A boat trip is not one of the things to do in Milos — it is the thing to do. The island’s greatest sights face the sea, and several of them (Kleftiko above all) cannot be reached any other way. The real question is: half day or full day, and which route? Here is the honest breakdown we give our own guests.
Half-day trips (4–5 hours)
Perfect if you want a taste of the coastline without committing the whole day — or if you are travelling with young children.
Route A: Kimolos channel
From Pollonia, cross to Kimolos: the Karras sea cave, the syrmata of Goupa, a long swim at Prassa’s shallow turquoise, and a coffee at Psathi if you like. Short hops, sheltered water, huge reward-per-mile.
Route B: East coast of Milos
Sarakiniko’s lunar rocks from the sea, the mining ghost-jetties of Thiorichia, and swim stops at Pachena and Papafragas’ cave mouths. Ideal on days with a south wind.
Full-day trips (7–9 hours)
Route C: The Kleftiko run (west coast)
The classic. Down the roadless west coast past Arkoudes, into Sykia’s collapsed cave-lagoon, then two unhurried hours among Kleftiko’s arches and caves before returning. This is the route the postcards are printed from — see the complete Kleftiko guide.
Route D: Kimolos & Polyaigos
Our connoisseur’s pick and the route almost no one else offers: circle Kimolos, then cross to uninhabited Polyaigos for the blue caves and the clearest water in the Cyclades. Details in our Kimolos island guide.
Half-day vs full-day at a glance
- Time on the water: 4–5 hrs vs 7–9 hrs
- Swim stops: 2–3 vs 4–6
- Kleftiko: full day only (it is simply too far for half a day)
- Best for families with small kids: half day, Kimolos channel
- Budget: our boats start from €170 per half day
Rent your own or join a cruise?
Organised cruises are great if you want lunch cooked for you and zero decisions. Renting your own boat means your schedule: leave before the fleet, stay longer where you love, skip what you don’t. Two of our three boats need no licence at all — and with the Compass 7s you can do every route on this page.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the boat trip to Kleftiko from Adamas?
About 1.5–2 hours each way with a motor boat — which is why Kleftiko is a full-day commitment, not a half-day one.
What should I bring on a Milos boat trip?
Sunscreen, hat, water, snacks, swimwear, a light windbreaker and your camera. Mask and snorkel come with our boats.
What if the weather turns windy?
Routes swap sides: the east coast and the Kimolos channel are sheltered from the prevailing north wind (meltemi). We advise every guest on the best route for the day’s forecast.
Undecided? Send us your dates and we will match the route to the weather and your crew.
Ready to explore Milos by boat?
No licence needed — rent one of our Compass boats and discover Kleftiko, Polyaigos and the beaches only the sea can reach.
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