Halkidiki: Private Cruise to the Mount Athos Monasteries
Description
This is a fully private cruise along one of the most protected and inaccessible coastlines in Europe. The price covers your entire group (up to 7 guests), not per person. The monastic community of Mount Athos is closed to most visitors — entry by land requires special permits — but the coastline can be experienced by sea, and this cruise puts you right alongside it. Departing from Ouranoupoli (Eagles Resort) for a 5-hour itinerary, or Vourvourou (Ekies Resort) for the full 7-hour experience, your skipper guides you past centuries-old monasteries perched on dramatic cliffs — Simonos Petras, Dionisiou, Agiou Pavlou, and more — before heading to the Drenia Islands for swimming and snorkelling, and finishing with a visit to Ammouliani Town and the historic Byzantine village of Ouranoupoli. No shared groups, no fixed pace — the route adapts to your group. The cruise operates aboard our Axopar 28 T-Top — a premium 28ft vessel with a 300HP Mercury engine, comfortable for up to 7 guests.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Historic Byzantine village and gateway to Mount Athos. Visit the iconic Prosforio Tower and explore the harbour before departing.
Cruise along the sacred shores of Mount Athos at 500 metres offshore. Admire ancient monasteries including Simonos Petras, Dionisiou, and Agiou Pavlou perched on dramatic cliffs.
Uninhabited islets with white sand beaches and crystal-clear water. Swim and snorkel in complete tranquillity.
Halkidiki's only inhabited island. Stroll the harbour, explore the village, and enjoy an optional lunch at a waterfront taverna.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(2)
Everything was perfect! We had a very pleasant time on our private boat trip to discover the monasteries of Mount Athos. The scenery was beautiful and our super captain gave us explanations about each monastery. The organization of the outing was very easy. We were a family of 7 and our skipper adapted the program to our desires. We liked our outing so much that we called on Explore the outside for a boat rental in the week. We will definitely call on them for a future boat trip in the region! A big thank you to Nikos, Vassili and our skipper for your professionalism during our outings!
Bonjour Venture806624, Merci beaucoup pour votre superbe avis ! Je suis ravi que votre sortie aux monastères du Mont Athos ait été parfaite et que notre skipper ait su s'adapter à vos envies pour rendre l'expérience encore plus spéciale. C'est un immense plaisir de savoir que vous avez également loué un bateau avec nous par la suite et que vous pensez déjà à revenir. Un grand merci pour vos aimables mots à l’égard de Nikos, Vassili, et notre équipe. Au plaisir de vous accueillir à nouveau pour de nouvelles aventures ! Bien cordialement, Pavlos, Propriétaire d'Explore Boat Trips
We booked a private cruise to the monasteries of Mt. Athos, starting in front of Ekies Resort where the boat and our lovely captain Xenia was waiting for us! She welcomed us with a big smile and treated us with a glass of local white wine! The boat was very smooth on the water and looked brand new! We were able to take our time at the locations we stopped at to take pictures, while Xenia was sharing her knowledge of the areas captivating history! We later sailed to Drenia, a complex of charming tiny islands were we had the chance to jump off the boat and snorkel. The water was crystal clear and was the perfect opportunity to take some underwater photos! We cruised along the coastline and later stopped at a small town on the island of Ammouliani were we had a delicious lunch (ask for fresh sea food!!) at a local restaurant that Xenia recommended! Cheers to the team for taking such good care of us through the whole trip!They are very genuine nice and make the extra effort! Will visit again for sure!
Thank you Michael for taking the time to share your amazing experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your private boat trip with Xenia, and that you were able to take your time at the locations and capture some stunning photos. We're also glad to know that you had a great time snorkeling at Drenia and indulging in delicious seafood at a local restaurant recommended by Xenia. It's great to hear that our team took such good care of you, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable trip soon!
