From Skopelos: Private Full-Day Sailing to Alonissos

The best part of this sailing day is the freedom to shape it as you go. From Skopelos, Alexandra and Andoni take you toward Alonissos and the National Marine Park, then adjust the route around the weather and your group’s wishes. You can swim in clear water, paddle from the boat, linger over lunch, or simply let the boat carry you through the Sporades.

I like the private format, especially for families and groups who do not want to follow a fixed schedule. I also like the personal food: homemade Greek yogurt, fresh salads, olive oil from the family, breakfast, drinks, and a traditional lunch served aboard.

The main thing to consider is the price. At $1,478.66 for up to eight people, this is a serious splurge for a couple, but it becomes much better value when shared by a larger group. The day also depends on good weather, and the exact bays cannot be promised in advance.

Key points to know before you book

• Flexible Marine Park route: You and the skipper decide where to stop, based on weather and your preferred pace.
• Private boat for up to eight: Your group has the yacht to itself, with no unrelated passengers joining the day.
• Breakfast and Greek lunch included: Expect homemade yogurt, fresh ingredients, family olive oil, drinks, and a traditional lunch.
• Swimming and SUP time: The plan includes several chances to swim, relax, and use the paddleboards.
• Convenient Skopelos departure: Meet at Kardous Sailing beside the Cruising Yacht Thasos in Skopelos Port at 10:00 a.m.
• Good for a special group day: The cost makes the most sense for families or friends splitting the price across several people.

Leaving Skopelos Port on the Cruising Yacht Thasos

Your morning begins at Kardous Sailing in Skopelos Port. The meeting point is convenient because the boat is at the port itself, and the activity returns to the same place in the afternoon. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer to a distant marina.

The advertised start time is 10:00 a.m. From there, the yacht heads toward Alonissos and the Northern Sporades National Marine Park. The trip is private, so Alexandra and Andoni can talk through the day with your group instead of forcing everyone into a rigid timetable.

That flexibility matters at sea. Wind, waves, and your own energy can change the best plan. If you want more swimming, the day can lean that way. If your group prefers a lazy lunch and long stretches under the sun, the skipper can work around that too.

The guides are identified as Alexandra and Andoni, though one account spells Andoni as Antonis. What comes through clearly is their hands-on hosting style. They handle the sailing, food, drinks, paddleboards, and the small touches that help the day feel personal rather than like simple boat transport.

First swim in the National Marine Park

The first planned stop is a hand-picked anchorage inside the National Marine Park. It lasts about 45 minutes, though the exact place and timing can shift to suit your group and the conditions.

This is your first chance to get into the water, and it also comes with breakfast on board. The appeal is simple: instead of rushing straight through a sightseeing circuit, you start the day with a swim in a quiet setting and food within reach.

The water around Alonissos is known for its clarity, and the supplied details specifically center on swimming in crystal-clear water. You can expect the boat to anchor rather than pull into a busy beach for this first break. That gives you a more open, sea-based experience, though it also means the day focuses on swimming from the yacht rather than strolling ashore.

Breakfast is a useful touch. It keeps the morning from feeling like a long wait for lunch and gives you time to settle into the boat’s rhythm. If you are sensitive to motion, eating something early may also be more comfortable than waiting until later, though no special dietary details are provided.

Choosing secluded bays, SUP time, and lunch

After the first swim, the yacht continues through the Marine Park for the longest part of the day. The scheduled block is about 90 minutes, but the number and length of stops are described as flexible. You can choose among secluded bays and beaches, with time for swimming, relaxing, and using the SUP boards.

This is where the private setup earns its keep. On a standard group cruise, you often get one swim stop and a loud signal to climb back aboard. Here, your group can tell Alexandra and Andoni what sounds best. You might prefer several short swims, or you might want to stay longer in one peaceful cove.

The SUP boards add a little activity without turning the trip into a workout. You can paddle around the boat or near the bay, then climb back aboard when you have had enough. If your group includes mixed ages or different energy levels, that range of options is helpful. One person can swim, another can paddle, and someone else can remain on deck.

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to consider this experience. Food described for the cruise includes a traditional Greek lunch, fresh ingredients, homemade Greek yogurt, a notably good salad, and olive oil made by the guides’ family. That is more personal than a generic packaged meal, and it connects the day to local cooking without requiring a restaurant stop.

You should still keep expectations sensible. The exact menu is not specified, and the food will be served on a moving boat or at anchor, not in a formal dining room. But if you value fresh, simple Greek food, lunch appears to be a central part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

A final swim before the sail back

Depending on the weather and your wishes, there may be another swim stop before the return journey. This stop is planned for about 45 minutes, but again, the route is not locked into one exact bay.

A final swim is a good way to end the outward portion of the cruise. By this point, you have had breakfast, explored at least one anchorage, spent time in the Marine Park, and eaten lunch. You can use the last stop for one more paddle, a relaxed swim, or a quiet stretch on board.

The uncertainty here is worth noting. You are booking a flexible sailing day, not a guaranteed list of named beaches. If your main goal is to visit one specific cove or island landmark, this may feel less precise than a fixed sightseeing cruise. If your priority is good water, a calm pace, and freedom to adjust the plan, the flexibility is a benefit.

The relaxed afternoon return to Skopelos

The yacht returns to Skopelos Port in the afternoon. The final leg is described as an easy sail, giving you time to enjoy the views and the last hours at sea rather than rushing back.

The overall schedule is presented as a full-day experience, with a 10:00 a.m. departure and an afternoon return. The supplied duration field gives an approximate range of one to eight hours, so you should confirm the expected end time when booking. The practical point is that you should keep the rest of the day fairly open.

Because this is a private trip, the return can feel like part of the day rather than simply the end of an excursion. You have already had the active portions, so the sail back gives you a chance to sit with a drink, watch the islands pass, and let the boat ride wind down.

What the private price really buys you

The total cost is $1,478.66 for a group of up to eight people. That works out to about $185 per person if eight people share it, about $370 each for four, and about $739 each for two. Those figures are useful because the value changes sharply with group size.

For eight people, the price can compare favorably with buying several separate boat seats, especially since the cost includes a private yacht, a skipper, breakfast, lunch, drinks, swimming stops, and SUP use. You are also paying for control over the pace, which is often the most valuable part of a private boat day.

For a couple, the cost is much harder to justify unless this is a major holiday treat. A smaller group still receives the same private setting, but the per-person figure becomes high. I would choose it for a birthday, family reunion, special anniversary, or a group already planning to spend generously on a day at sea.

The price also includes something less visible: the ability to avoid a crowded boat and a fixed route. If you dislike organized group outings, that privacy may matter more than another included feature. If you are mainly looking for an inexpensive swim trip, there are likely more economical ways to get on the water, though no alternative prices are provided here.

Who will enjoy this sailing day most

I would recommend this cruise most strongly to groups of four to eight people. Families can set a comfortable pace, friends can split the cost, and larger groups can enjoy the boat without being separated into different seats or competing for space.

It also suits people who care about food and hosting. Alexandra and Andoni are not presented only as boat operators. They take part in the day, provide meals and drinks, offer the SUP boards, and help create a warm, social atmosphere. The personal family olive oil and homemade yogurt give the food a local connection.

This is less ideal for anyone who needs a firm timetable or a guaranteed destination. The weather affects the route, the swim locations are chosen during the day, and the extra stop depends on conditions and your wishes. You should also be comfortable spending long stretches on a boat and entering the water from an anchorage.

The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. It is near public transportation, and the start and end point are both at Skopelos Port. No special accessibility details are provided, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask Kardous Sailing directly before booking.

Practical details that matter

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this is a private activity, only your own group participates.

The cancellation policy is fairly forgiving if your plans change early. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather is the main uncertainty. The experience requires good conditions, so a poor-weather cancellation leads to the choice of another date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

I would bring the usual items for a swim day, though the supplied details do not list a formal packing list. Keep your schedule open after the 10:00 a.m. departure, and ask about the day’s likely timing, food, and conditions if your group has special needs.

Should you book Kardous Sailing?

Book this trip if you want a private, food-centered day on the Aegean and can fill enough seats to make the price comfortable. The strongest reasons are the flexible route, the personal hosting by Alexandra and Andoni, the Marine Park swim stops, and the homemade Greek food served on board.

Think twice if you are traveling as only one or two people on a tight budget, or if you need a fixed list of beaches and a precise timetable. For a full group, though, the cost buys more than a boat ride. It buys privacy, choice, several swim opportunities, SUP time, and a relaxed day shaped around your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip begin?

It begins at Kardous Sailing beside the Cruising Yacht Thasos at Skopelos Port, Skopelos 370 03, Greece.

What time should I arrive?

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the activity finish?

It finishes back at the same meeting point in Skopelos Port.

How many people can join the private sailing trip?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Is the route fixed?

No. You plan the day with the skipper, and the exact stops are adjusted to your preferences and the weather.

Does the trip visit Alonissos?

Yes. The cruise heads from Skopelos toward Alonissos and the Northern Sporades National Marine Park.

Are food and drinks included?

Breakfast and lunch are included, and the experience also provides drinks. The food described includes homemade Greek yogurt, fresh ingredients, family olive oil, and traditional Greek dishes.

Are swimming and SUP activities included?

Yes. The plan includes several swimming opportunities and use of SUP boards.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.