Athens Full-Day Saronic Islands Cruise with Lunch & Entertainment
Description
Experience three Saronic islands in one day – Hydra, Poros, and Aegina – through a well-organized full-day cruise from Athens. This experience is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy a day at sea while visiting multiple islands without planning transportation. The cruise combines scenic sailing, free time on each island, onboard lunch, and light entertainment. Please note that this is a shared cruise experience with a large number of participants, and a significant part of the day is spent onboard while sailing between destinations.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your full-day Saronic Islands cruise begins early in the morning with pickup from centrally located hotels in Athens, followed by transfer to the port of Marina Kallitheas to board on your cruise ship. Once onboard, enjoy a relaxing journey across the Saronic Gulf, taking in scenic coastal views as you sail towards the islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina, spending time both at sea and on the islands throughout the day. A warm welcome from the crew awaits you, along with light entertainment, including music and a lively onboard atmosphere.
Shortly after departure, the crew will provide a brief introduction about the cruise and the day’s itinerary. Relax onboard as you sail across the Saronic Gulf, enjoying panoramic sea views from the open decks or the comfortable indoor lounges. During the journey, you can take part in onboard entertainment, unwind in the sun, or enjoy refreshments and meals available for purchase or as included in your booking.
Your first stop is the picturesque island of Hydra, known for its unique architecture and car-free charm. Stroll through the narrow stone streets, admire the traditional mansions, and enjoy the lively harbor filled with cafés and shops. Everything is within walking distance, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace, relax by the sea, or take in the island’s distinctive atmosphere.
As you sail to the next island, enjoy a buffet lunch served onboard, featuring a variety of Mediterranean dishes. During the journey, you can relax on deck and take part in light onboard entertainment, including Greek music and traditional dance performances.
Your next stop is Poros, a charming island separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow sea channel. Enjoy a short visit in Poros Town, where you can take a relaxing walk along the waterfront, admire the neoclassical buildings, and soak in the laid-back island atmosphere.
Continue your journey across the Saronic Gulf as you sail towards your final destination, the island of Aegina. Take this time to relax on deck, enjoy the sea views, or unwind onboard before arriving at the last stop of the day.
Your final stop is the island of Aegina, where you will have free time to explore at your own pace. Stroll around the harbor, relax by the seaside, discover local shops and cafés, or even enjoy a refreshing swim if you wish. For those interested, optional excursions are available to further explore Aegina’s highlights.
As you sail back to Athens, enjoy your final moments onboard with light entertainment, including Greek music and traditional dance. Relax on deck and take in the last views of the Saronic Gulf before arriving at the port. Upon arrival, you will be transferred back to your hotel or designated drop-off point in Athens.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Hotel pickup is available from centrally located hotels in Athens. Depending on your location, you may be assigned a nearby meeting point instead of direct hotel pickup. Please note that pickup begins early in the morning (from approximately 06:45 AM) and may involve multiple stops before departure. The exact pickup time and closest meeting point will be confirmed after booking.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The scheduled return to Athens is approximately at 19:30, depending on weather conditions and marine traffic.
- Please note that this is a full-day experience with early morning pickups starting from around 06:30 and a significant part of the day spent on board the vessel while sailing between islands.
- Hotel drop-off begins after arrival at the port and may take additional time depending on your location.
Reviews(20)
From an Australian perspective this was very expensive for what you got. It cost $550 for the day where the food was mediocre and we had to pay for everything else. The people on the boat tried to upsell and pressure you to spend more. The only good thing was being picked up and dropped off by bus which was very convenient. The 3 villages were beautiful but we had little time to explore. We paid another$80 for a bus tour which was very interesting. So much t ended up being an extremely expensive day.
Dear Anne, Thank you for taking the time to post a review for the «One Day Cruise From Athens to 3 Saronic Gulf Islands», since this is the only way to improve our services and understand any possible issues. As per our previous chat communication, We have to repeat that we are a travel agency which makes bookings for this One Day Cruise, which is the same that all agencies in Athens offer. No matter from which agency you book the Aegina-Poros-Hydra cruise, you end up at the same ferry company, as it is the only company that organises this unique cruise. Considering the above we feel we need to «defend» the company on some of your claims. Anyone could say -at a first glance- that one product is expensive, but we need to do a targeted comparison to draw a reliable conclusion. A simple ferry ticket round trip to/from Hydra, costs more or less 80 € per person. A taxi ride from Athens to the port and the way back might cost around 50 €, so 25€ per person when you are two. So the cost for one person just to visit Hydra is around 105.00 - just ferry ticket and taxi transfer. This cruise costs 153.00 € per person including : the tickets for the complete itinerary to 3 islands Piraeus-Hydra-Poros-Aegina-Piraeus, the transfer from/to the hotel or Athens center, lunch on board (no drinks or water), entertainment and folklore show. Taking into account the costs that we just mentioned, we believe that this product seems to be affordable and worth purchasing it. The details of the trip, such as the capacity of the vessel (up to 650 people) and the time dedicated to each island, are clearly stated on the product page. We invite all clients to carefully check all the details before they book the cruise, so they can evaluate if they wish to visit 3 islands (with the relative time limitation) or if they wish to visit just one island using the ordinary ferry connection and stay there as much as they desire. Regarding the meal we have to admit that we receive positive and negative feedback, but we consider this part suggestive according to each one's culinary tastes. We are absolutely convinced that all over the world in any cruise ship, staff always try to sell as many extra products as possible, like local excursions or some photos, etc. So even in this case we believe that it is not a matter of this specific cruise and it's up to the client to decide if he wants to purchase or not. We hope to welcome you back soon on another tour to explore more of Greece’s wonders! Stamatis Filippis (Owner/Manager)
The boat was very crowded couldn’t find a seat . The entertainment was only upstairs so if you were lucky to find a seat you could see it. We had maybe 20 minutes in Paro’s after the very crowded boat unloaded. In Aegina we took the tour to the ruins and there was no time for anything in downtown area they took us right back to the boat to leave , I purchased the tour on the boat and asked if we would have time and I was told yes so there’s that. I would not recommend this tour.
Dear Sandra, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations and that the day felt rushed and uncomfortable. We would like to clarify that this «One Day Cruise to the Saronic Islands» is organized and operated exclusively by a long-established naval company, not directly by our agency. As resellers, we always strive to select reliable partners, and this particular cruise has been running successfully since the 1980s welcoming thousands of guests every season. However - as with any large - scale activity - there can occasionally be days that don’t go as smoothly as planned. Unfortunately, it seems your experience happened to fall on one of those rare off days, and for that. We understand how disappointing it must have been to feel overcrowded on the boat or rushed during your visit to Aegina, especially after receiving different expectations from onboard staff. We are already in touch with the cruise operator to pass along your comments and prevent similar miscommunication in the future. Please know that experiences like this are not common and are far from the norm and we regret that your experience did not reflect this. Thank you once again for your feedback! Stamatis Filippis (Owner-Manager)
sunny day, nice atmosphere. i really enjoyed all of 3 islands but I absolutely loved Hydra. Pickup up service nearby to our hotel
Dear Vivian, Thank you for taking the time to post a review for the « One Day Cruise From Athens to 3 Saronic Gulf Islands », since this is the only way to improve our services and understand any possible issues. We are really glad that you enjoyed the cruise and you had such a beautiful day. We hope to welcome you soon on another tour in our country! Stamatis Filippis (Owner/Manager)
Too draggy in the ship. No explanation of tour and time schedules. I only liked the islands but the boat ride was boring.
Dear Maria, Thank you for taking the time to post a review for the « One Day Cruise From Athens to 3 Saronic Gulf Islands», since this is the only way to improve our services and understand any possible issues. All reviews are well accepted, whether they are positive or constructive. In this specific case allow us to raise our objections. First of all It is clearly stated, in our product page, that the cruise doesn’t include a guided tour. Secondly the times for departure and return are shared ahead of time so that everyone knows when to expect the boat to start and finish. We try to make all the details as clear as possible to avoid any confusion. Regarding the part of considering boring the boat ride, we totally understand that not everyone’s style is the same, but this is the only way to experience the 3 islands of the Saronic gulf in one day which is not possible with the regular ferry connections. Last but not least we strongly recommend for everyone to thoroughly read the product's page description and details before booking excursions, in order to fit their preferences better. Stamatis Filippis (Owner/Manager)
It was great to do this one day cruise of the other Islands and explore a different part of Greece. The staff provide a great hospitality and was very attentive. It was great to visit Greece during the off season, but was a little upset that we were unable to do the panoramic tour once we got to Aegina due to the lack of people that signed up. Would have been nice to see a little bit more of each one of the islands. But overall a great trip and a great way to get away from the city for a day.
Dear Mr.Candace Pless, Thank you for taking the time to post a review for the One Day Cruise From Athens to 3 Saronic Gulf Islands, since this is the only way to improve our services. We are glad that you enjoyed the cruise and the staff was really helpful. The panoramic Tour of Aegina is an optional tour, and as all optional tours might happen to not take place due to the lack of people participating. We hope to see you again in one of your future trips in Greece. Stamatis Filippis (Owner/Manager)
A trip between 3 islands without more. This activity is very expensive for what it offers! First you will be greeted on the boat by a photographer who will take your picture and later try to sell you 10 euros photos. The crossing to hydra is a bit long but during this time we will try to sell you excursions for 50 euros extra which are not included in the already very expensive price of the cruise. You will otherwise only have the option of walking the streets of the port without any associated visits. Dinner is then served and is at best passable we had fish that was not cooked in any way and do not forget that no beverage is included with dinner not even a glass of water! You have to pay for everything out of your pockets. The last islands do not make you fooled by the bus tour! This one takes away all the time from visiting the city and being able to make purchases and under no circumstances would you visit the pistachio trees. On the return a traditional dance show that was pleasant. In short this activity is not worth the cost!
Dear Traveler618645, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! We’re sorry to hear that the format of this cruise was something that did not meet your personal preferences. We understand that there are various travelling experiences and it is not possible that all of them can be suitable in the same way, by all travellers. However this doesn't undermine the general quality of the product. This itinerary has been enjoyed by travelers for over 40 years, as the unique way to combine the three beautiful nearby Athens islands in one day. There is only one company which operates this specific cruise and all tour operators and travel agents - like us and others - we make bookings for this product, properly because in more than 40 years almost all travellers are happy with it. In order to provide guests flexibility in exploring each destination, the operating naval company provides optional guided tours, allowing travellers to experience each island at their own pace. Whether each traveller decides to join said optional tours, varies across all participants. Last but not least, we would most importantly like to note that the comments regarding the guided tours and the beverages not being included, are explicitly stated on our product page and the relative product description. We appreciate your comments and always strive to ensure clear communication so that each guest knows what to expect. We hope we can offer you on your next visit to our country a travel experience which will be closer to your personal preferences. Stamatis Filippis (Manager/owner)
Lunch tasty but below deck. No traditional folk dance. No guidance. Bad English & PA system. Toilets smelled. Unfriendly staff. Boring travel with not enough island time. I would recommend going to 1 Island only with less travel time.
Dear SpinifexCollections, We believe your review may not be intended for us and might have been posted in the wrong place, since checking on our booking records we did not find any relative information that could lead to your booking. If you would like to clarify your experience, please provide us with your Booking Number. In any case we shall respond to your review as intended. Please note that this is a cruise organized and operated by a specific Naval Company and re-sold by various agencies present on Viator. The cruise is designed to include visits to three islands in one full-day excursion, offering more than just a visit to a single island. This means that time on each island is limited, as a significant portion of the day is spent traveling by boat (this is explicitly stated on our product page). We also recognize that the amount of time considered «enough» can vary from traveler to traveler. Finally, regarding your other comments, we would like to address them as follows : • A traditional Folklore dance was performed, as with every departure of this cruise. We understand that you may have missed it, but it was indeed part of the experience. • As for the comment about the lack of guidance, it is clearly mentioned that this is not a guided tour. • Regarding concerns about staff friendliness, communication barriers, and cleanliness, we have not received such feedback previously, and we assume it may have been an «unlucky» day for the staff or crew. Stamatis Filippis (Owner/Manager)
Easy pick up and drop off from hotel. The MOST helpful staff imaginable! The food was delicious and staff couldn’t have been more accommodating. We had a great day.
Dear Mr Stephan, Thank you for taking the time to post a review for the One Day Cruise From Athens to 3 Saronic Gulf Islands, since this is the only way to improve our services. We are glad that you enjoyed the cruise and the staff was really helpful. We hope to see you again in one of your future trips in Greece. Stamatis Filippis (Owner/Manager)
The sites and Matt's customer service. We enjoyed learning about the different traditional dances from all over Greece 🇬🇷. The food was great as well.
Dear Andre, Thank you for taking the time to post a review for One Day Cruise From Athens to 3 Saronic Gulf Islands, since this is the only way to improve our services. We are glad that you enjoyed the cruise, the islands and the food as well! We hope to see you again in one of your future trips in Greece. Stamatis Filippis (Owner/Manager)
Good long day out from Athens I’d say this is good service for the money, with 3 island stops plus lunch included. Bear in mind that you will spend most of the day on the boat and that the outdoor areas are very crowded, I did a lifetime of passive cigar smoking in one day, it seems to be how the locals kick back. There was a decent enough stop of about an hour in Hydra, which was enough to explore the harbour area and the gift shops of the alleyways. There was only a 30 minute stop in Poros, barely enough time to get gelato, but a longer stop of 1 hr 45 mins in Aegina, which was enough for a little paddle and a bit to eat in a waterside taverna. I understand that there were snorkelling trips for €24 from here, which was about 1 hour of snorkelling time, the rest on the bus. The food was pretty good to say they had so many people to serve on board, bowls of chickpea and pasta salad, homemade coleslaw, very tasted roasted vegetables and potatoes, and a little white fish and chicken. My pick up from my hotel pretty much arrived on time, I think it was about 5 minutes after they’ve said, so arrived before I started to worry, and they took everybody back in roughly the same order they’d picked them up, there weren’t that many pick up stops either. All of the staff on board were courteous and returned with all drinks I ordered quickly, and didn’t lurk for a tip either, they don’t seem to expect one, so I put a small tip in at the bar, and tipped the guys on the bus €10. Nearly forgot to say, we saw a large pod of dolphins 🐬
Dear Niki, First of all we would like to thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us. We accept any kind of feedback since it is a great opportunity for us to improve our services where they are lacking. With that being said, we are also delighted to hear the cruise being to your liking in general. At this point we would like to pinpoint that the One Day Cruise is mostly suitable for travellers who want to achieve a quick but exotic escape from the city and as such it provides a «superficial touch» of these islands. We definitely understand the importance of having the necessary time to explore the culture and beauty these islands may unveil so we recommend to visit them individually at some point in the future. We truly appreciate your kind words and are delighted that you had such a positive experience. We hope to welcome you back on board soon for another fantastic journey! Stamatis Filippis (Owner/Manager)