The best part of this sailing day is the freedom to shape it as you go. From Skopelos, you head toward Alonissos and the National Marine Park, stopping in clear-water coves selected around the weather and your group’s wishes. Alexandra and Andoni keep the mood relaxed, with breakfast, lunch, SUP boards, and time to simply float.

I like the private format, especially for families or a group of friends who want their own pace. I also like the personal touch: food includes homemade Greek yogurt, fresh salads, local olive oil, and a traditional Greek lunch. The main consideration is price. At $1,478.66 for up to eight people, it is a serious spend for a day at sea, though the per-person cost becomes more reasonable with a full group.

Key points to know before you sail

• A full private yacht day for up to eight people: Your group does not share the activity with strangers.
• Flexible stops in Alonissos Marine Park: Swim locations and stop lengths change with weather and your preferences.
• Breakfast and Greek lunch served aboard: Expect homemade touches, fresh ingredients, and family-produced olive oil.
• SUP boards and swimming time: The day is built around getting into the water, not just viewing it from the deck.
• Easy port meeting point in Skopelos: Start at Kardous Sailing’s yacht, Thasos, at 10:00 a.m.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Setting out from Skopelos at 10:00 a.m.

You meet the crew at Kardous Sailing Skopelos in Skopelos Port. The boat is the cruising yacht Thasos, and the activity returns to this same meeting point in the afternoon.

That port location is useful. You do not need a separate transfer to a remote marina, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the yacht and settle in before the 10:00 a.m. departure, since the day begins on schedule.

This is a private activity for up to eight people, which changes the feel of the trip. Instead of following a fixed program made for a large crowd, you can discuss the day with your skipper. You might prefer longer swims, more sailing, a leisurely lunch, or several short stops. The final plan depends on your group and on the sea conditions.

The route heads from Skopelos toward Alonissos and the Northern Sporades National Marine Park. The point is not to rush from one numbered attraction to another. It is to spend the day in and around the water, with the crew adjusting the route to make the most of the conditions.

First swim stop and breakfast in the Marine Park

The first stop is a hand-picked anchorage within the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades. The scheduled swimming time is about 45 minutes, but the exact place and timing are flexible.

This first stop gives you a chance to settle into the boat and the rhythm of the day. You can swim in clear water, have breakfast aboard, and enjoy the quiet of an anchorage rather than a crowded shore. If your group needs time to wake up slowly, this is where the relaxed pace begins.

The Marine Park is a particularly good setting for a sailing trip because the experience is tied to open water and secluded bays, not to a packed beach itinerary. You see the coast from the sea and reach places that may be awkward to visit by land. The exact cove is not promised in advance, which is both the point and the limitation. You gain flexibility, but you do not book one fixed, guaranteed beach.

Breakfast is part of the day’s appeal. The food served by Alexandra and Andoni has a family and local focus, including homemade Greek yogurt. It is a small detail, but it matters on a boat day. You are not starting with a quick snack from a kiosk. You are being fed on board while the crew gets you comfortable with the setting.

Choosing swim coves, SUP time, and lunch

The longest planned section lasts about 90 minutes and centers on flexible stops for swimming, paddleboarding, and lunch. You can choose among secluded bays and beaches within the Marine Park, with the number and length of stops adapted to your pace.

I like this design because it recognizes that groups do not all want the same sailing day. One person may want to swim right away, another may prefer to sit on deck, and someone else may want to use the SUP board. On a private boat, you can negotiate those choices without worrying about holding up a busload of people.

The SUP boards add a little activity without changing the easygoing nature of the trip. You can paddle around the anchorage, swim from the boat, or stay aboard and take in the views. The available information also describes snorkeling gear and photos being offered during the day, though you should confirm the exact equipment included when you book.

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to consider this experience rather than a basic boat transfer. The meal features fresh ingredients, traditional Greek flavors, homemade dishes, and olive oil made by the family. A fresh salad is singled out as a highlight, and the food is served as part of the sailing day rather than treated as an afterthought.

Still, keep your expectations practical. This is not a restaurant cruise with a published menu, and there is no detailed list of dietary options in the supplied information. If anyone in your group has allergies or strict food needs, contact Kardous Sailing before paying. The same advice applies if lunch timing is important to you, since the crew adjusts the day around weather and your preferences.

A possible third swim before returning

The final Marine Park stop is another optional swim, planned for about 45 minutes before the return to Skopelos. This is a useful feature for anyone who finds the main sailing day too short once they settle into it.

By this point, you have had breakfast, spent time in the water, used the SUP boards if you wished, and eaten lunch. The extra stop gives you one more chance to swim or relax before the boat points back toward Skopelos. It also means the day does not need to feel like a simple out-and-back ride.

The exact stop depends on conditions and on what your group wants. You should not expect a rigid list of coves printed into the schedule. The strength of this trip is the skipper’s ability to adjust, but that also means the route can change.

If the sea becomes rough or the weather turns poor, the whole activity may be canceled. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. Good weather is not a minor detail here. It directly affects the route, comfort, swimming, and whether the outing runs at all.

Sailing back to Skopelos in the afternoon

The return is described as a relaxed sail to Skopelos Port. There is no additional stop promised during this section, so think of it as quiet time on the boat after the active part of the day.

That final stretch is valuable if you enjoy the movement of a yacht and the simple pleasure of being offshore. You can look back at the bays you visited, dry off after swimming, and enjoy the last views before the port comes back into sight.

The schedule is described as a full-day outing, with a morning departure and afternoon return, although the listed approximate duration is shown as one to eight hours. Since the stops are flexible, I would allow most of the day and avoid booking a tight late-afternoon commitment. Ask the operator for the expected return time if you have a ferry, dinner reservation, or another excursion planned.

What Alexandra and Andoni add to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. Alexandra and Andoni are described as a brother-and-sister team who welcome people warmly and stay attentive throughout the day.

That personal approach shows up in the practical details. They bring out the paddleboards, help shape the route, serve breakfast and lunch, and can take group photos during the outing. You are not left to figure out how the day works once the anchor drops.

The food also connects the boat ride to local hospitality. Homemade yogurt, fresh salad, family olive oil, and a traditional Greek lunch make the meal feel specific to the people running the boat. For me, that is more appealing than a generic prepacked lunch, especially when the meal is eaten in a quiet bay.

The crew’s attention is likely most valuable for groups with mixed interests. Some people can swim while others relax. Parents can choose a gentler pace. Friends can spend longer at a favorite anchorage instead of moving on because a fixed schedule says so.

Of course, a warm crew cannot control the weather or guarantee a particular cove. Your enjoyment will still depend on how much you like being on a boat and how comfortable your group is with a day whose details remain flexible.

Is $1,478.66 good value for eight people?

The listed price is $1,478.66 per group, with up to eight people included. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $185 per person. For two people, the same price becomes roughly $739 each, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the boat.

For a group of six to eight, the price can make sense because you are paying for a private yacht, a skipper-led route, breakfast, lunch, flexible swim stops, and the use of SUP boards. You also avoid the compromises of a large shared boat, where the route and timing are usually fixed.

For a couple or a small party, this is a luxury purchase. You may prefer a shared sailing trip or a shorter cruise if your main goal is simply to see the coast from the water. The private option makes the most financial sense when privacy, flexible timing, and a personal food experience matter to you.

I would compare the cost with your group’s priorities rather than with the price of a ferry ticket. A ferry gets you from place to place. This outing is a full day of swimming, food, and time in selected bays. Those are different products.

Who will enjoy this sailing day most?

This trip suits a group that wants an easy, social day with plenty of time in the water. It is a strong fit for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups celebrating a special occasion. The private setup also helps if your party has different energy levels.

You should book it if you enjoy:

• Swimming in clear water from a boat
• Choosing your own pace
• Eating a traditional Greek lunch on board
• Using a SUP board during a sailing day
• Spending time in quiet bays rather than following a crowded beach schedule
• Having direct contact with a small local crew

You may want a different activity if you need a fixed itinerary, guaranteed landmarks, or a short and inexpensive excursion. You should also think twice if nobody in your group wants to swim or spend several hours at sea. The Marine Park and its coves are the heart of the outing, not a side feature.

Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The supplied information does not give detailed guidance about wheelchair access, cabins, toilets, or special equipment, so ask Kardous Sailing directly if any of those details affect your decision.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive booking confirmation within 48 hours, subject to availability. The tour is offered in English, and only your group participates.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

The activity requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or an unmet minimum causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. Since wind and sea conditions affect both comfort and the choice of bays, this flexibility is worth keeping in mind when planning your Skopelos stay.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start?

It starts at Kardous Sailing Skopelos, at the cruising yacht Thasos in Skopelos Port, Greece.

What time does the activity start?

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

Where does the trip end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Skopelos Port.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private group can include up to eight people.

Is this a shared boat trip?

No. It is a private activity, so only your group participates.

Does the route include Alonissos?

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

How many swimming stops are included?

The plan includes a first swim stop, flexible swimming stops during the main part of the day, and a possible additional swim before returning to Skopelos.

Are breakfast and lunch provided?

Yes. Breakfast is served on board, and lunch is included during the flexible stops. The food described includes homemade Greek yogurt, fresh ingredients, salad, and traditional Greek dishes.

Are SUP boards available?

Yes. SUP boards are available for use during the flexible swimming and lunch stops.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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

Should you book Kardous Sailing?

Book this trip if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private day built around swimming, food, and quiet coves. The most appealing details are the flexible route, the Marine Park setting, and the personal care from Alexandra and Andoni.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling as only one or two people, need a strict return time, or want a low-cost way to see the islands. For the right group, though, this is not just transportation around Alonissos. It is a full day shaped around your pace, with a local meal and plenty of time to enjoy the Aegean from the water.