Private Cruise with Speedboat: Naxos – Koufonisia- Sxoinousa

The best part of this private cruise is the route itself: you leave Naxos behind and reach beaches on Koufonisia, Kato Koufonisi, and Sxoinousa that are usually approached by boat. I like the generous swim time at each stop, and I like having a private captain who can shape the day around your group rather than a fixed crowd schedule.

The main consideration is price. At $1,678.52 for up to nine people, this is a major spend for a day on the water, though the cost becomes more reasonable when divided among a full group. Fuel is not included, and the trip depends on good weather.

Key points at a glance

• Five beach stops: Swim, snorkel, and relax at Pori, Ammos, Pezoúlia, Alygaria Kampos, and Mersini.
• Private boat for up to nine: Your group travels alone, with room for a more flexible day.
• Captain Peri: The captain is also the guide and is praised for easy communication and a memorable day on the water.
• Eight hours from Naxos: The 10:00 a.m. departure gives you a full day, but you should be ready for a long outing.
• Food and drinks included: Snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, wine, beer, and snorkeling equipment are provided.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Why this Naxos boat trip is different

Naxos is a fine base for exploring the Lesser Cyclades, but its port can feel far removed from the quiet beaches scattered across the smaller islands. This cruise gives you a way to reach those places without arranging several ferry connections or trying to match public boat schedules.

The boat heads toward the Koufonisia group, then continues to Sxoinousa before returning to Naxos. That route matters. You are not spending the day at one famous beach and heading back. Instead, you get a series of stops, each with a different setting and mood.

I especially like the private format. Your group of up to nine people has the boat to itself, so you are not joining a large excursion with strangers or following a rigid shore program. The information does not promise unlimited flexibility, but a private boat naturally gives you a more personal setting and makes it easier to discuss the day with the captain.

The guide named in the experience is Peri. Communication is described as easy, which is useful for a day built around timing, weather, swimming, and several separate stops. You will want to confirm the meeting details after booking, since confirmation is sent within 48 hours and depends on availability.

Leaving Naxos Port at 10:00 a.m.

The tour begins at Naxos Port at 10:00 a.m. and ends at the same meeting point. The stated duration is about eight hours, with roughly 30 minutes allowed at the port at the start and another 30 minutes on return.

That schedule gives you a full day on the sea. It also means you should plan around the trip rather than squeezing it between other major activities. You will be away from Naxos for most of the day, so bring anything you need for comfort, though water, drinks, snacks, and snorkeling gear are supplied.

The first part of the journey is not a sightseeing stop in itself. It is the transfer from Naxos to the beach areas. On a private speedboat, that crossing is part of the appeal, but you should be comfortable with a fast boat and a full day outdoors.

Pori Beach on Ano Koufonisi

Pori Beach is the first proper stop, with about 1 hour and 15 minutes set aside. It is described as naturally protected from the wind, an important detail in the Cyclades, where exposed beaches can feel very different from sheltered coves.

The beach is known for clear water and a quiet setting. That makes it a good opening stop because you can settle into the pace of the day with a swim or some snorkeling before moving on.

You are not paying a separate admission fee at any of the beach stops. The value here comes from reaching the beach by boat and having time to enjoy it without treating the stop as a quick photo break.

The limitation is that the itinerary gives you a set window. One hour and 15 minutes is long enough for a swim and some time on shore, but it is not a full beach day. If Pori is your favorite stop, you may wish you had longer there. The benefit is that five separate beach visits are built into the route.

Ammos Beach and its rocky edges

Ammos Beach is the second beach stop, also with around 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is framed by cliffs and rocky formations, giving the setting a more rugged feel than a simple stretch of sand.

The calm atmosphere suits a slower swim. You can use the included snorkeling equipment here, although the tour does not promise specific marine life or underwater sights. The clear water and rocky surroundings make it a reasonable place to try, but conditions can change with the weather.

Ammos is also a good reminder of why this tour works better for people who enjoy variety. You are not simply collecting beaches by name. You are moving between different coastal settings, from sheltered water to rock-lined shore.

The same practical point applies: 75 minutes passes quickly once you include getting off the boat, swimming, snorkeling, drying off, and returning to the captain. Keep an eye on the time, since the boat must continue to the next stop.

Pezoúlia Beach on Kato Koufonisi

Pezoúlia Beach is on Kato Koufonisi, the less developed island in the route. It is a quieter place that is usually reached by boat, so this stop gives the cruise one of its clearest advantages over a normal beach outing from Naxos.

The setting is intended for seclusion and rest. If your idea of a good Greek island day involves fewer people and more open time beside the water, Pezoúlia may be one of the strongest stops.

Kato Koufonisi also changes the feel of the journey. You are no longer simply visiting beaches on the more familiar Ano Koufonisi. The route takes you to a separate island, then later continues to Sxoinousa, creating a genuine island-hopping day without requiring you to handle ferry connections.

There is no promise of facilities at Pezoúlia, and the supplied information does not list restaurants, changing rooms, or toilets at the beach. I would treat this as a boat-access beach stop and use the facilities available before departure or at the appropriate meeting points.

Alygaria Kampos on Sxoinousa

After leaving Kato Koufonisi, the boat moves to Sxoinousa and stops at Alygaria Kampos. This is described as a relatively untouched area with a calm, less visited feel.

For me, this is the kind of stop that gives the day its character. A famous beach can be beautiful, but a quieter coastal place reached by a private boat can feel more personal. You get time to swim, sit, and enjoy the surroundings without turning the day into a race through major sights.

Alygaria Kampos is allotted the same 1 hour and 15 minutes as the other beach stops. That consistency keeps the day easy to follow, but it also means the tour is not designed around staying at one beach until sunset. You are paying for access to a chain of places, not for one long anchorage.

Sxoinousa adds another island to the route and gives you a sense of the Lesser Cyclades beyond Naxos and the Koufonisia group. The experience stays focused on nature and the water rather than town visits or historical attractions.

Mersini Beach before the return to Naxos

Mersini Beach is the final stop, again for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is described as peaceful, with clear water and a natural setting suited to swimming and relaxation.

As the last beach, Mersini gives you a final chance to use the snorkeling equipment and enjoy the water before the ride back. It is also a sensible ending to the route because you can finish the beach portion of the day in a quiet place rather than rushing from a town visit straight onto the return crossing.

The trade-off is the return journey. After five beach stops and many hours outdoors, you may feel ready for a slower ride back. The 30-minute return period at Naxos Port is part of the listed schedule, but the full timing can depend on sea conditions and the day’s pace.

What the private format is worth

The price is $1,678.52 per group of up to nine people. For one or two people, that is difficult to justify unless you place a very high value on privacy and a full day on the sea.

For a group of nine, the cost works out to roughly $187 per person before fuel. For six people, it is about $280 per person. That comparison shows where the value improves: this is best suited to friends or family who can share the fixed group price.

The package includes VAT, the captain, snacks, alcoholic drinks such as wine and beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Fuel is not included, so ask how that cost will be handled before you finalize your plans. A clear understanding of the total price helps avoid an unpleasant surprise.

I see the strongest value in the combination of private transport and access to several boat-only or less accessible beaches. You are not just renting a ride from Naxos to one island. You are paying for an eight-hour route, a captain, refreshments, gear, and the convenience of keeping the group together.

Still, the value depends on how much your group wants to swim and move between islands. If you prefer a single beach with plenty of time on shore, a less expensive local beach outing may suit you better.

Drinks, snacks, and snorkeling gear

The included food and drinks make practical sense on a full-day sea trip. You will have snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, wine, and beer available, so you do not need to organize every refreshment separately.

Alcohol is included, but moderation matters. The day involves swimming, snorkeling, sun, and a speedboat ride. Water should be your main drink, especially before and after time in the sea.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, which saves you from bringing your own mask and gear. The tour does not specify the exact equipment available or whether children’s sizes are provided, so ask in advance if that matters to your group.

The beach stops are the heart of the experience. The onboard provisions support that plan, but they do not replace a full meal. The provided details mention snacks rather than lunch, so do not assume a restaurant meal or substantial packed lunch is included.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this trip for a group that wants a private day, likes swimming, and sees the sea as the main attraction. It is particularly well suited to friends sharing the cost, families who want their own space, and couples willing to pay more for privacy.

You should also enjoy variety. The itinerary includes five beach stops across three island areas, so the day involves repeated boarding, swimming, drying off, and moving on. That rhythm will feel exciting to some people and tiring to others.

This is less suitable if you dislike speedboats, want a detailed town tour, or prefer cultural sights over beach time. The route is built around coves, clear water, rocky shores, and quiet coastal areas. It is not a historical tour of Naxos or the smaller islands.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. The supplied information does not give specific details about mobility access, boat steps, or assistance, so you should ask the provider directly if anyone in your group has access needs.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience is booked, on average, 23 days ahead, so I would not leave a preferred date until the last minute, especially if your group can travel on only one day.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start time.

Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted and are not refunded. The cut-off follows local time in Greece, so make sure your plans are settled before that deadline.

Should you book the Naxos to Koufonisia cruise?

Book it if you can fill much of the boat, want five separate swimming stops, and value a private day more than a low-cost excursion. Captain Peri, the private format, the included drinks and snorkeling gear, and the route through Koufonisia, Kato Koufonisi, and Sxoinousa give the day a clear sense of purpose.

Think twice if your group is small, fuel costs are a concern, or you would rather spend several hours at one beach. The $1,678.52 price is high, but it becomes more defensible when nine people share it and make full use of the boat, captain, and island-hopping route.

FAQ

Where does the private cruise start?

The cruise starts at Naxos Port in Naxos, Greece.

What time does the experience begin?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to nine people.

Which beaches does the cruise visit?

The route includes Pori Beach, Ammos Beach, Pezoúlia Beach, Alygaria Kampos, and Mersini Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes bottled water, soft drinks, wine, beer, and snacks.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.