The only activity we had pre-booked for our stay on Naxos was a day sailing to the nearby island of Koufonisi aboard Jason Daily Cruises. As if it was meant to be, we discovered that the boarding location for the day trip was at Agia Anna beach, right where we were staying! We could actually see the boat docked the night before ready for us in the morning, which added to our excitement.
As we were staying so close, we were one of the first people on board and quickly found our spot, right up front at the bow. The crew on board were wonderful, the check-in process was quick and easy, and a much-appreciated early morning coffee was offered.
We soon set sail once everyone was aboard. The weather was gorgeous which made for pretty smooth sailing, but we soon discovered that even on calm days, sitting at the bow was a sure way to get a little wet!
The crystal-clear aqua waters of Koufonisi were stunning! As we docked, and were free to explore, Milana and our new friend Anna were keen to jump straight in! I went for a little wander around the village before I joined them. Gorgeous colourful doors and shutters decorated the quintessential, white-washed Greek houses. I did a little shopping as I explored. It is important to note that the locals really appreciate trading in cash and may offer discounts if you offer to pay in cash rather than card.
It was soon time to join the girls for a swim. The water was so unbelievably blue and clear – the pictures don’t do it justice.
After our swim, we did a little more exploring, a little more shopping and a little more relaxing. Soon it was time to head back to the boat for a short sail to our gorgeous swim stop and on-board BBQ lunch.
Snorkel gear and noodles were supplied. We jumped right in and swam around. The water was so clear and the perfect temperature. The nearby secluded pebbly beach was inhabited by wild goats and nudists. I was conflicted….wanting to take pics of the roaming goats but not wanting to look like I was taking photos of the naked men – who were clearly very proud of their undercarriages. Here are some goats.
The delicious aroma of our BBQ lunch cooking on deck, soon drew us out of the water. The crew cooked up some kebabs and salad, music played and the wine flowed!
After lunch, we moved to a second swim stop, this time to a cave! However, by now, I was comfortably consuming perhaps my third wine?? We thought it wise not to enter the water this time and left that to the more energetic guests. We, on the other hand, entertained the crew with our enthusiastic singing and dancing.
The wind picked up a little in the afternoon and the sail back to Agia Anna was a little choppier than it was in the morning. So if you are prone to a little sea sickness, maybe pack a tablet or two just in case. Having said that, no-one onboard our trip felt ill at all.
If you are staying on Naxos, we highly recommend exploring the hilltop villages and a day sailing with Jason Daily cruises. We made new friends, got to see and experience a different, stunning Island and it was great value for money.
