About this tour
When Sarah from our team booked this semi-private wooden boat day, we got exactly what we needed: a proper Greek afternoon without the cruise-ship crowds. The 50-foot traditional yacht takes about a dozen guests to secluded swimming spots, with the captain cooking lunch onboard while you float between bays. It's a 7–8 hour loop that feels unhurried — swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, and eating well in one hit. The boat's fitted out sensibly: shaded stern deck, sundeck loungers, a working toilet, and enough space to move around without bumping elbows. Perfect for a hot day when you want the Aegean without the madness.
Highlights
- Captain cooks Greek lunch fresh onboard — proper flavours, not reheated.
- Moored in genuinely quiet bays; no jetski crowds or resort noise.
- Snorkelling gear included; entry via user-friendly deck ladder.
- Fixed canvas tent shades the stern; bow sundeck has 12 loungers.
- Single standup paddleboard available if you want to paddle between swims.
- WiFi works — you can ignore it or stay loosely connected.
- Walk-around deck means you're not bottlenecked in one spot.
- Onboard toilet and freshwater showers; no scurrying to shore.
What to expect
The boat departs in the morning and heads straight for the first sheltered bay — usually 20–30 minutes in, giving you time to settle and meet the crew. You'll have a good swim, then move to a second or third bay for lunch. The captain sets up a spread of Greek dishes (salad, grilled fish, bread, olives, feta) on a shaded table while you float nearby; you eat when you're ready, not on a fixed schedule. Snorkelling gear stays out all day, so you drift between swimming and looking at fish as the mood takes. One guest can grab the paddleboard and potter around while others laze on the sundeck. The water is clear and genuinely warm. By late afternoon, you head back — everyone's properly tired and sunburnt by then.
Good to know
This works brilliantly if you want a day on the water without the fuss of hiring your own boat or joining a 200-person barge. The crew are genuine and unhurried; they're not rushing you to the next photo stop. Lunch is a genuine highlight — better than what you'd grab at a waterfront taverna. Snorkelling is relaxed, not instructor-led, so you go at your own pace. The boat's genuinely comfortable: proper shade, loungers, a toilet that works.
It's only suitable if you're reasonably fit — the boat rocks and you're in and out of the water repeatedly. Not great if you're anxious about swimming or unsteady. Beach towels aren't supplied, so bring your own. Coffee and tea aren't included (though water is). Peak season means you might share the boat; semi-private doesn't mean private. Wear a rash guard or wetsuit if you burn easily — 7 hours in the sun is serious. Bring sunscreen and reapply often. Infants can come but it's not a relaxing day if you're managing a baby on a moving boat.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.