Thessaloniki : Half-Day Sailing Cruise to Shipwreck Bay !

The main draw here is simple: you sail to the Shipwreck Epanomi area, then swim across clear water to a sandy beach with the remains of a freighter offshore. I like the small-group setup, with no more than eight people, and I like that captain Makis cooks lunch aboard the boat rather than handing you a packaged meal.

The cruise also offers a relaxed way to see the coast opposite Mount Olympus, with chances to spot dolphins and enjoy a rope swing from the boat. The main drawback is the meeting point: Nea Michaniona is about 40 kilometers from central Thessaloniki, so this is not a dockside excursion from the city center or cruise terminal.

Key points to know before booking

• The shipwreck is reached by swimming: You need to be comfortable in open water, though life jackets and a foam board are available.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Expect souvlaki, pita, grilled vegetables, Greek salad, fruit, bread, water, and wine.
• The boat holds up to eight people: This keeps the outing personal, but a booking is not automatically a private charter.
• The ride begins in Nea Michaniona: Allow extra time and arrange transport carefully from Thessaloniki.
• Bring serious sun protection: The open deck offers little escape from the Greek sun.
• Weather controls the schedule: The route or date can change if sea conditions are poor.

Sailing from Nea Michaniona to Shipwreck Epanomi

Your day starts at Blue Foam Sailing Cruises in Nea Michaniona at 11:00 a.m. You should arrive 20 minutes early. The marina suburb is served by public transport, but getting there takes planning. From central Thessaloniki, the suggested route is bus number 3 to IKEA, followed by bus number 72 to Nea Michaniona.

A taxi or arranged transfer is simpler, especially if you are carrying beach gear or catching a cruise ship later. The drive may take about 40 minutes from some parts of Thessaloniki, while the journey from the cruise port can be closer to an hour or more. The exact time depends on your starting point and traffic.

Once aboard, you have a six-hour outing ahead. The vessel is a 46-foot Hunter sailboat, described as clean and comfortable, with room for a maximum of eight participants. That size matters. You are not on a large sightseeing boat with loud announcements and rows of seats. You share the outing with a small group, which makes conversation and a quiet sail much easier.

Captain Makis handles the sailing, cooking, and much of the hosting. Nikos or another crew member may assist, depending on the departure. The atmosphere is informal, and the captain has been praised for arranging transport, taking photographs in the water, and helping less confident swimmers.

The approach to Navagio beach and the Mount Olympus view

The route heads along the coast toward the Epanomi area. The main destination is a sandy cape that reaches into the sea like a narrow tongue. From the water, you get wide views across the Thermaic Gulf toward Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the twelve Greek gods.

The mountain is not the sole focus of the trip, and visibility will depend on conditions. Still, the view gives the cruise a strong sense of place. You are not simply swimming at an isolated beach. You are looking across the water toward one of Greece’s best-known mountains while sailing the coast near Thessaloniki.

The pace is intentionally unhurried. The boat may travel under sail when conditions allow, giving you time to settle into the motion of the sea. Several outings have included dolphin sightings, though wildlife is never guaranteed. Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not treat dolphins as part of the fixed schedule.

This section is best for people who enjoy the journey as much as the destination. If you want a fast transfer straight to the wreck, a powered boat may suit you better. Here, the gentle ride is part of the point.

Swimming to the beach and seeing the shipwreck

At Shipwreck Epanomi, the boat anchors offshore. The wreck dates from about 1970 and sits near the beach, creating an unusual scene of metal, sand, and clear water. You can explore it from the water with a mask and snorkel, then swim toward the sandy shore.

This is the most important practical detail in the entire outing: you do not simply step from the boat onto the beach. You swim there. One account described the distance as roughly a quarter of a mile, and the time in the area can feel limited once you allow for swimming, snorkeling, and returning to the boat for lunch.

You should be a decent swimmer to get the most from this stop. If you are not confident, the captain can provide a life jacket or foam board. A parent also used a foam board to help an older family member reach the beach. That assistance is useful, but it does not turn the activity into a fully accessible beach transfer.

Your belongings remain on the boat while you swim. Put sunscreen on before leaving the deck, and use a waterproof pouch or case for anything you need to carry. Waterproof sun protection is especially important because the reflection from the water can catch you off guard.

The wreck is interesting rather than grand. It is not a preserved museum site, and the supplied information gives only limited background about the vessel. You will get the most from the stop if you enjoy snorkeling, unusual coastal scenery, and the simple pleasure of swimming in open sea.

A homemade Greek lunch on the sailboat

After the water activities, the boat becomes a small floating taverna. Captain Makis prepares lunch from scratch, with a menu built around northern Greek flavors. The included meal consists of a souvlaki portion with pita, pork or chicken, bread, grilled vegetables, Greek salad, fruit salad, water, and wine.

The food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. It is not just a sandwich between activities. The meal is cooked aboard the boat, and fresh vegetables are an important part of it. Stuffed grape leaves and homegrown salad have also appeared on particular outings, though you should not assume those items are included every time.

Wine is provided at a rate of one bottle for four people. Additional alcoholic drinks are not included, but they may be available to buy. Vegetarian food has been prepared when requested, although the advertised menu centers on pork or chicken, so contact the operator before departure if you need a specific meal.

Lunch comes with Greek music and time to talk with the captain and other people aboard. That shared meal is a real advantage of a small sailing trip. You are likely to meet people from different countries, but the boat is small enough that the group does not feel anonymous.

How private is this semi-private cruise?

The experience is described as semi-private, with a maximum of eight people. That means the boat will not be crowded by large-coach standards, but your party may share it with others.

This distinction matters when you book. A group of five does not necessarily have the boat to itself. To reserve a fully private sailing, you would need to book all available seats. For many people, the shared format is part of the charm. A group of four to six offers plenty of space while still giving the boat a sociable feel.

The small capacity also allows Makis and the crew to adjust the day in practical ways. They can help nervous swimmers, arrange transport in some cases, and keep the meal personal. You should still expect an active group setting, not a silent private charter.

What is included for $114.65?

At $114.65 per person, the price is fair if you plan to use the full package. You are paying for roughly six hours on a sailing yacht, the captain and crew, lunch, wine, water, the coastal ride, and time for swimming and snorkeling near the wreck.

The value becomes less convincing if you only want a short look at the shipwreck. Much of the appeal comes from the complete day: transport to the marina, sailing time, water activities, a cooked meal, and the small-group setting. You also need to factor in your own taxi or bus costs unless you select or arrange a transfer.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included by default. Some people have arranged transport through Makis, but you should confirm the details and price before relying on it. Towels are not provided, so bring your own.

I would compare this with the cost of a restaurant meal, a separate beach trip, and a boat excursion. The cruise offers all three in one outing, but only if you are happy with the longer journey to Nea Michaniona and the swim from the boat to shore.

Timing, sun, and what to pack

The cruise starts at 11:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point at roughly 5:00 p.m. This leaves enough time for sailing, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and the return journey, but the schedule is not unlimited.

One important point is the time at the wreck. Depending on the pace of the group and sea conditions, you may have around an hour for swimming and exploring before lunch. If the shipwreck itself is your main goal, keep your expectations realistic. This is a sailing day with a wreck stop, not a dedicated archaeological visit.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Waterproof sunscreen
• Hat and sunglasses
• Snorkeling equipment if you prefer your own
• Waterproof phone case or camera
• Dry clothes for the ride back
• Any medication you need during six hours at sea

The sun can feel stronger than it looks from the deck. Reapply sunscreen after swimming. You may also want a light cover-up for the return ride, especially if the breeze picks up.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most?

I would recommend this outing to couples, families with confident older children, and small groups who want a slower day on the water. The rope swing, swimming, and snorkeling give the cruise a playful side, while the food and coastal views make it more relaxed than a pure water-sports outing.

It can work for families with mixed ages, but everyone should understand the water access before booking. A non-swimmer may use a life jacket or foam board, but the beach is still reached from the boat. Children should be comfortable following instructions in open water.

This is less suitable for anyone who dislikes boats, gets seasick easily, or wants a highly structured sightseeing program. The cruise has a flexible, social feel. You will not get a long formal lecture about every point along the coast, and the shipwreck information is fairly brief.

It is also not the best choice if your time in Thessaloniki is extremely tight. The transfer to Nea Michaniona takes extra planning, and the six-hour cruise fills most of the afternoon.

Weather changes and cancellation terms

The trip depends on suitable weather. The route or date may be changed if conditions are poor, and a canceled departure due to weather offers either another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, and if that condition is not met, you will be offered another date, another experience, or a refund.

That weather policy is sensible for a small sailboat. Still, I would avoid scheduling this on the same day as an important flight, ferry, or cruise departure. Leave room for changes and for the return journey from Nea Michaniona.

Should you book the Shipwreck Epanomi cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed sailing day with a real homemade lunch, clear water, a small group, and a chance to see an unusual wreck near a sandy beach. The strongest features are the personal service from Makis, the cooked meal, and the peaceful time aboard a proper sailing boat.

Think twice if you want a city-center departure, a fully private boat without reserving every seat, or an easy walk-on beach stop. The swim to shore is central to the outing, and the ride to Nea Michaniona must be added to your plans.

For the right person, this is a good value at $114.65. Arrange transport early, arrive in good time, protect yourself from the sun, and judge the tour by the whole six-hour experience rather than by the shipwreck alone.

FAQ

Where does the sailing cruise start?

It starts at Blue Foam Sailing Cruises, Politechniou 137, Nea Michaniona 570 04, Greece.

What time should I arrive?

The cruise starts at 11:00 a.m. You should arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How far is Nea Michaniona from Thessaloniki?

The meeting point is about 40 kilometers from Thessaloniki. The journey may take around 40 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes, depending on your starting point and traffic.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included unless you select an option that includes them. Transport may also be arranged at an extra cost.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is eight participants.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes souvlaki with pita, pork or chicken, bread, grilled vegetables, Greek salad, fruit salad, water, and wine. One bottle of wine is provided for every four people.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You need to be comfortable in open water because you swim from the boat toward the beach and shipwreck area. Life jackets and a foam board are available for people who need extra help.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise may be changed because of weather. If the activity is canceled due to poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.