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You will start your wildlife cruise sailing trip from the island of Paros or Syros in the heart of the Cyclades islands. Our itineraries tend to visit the less well-known, less touristy, more culturally preserved and ecologically diverse islands which are off the beaten track. On our wildlife cruises you can book the whole boat for a private charter or just a cabin to share the trip with other guests. As well as your skipper, there will be a biologist or conservationist guide on board who will introduce you to Mediterranean wildlife and species that don’t exist anywhere else in the globe. If you are lucky during the week, there is the chance of seeing dolphins, plenty of sea birds, reptiles, small mammals, marine species, insects and many types of wild plants. You may also see loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) or rare seals (Monachus monachus).
Protecting the natural environment
You may also participate in our efforts to protect and support the local environment. We will advise you how to have an ecologically consciencous sailing holiday, recyling and conserving resources. We will also have a beach clean-up (probably at the same time that we`ll arrange a beach barbecue). We`ll have presentations on the local flora and fauna and take about the Greek ecology and how to protect it.
Possible wildlife cruise itineraries:
Our itineraries are flexible and usually begin in Syros or Paros in the heart of the Cyclades islands. Sometimes we do round trips and sometimes one-way trips. The final itinerary will depend on the weather.
Below you will find a more detailed proposed itinerary.
Day 1: Saturday
We start our wildlife cruise from the historical port of Syros, Ermoupolis, the once ancient capital of the Cyclades islands. The day will be devoted to getting to know each other, a briefing on the Aegean ecosystem and settling down on the boat. You will have plenty of time to walk around the picturesque old town of Ano Syros.
Day 2: Sunday
Sailing and dolphin spotting is on the agenda today in our wildlife cruise. We will follow the route southwards towards Paros island. Plenty of time for dolphin spotting with the aid of our hydrophone and for watching sea birds, such as the common Yellow-legged gull, the rare Audouin’s gull and plenty of shags that hang around in these waters. By late noon we will reach the small fishing port of Piso Livadi, on the eastern coast of Paros, where you can taste the local fish delicacies of Halaris.
Day 3: Monday
Our prow is pointing to the southeast, to the very heart of the Aegean, the small Cyclades islands complex. Only a few of the 50 islands, islets and rocks are inhabited by man, giving the impression of an ”empty” habitat to the unsuspected eye. On the contrary, these islands hide an impressive variety of life. The typical vegetation of the ecosystems here is phrygana. You will be surprised to discover that even a tiny rocky islet may be home to tens of invertebrate species and even to many vertebrates including birds, such as chukars, shags, but also Eleonora’s and Peregrine falcons and even the majestic Griffon vultures. Reptiles include geckos, Balkan Rock lizards, Sand boas and others. And lets not forget the endemic flowers growing there, which include a variety of unique orchids, crocuses, knapweeds, mulleins, bellflowers and many more!
Day 4: Tuesday
Today’s route on our wildlife cruise is eastwards. The sailing area we will cover is a well-known passage for dolphins. Despotiko, another small island, favourite meeting point for sailors in the Aegean, is where we’ll end our small experiment. We will compare and analyse our results and photos, breaking the work with plunges in the crystal clear waters of the bay. At night you will be a witness to a unique spectacle: the glowing sea. A myriad of minuscule planktonic crustaceans produce light thanks to the phenomenon of bioluminescence.
Day 5: Wednesday
We’ll have an early start and enjoy a day sailing towards the unspoilt island of Kimolos. The area north of Kimolos and the neighboring uninhabited island of Polyaigos harbors one of the most critically endangered marine mammal species in Europe, the Mediterranean Monk seal. MOm, the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, a Greek NGO, has been working for the protection of the Mediterranean Monk seal since 1998, through field research, conservation and public awareness actions. After years of research and lobbying, MOm aspires to see Kimolos amongst the protected marine areas of Greece, as the second largest European population of the Mediterranean Monk seal lives and breeds in the Kimolos-Polyaigos island complex. Though the Mediterranean Monk seal is not exactly sociable, we have spotted it in several occasions and who knows… we may be lucky again!
Day 6: Thursday
A chance to explore Polýaigos, an uninhabited Greek island in the Cyclades near Milos and Kimolos. It is part of the community of Kimolos. Its name means “many goats”, since it is inhabited only by goats. It was mentioned by several ancient geographers: Ptolemy, Pliny the Elder, and Pomponius Mela. Here’s a chance to hike and take photos, relax, explore, or simply lie on a beach and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Day 7: Friday
One of the first volcanic islands to emerge from the sea about 2 million years ago, Milos features a quite unique fauna, with the Milos viper one of its most interesting as well as rare animals in Europe. Its population is estimated to be less than 4,000 individuals and is strictly protected by a Presidential Degree. The Milos Wall lizard, the extremely rare Milos Grass snake and Milos Green lizard are three important endemic species of the Milos archipelago. Milos and the Cyclades in general lie along the Aegean migratory route for European birds that fly southwards to spend the winter in Africa. Our observation point will be the small brackish lake of Achivadolimni (`lake of shells` in Greek), where wading birds can be observed (herons, waders, the occasional Glossy ibis e.t.c.). It’s hiking time! All the aforementioned animals, plus the Stripe-neck terrapin, can be found here, in this small oasis of water and vegetation in the midst of the general Cyclades aridness.
Our wildlife cruise ends with a final lovely meal at a taverna on the island.
Check out and disembarkation next morning after breakfast.
The yacht Tahita is a Sun Kiss 45 with 4 cabins. The Sun Kiss 45 is one of the most exceptional and elegant classical models created by Jeanneau, known and recognised for its strength and sailing capabilities, for sailing as well as cruising the world over. The crew will occupy one of them, so there are 3 double cabins available for up to 6 guests. You can charter the whole yacht or by the cabin. There are two WC/showers on board, so it`s necessary to share. The boat is fully equipped with everything you need for comfortable sailing, including a fully equipped galley, a bimini suntent and sprayhood, GPS navigation and autopilot and full safety equipment.
The yacht is equipped with field books, binoculars, and a hydrophone for listening underwater to dolphin chatter. If you’re really lucky you may even see a whale! The wildlife cruise can be combined with scuba diving equipment for qualified divers or a hiking cruise with a hiking guide on board. You can explore the underwater life or go exploring around isolated bays and islets of the Cyclades islands.
“Lorcan and I had the holiday of a lifetime! All the best.” Janet and Lorcan, UK
“Anchoring in a small bay, snorkelling in a cave and beach barbecuing were the most memorable moments. The crew go out of their way to make everything work for you… It was my third time and it was great to be back.” Anne-Marie, UK
“Thanks a lot for this beautiful week, full of sail, dives, colourful fishes and discoveries! We will remember these holidays for a long time, especially the dancing nights! We definitely want to come back. Thank you to the best skipper Sotiris and to the best guide Annie!” Elivre and Nicolas, France
We had a wonderful time and we highly recommend this trip. We do hope to be able to go back and do it, or something similar again one day. Thank you for all your help and patience, this trip certainly took a long time to plan because of the pandemic but was so worth waiting for!” Carol, William, Frederic, Constance, UK
2023 wildlife cruises prices.
Prices start at €900 per person in a shared cabin. Please contact us for specific rates for you.
Price includes:
The fee doesn`t include:*
*Expenses are shared among the group. You should allow around €100 per week per person, payable on embarkation in cash, (for 6 guests) for fuel, crew meals and cruise expenses. How much fuel is used will depend on how much wind there is and how often the engine is used. Marina fees are only charged in a few locations. You will usually moor at small fishing ports and remote bays but once or twice per week it is necessary to go to marinas to refill the water tanks and so on.
Regarding lunches, guests usually buy provisions for a light lunch i.e. salads, snacks on board, and in the evening you would go out together to the main villages for supper at local tavernas. Supper at a local taverna with local wine costs around 10-15 Euro per adult. Tasting local food, products and wine is an important aspect of your holiday and you`ll find that most taverna owners grow their own vegetables, raise their own animals & make their own wine.
