SOUTH CYCLADES CRUISE
the fantasy islands you dream about
Go to Our Yachts for detailed information about the yachts used in a Sail & Cycle cruise
Cycle sailing in Mykonos, Tinos, Syros, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini.
The South Cyclades are the most popular islands in all Greece. Why? Because they epitomize that classic Greek isles look — stark whitewashed houses clustered together on a hill or harbor against the backdrop of a stark blue Aegean Sea. These are the romantic destinations where even amateurs take stunning photos because the landscapes and seascapes are hypnotic in their beauty. The Cyclades are in the high seas which should lure guests familiar with sailing — while those new to yachting might seek a gentler cruise, such as Saronic Sailing.
The cruise ends in fabulous Santorini where you’ll want to go ashore and stay several nights. For active travelers, we offer a 4 night Santorini HIking add-on tour. You hike along the volcano’s caldera ridge to witness the watery horizon 360 degrees. Sail into the caldera and ascend a volcanic peak. In a Cyclades cooking class, discover the unique local foods. We introduce you to Santorini’s marvelous wines grown in volcanic soil. See Add-on tab.
Before departing for the Cyclades, while still in Athens, enjoy one or two rides in the Attica region. See Athens Day Tours.
Details
| Dates | choose your dates |
| Duration | 7 nights, 8 days |
| Charter Terms | Groups only for up to 16 people, including children age 12 and up |
| Charter Cost | depends on inclusions & season |
| Add-ons |
yes, Athens and Santorini Hiking – see Add-On tab |
| Arrival City | Mykonos |
| Arrival transfer | from Mykonos airport or port to Mykonos marina |
| Tour Start Point | Mykonos |
| Tour End Point | Santorini |
| Minimum Age |
12, family cruises |
| Minimum Pax |
8 |
| Maximum Pax |
16 |
| Total Mileage | 255 km, 158 miles for standard route. Possible to add mileage or lessen miles |
| Highest Elevation |
498 meters, 1633 feet (Naxos) |
| Rating | Active See Rating System |
Itinerary
The cruise starts Day 1 at Mykonos where you need to arrive either by plane or ferry by 10:00 am for latest embarkation. The cruise ends in Santorini, and if you take the 4 night hiking add-on there, the cost includes a flight to Athens Airport. Cruises run from Saturday to Saturday.
Bike mileage listed for each day is for that day’s basic route. Additional mileage or less miles is also possible for most rides.
Saturday Day 1: Mykonos
Welcome & Orientation at the Mykonos marina from 9:00 to 11:00. At this time you meet your fellow passengers, the crew and tour personnel. Choice to sail to sacred Delos island or bike ride to Elia Beach 24 km, 15 miles
Sunday Day 2: Tinos
Within a couple of hours you reach Tinos, perhaps the most traditional island in the Cyclades. Once occupied by the Venetians, they left their mark with all the dovecotes still dotting Tinos and most still have birds nesting in them. While cycling you will also encounter more chapels and churches in a single cycling day than you may have seen in a month at home. You may well be the only foreign tourists, and definitely the only foreigners on bikes. The bike route goes to Volax the basket making village. 40 km 25 miles
Monday Day 3: Syros
Syros is the capital of the Cyclades and a strong Catholic island surrounded by Greek Orthodox adherents. Take a 30 minute walk up to the car-free Catholic neighborhood Ano Syro where you will see a Capuchin monastery. Syros’ capital, Ermoupolis, lies amphitheatrically on a hillside with neo Classic mansions in pastels and whites cascading down to the harbor. The bike loop around Syros takes in at least a half dozen beaches. 39 km, 24 miles
Tuesday Day 4: Paros
Cycling around Paros is fun because you are almost always hugging the sea. Go inland to visit Lefkes, the highest and cutest village. During summer the Valley of the Butterflies is where to spot thousands of green jersey moths in a refreshingly woody area. Better save a ride to Naoussa last because once you get there, you will not want to leave from any one of the ouzerias dotting the port or hike on a trail to the 1893 lighthouse. 50 km, 39 miles,
Wednesday Day 5: Naxos
You will never forget the moment sailing into Naxos harbor because you are greeted by the island’s signature monument, the Portara, a majestic marble portal built to honor Apollo. Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades with an ample network of smooth roads. If you are willing to climb, the best cycling destination is Halki village where a family distillery bottles kitron, a unique liqueur from lemon leaves. Short ride option is to the long Agia Anna sandy beach with sea sports galore. 38.5 km 24 miles
Thursday Day 6: Ios
Ios is a classic Cyclades islands with white boxy houses and blue doors clinging to a hillside off the harbor. At top lies a Venetian castle and of course a church. For activities there is a four hour hike from Hora to the monastery of Agios Ioannis and back that passes windmills, small theatre, Mylopotas and Agios Prokopios beaches to Pyrgos (2330 feet, 710 meters), Ios’ highest mountain. Homer is said to be buried in Ios Island. Bike to Plakotos, in the north, where his tomb is supposedly on a hill. 25 km 15 miles
Friday Day 7: Santorini
Hiking the spine of Santorini offers amazing panoramic views of the caldera. The 2.5 hour hike starts amongst the cafes and boutiques in Fira, follows a gravel trail and ends in chic Oia. Don’t miss wine tasting of Santorini wine made from grapes uniquely grown in the volcanic soil with the grape vines lying on the ground like a wreath.
Saturday Day 8: Departure
Regular daily flights to Athens, or linger in Santorini for a few days. We can assist you with hotels and activities during if you opt to stay in Santorini. Take the 4 night Santorini Hiking add-on tour.
Sail & Cycle cruises are offered to groups only up to 16 guests including children of 12 years old and up. The yacht’s weekly rate depends on inclusion choices and season. Please inquire. Below are available inclusions.
CHARTER INCLUSIONS
Cabins seven: (A) 4 cabins 3 x 4 square meters with double bed and upper twin berth. (B) 1 master cabin 5 x 4 square meters with double bed and 2 upper twin berths, (C) 2 double cabins 2 x 4 square meters with two twins. All cabins have ensuite WC with shower-sink-toilet, hot water showers, air conditioning with individual controls, linens and towels.
Cruise Leader / Bike Guide: Leader handles all logistics and leads the bike rides
Arrival Transfers: On arrival from Mykonos Airport or port to Mykonos marina for boarding the yacht from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. On departure from Santorini port to Santorini airport.
Bikes: Specialized road bike or hybrid bike. Electric bike and carbon bikes available as an upgrade on request. E-bike for 400 euros. Carbon bike for 560 euros. Regular pedals or toe clips on request. You are welcome to bring your own clip-in pedals and shoes. See Our Bikes and Our Gear
Bike gear: water bottles, helmet, handlebar pouch, odometer, lock, rear rack on request, helmet. For hygienic purposes we encourage you to bring your own helmet.
Meals: APA system applies, see details here. Snacks and beverages during the cruise.
Fishing rods & gear: the catch of the day can be cooked on the outdoor Bar-B-Q
Snorkeling gear
Sea kayaks two-man kayaks on request at additional rates
Cue sheets: plus distance/elevation profiles. Routes are provided on RideWithGPS App to download to your phone.
Maps: road maps in English and Greek
Trip packet: useful information, such as, recommended tavernas, points of interest, phone numbers for region’s bike shops
CycleGreece jersey: short sleeved, rear pockets, locally made
Entry Fees: entry fees to Ancient Delos island and museums
Port taxes:
CHARTER EXCLUSIONS
- Airfare to/from Greece
- Diesel
- All meals except snacks — see Meals tab
- Arrival to Mykonos, departure from Santorini
- Vehicle support for bike rides — see Extras tab
- Travel Insurance – see Extras tab
- Gratuities, tips
- VAT taxes
TAKE NOTE
Travel Insurance is required as a condition for participation in a CycleGreece tour.Arr
For multi-day private charters seven nights or longer, guests have the option to choose the APA system which stands for “Advance Provisioning Allowance.” APA refers to expenses beyond the base charter cost, usually about 30% of the cruise cost, which includes extras, such as, diesel, meals and an on board chef.
Each yacht has a fully equipped galley to enable your party to be well-fed throughout the cruise. Meals are served al fresco on deck and/or the salon.
The APA system allows the chef to work with your group to satisfy your daily eating preferences. Once menus are established, the chef purchases the food supplies and prepares the meals Guests do not have the option to prepare their own meals on board.
Breakfast typically consist of omelets, Greek yogurt, fresh muffins, jams, fresh fruits, sweet delicacies, coffee and juices. Lunches tend to be sandwiches, pasta dishes, seafood appetizers, Greek specialties, soft drinks and mineral water. Dinner is a wholesome, hearty affair with the chef serving meat dishes or fresh fish, salads, Greek “mezes,” Greek wine, and after dinner treats at the chef’s discretion. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available upon request.
The rate for three meals on board (non-APA) prepared by the yacht’s chef is 150 euros per person per day, half board is 100 euros per person per day., if ordered and paid in advance. Prices include beverages during meals, such as wine and beer, plus mineral water and soft drinks. The chef arranges menus with your party, buys the food, prepares the meals and attends to the serving of the food.
Complimentary snacks and soft drinks are Included in the basic charter rate during the cruise.
Four Night Santorini Add-On
After biking the Cyclades islands, cap it off with by visiting the famous cliffs of Santorini, and its lesser known island, Therasia. Highlight includes:
- Wine tastings & traditional Greek cooking class
- Caldera sailing to hot springs with warm mud
- Hikes to Ancient Thira & Oia atop the caldera ridge
- Swimming at Red Beach & sunset harbor dining.
Day 8: Santorini
Your first glimpse of the volcanic caldera cliffs from the yacht are enchanting, looking like vanilla icing on a long cake. We take a late afternoon 2 hour hike on the caldera ridge, arriving in Oia to catch an incomparable sunset.
Day 9: Santorini
The day is consumed by a Cyclades cooking class in Pyrgos where you are introduced to the unique foods of the region, including white eggplants and tiny tomatoes. Learn to make four different appetizers, an entree and dessert. The class includes wine tasting and a sumptuous lunch.
Day 10: Santorini
A day full of culture: an hour hike up to the 7th century BC ruins of Ancient Thira, a tour of a renovated winery that is now a contemporary art gallery, a visit in an underground wine museum with Santorini’s oldest wine press and a walk-through of the local museum with finely preserved Minoan frescos.
Day 11: Santorini
Take a “party boat” (other passengers) to the center of the caldera where you walk the 20 minute path up the volcano and see the emitting smoke, smell the sulphur. The boat stops for a swim in thermal healing waters and lather yourself with warm sea mud. Lunch on Therasia island.
Day 12 Departure
daily flights to Athens
COST
2400 euros per person based on double occupancy. 600 euros single supplement
INCLUSIONS
Accommodations 4 nights accommodations 4 star hotel on the caldera with daily breakfast, view of caldera.
Meals 2 dinners with fresh, local house wine and 1 lunch (cooking class).
Flight flight from Santorini to Athens
Transfers on arrival from port to hotel and on departure from hotel to airport
Cooking class traditional Cyclades cooking class includes gourmet lunch and wine tasting
Wine tasting two sessions at local wineries
Land excursion Full day. Private vehicle, destinations include Ancient Thira, wine museum, folk museum, art gallery, entry fees
Sea Excursion Full day. “Party boat” (meaning other passengers). Includes entry fees and lunch.
EXCLUSIONS
2 dinners, all lunches except cooking class lunch, travel insurance
Electric Bike
Carbon Road Bike
- Upgrade to a Specialized Tarmac Sport, carbon fiber frame and fork. Cost is 560 euros for an 8 day tour. See Our Bikes and Our Gear for more info
Travel Insurance
- For travel insurance for U.S citizens, we are official agents of Travel Guard. Contact us to receive a policy quote. Cost of coverage depends on various factors including your state of residence, your age, your days of travel. Travel insurance is not provided for flights booked using frequent flyer mileage. Some policies require booking within 15 days of paying your trip deposit, such as, cancel for any reason or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.
Athens Hotel
- If you stay in Athens pre or post cruise, we can recommend a hotel and book your room. We patronize a range of Athenian hotels in different neighborhoods and different budgets.
Vehicle support during rides
- Contact us for cost and details
Archaeology Guide at Ancient Delos
- At ancient Delos, you can hire a guide at the ticket entry window for about 20 euros per person, minimum two persons. Entry fee is 12 euros per person.
Yacht Specs
These specs for the yacht Apollon are indicative specs for yachts on Sail & Cycle cruises.
DESCRIPTION
Description
Twin masted motorsailer
Total refit: 2015
Overall Length: 23 meters
Beam: 6.00m
Draft: 2.25m
Teak-mahogany wood construction
Displacement: 74 tons
SAILS
Fully Batten Mainsail
Fully batten Misensail
Furling Genoa
Furling Staysail
Total sails area: 292 m2
ENGINE ROOM
2 Engines: IVECO 250HP each
Generators: (2) 16 KW, 220 AC – 24 DC
Bowthruster hydralic 60 hp.
Disalinator 250 lts per hour
TANKS
Diesel capacity: 4 tons
Water capacity: 4000 lts
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Sleeps 16 guests for overnight cruises
Six double bed cabins with third berth, 3 x 4 square meters
One master cabin with double bed and two berths, 5 x 4 square meters
Ensuite WC, hot water showers
Fully Air Conditioned individual controls
GALLEY
Fully equipped galley 18 sq. meters
Microwave Oven
Six burners oven with grill
CoffeeMaker 220V
Build in refrigerators (4)
Freezer (1)
Icemaker 24V – 220V
SALON
Salon area 30 sq. meters
Two tables sits 16 guests
Color TV 36”
DVD stereo throughout
Internet service
DECK EQUIPMENT
2 hydralic anchor winches astern
hydraulic master anchor winch bow side
Swimming ladder
Hydraulic gangway (5 m. long)
Deck Showers
BRIDGE ELECTRONICS
Radar 96 Miles range
Chart plotter
Autopilot
Depth finder
VHF (2) –SSB (1) –GPS (3) –NAVTEX (1)
Speedometer – Weather station
Wind Speed-Direction Indicator
Barometer-Clock-Thermometer
Intercome (3 stations).
PA system
SPEED
Top Speed 12 knots
Cruising speed 9 knots
EXTERIOR ACCOMMODATIONS
Rear Deck sitting area with one table (sits 10)
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Life rafts – life jackets
Dinghy 4.50 m. with 20hp outboard
EPIRB Satelite broadcaster system
SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Sea kayaks (single – double)
Windsurfing boards
Hybrid bikes
Fishing rods and gear
Kites
Snorkeling equipment
DECK FIRE EQUIPMENT
Fire pumps and hoses stations (2)
Emergency fire diesel pump
REGISTRY
Greek registry
Fully insured (Lloyds)
Sail & Cycle tours require a deposit of 30% of the cruise cost at the time of signing the charter contract with the balance due 60 days prior to the boat’s departure date. Full payment is required if booking within the 60 day period.
To make payment, we must first set up your online account. Once your itinerary and cost are finalized, go to the Book Now link which takes you to the secure Aegea Booking page to input your credit card information via PayPal. You may pay with a major credit card or Visa or Mastercard debit card or a PayPal account if you have one. You have the option to pay in euros other currencies. We pay all bank service fees although your credit card company may charge you a foreign transaction fee.
Alternatively, if you are reluctant to pay online, we can take your credit card information by phone. Please contact us to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for us to call you. We can also give you our bank account details if you opt to pay by bank wire transfer which usually has lower fees than those charged by a credit card company .
In making payment you must agree to the company Booking Agreement — Sail & Cycle. . Before the tour you will sign a Waiver. See more terms at Our Yachts, Terms & Pricing.
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