Boat trip to Kleftiko and Sikia

Kleftiko is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular geological sights that nature has created on and around Milos. You only really understand why Kleftiko was once an infamous hiding place and anchorage for pirates when you visit it. The bay with its numerous natural arches, small beaches and protective rocky ledges certainly provided reliable protection both from pursuers and bad weather. What is more, Kleftiko can only be reached via a footpath that takes about an hour to walk and it is almost impossible to see into it.

Flying low over Kleftiko
Flying low over Kleftiko
End of the footpath with an opportunity for bathing
End of the footpath with an opportunity for bathing
Black and white cliff formation between Kleftiko and Sikia
Black and white cliff formation between Kleftiko and Sikia

Anyone who has no opportunity to reach Kleftiko by private boat can be helped by the numerous options available at the harbour in Adamantas. You can’t miss their advertising signs. Besides the complete “Trip around Milos,” there are also more selective trips to some of the most popular destinations. However, the quality of the services offered is highly variable. I have often heard of disappointed or even seasick passengers that have been mercilessly shaken about on overfilled boats in rough seas. Even when the sea is calm in the harbour at Adamantas, you should find out about conditions out on the open sea and not blindly trust a captain who might be thinking only of his profits.

I can unreservedly recommend a boat trip to Kleftiko on the “Thalassitra,” a two-master built to a historical design. All the passengers are taken in groups through the caves and natural arches by dinghy so that you can literally touch Kleftiko. What is more, Stamatis, the owner, cooks for his passengers himself and conjures up delightful dishes in the galley. The other services provided on board are also excellently organised.

Sikiá

Not far from Kleftiko, on the southwest coast of Milos, lies the “sea cave” of Sikiá (with stress on the “a”, otherwise no-one knows what you mean). Lacking an arching ceiling, it’s not really a cave but a small cove separated from the sea by a natural arch. At peak times especially, there is a crush of excursion boats because there is of course very little space. A trip to Kleftiko is in fact always combined with a visit to Sikia.

Update 05/20