BEST Boat Tours in Milos, Greece (to Kleftiko and Beyond!)

Milos is one of those places where the water is so blue it almost doesn’t look real. In fact, that’s actually what convinced me to visit Milos in the first place.

I saw photos of the electric aqua water of Milos’ Kleftiko Caves on Instagram and knew I had to witness it myself!

As a result, when my best friend and I traveled to Milos, we knew that sailing around the island was a priority. And of course, it ended up being the highlight of our time on Milos!

From navigating through hidden pirate caves to swimming in the most insanely vibrant blue water I’ve ever seen, we loved every minute of our boat tour on Milos.

In this blog post, I’ll cover all the details on going on a boat tour in Milos, Greece! We loved the tour we went on, but I’ve included some other options as well, so you can choose the perfect one for you.

Which Boat Tour is Right For You?

Not surprisingly, there are a lot of boat tour options around the island of Milos!

The “right” one really depends on how much time you have on Milos, how much time you want to spend on the water, and what kind of experience you’re after!

Note: All of these boat tours, except the private option, leave from the port town of Adamantas (this is also where you’ll arrive if you’re getting to Milos by ferry).

Here’s a quick breakdown before I dive into the details:

We personally booked the first option, this 8-hour catamaran cruise, and absolutely loved it!!

However, the 10-hour Milos and Polyaigos full-day tour is actually a better bang for your buck. You get two extra hours on the water and get to see the uninhabited island of Polyaigos (which looks dreamyyy!).

But the tradeoff is time at each stop. One of my favorite parts of our tour was having over two hours at Kleftiko, which gave us enough time to explore the caves, swim around, and just float on the boat without feeling rushed.

The 10-hour tour covers more ground but moves a little faster between stops.

So, if you want a relaxed, unhurried day where you can really soak in Kleftiko, go with the 8-hour catamaran. If you want to see as much of the Milos coastline as possible and Polyaigos is on your list, the 10-hour tour is the better value.

And if you have less than a full day on the water, consider the half-day speedboat tour or the afternoon sunset cruise.

Regardless of which tour you choose: book early. Milos boat tours sell out fast in peak season, especially the smaller group sailboats. Don’t leave it until you’re already on the island!!

Option #1: 8-Hour Polco Sailing Adventure to Kleftiko and Beyond

⏱️ Duration: 8 hours | 💰 Cost: ~$217 per person | ⭐ Rating: 4.9/5
✅ Includes: Lunch, snacks, alcoholic + non-alcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards

We personally chose this sailboat adventure with Polco Sailing for our Milos boat tour, and I am still dreaming about the experience! It was definitely my favorite day from our One Week in Greece.

Our main priority for our boat day was to visit Kleftiko Caves, which is why we chose this tour. In addition, the tour was reasonably priced (~$200 per person) and had great reviews!

Below, I’ll detail our entire day with Polco Sailing so you can see if this tour is right for you!

MY TOP PICK

Full Day Boat Tour Around Milos Island (8 hours)

• Price: $217 per person
• Departure Time: 10:00am
• Duration: 8 hours
• Rating: 4.9/5 stars ⭐
• Includes: Drinks (including alcohol), lunch and snacks, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and more!

book it here!

Our Experience with Polco Sailing

While we loved our day with Polco Sailing, it was a bit different than the typical tour schedule due to strong winds that day. This led to the company having to change the route a bit for safety reasons.

For example, this 8-hour tour with Polco Sailing typically starts with pickup in Adamantas, the main port town of Milos. However, due to the strong winds, the tour adjusted our starting point to Paliochori Beach.

This was actually perfect for us since we were staying on Paliochori Beach, so instead of worrying about transport, we just walked down to the pickup spot on the beach. (Read more about the different areas to stay on Milos here!).

Once we arrived at the beach, a small dinghy ferried us out to the sailing boat, and we set off on our adventure!

In addition to this change, we were unable to visit some of the other stops on the tour, like Sykia Cave and Agios Dimitrios. However, we were still able to see the famous Kleftiko Caves – the main attraction of this boat tour!

Visiting Kleftiko Caves on Milos

As mentioned, Kleftiko is the reason we wanted to book a boat tour while in Milos, thanks to its beautiful white rock formations and striking blue water. (If you’ve been researching Milos, you’ve likely already seen photos of this spot!!).

Located on the southwest coast of the island, Kleftiko is only accessible by boat.

The name “Kleftiko” comes from the Greek word “kleftes”, meaning “thieves” or “bandits.”

Years ago, this spot was actually used by pirates as a secret base to ambush passing ships. The maze-like caves and underwater tunnels made it the perfect place to hide!

When we pulled up to Kleftiko, I was completely awestruck by the color of the water! It wasn’t the light turquoise you’d find in the Bahamas or the Caribbean; it was an intense, almost neon shade of aqua – like blue Gatorade!

Once the boat was settled in the waters of Kleftiko, we had plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and float in the sea.

However, the coolest part of this experience was actually getting to explore the caves by dinghy! Some boat tours only stop at Kleftiko for a quick dip, but with Polco Sailing, you get to venture into the pirate caves.

Our guide took us through hidden passageways and secret lagoons that you’d never know were there.

At one point, we entered a narrow crack in the rock (that didn’t look big enough to fit our boat until we got right up to it). The cave led to a completely enclosed lagoon with a tiny beach!! It felt like a scene from The Little Mermaid.

After exploring the caves, our guide took us to a nearby rock formation that we climbed and then jumped straight into the sea from!

Once we got back from the caves, we had a delicious Greek lunch served to us, along with some Greek beer!

Overall, we spent about 2 hours at Kleftiko, and it was definitely the highlight of the day!

⚓ Tours like this sell out fast in peak season – book in advance! That booking timing tip applies to flights, accommodation, and travel insurance too. My Passport to Confidence guide is a $7 month-by-month planning roadmap for international travel. Download it instantly!

Other Stops on our Polco Sailing Tour

Again, we had a bit of a different experience with our Polco Sailing tour due to the weather.

If you visit on a normal day, you’ll get to visit Sykia Cave, one of the largest caves on the island of Milos that has a large dome opening straight to the sky – a must-see!

On our tour, however, after Kleftiko we sailed to Tsigrado Beach (one of the best beaches on Milos!) and another secluded swimming spot where we could jump off the boat and swim at our own pace.

The way back to Paliochori was a bit rough due to the wind, so we had to skip a couple of the other planned stops, but we still had a great time!

The friendly crew fed us warm rum like we were Captain Jack Sparrow and kept us laughing the entire time.

No matter what kind of day you have, this is the BEST sailing tour of Milos! Make sure to book in advance, especially during the summer months, as this tour does sell out quickly!! ⚓

Option #3: Half-Day Kleftiko Speedboat Adventure

⏱️ Duration: 5 hours (8:30am–1:30pm) | 💰 Cost: ~$154 per person | ⭐ Rating: 4.9/5
✅ Includes: Snacks, drinks, snorkeling equipment, complimentary GoPro + drone footage

If you’re short on time but still want to experience the caves of Kleftiko, this half-day speedboat cruise is a great option.

Unlike the full-day sailing tours, this trip is done on a speedboat, making it a faster and more efficient way to reach Kleftiko and still have time to explore the famous caves and swim in the incredible turquoise waters.

I recommend this tour if you have less than 3 days on Milos and don’t want to commit a full day to sailing around the island, since it’s only 5 hours long!

The tour also departs from Adamantas but focuses on Kleftiko and Sykia only.

You’ll speed across the Aegean Sea to Sykia and have 45 minutes to swim there before making the 10-minute ride over to Kleftiko.

You’ll have another 45 minutes at Kleftiko for snorkeling and swimming before it’s time to return to Adamantas!

One awesome perk of this tour is that they include complimentary GoPro and drone shots from the day! So if you’re looking for that perfect Instagram shot with little work on your part, book this tour!

While you won’t have a full meal included like some of the longer tours, there are snacks and drinks on board.

The speedboat ride itself is also a fun experience, as it’s faster-paced and more adventurous than a sailboat, making it perfect for travelers who want to see Kleftiko without spending a whole day on the water.

Option #4: Afternoon Sunset Catamaran to Kleftiko

⏱️ Duration: 5.5 hours (3:00pm–8:30pm) | 💰 Cost: ~$177 per person | ⭐ Rating: 4.8/5
✅ Includes: Greek-style dinner, drinks (including alcohol), snorkeling equipment

If you want to experience Kleftiko’s stunning waters with the added bonus of a Milos sunset, I highly recommend checking out this afternoon catamaran cruise.

Unlike the earlier tours that take off in the morning, this one starts in the afternoon, giving you a chance to soak up the golden-hour glow over the Aegean while still getting plenty of time to explore Milos’ famous sea caves.

I recommend this tour if you want a relaxing, scenic trip that combines swimming and sunset views. It’s slower-paced than the speedboat tours, making it ideal for travelers who want to enjoy the experience at a leisurely pace with fewer stops.

This afternoon sunset tour departs from Adamantas at 3:00pm and makes a direct trip to Kleftiko, which takes over an hour and a half since it is a catamaran boat.

Once you arrive, you’ll have plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and explore the caves before heading back to the boat for a Greek-style meal with drinks included.

Then, you’ll get to experience a beautiful Greek sunset from the catamaran as you sail back to Adamantas. Seeing the Aegean Sea and Milos coastline bathed in orange and pink hues while relaxing on deck with a drink in hand is an experience you won’t forget!

Since this is a half-day trip, it’s a great choice if you don’t want to spend the entire day at sea.

Plus, it’ll leave time to tackle some of the other incredible activities on Milos in the morning, like visiting Sarakiniko Beach or exploring the charming town of Plaka, before making your way to Adamantas for the tour.

Book your afternoon Kleftiko sunset cruise now before it sells out! 🌅

Option #5: Private Boat Tour to Kleftiko, Sarakiniko + Polyaigos

⏱️ Duration: 8 hours (flexible) | 💰 Cost: ~$1,999 per group (up to 10) | ⭐ Rating: 5/5
✅ Includes: Open bar (wine, beer, champagne), fresh Greek cuisine, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, hotel pickup/drop-off available

If you are traveling with a large group, or just want to control where you visit around Milos, this private boat tour is a great option.

This is the most flexible option on the list, as you get a fully customizable itinerary, with recommended stops at Kleftiko, Sarakiniko, and Polyaigos, and the whole boat to yourself (up to 10 guests).

The crew monitors weather conditions and adapts the route to make sure you get the best possible experience regardless of wind!

It’s perfect for groups, honeymooners, or anyone celebrating something special. The crew provides snorkeling gear, SUP boards for cave exploration, and an open bar with local wines, beer, and champagne.

Yes, it’s the most expensive option on this list at around $1,999 for the group, but split between 8–10 people, it works out to a pretty reasonable per-person cost, and you get a completely private experience with no strangers on board!

What to Pack for a Boat Day on Milos

As a native Floridian who loves being on boats, I personally think I have nailed my boat day packing list! Here are my must-haves:

• Sun hat – a non-negotiable! I love this straw one because it folds and rolls easily
• Sunscreen – also a must! My favorite reef-safe brand is Blue Lizard!
• Quick-dry towel – perfect for boat and beach days without carrying a bulky towel
• Waterproof shoes – I wore my Reef Water Vistas every day in Greece!
• Seasickness medicine – a must for all ferries and boats in Greece
• Cover-up and linen pants – I love rocking all white linen to stay cool but protect myself from the sun

Shop all of my Greek Islands Essentials here!