Our Garmin GPS map shows Kimolos this time. Our rib boat sets bow to the south, we lower our engines in the water, warm them up and we start our 3 hour trip to the south towards Cyclades and Kimolos. Our rib boat rides force 3 and force 4 waves and we cruise with 4000 RPM and 24 knots southbounds. We sail outside Sounio, sail past the island of Kythnos, we ride Serifos from the west, we see Sifnos in the east, and we start to see Kimolos in the far south. We arrive in Kimolos in a beautiful sunset with view of the unique uninhabited Polyaigos further south. Wonderful secluded Kimolos we are here with our rib boat!
Day 1 & 2: Kimolos
It is a small secluded picturesque island about 60 miles from Sounio. It has a fantastic small port where you can swim exactly where you anchor your rib boat. The name of the port is Psathi and you can walk about 15 mins to the village which is called Xorio (“Χωριό”). The first bay we stop is “Prassa”, we drop anchor for an afternoon swim in the blue waters. The second bay we swim in is called “Goupa”, a picturesque fishing bay where the locals store their boats inside the cliffs (!). We anchor our rib boat at Psathi port and we enjoy an evening swim with our cocktails and dinner.
We walk the streets of Xorio, alongside beautiful secluded home restaurants, and the incredible open air library at one of the main squares of Kimolos village.
Day 2: Polyaigos
After an eye inspiring breakfast on our boat and an early morning swim, the next day finds us preparing for the small crossing to the island of Polyaigos. We warm the engines of our rib boat and we set sail for the quick 2 mile ride to the ever blue famous waters of Polyaigos! We anchor at the deep blue baywhere several other motor and sailing boats are resting on its blue waters. We are prepared with lunch, ice and drinks and we spent the whole day swimming and enjoying ourselves with unique moments at Polyaigos. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyaigos
We could spend the whole day at Polyaigos, the deep blue sea is just one of its kind! Although we considered staying the night, we finally decided on an evening journey to Sifnos, one of the most beautiful islands in Cyclades just 15 miles away from where we anchored at Polyaigos! Sifnos, here we come!
Day 3 & 4: Sifnos
Akeydor rib boat cruising with 4000 RPM and 24 knots northeast towards Sifnos! Dolphins swimming around our bow! We slow down to allow them to play and we continue north while the play south bounds towards Polyaigos where we are coming from. The quick ride takes us to Sifnos (Kamares) in less than an hour and we anchor at a great sport with fantastic views of the village! Sifnos we are here!
Sifnos in one of the greatest Cycladic islands. Kamares is the main port where we decided to anchor in order to fuel up the rib boat and to enjoy walks alongside the larger yachts. Renting a small motorcycle is easy, and we rode to Platys Gyalos, Faros and of course Vathi and Apollonia (its capital). Apollonia is the majestic town on the mountain, well hidden from the pirates in the older times. Platys Gyalos and Vathi are picturesque villages in the south and west side of the island, with great views and swimming possibilities. We stay in Sifnos for almost 3 days and we still did not get enough! Great food at “Oraia Sifnos” in Apollonia, great walks alongside Kamares, and beautiful views of the sunset!
Day 4: Sifnos Cheronissos
By far, my favourite place in Sifnos. Cheronissos is just 4 miles north of Kamares, inside a natural fjord of the island. As we cruised north, we had a marvelous view of Serifos town high up the mountain, until we entered the fjord and got inside the protected bay of Cheronissos. http://sifnos.e-sifnos.com/explore-sifnos/villages/cheronissos.php
Children playing along the bay and their voices could be heard all around exactly like an auditorium. Blue waters, fishing boats moored calmly on their buoys, we anchored our boat on one of the fishing buoys in the middle of the bay, and we swam the few meters distance to the taverna. We spent the full day in Cheronissos with friends, until the sun settled and we set our bow towards Serifos. Cheronissos is a hidden paradise, a place that you should not miss. Next time we promised that we will set our GPS directly from Athens to Cheronissos paradise!
Day 5: Serifos
Our rib boat ready for a new day! Setting our bow north, for the brief crossing to the island of Serifos, from our hidden Paradise, Cheronissos! The crossing with our rib boat is only 10 miles, a fast ready in a totally calm sea, and it is done within less than half an hour! We enter the new and well equipped port of Serifos and we moor easily using the port amenities at the place. Serifos is a large port, with a fantastic view of Serifos town up on the mountain. The view it gives you of Cyclades is superb, and the walk alongside the small streets of the little town is one of its kind. We happen to be in Serifos during a full moon, and a “red” moon of the season, and we enjoyed it so much! The main square gives you plenty of choices, and being our last day at sea, we decided to get souvlaki at hand and sit anywhere at the main square, admiring the full moon view and the never ending pictures of Cyclades from the top of the mountain church.
Day 6: Akeydor’s rib boat on our way back making our stops! Kythnos!
Our rib boat starts its engines for our return journey of 60 miles back to Sounio bay, from Serifos port. But not just yet! We set our bow north, but first we anchor at Agios Sostis bay (Serifos Psili ammos) for a morning swim with view of the little white Cycladic church!
We continue our journey north and we cross the Serifos – Kythnos channel in total calm seas, to arrive at Panagia Kanala at the east cost of Kythnos an hour later. The picturesque monastery in all its glory seen from the sea is magnificent! We stop by Loutra and Agia Eirini bay further north for a cup of coffee, and we continue north together with playing dolphins towards Sounio. Akeydor rib boat is cruising with 26 knots now in calm seas and no wind in one of the most magnificent days of this summer. We arrive in Sounio in the afternoon – still not ready to moor! So we decided for another swim in Sounio bay with view of the Poseidon temple.
Our trip has been completed! We sailed about 200 miles in the Cyclades, but we have not completed the journey yet!
Much more is yet for us to see, and we would like to invite you in one of our journeys too!
Tips!
- Travel as much south as you can, since you will probably have the meltemi (north winds) at your back. This way you break your return trip into smaller parts and you visit more islands!
- Make sure you visit Goupa, Prassa in Kimolos, and of course Polyaigos blue waters! Make sure you walk to Kimolos Xora on the mountain as it offers magnificent views!
- Sifnos has wonderful places, but I fell in love with Cheronissos. It is well hidden from the weather, and you can spend the whole day there!
- Use the amenities that you will find at the new port in Serifos. A rope at the dock of the new port can be used as your anchor, since it has been established by local port authorities.
- If your return trip is via east of Kythnos, try to stop at Panagia Kanala and Loutro for a swim and lunch. If the weather does not permit, you must travel west of Kythnos on the Merichas side.
- Safety first, always, and have fun!