Which Boat to Rent in Milos? Compass 150cc vs 165cc vs 7s Compared

The right boat in Milos depends on three things: how many of you there are, whether anyone holds a speedboat licence, and how far you want to go. A couple who want a relaxed day in the coves near our base at Agia Kiriaki need a completely different boat from a group of eight who want Kleftiko, Sykia and lunch on board. This guide compares the three boats in our fleet side by side, with honest notes on what each one can and cannot do, what the price includes, and how to choose in under five minutes.

The fleet at a glance

Full specifications and booking on each boat page: Compass 150cc, Compass 165cc, Compass 7s.

Compass 150cc: the no-licence boat

The 150cc is a 4.55-metre open boat with a 30 hp Yamaha, the largest engine Greek law allows without a licence. It is the boat most first-time visitors should rent, and the one most of them do. It takes five people comfortably, has a sunshade and a cooler, and is forgiving to drive: the throttle is gentle, it turns slowly, and it sits flat in the water.

Where it shines: the south coast within 5 to 15 minutes of our base at Agia Kiriaki beach. Gerontas, Firiplaka, Tsigrado, Provatas, Paleochori. You anchor in a bay, swim, move to the next one, repeat. A half day is enough for two or three coves; a full day lets you go further east or linger.

Where it has limits: range and wind. Kleftiko is 40 to 50 minutes west at the 150cc’s cruising speed, fine on a calm morning (ask us on the day), not on a windy afternoon. Kimolos, Poliegos and the north coast are too far for it from the south coast, and the 50-litre tank is not sized for a round-island attempt. If those are the goal, step up.

Our full guide on renting a boat in Milos without a licence covers the rules, the briefing and what to expect on your first day at the wheel.

Compass 165cc: speed and range

The 165cc looks similar from the quay, half a metre longer, but the 115 hp Mercury makes it a different animal. It planes quickly, cruises at three times the speed of the 150cc, and carries 90 litres of fuel. Six people fit with room for bags and a cooler.

That speed changes the map. Kleftiko and Sykia become a comfortable full day with time to swim rather than a race. Kimolos, Prassa beach and the coast towards Poliegos are in range. On a calm morning an experienced driver can run the south-west coast, see the caves, and be back on the sheltered side by early afternoon.

The trade-off is the licence. Greek law requires a speedboat licence for anything over 30 hp. If you hold one (most EU and many non-EU licences are accepted, bring the physical document), you drive. If not, we provide a skipper for the day, which also means someone who knows the cave entrances and the wind.

Compass 7s: the all-inclusive day

The 7s is a 6.83-metre powerboat with a 250 hp engine and a top speed around 55 knots. It is always skippered by our captain, carries seven guests, and comes as a package rather than a bare rental: drinks, snacks, fruit salad, local or sparkling wine, snorkelling equipment, towels, and photos and video shot on a GoPro during the day.

This is the boat that turns “rent a boat” into “private boat tour”. The captain plans the route for the day’s wind, takes you into Sykia, positions the boat under the Kleftiko arch for photos, and handles anchoring while you swim. Full-day trips to the north coast and Poliegos, or the complete circuit of Kleftiko, Sykia and the south coast, are what it is built for. It is also the boat for proposals, birthdays, bachelor parties and weddings, available for special events on request.

At 950 € for a full day it is the most expensive option, but divided by seven guests with everything included, it is often the best value for a group that would otherwise pay per head on an organised cruise.

Licence rules in Greece, explained

• Up to 30 hp: no licence. You get a safety briefing, sign the rental agreement, and go. This is the Compass 150cc.
• Over 30 hp: speedboat licence required. Greek, EU and most international speedboat or powerboat licences are accepted. You need the original document, not a photo. This is the Compass 165cc bareboat.
• No licence, want the bigger boat? Rent the 165cc with our skipper, or take the 7s which is always skippered.
• Age: the person signing and driving must be an adult with ID or passport.

The rules are enforced by the Hellenic Coast Guard, who do check boats at popular anchorages. Do not let anyone talk you into a bigger engine without the paperwork.

Which boat for which route

Route details are in our guides to the sea caves of Milos, Kleftiko, the beaches you can only reach by boat and Kimolos.

Which boat for which group

• Couple or family of four, no boating experience: 150cc. Simple, safe, cheap, and the south coast is more than enough for a first day.
• Two couples with a licence holder who want Kleftiko: 165cc bareboat. Share the fuel, leave early.
• Five or six friends, no licence, want the caves: 165cc with skipper, or the 7s if the budget stretches. The skipper is worth it for Kleftiko.
• Seven or eight people, or a celebration: 7s. Nothing else fits eight, and the all-inclusive service removes the logistics.
• Photographers: 7s. The captain holds position under arches and inside caves while you shoot, and the GoPro footage is included.
• Families with small children: 150cc for the calm coves, or the 7s where the captain handles everything and the kids get snacks and a shaded deck.

What the price includes, and what it does not

Included on all boats: the boat for the agreed hours, safety equipment and life vests, a briefing, a sunshade and a cooler. On the 7s, everything listed above plus the captain.

Not included: fuel, on any boat. The 150cc burns little; a south coast half day is typically a small top-up. The 165cc and 7s use more, and a Kleftiko run is a full refuel. You pay for what you use at the end. On the 7s, VAT at 24% is added to the listed price.

Also worth knowing: prices are flat from May to October, there is no high-season surcharge. Half days are the same price morning or afternoon. The morning slot (09:00 to 14:00) gets the calmer sea; the afternoon slot (14:30 to 19:30) gets the sunset.

Half day or full day?

Half day if you want the south coast coves and a relaxed pace, or Kleftiko and Sykia in the 165cc or 7s (20 to 30 minutes from our base). Full day if Kimolos or Poliegos is on the list, if you want Kleftiko plus the west coast, or if you simply do not want to watch the clock. We break down the two formats stop by stop in half-day vs full-day boat trips in Milos.

Questions to ask before you book any boat in Milos

Whether you book with us or anyone else, these separate a good rental from a bad one:

1. Is fuel included, and how is it charged? (Ours: not included, pay for what you use.)
2. What is the exact engine power, and does it need a licence? (30 hp is the legal line.)
3. What happens if the wind is too strong? (We reschedule or refund; nobody should send you out in a meltemi.)
4. Where do I leave from, and is there parking? (Our floating platform at Agia Kiriaki beach, south coast, 15 minutes from Adamas. Pick-up at Pollonia or Psathi on Kimolos can be arranged in advance.)
5. Is there a deposit, and what does it cover?
6. What safety gear is on board, and is there a VHF or phone contact?
7. Can I get a skipper if I change my mind?

Still not sure?

Contact us with your dates, group size and whether anyone holds a licence, and we will tell you which boat fits and what the forecast looks like for your day.

FAQs