Mykonos Inn-to-Inn Kayaking Circumnavigation

Join us as we blend incandescent Greek Isle festivals with an unforgettable sea kayak trip. Next on The Northwest Passage's to do list of Mediterranean circumnavigations is Mykonos and its next door neighbor Delos. Though it has garnered a reputation as a beach party island, Mykonos has something for everyone. With its aquatic wildlife refuges, secluded beaches, local markets, breathtaking views and, of course, lively beach parties, there's never a dull moment. We'll experience everything Mykonos and Delos have to offer as we paddle around each of them in blazing turquoise waters. The islands are totally unique from the other Cyclades. Do not miss out on this new adventure of a lifetime!

Join us as we blend incandescent Greek Isle culture with an unforgettable sea kayak trip. Next on The Northwest Passage's “bucket” list of Mediterranean circumnavigation's is Mykonos and its next door neighbor, Delos. Though it has garnered a reputation as a beach party island, Mykonos has something for everyone. With its aquatic wildlife refuges, secluded beaches, local markets, breathtaking views and, of course, lively beach parties, there's never a dull moment. We'll experience everything Mykonos has to offer as we circumnavigate blazing turquoise waters. The islands are totally unique from the other Cyclades. Do not miss out on this new adventure of a lifetime! Thank you for joining us on this exploratory sea kayaking adventure on the Island of Mykonos. For over 25 years, The Northwest Passage has been exploring the farthest corners of our globe. We are overjoyed in your commitment to continue that journey. As adventurous souls you will find the opportunity rewarding on so many levels. The Northwest Passage encourages you to be flexible throughout our exploration; please do not hesitate to share questions or concerns.*

Day 1:  After The Northwest Passage guides greet you at the airport our adventure begins. First, we settle into our accommodations at the very comfortable Zephyros Hotel. In the afternoon we have time to explore town and visit the fabulous Mykonos Archaeological Museum. If time allows we will conduct our introductory sea kayaking clinic. Tonight we get to know one another and discuss the planned itinerary over sunset drinks and a delicious dinner on the coast. D

Day 2: After breakfast, we head down to the water for an introductory kayaking lesson. Afterward, we're off for Elia, our lunch stop. We paddle past fishing towns, beautiful beaches and magnificent rock formations along the shoreline. Tonight we stay at the Hotel Anastasia of Cape Tarsanas. B, D

Day 3: We continue east along the south shore of Mykonos. After about 2 miles of paddling we round the southeastern corner of the island and head north. We stop to enjoy a pack lunch at Kato Trigani, a beautiful beach that overlooks nearby island of Trigonisi. After a short paddle, we continue to hug the shoreline as we turn our bows west. After paddling in and out of marvelously sculpted coves and around sloping, rocky headlands, we arrive at our destination for the evening, Ftella, just around the corner from Cape Mavros. B, D

Day 4: The paddle out of the bay might seem a bit daunting, but this isn't your typical 2 mile paddle. We kayak past a wildlife refuge and stop for cappuccino at one of the many beautiful beaches. Once we exit the bay we continue our journey west along the north side of the island, stopping along the way to fuel up on a tasty pack lunch. After hopping back into our boats, we press on for Houlakia Bay. In the evening we explore the nearby ruins before tucking into another delicious dinner. B, D

Day 5: After the previous day's 14 mile paddle, we have a bit of a recovery day today. We paddle about 6 miles south along the populated shore to Kapari, our home for the next two nights. Tonight you are on your own for dinner. Be sure to sample the famously happening Mykonos nightlife or take a stroll along the starlit shoreline. B

Day 6: Depending on the weather, today we set out into the open water as we make the crossing from our home island of Mykonos to neighboring Delos, the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. We enjoy a pack lunch, and explore this storied island. To the ancient Greeks, this island was extremely sacred, and second in importance only to Delphi. As a result, there’s a wide variety of archaeological sites for us to visit. We paddle around the southern point of Delos and then head back north as we complete our “bonus circumnavigation”. Then we shoot back across the strait to Kapari for a second night in this incredibly scenic seaside town. B, D

Day 7: Today is the day! We round the southwestern corner of Mykonos and end the paddling back at the Zephyros Hotel, thus completing two circumnavigations in just two days! We have the afternoon to relax in town and freshen up at the hotel. Tonight we enjoy our celebratory dinner and reminisce on all our favorite memories from our adventure in the Cyclades. B, D

Day 8: After breakfast we gather our belongings and say goodbye to this incredible island. We transfer you to the airport by 11:30 AM so that you can make any connecting flights. B

* Note: This is our intended itinerary. As with any adventure travel, the forces of nature can be unpredictable, causing us to make adjustments and changes to the itinerary. Rest assured that our many years of exploring have provided us with numerous options if changes need to be made. If it is too windy to paddle, various hiking, cultural and historical options will make you glad for the winds.

Trip details: Our planned accommodations for the week include family owned inns. Our trip is van supported. On most days but not all, the van will meet us at various beaches and lunch stops. This gives everyone a chance to paddle as much as they want or take a break and shuttle in the van for part or a day’s itinerary. Lunch stops will include casual seaside tavernas and remote beach stops. If a picnic lunch is required guides will be sure to let you know.

This is all you will need - anything else is unnecessary baggage and will only be extra weight to carry.

• 3-7 t-shirts, some synthetic for paddling
• 1 shirt, long sleeved
• 2-3 pair shorts (some quick drying) Sun/rain hat Sneakers/cross trainers hiking; some prefer hiking in Tevas or other sandals with socks
• Rain gear just in case! (Paddling jacket works well as an alternative) or windbreaker jacket
• 1 pair sport sandals (Tevas, water socks etc)/ Paddling booties are great!
• Bathing suit(s)
• Underwear, socks
• Casual clothes for evenings (shorts/summer dresses are fine!)
• Clean change of clothing for the trip home

Miscellaneous

• Passport (be sure to check expiration date)
• Toiletry kit- toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, face cream, nail clippers, moleskin, baby powder, soap, washcloth (most hotels don’t provide them) etc.
• Personal medication kit- ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamins, band-aids, Dramamine®, cold/sinus meds if prone to colds
• Daypack/fanny pack for hiking options
• Collapsible walking stick for optional hikes
• Sunglasses Chums/Croakies® to keep glasses on your head are imperative
• Water bottle (optional- bottled water is plentiful and cheap)
• Small dry bag with carabiner clip (clear ones are very useful)
• Headlamp for sea caves
• Camera, film, waterproof container
• Paddling gloves (for the tender of palm- not neoprene but any open fingered glove can help e.g. biking gloves etc)
• Small towel (e.g. PackTowel® works well)
• Small travel alarm clock

Optional Equipment

• Guidebooks
• Mask and snorkel (can be purchased inexpensively)
• Field glasses – binoculars
• Paddle/personal PFD- we will supply paddles and PFD’s for group but if you prefer your own paddle and PFD, feel free to bring them along
• Ziploc® storage bags (to keep stuff extra dry in dry bag)

What is special about this trip?
Aside from being one of the incredibly beautiful Cyclades Islands, Mykonos offers perhaps widest range of activities of all the Greek Isles. Mykonos has garnered a reputation as a party island, but it has been painted with a broad brush. While it does a few discos, Mykonos also has quieter, beachside bars and chic restaurants. It also boasts many of the Cyclades’ most beautiful beaches, as well as some spectacular, and quite secluded, wildlife refuges.

How do I get there?
After flying to Athens, you can depart for Mykonos on a plane or ferry. You can also fly to Crete and depart for Mykonos from there.

What papers do I need for travel?
All US citizens require a valid passport to enter Greece. A visa is not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, and the European Union. If you are a citizen of another country, please check with your nearest Greek embassy for visa requirements.

Do I need to get any shots before traveling?
No inoculations are required when entering or leaving Greece.

How and where will you meet me?
We will have a copy of your travel itinerary so that we can meet you at the airport or ferry port upon your arrival. A guide carrying a Northwest Passage sign will greet you.

How long will it take me to get there?
The flight to Athens is usually an overnight flight, leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon and arriving mid-day to late afternoon in Athens. Depending on the carrier and connection, you may overnight in another city en-route.

Where should I stay overnight around there?
If you plan to arrive early or stay late, give the office a call for a recommendation on a great place to stay.

What money should I take?
The trip fee covers most of your costs. The only things you will be responsible for are lunches, drinks, one dinner, personal purchases, and gratuities. Lunches generally range 5-10 Euro. Dinner ranges 10-20 Euro. Personal purchases again vary- one can buy unique souvenirs made of olive wood for 5 Euro or get fine jewelry for significantly more… it’s up to you.

What's the currency? Exchange rate? Where can I exchange money?
The Drachma was the Greek currency. However, Greece converted to the Euro in January, 2002. For the most current exchange rate, there are several helpful websites. Oanda (www.oanda.com) will give you a handy conversion cheat sheet to take with you. You can exchange money at the airport (either Athens or Heraklion). Exchange rates at the airport may not be the most favorable and they often have higher commission rates and/or minimum commissions. There are ATM’s at the airports which can be handy as there is not a commission, just the ATM service charge. There are also ATM’s in Matala, Plakias and Agia Galini. Some of the hotels where we stay will also exchange. Some shops do exchange money but their rates are often high.

Do they take plastic there? Are there cash stations?"
some of the larger restaurants and shops accept major credit cards, but many do not. ATMs are available in the larger towns.

What's the weather like?
The weather in fall and spring is generally around 80° with lots of sunshine. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, including lip protection. A broad-brimmed hat that secures on your head can also be very helpful. Water temperatures in fall tend to be in the mid to upper 70’s. Spring water temperatures are significantly cooler (high 60’s). Air temperatures cool off at night to the point you may want a light jacket. Rain is unusual but does sometimes occur. A light rain jacket can be handy.

What are the accommodations like?
We choose to stay in the nicest family owned inns.

What do I need to bring?
Upon registering, we will provide you with a detailed clothing and equipment list to guide you in your packing. Casual clothes are the order of the day- no need for anything fancy. While paddling, your needs in the boat will be minimal. A small dry bag with a carabiner clip to keep it attached to the boat is very handy. Clear bags are helpful to be able to find what you need. During the day, you will want to have sunscreen, some Euros for lunch and the cappuccino stop, sunglasses with something to keep them tied on with (Croakies®, Chums®, etc.), water bottle (most folks will buy cold bottled water in the morning, eliminating the need to bring a water bottle), camera, mask and snorkel (if you enjoy snorkeling), small binoculars if you already have some, and a small pack towel. A pair of gloves can be helpful to prevent blisters. You do not need neoprene paddling gloves- these can be too warm. Any open fingered glove (including bike gloves, sailing gloves, golfing gloves) can work well (just figure that they will get quite wet). The key is to protect your palm between your thumb and index finger as that tends to receive the most friction. If you bring any items requiring electricity, be sure to bring both a converter and adapter plugs. These can be purchased at Radio Shack®, other electronics stores, travel stores etc. Let the salesperson know you are traveling to Greece and they can help you select the appropriate converter and adapter plugs for your equipment. Note that hair dryers, irons, and any other heat producing devices require a stronger converter than other devices. It is helpful to know the wattage of your particular equipment when purchasing the appropriate converter.

Can I drink the water?
The running water is potable and bottled water is available everywhere we stop.

What's the food like?
Breakfast generally consists of fresh Greek yogurt with honey, bread, cheese, juice, coffee or tea, with eggs as an occasional option. Lunches and dinners are ordered off the menu which typically consists of Greek specialties such as moussaka, pastitsio, grilled meats and fish, spaghetti (doesn’t sound Greek but very popular), stifada (generally beef stew), etc. Selections for vegetarians are more limited but previous vegetarian clients have not gone hungry, enjoying dolmades (grape leaves), eggplant, zucchini, tzatzki (yogurt/cucumber/garlic dip), saganaki (fried feta), Greek salads etc.

What time zone will I be in?
Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Time, which makes it 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time, 8 hours ahead of Central Time, 10 hours ahead of Pacific Time.

How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
We will provide you with a list of our hotels including phone and fax numbers. You should also provide family/friends with The Northwest Passage number (800-RECREATE, 732-7328) as NWP staff will always be notified of any changes in the itinerary. You can call home using a calling card. Many of the hotels will have phones in the rooms. Keep in mind the time difference listed above. It can be helpful to remind family and friends about this also.

How much time do we spend traveling each day? How many miles? Do I have free time?
We will generally kayak 5-6 hours per day. The paddling is broken into multiple sections with plenty of time to explore the coastline, paddle in and out of sea caves and jump in and out of the water to cool off. We generally begin paddling at 8:30 each morning, then take a cappuccino break at a seaside taverna after an hour or so. We stop again for lunch after another hour or so and generally reach our next hotel between 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. Distance traveled varies each day, ranging from 6-24 miles. Once we reach our destination, you will have some free time to shower, relax, and/or explore the town. We will generally offer some additional skill training for folks who are interested at the end of the day. Some participants have wanted to work on Eskimo rolling, paddling techniques, etc. Each day, the van will be following our route, meeting us at the cappuccino stops and lunch stops, offering multiple options. You can paddle to the cappuccino break, then hop in the van to the lunch stop, then paddle again in the afternoon. Or start with a van ride and paddle later in the day. The choices are endless!

What kind of equipment do you use?
We have a combination of hard shell plastic doubles, singles and folding doubles. Some participants prefer to paddle in the doubles the whole time (paddling is a bit easier with two people powering the boat and the doubles tend to be more stable) and some prefer to trade on and off with the singles. We will provide kayaks, paddles, spray skirts and PFD’s (personal flotation devices) for all participants. If you prefer to bring your own paddle and/or PFD, you are most welcome to. Please let us know in advance so that we can pack the appropriate gear, especially if you have a particular need or unusual size.

How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides / what are their qualifications?
Our group sizes for this trip range from 6 to 16 participants. We generally have two guides on the water and one or two additional staff members as van drivers. Your guides will be knowledgeable Northwest Passage staff members who are highly skilled in all aspects of sea kayaking and wilderness travel and have years of experience leading groups. They all have training and/or certification in Wilderness First Aid.

How can I prepare physically for the trip? How much prior experience is needed?
We have had participants on this trip who have never been in a kayak before and others who have been paddling for years. We have found that all levels of kayakers have enjoyed this adventure. A good level of personal fitness makes the journey more enjoyable. For kayaking, upper body exercises that strengthen your shoulders, back and arms are recommended. Strengthening exercises with free weights can be very beneficial. Upper body stretches and exercises such as rowing are also useful. Keep in mind that we have had folks at all different levels of physical conditioning thoroughly enjoy this trip and the van is always an option! It is extremely important that you know how to swim and are comfortable in the water. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or concerns about your physical capabilities for this trip.

Michael Watts – Mykonos, October, 2011

“The wind doth blow”
The wind doth blow
and we shall have – not snow-
but snowy white caps

Paddling around the world
theres lots to see – and that's no error
oceans calm when winds are furled
oceans wild with white caps hurled
times of calm – and times of terror

paddling the isles of Greece
rocky shoreline always near
seas that gently swell in peace
seas that violent winds release
times of joy and times of fear

paddling the ancient cyclades
winds and waves oft times the norm
wild and turbulent sometimes the seas
wind strong enough to flatten trees
times of stress and times of storm

paddling mykonos isle
winds may come and winds may blow
its hard to keep a paddling style
with crashing waves mile after mile
sometimes say and some times no go.