The best part of this Astypalea cruise is its mix of small-group comfort and wild swimming stops. Rather than simply circling the coast, you reach four distinct islets, including Kounoupa’s twin beaches and a cave near Red Rock that can be explored with crew assistance.

I like the generous setup: towels, masks, snorkels, fins, shade, shower, WC, lunch, snacks, and drinks are all covered. I also like the 14-person limit, which gives this 19-meter Ferretti yacht a private-yacht feel without requiring you to charter the whole boat. The main drawback is price: at $188 per person, this is a premium day out, and the owner’s manner may not always match the otherwise friendly crew service.

Astypalea’s four-islet cruise at a glance

• Kounoupa’s double beach: Start with an hour of free time on an island known for two beaches and clear emerald water.
• Koutsomiti’s turquoise cove: Enjoy around 40 to 45 minutes of swimming with snorkel gear supplied on board.
• Red Rock cave stop: Swim, snorkel, or enter the nearby cave with help from crew member Mike.
• Agia Kyriaki lunch break: Spend up to two hours around the split island while the crew cooks shrimp pasta and serves dessert.
• Merillo’s small-group layout: The 19-meter yacht carries no more than 14 passengers, with canopies for shade and room to relax.
• All-inclusive boat day: Open bar, cold cuts, dried fruit, towels, snorkeling gear, fuel, taxes, and port fees are included.

Why this cruise works better than a simple beach transfer

Astypalea is known for its striking whitewashed settlements and dry, open island scenery, but some of its best swimming spots sit offshore. This trip makes those remote islets practical to visit in one day, without asking you to arrange several boat transfers or carry a full beach kit from one stop to the next.

You leave from the marina at Pera Gialos at 11:00 AM. The seven-hour schedule is long enough to feel like a proper day on the water, yet focused enough that you spend most of it swimming, eating, and relaxing rather than sitting in transit.

The boat matters here. The Merillo is a 19-meter Ferretti yacht, not a basic open excursion boat. Canopies provide sun protection, and the onboard shower, WC, restrooms, and small safe speed boat add useful comfort. You can sit in the shade between swims, dry off with a supplied towel, and reach for water, wine, beer, spirits, tea, or soft drinks without paying extra each time.

The maximum of 14 passengers is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. A larger boat might offer a lower price, but it would also change the mood. On this cruise, the limited capacity should make boarding, swimming access, and meal service more relaxed. It is semi-private rather than truly private, so do not expect to have the yacht entirely to yourself.

The 45-minute sail to Kounoupa

The first major stop comes after about 45 minutes at sea. That opening ride gives you time to settle into the boat, find a shaded seat, and get familiar with the crew and equipment.

Kounoupa is described as the island with the double beach, and its appeal is easy to understand: you get an hour of free time beside clear emerald water rather than a rushed photo stop. You can swim from the beach, relax on shore, or use the nearby snack bar for a cocktail.

When you return to the yacht, the crew serves a platter of cold cuts and cheese with dried fruit. This is a useful touch because it breaks up the morning swimming and gives you something more substantial than a packet of snacks. Drinks from the open bar are available with it, including beer, wine, soft drinks, water, spirits, and tea.

One practical point: the beach stop may suit people who want a little independence. You are not tied to a guided activity every minute. If your ideal boat trip includes time to lie still, swim at your own pace, and enjoy the view, Kounoupa is likely to be one of the most satisfying stops.

Koutsomiti and the clearest swimming water

After Kounoupa, the yacht sails roughly 10 to 15 minutes to Koutsomiti. The stop lasts about 40 to 45 minutes, depending on the day’s operating schedule and conditions.

This is the most direct swimming stop of the cruise. The water is described as turquoise and unusually clear, and the crew provides masks, snorkels, and fins. You do not need to bring your own kit unless you prefer a familiar fit.

Koutsomiti is less about wandering ashore and more about getting into the water. You can swim from the yacht, use the snorkeling equipment, or stay under the canopy with a drink. For anyone who enjoys seeing the seabed and small marine life, this is a better use of time than a quick scenic pass.

The short travel time between Kounoupa and Koutsomiti also helps the day feel varied. You are not spending long stretches crossing open water between every stop. Still, 40 minutes goes quickly once you account for getting ready, swimming, and drying off, so plan to move efficiently if you want a full snorkeling session.

Red Rock and the cave excursion

The next sailing leg takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Red Rock is the most unusual stop because the crew can guide you toward a nearby cave.

You can spend the roughly 30 minutes swimming and snorkeling, or simply sit on the yacht with a drink. If conditions allow, the cave adds a small sense of adventure to an otherwise restful day. A German passenger specifically praised the partly submerged cave outing and the help offered by crew member Mike, the mate. That detail is useful: you are not expected to figure out the cave on your own.

The cave is also where weather and water conditions matter most. The published program warns that the order and timing of stops can change because of weather, and the crew is not required to announce those changes before departure. If rough water makes the cave unsuitable, the safer choice may be to remain on board or use the stop for swimming.

Do not treat this as a technical caving trip. It is a short water-level exploration within a yacht day, not a demanding expedition. You will get the most from it if you are comfortable entering the sea, swimming near rocks, and following crew instructions.

Agia Kyriaki brings the long lunch stop

The final major stop is Agia Kyriaki, reached after another 20 to 25 minutes. The island is split by a natural channel, giving the area a distinctive shape and a quieter feel than the earlier swimming spots.

This is the longest stop, listed at roughly 1.5 to two hours. That extra time is important because the crew prepares the main meal while you swim or snorkel. The signature dish is shrimp spaghetti, followed by dessert, and the skipper cooks the pasta on board.

The meal is one of the most praised parts of the experience. One account singled out the homemade shrimp pasta as the perfect finish to the day, while another described the meal as delicious. That does not make this a restaurant cruise, but it does mean lunch is more than a basic sandwich served between stops.

You should allow time to eat slowly and enjoy the deck. The long break gives the day a proper rhythm: swim, dry off, sit down, eat, and return to the water if you wish. If you have a seafood allergy or dietary restriction, the supplied information does not confirm alternative dishes, so ask the operator before booking.

Agia Kyriaki also provides the best chance to appreciate the cruise as a whole. Earlier stops are about water and short bursts of activity. Here, you have time to talk with the crew, watch the surrounding islets, and enjoy a meal without being hurried back on board.

Food, drinks, and comfort on Merillo

For $188, the included services need to be taken seriously when judging value. You receive a cold cuts and cheese platter with dried fruit, an open bar, shrimp pasta, dessert, towels, snorkeling gear, fuel, taxes, and port fees.

The open bar includes soft drinks, beer, wine, spirits, tea, and water. That makes a real difference on a seven-hour outing. You are not constantly calculating the cost of each bottle or cocktail, and you can stay hydrated in the strong Greek sun.

Sun protection is built into the boat through its canopies, but you still need a hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen. The supplied towel is convenient, though bringing a spare small towel or cover-up may still be useful if you dislike sitting in wet swimwear.

The onboard shower is another practical benefit. After several swims, being able to rinse off salt before lunch or the return ride makes the final hours more pleasant. The WC and restrooms also matter because the boat is away from shore for much of the day.

How good is the $188 value?

This is not the right excursion for the lowest possible price. If you only want to reach one beach and spend the day on shore, a simpler boat or beach option should cost less. The price makes more sense if you would otherwise pay separately for food, drinks, snorkel rental, towels, and several transfers.

You are paying for the yacht, the small group, the full-day route, and the ease of having the details handled. A maximum of 14 people is a meaningful difference from a crowded day boat. So is the chance to visit Kounoupa, Koutsomiti, Red Rock, and Agia Kyriaki in one outing.

I would call it good value for a special occasion, a final full day on Astypalea, or anyone who wants comfort rather than a basic transport service. It is less convincing for budget-conscious visitors or people who are happy carrying their own food and snorkeling equipment.

The strong rating of 4.9 from nine published ratings supports the idea that the experience usually delivers what it promises. Still, one three-star account raised two concerns: the price felt excessive, and the owner was described as unpleasant, though the female crew member was called kind. Most of the available feedback praises the crew, boat, food, and relaxed pace, but I would keep that service caveat in mind.

Who should book this yacht day?

I would recommend it to couples, solo visitors, and small groups who enjoy swimming but also want a comfortable base between stops. Solo visitors can book without needing to organize a private group, and the limited capacity should make it easier to meet the other people on board.

It also suits anyone who wants a polished day at sea without committing to a private charter. The English and Greek-speaking crew can explain the program and assist with activities. A French-speaking passenger also praised the attentive service, but French is not listed as a tour language, so English and Greek are the reliable options.

You should be reasonably comfortable around water. The trip includes repeated sea swims, snorkeling, beach access, and a possible cave visit. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, and mobility scooters and bicycles are not allowed.

Bring your passport or ID card, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach the Marina of Pera Gialos yourself. The meeting point is listed as Marina of Pera Gialos, Astypalea 859 00, Greece.

Timing, weather, and the small print

The advertised departure is 11:00 AM, with a return after about seven hours. The published schedule gives Kounoupa the longest early beach break, followed by Koutsomiti, Red Rock, and the final meal at Agia Kyriaki.

Exact timings can shift. Weather may change the order of the stops or alter which activities are possible, and the operator states that the crew does not have to notify passengers of changes before the cruise starts. That is normal for an island boat day, but it is worth knowing before you build a tight evening plan.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible. Alcohol and drugs, littering, fireworks, explosives, and making fires are prohibited. Those rules are sensible on a yacht and help protect the islets you are visiting.

Should you book the Astypalea cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a comfortable, food-inclusive yacht day with several excellent swimming locations and a small passenger count. The cold cuts platter, open bar, snorkeling kit, towels, cave option, and shrimp pasta make it easy to enjoy the day without packing much beyond sun protection and identification.

Skip it if $188 feels high for a beach outing, if you want to spend most of the day on land, or if you need wheelchair access. For everyone else, this is one of Astypalea’s more complete ways to reach the clear water around Kounoupa, Koutsomiti, Red Rock, and Agia Kyriaki, with enough comfort to make the seven-hour schedule feel like a treat rather than a chore.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Marina of Pera Gialos, Astypalea 859 00, Greece. Hotel transfer is not included.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts seven hours and departs at 11:00 AM according to the provided schedule.

How many people can join the cruise?

The Merillo carries a maximum of 14 passengers, making this a semi-private cruise.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a cold cuts, cheese, and dried fruit platter, shrimp pasta, dessert, and an open bar with soft drinks, beer, wine, spirits, tea, and water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, fins, and beach towels are included. The yacht also has sun protection, a shower, WC, and restrooms.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The order and timing of the stops can change because of weather conditions. The cruise may visit Kounoupa, Koutsomiti, Red Rock, and Agia Kyriaki in a different order.