the sheltered south coast.
When is the best season for a Kleftiko boat trip?
A Kleftiko boat trip suits June to September best, with warm water and moderate seas. The sea off Kleftiko averaged 25.3 °C this July and peaked at 27.6 °C.
The water averaged 25.0 °C this August and 24.7 °C this September. Last August it reached 25.8 °C.
June is milder, with the sea at 23.1 °C this year and an air high of 27.8 °C.
September stayed warm at a 26.3 °C high this year. Rain arrived late, with 57.4 mm on 27 September.
Last October averaged a 22.0 °C high and brought 42.8 mm of rain on 20 October.
Spring water stays cool. The sea averaged 17.2 °C this March and 17.5 °C this April.
- Warmest sea: 27.6 °C in July.
- June sea: 23.1 °C.
- Spring sea: About 17 °C.
A Kleftiko boat trip in late summer pairs the warmest water with the longest swim stops.
What do travelers ask about a Kleftiko boat trip?
Travelers ask about swimming, ID, diets, weather and cancellation. Free cancellation runs up to 24 hours ahead on the main trips.
Can guests swim inside the Kleftiko caves?
Yes. Trips anchor among the rocks, and guests swim through the arches and into the caves.
Do guests need ID for a Kleftiko boat trip?
Yes. Port rules require passport or ID details for every guest when booking.
Are special diets covered?
Yes. The main trips offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals when asked in advance.
What happens on a windy day?
The captain changes the route, moves the trip to the south coast or reschedules it.
Guests who want more time underwater can compare Milos snorkeling trips.