Skiathos offers some of the best small-boat exploring in the Aegean. From the Old Port you can reach boat-only beaches like Lalaria, uninhabited islands like Tsougria, sea caves carved into limestone cliffs, and neighbouring Skopelos on a day trip -- all within waters sheltered by the Sporades archipelago. Boats range from 30HP dinghies you can hire without a licence to crewed sailing yachts for a week-long cruise.
Key Takeaways
- Small motorboat hire starts at 150-250 EUR per day; no licence required for boats under 30HP in Greece
- Full-day sailing charters with skipper run 500-1,500 EUR depending on vessel size and season
- Taxi boats to Tsougria depart Skiathos Town harbour every 30 minutes in summer for 8-12 EUR return
- Lalaria Beach trips take about 40 minutes each way from the Old Port and cost 15-35 EUR per person
- The around-the-island tour (3-4 hours) is the single best way to see Skiathos from the water
- June and September offer calmer seas, lower charter prices, and fewer boats at anchor
What Types of Boat Trips Are Available in Skiathos?
You can choose from five main options: taxi boats, glass-bottom tours, private motorboat hire, skippered sailing charters, and organised day cruises.
Each serves a different purpose and budget. Here is a quick comparison before we dig into the details.
| Type | Duration | Price Range (EUR) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi boat (Tsougria) | 15 min each way | 8-12 return | Quick island escape |
| Glass-bottom boat tour | 3-4 hours | 20-35 per person | Families, first-timers |
| Around-the-island cruise | 5-6 hours | 30-55 per person | Seeing everything in one day |
| Private motorboat hire | Half or full day | 150-400 per day | Independence, small groups |
| Skippered sailing charter | Full day or multi-day | 500-1,500+ per day | Couples, special occasions |
| Day cruise to Skopelos | 8-10 hours | 40-65 per person | Island hopping |
Taxi Boats
The simplest option. Small boats shuttle passengers between Skiathos Town harbour and nearby beaches or islands on a fixed schedule. The most popular route runs to Tsougria island, departing roughly every 30 minutes from mid-June through September. Journey time is about 15 minutes. No advance booking needed -- just turn up at the harbour, buy a ticket, and catch the next departure.
Taxi boats also serve Achladies, Troulos, and Koukounaries along the south coast, which can be a pleasant alternative to the bus on calm days.
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours
These run daily from the Old Port, typically departing at 10:00 and returning around 13:00-14:00. The standard route heads north to the Blue Caves, then along the dramatic clifftop coastline to Lalaria Beach, where you get 45-60 minutes ashore. The glass panels in the hull let you watch the seabed without getting wet, which makes these popular with families and anyone who prefers to stay dry.
Expect to pay 20-35 EUR per person. Children's tickets are usually discounted by 30-50%.
Private Motorboat Hire
This is where the experience changes entirely. With your own boat, you set the schedule. Anchor in a cove for an hour, move on when you feel like it, circle back to that beach you liked. Most rental operators are clustered around Skiathos Town harbour and the marina.
Organised Day Cruises
Larger vessels running set itineraries, often with lunch, drinks, and snorkelling stops included. The around-the-island tour is the classic option, covering both coasts, the Blue Caves, Lalaria, and usually a swim stop at Kastro or Tsougria. These are good value for the time on the water.
Sailing Charters
For something more refined, sailing yachts depart from the marina for day trips or multi-day cruises through the Sporades. More on this below.
Where Do Skiathos Boat Trips Go?
The main destinations are Lalaria Beach, Tsougria island, the Blue Caves, Kastro, and the neighbouring islands of Skopelos and Alonissos.
Lalaria Beach
The postcard beach of Skiathos -- smooth white pebbles, turquoise water, the Trypia Petra rock arch, and sheer cliffs on three sides. There is no road access. The only way in is by boat from the Old Port, roughly 40 minutes each way. Our beaches guide covers Lalaria in detail, but the essential point for trip planning is this: departures cancel frequently when northerly winds make the approach unsafe. Always check conditions on the morning of your planned visit, not the night before.
Most operators offer 45-60 minutes on the beach. There are no facilities -- no shade, no food, no toilets. Bring water, sun protection, and a hat. Water shoes are helpful on the pebbles.
Tsougria Island
An uninhabited islet visible from Skiathos Town harbour. Four beaches, golden sand, a summer-only cantina, and snorkelling visibility that can reach 30 metres on calm days. The taxi boat crossing takes 15 minutes and costs 8-12 EUR return. It is the easiest and cheapest boat trip from Skiathos, and arguably the most rewarding per euro spent.
In early summer, you might share the beach with a handful of people. By August, it is a popular day trip. Go early.
The Blue Caves
A series of sea caves along the northern coastline, best seen from the water. The rock formations glow blue from reflected light on calm mornings. Most glass-bottom and around-the-island tours include a slow pass through the caves, and some operators allow swimming stops nearby.
Kastro
The ruins of Skiathos's medieval capital sit on a dramatic headland at the island's northern tip. You can reach the beach below by a 30-35 minute hike, but approaching by boat gives you a different perspective entirely -- the fortress walls rising directly from the sea. Several boat trips include a swim stop here.
Skopelos and Alonissos Day Trips
Skopelos is 45 minutes away by fast ferry and is the island where Mamma Mia was filmed. Organised boat excursions run full-day trips that include time in Skopelos Town and a swim stop, typically for 40-65 EUR. You can also take the scheduled ferry independently and explore at your own pace. Our day trips guide covers both islands in depth, including Alonissos and the National Marine Park.
How Much Does Private Boat Hire Cost in Skiathos?
A small motorboat without a licence runs 150-250 EUR per day. Larger vessels and sailing yachts with a skipper range from 500 to 1,500 EUR or more, depending on size and season.
No-Licence Boats (Under 30HP)
Greek maritime law allows anyone to hire and operate a boat with an engine under 30 horsepower without a boating licence. These are typically 4-5 metre fibreglass dinghies with a small outboard motor, a sun canopy, and basic safety equipment. They are slow but perfectly adequate for pottering between south coast beaches, reaching Tsougria, or exploring the coastline at your own pace.
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | Under 30HP (no licence required) |
| Capacity | 4-6 persons typically |
| Fuel | Usually included or topped up on return |
| Daily rate | 150-250 EUR |
| Half-day rate | 100-160 EUR |
| Deposit | 100-300 EUR (returned on safe return) |
| Includes | Safety equipment, map, basic briefing |
Most operators recommend staying on the south coast in these boats, especially if you are not experienced. The north coast is more exposed and the seas can build quickly when the meltemi wind picks up. Fuel is usually included in the price, but confirm this when booking.
Larger Motorboats (Licence Required)
Boats above 30HP require a valid boating licence recognised in the EU. These are faster, more comfortable, and capable of reaching Lalaria and the north coast safely. Expect to pay 300-400 EUR per day for a 6-7 metre RIB or centre-console boat.
What to Know Before Hiring
- Book at least a day ahead in July and August; same-day availability is common in June and September
- A security deposit of 100-300 EUR is standard, held on your credit card
- Operators provide a harbour chart and safety briefing
- Check whether fuel is included or charged separately
- The harbour master can close the port in high winds, cancelling all departures
What Are the Sailing Options in the Sporades?
The Sporades offer some of the best sailing in Greece: sheltered waters, short hops between islands, and far fewer boats than the Cyclades or Saronic Gulf.
The triangle of Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos sits in relatively protected water, with the Pelion peninsula blocking the worst of the open Aegean swell. Distances between islands are short -- Skiathos to Skopelos is roughly 12 nautical miles, Skopelos to Alonissos another 10. This makes the Sporades particularly appealing for day sails and short charters.
Skippered Day Sails
A skippered sailing yacht for a day typically costs 500-900 EUR, including the skipper but usually excluding lunch and drinks. The boat handles 4-8 passengers comfortably. A typical day sail departs at 09:00, takes in Tsougria, the north coast caves, Lalaria (conditions permitting), and a second swim stop, returning around 17:00.
This is arguably the finest way to see Skiathos. You cover more ground than a motorboat, the experience is quieter, and a good skipper knows anchorages and coves that the tour boats skip entirely.
Bareboat Charters
If you hold an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or RYA Day Skipper qualification, you can charter a sailing yacht without a skipper. The Sporades sailing area is well-suited to intermediate sailors: mostly line-of-sight navigation, good marinas at each island, and manageable distances.
Weekly bareboat rates in the Sporades vary considerably by season and vessel:
| Vessel Size | Low Season (May/Oct) | Mid Season (Jun/Sep) | High Season (Jul/Aug) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32-36 ft monohull | 1,500-2,500 EUR/week | 2,500-3,500 EUR/week | 3,500-5,000 EUR/week |
| 38-42 ft monohull | 2,500-4,000 EUR/week | 3,500-5,500 EUR/week | 5,000-7,500 EUR/week |
| 40-44 ft catamaran | 4,000-6,000 EUR/week | 6,000-9,000 EUR/week | 8,000-12,000 EUR/week |
A classic one-week Sporades itinerary might look like: Skiathos marina - Tsougria - Skopelos Town - Panormos (Skopelos) - Alonissos - Peristera island (uninhabited) - back to Skiathos. That covers roughly 80-100 nautical miles at a leisurely pace.
Flotilla Sailing
If you have some experience but want the safety net of a lead boat and group, flotilla holidays operate in the Sporades through several UK and European operators. These are typically week-long, with a lead crew who handles the itinerary and is on radio if you need help.
Day Cruise Comparison: Which Trip Should You Book?
The around-the-island tour offers the best overall value, but the right choice depends on your time, budget, and what you want to see.
| Cruise | Route | Duration | Price (EUR) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lalaria & Caves | Old Port to north coast | 3-4 hrs | 20-35 pp | Lalaria Beach, Blue Caves, cliff coast |
| Around the Island | Full circuit | 5-6 hrs | 30-55 pp | Both coasts, Lalaria, caves, swim stops |
| Tsougria Express | Harbour to island | 30 min round | 8-12 pp | Secluded beach, snorkelling |
| Sunset Cruise | South coast | 2-3 hrs | 35-60 pp | Drinks, views, smaller groups |
| Skopelos Day Trip | Inter-island | 8-10 hrs | 40-65 pp | Mamma Mia locations, Skopelos Town |
| Three Islands Tour | Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos | Full day | 50-75 pp | Marine park, three island stops |
The around-the-island tour is the one we recommend to first-time visitors. Five to six hours on the water, you see the full coastline contrast between the sheltered south and the wild north, stop at Lalaria, swim in a couple of coves, and get a sense of the island's geography that changes how you plan the rest of your trip.
After a full day on the water, there is something particularly satisfying about returning to a private villa. A rinse in the pool, something grilled on the barbecue, and a quiet evening on the terrace watching the lights of Skiathos Town across the water. If you have bought fresh fish from the fishermen at the harbour -- which we strongly recommend -- the fully equipped kitchen at Damari makes cooking it straightforward.
Practical Tips for Booking and Enjoying Boat Trips
Book taxi boats on the day; book private charters and sailing at least a week ahead in peak season.
When to Go
The boat trip season runs from May through October, with the best conditions in June and September. July and August bring the meltemi wind, which can make the north coast uncomfortable and cancels Lalaria trips regularly. Mornings are almost always calmer than afternoons, regardless of month.
If you are planning five to seven days on Skiathos, schedule the boat trip for your second or third day. This gives you flexibility to shift if the weather doesn't cooperate.
What to Bring
- Sunscreen (high SPF, reapply frequently -- reflection off the water intensifies UV)
- A hat and light cover-up
- Water shoes for pebble beaches like Lalaria
- Snorkelling gear if you have your own (rental available on larger tours)
- A dry bag for phones and electronics
- Plenty of water -- small hire boats have no shade bar a canopy
- Light layers for early morning or late afternoon returns
- Cash for harbour-side food and smaller operators
Seasickness
The Sporades are relatively sheltered, and most south coast trips stay in calm water. The north coast crossing to Lalaria is where people feel it, particularly on the return when the wind has built through the morning. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before departure, sit toward the back of the boat, and keep your eyes on the horizon. Choosing a morning trip helps, as seas tend to be calmest before midday.
Weather Cancellations
Operators cancel for passenger safety, and refunds or rebooking are standard practice. The harbour master has the final say on departures. Wind forecasts above force 5 (roughly 30 km/h) typically close the north coast to small boats. Check Poseidon weather forecasts for marine conditions before booking.
If your Lalaria trip gets cancelled, Tsougria on the south side is almost always accessible and is a worthwhile consolation. The south coast stays protected in all but the most severe weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a boat licence in Greece?
No licence is required for boats with engines under 30 horsepower. For anything more powerful, you need a valid boating licence recognised in the EU, such as the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or equivalent national qualification. Most hire boats available without a licence are 4-5 metre dinghies with 15-25HP outboards.
What is the best boat trip from Skiathos?
The around-the-island tour is the most popular and best value at 30-55 EUR per person for 5-6 hours. It covers both coasts, includes stops at Lalaria Beach and the Blue Caves, and gives you a complete picture of the island from the water. For a more exclusive experience, a private skippered sailing day costs 500-900 EUR for the whole boat.
Can you visit Lalaria Beach without a boat tour?
No. Lalaria is only accessible by sea. There is no road or footpath to the beach. Boat trips depart from the Old Port in Skiathos Town and take roughly 40 minutes each way. Trips cancel in northerly winds, so keep your plans flexible.
How far is Tsougria from Skiathos?
Tsougria is about 1.5 km from Skiathos Town harbour. The taxi boat crossing takes approximately 15 minutes and costs 8-12 EUR for a return ticket. Boats run every 30 minutes in peak season, less frequently in shoulder months.
Is it worth hiring a private boat in Skiathos?
For groups of four or more, private hire often works out comparable to organised tours per person, with far more flexibility. A no-licence boat at 150-250 EUR per day split between four people is 40-60 EUR each, which is similar to a day cruise ticket but with complete freedom over your itinerary and timing.
What is the best month for boat trips in Skiathos?
June and September offer the best combination of calm seas, warm water, and manageable crowds. July is good but the meltemi wind can be disruptive. August has the warmest water at 26-27C but the most competition for anchorages and the highest charter prices. May and October are possible but cooler and some operators run reduced schedules.
Can you sail from Skiathos to Skopelos in a day?
Yes, easily. The crossing is roughly 12 nautical miles and takes 2-3 hours under sail depending on conditions. With a motorboat, it is under an hour. Many sailing day trips include Skopelos as part of the itinerary. You can also take the scheduled ferry, which runs multiple times daily and takes about 45 minutes.
Planning your Skiathos days: Our itinerary guide helps you balance boat trips, beaches, and exploring.
Exploring beyond Skiathos: The day trips guide covers Skopelos, Alonissos, and the Marine Park.
At Damari Luxury Retreat, a day on the water ends exactly as it should -- back at your private villa in the Kechria area, rinsing off in the infinity pool, and watching the evening settle over the Aegean from your terrace. Our two villas sit 6 km from Skiathos Town harbour, where every boat trip in this guide departs. Each has a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor barbecue, and the kind of quiet that makes the contrast with a day at sea feel earned. Explore our villas or get in touch to plan your trip.
