A Milos Kleftiko cruise carries you by boat from a harbour on the island to a cove of white volcanic rock arches and sea caves, and you can compare departure times on our list of tours in Greece.
This page covers how the boat trip runs and how long it lasts, the sail along the coast, Kleftiko and its caves, the pirate story, the swim stops, the other bays on the route, what is on board, and the questions travellers ask before booking.
What is a Milos Kleftiko cruise, and how does it work?
A Milos Kleftiko cruise is a boat day trip from Adamas, the harbour town of Milos. It sails to Kleftiko, a bay along the island’s west coast. Guests swim and explore there, then sail back to port.
Milos is a volcanic island of about 150 square kilometres. Normal vehicles cannot reach parts of its west side, so the trip goes by sea. A walking path to Kleftiko exists, but one operator calls the way in very difficult. That path is for experienced walkers only, it says. Boats are the standard way in.
Local companies run the Milos Kleftiko cruise, and routes differ from one company to the next. Operators sell it as a shared trip or a private charter, lasting half a day or the whole day. Routes cover the west and south of the island, or the whole round of Milos. Small-group boats carry ten to twelve guests.
On full-day trips, the boat leaves Adamas and follows the west coast, with swim stops before Kleftiko, then sails back. Longer routes add Polyaigos, an uninhabited island east of Milos. Milos is popular in summer, so you need to book in advance. Companies choose the route by the weather, so the stops can change.
How long is a Milos Kleftiko cruise, and where does it start?
A full-day Milos Kleftiko cruise lasts about eight hours and starts at Adamas port in the morning. Half-day trips last between 3.5 and 4 hours and sail both morning and afternoon.
Trips that only visit the west coast stay near eight hours. Trips that add Polyaigos run longer, at nine to ten hours. One operator lists daily morning departures from April to October, with the boat leaving Adamas at half past nine. Another page asks guests to allow a full day for the eight-hour trip.
The meeting point of the full-day Milos Kleftiko cruise is Adamas port, the island’s main harbour. One operator asks guests to arrive thirty minutes before departure, because a late arrival can mean a missed boat. A half-day trip leaves from Agia Kyriaki at ten in the morning and again at three in the afternoon.
Plan around the end time. A full Milos Kleftiko cruise returns to Adamas around half past six in the evening. Twice-daily half-day trips run four hours and end at two in the afternoon or at seven in the evening. Another half-day operator lists three and a half hours, with two stops along 4.6 kilometres of coast.
How does a Milos Kleftiko cruise travel: by sailing boat or motor boat?
A Milos Kleftiko cruise runs on both kinds of boat. Sailing boats and catamarans give you more space and room to lounge. Smaller speedboats and RIBs reach the rocks faster and can get closer to the caves.
Operators sell both types. Trips are offered on sailing boats, on RIBs and on speedboats, and an experienced crew looks after the guests. Private and semi-private trips run on motorboats or sailing yachts. Catamaran sailboats run full-day or half-day trips. A speedboat suits a private trip because the route can follow your wishes.
The sailing side of a Milos Kleftiko cruise is slower but roomier. A catamaran gives you space and a spot to stretch out. Sailing boats vary in size. A 14-metre traditional sailboat holds 38 guests, and a 17-metre sailing boat holds 28.
On a Milos Kleftiko cruise, the motor side is about speed. A speedboat gets to Kleftiko sooner than a sailing boat, and operators offer a RIB for high-speed thrills. The ride can be bumpy when the sea is choppy, and there is less room to lounge. A catamaran cannot reach every narrow cave, but a smaller boat can.
What is Kleftiko, and what do its white rocks and sea caves look like on a Milos Kleftiko cruise?
Kleftiko is a bay of white rock formations, natural arches and sea caves on the western coast of Milos. Boats are the safe way in, so a Milos Kleftiko cruise is how travellers see it.
The rock is volcanic and pale. Wind and waves have worked on it for thousands of years. They have carved caves and pits into the gray and white stone, and operators also point out animal-shaped formations.
Kleftiko is a network of caves, arches and white rock formations. Parts of it join the coast, while other rocks stand alone as islets. The nickname “Meteora of the Sea” fits the towering pale rocks.
On a Milos Kleftiko cruise the boat stops in front of the caves, with clear turquoise water all around. The cliff face looks pale and full of holes, with cave mouths along the waterline. Small boats and swimmers can enter the caves.
Do not expect a sandy beach. Three small bays sit between enormous rocks, and sand is scarce. Light changes the look: soft morning light shows the cave interiors, and golden hour warms the cliffs. Monk seals, sea turtles and dolphins live along the Milos coast. One page says seals shelter in the caves in winter.
Why is the Kleftiko coast linked with pirates and thieves?
In Greek, kleftis means a thief, and Kleftiko is built on that word. The Municipality of Milos says pirates used these caves as a shelter and base. The place took its name from them, and a Milos Kleftiko cruise sails to that old hideout.
Kleftiko and the word klephts both trace back to an old Greek root for stealing. The klephts were Greek outlaws under Ottoman rule, and the same word names a slow-roasted lamb dish. For this bay, though, the name points to pirates.
Travel pages describe how the pirates worked. One operator page says they waited inside the caves and ambushed enemy ships. Another says the caves also gave shelter from bad weather. Two pages place these pirates in medieval times.
The coast is secluded, and rocks cut off any safe path from land. That leaves the sea as the safe way in. So a Milos Kleftiko cruise reaches the old hideout from the water. Crews retell the pirate story as the boat sails along the coast.
The story is told as a legend. One travel blog says the pirates here were liked on Milos. In the blog’s version they shared their riches with the islanders, and one captain married a woman from Milos.
Where does a Milos Kleftiko cruise stop to swim and snorkel?
A Milos Kleftiko cruise stops to swim at Kleftiko itself for about an hour or longer. Half-day routes add a first dip at Gerontas beach, and full-day routes add bays such as Gerakas, Kalogries and Sykia.
On a half-day Milos Kleftiko cruise the first swim is short, about 30 minutes at Gerontas beach. The boat then moves on to Kleftiko for between 60 and 90 minutes. One half-day route ends with a second swim in Gerakas bay.
A full-day Milos Kleftiko cruise makes more stops. One route swims at Kalogries for about 20 minutes. It then anchors off Sykia for a swim and a dinghy visit to the cave, about an hour in all. The long stop comes last, about two hours at Kleftiko.
Another full-day route stops at Gerakas for about 40 minutes. It gives about an hour at Kleftiko and about 30 minutes at Kalogries. Weather can reshuffle the stops, and the captain decides on the day.
On a Milos Kleftiko cruise you swim and snorkel through the caves at Kleftiko. Boats that carry a dinghy take guests inside the caves, and the full-day routes add stand-up paddling. Operators list masks and fins as provided, and you can bring your own.
Which other bays and coasts does a Milos Kleftiko cruise pass?
Besides Kleftiko itself, a Milos Kleftiko cruise sails past fishing villages, the Arkoudes rocks and Cape Vani. Full-day trips that circle the island add the old sulphur mines, Gerakas, the south coast and Polyaigos.
The first stretch runs past Skinopi, Klima, Areti and Fourkovouni, four fishing villages. At Klima the houses are called syrmata, with a basement cut into the soft rock as a winter mooring. Next come the Arkoudes, a lava rock complex with a bear-like shape. Cape Vani follows, just before the first swim stop.
On a round-the-island Milos Kleftiko cruise, the boat slows for the old sulphur mines on the east side. The south side brings the beaches of Agia Kyriaki and Paliochori. One itinerary stops at Gerontas for a quick swim and a plate of mezes. Another adds a short photo stop at Glaronisia, a group of volcanic pillars.
Gerakas is a sandy beach with hot springs, and two operators describe it as reachable only by sea. A half-day trip pairs Kleftiko with a second swim in Gerakas Bay. Full-day trips go on to Polyaigos, an uninhabited island about six kilometres east of Milos. Its sea caves shelter Mediterranean monk seals, and its beaches lie mainly in the south.
What is on board a Milos Kleftiko cruise, and who suits the trip?
A full-day Milos Kleftiko cruise carries a homemade lunch, drinks, snorkel gear, shade on deck and an English-speaking crew. Small boats hold 12 to 22 guests, while one large boat on half-day trips holds 118.
Lunch is homemade, and two operators serve a Greek salad with it. Two pages list vegetarian and vegan plates. One full-day itinerary adds fruit salad at Kalogries and a traditional sweet at Polyaigos. Water is on offer, and one open bar adds soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits from Greece. Half-day boats serve a snack with a shot of raki.
On a Milos Kleftiko cruise, snorkel gear comes with the trip on every operator page that lists it. One operator adds stand-up paddleboards. A catamaran has large shaded and sunbathing areas, and a large half-day boat has a shaded deck. The crew speaks English, and one operator adds Spanish, French and Italian.
Operators call the trip family-friendly and open to all ages. The trip suits swimmers, because the full-day plan lists swim stops at three places. One operator advises against a Milos Kleftiko cruise for pregnant women and for people with back, mobility or heart problems. A half-day boat also welcomes pets, and the operator asks owners to supervise them all trip.
What else do travellers ask about a Milos Kleftiko cruise?
Which months suit a Milos Kleftiko cruise, and how does the wind behave?
Boat tours on Milos run from late spring to late October, one tour page says. That gives a Milos Kleftiko cruise a long season. Summer in the Aegean brings the meltemi, a wind from the north. It starts around late spring and fades in mid-September. Gusts are strongest in the afternoon, while evenings can calm down.
Tour pages say the programme follows the weather. One names an alternative route for strong northern winds. Another says the captain can change the plan. A third says the tour can end earlier if the sea turns rough.
What do I wear and pack for a Milos Kleftiko cruise?
Pack swimwear, a towel and sunscreen, as the tour pages list. One page adds a hat. Another asks for a passport or ID, and a copy is accepted. A third tells guests to bring a light jacket for the sail back. Wear comfortable clothes, because you swim and sunbathe through the day.
One tour FAQ also lists a waterproof camera. One tour page says snorkel gear is provided, and you can bring your own if you prefer it. Skip the picnic, since one operator says guests cannot carry their own meals or drinks aboard.
Are children welcome on a Milos Kleftiko cruise, and is the sea rough for people who get seasick?
One page says its stable boat and the calm water in the protected bays suit guests prone to seasickness. It adds that the crew can give advice and remedies to help guests feel comfortable.
Children are welcome on a Milos Kleftiko cruise, but age rules differ. One half-day cruise suits ages seven and above. Another page says children have their own meal options, and a family boat carries a box of toys. The same page rules out travellers with mobility issues. Check the age limit with the operator when you book.
Is there hotel pick-up for a Milos Kleftiko cruise, and when do I board?
The tour pages name the port of Adamas as the meeting point, with sailings at 9:00 or 9:30. One page asks guests to arrive fifteen minutes before departure. Another says reviews mention arriving around 8:45.
One tour does not include pick-up or drop-off at hotels, although you can book a transfer as an option. A second page tells guests to meet at the operator’s office in the port. A third says to look for the operator’s sign at the port. If your hotel is far from Adamas, ask the operator whether a transfer is offered.
What do tours offer for snorkelling, food and drinks on a Milos Kleftiko cruise?
Tour pages say masks and snorkels are provided, and one adds flippers and underwater cameras. Another page says gear is available but not on every tour, so ask first. One page says guests can jump from the sailboat into the water.
One crew cooks lunch on board, with pasta, fish, chicken and salads. Another page says lunch can be tailored to your preferences. Water, soft drinks, beer and wine are on offer, and one page adds coffee and cookies. A Milos Kleftiko cruise therefore needs little more than swimwear.