All Day Cruise -3 Islands to Agistri,Moni, Aegina with lunch and drinks included

A full day on the Saronic Gulf gives you a welcome break from Athens. This cruise combines three island stops with long stretches at sea, a Greek buffet lunch, drinks, and time to swim from the boat. It is less about checking off major sights and more about enjoying the water, sunshine, and easy island atmosphere.

I like the fresh, generous lunch and the fact that wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, juice, and water are included. I also like the mix of time ashore at Agistri and Aegina, plus a proper swimming stop near Moni or Metopi. The main drawback is clear: you spend much of the 10-hour day on the boat, and the islands receive only about 90 minutes each.

Key points to know

• Three very different stops: Agistri offers beach time and a small village, Moni or Metopi is mainly a swimming stop, and Aegina adds shops, pistachios, and ancient sites.
• Lunch is a major part of the value: Expect a freshly prepared Greek buffet with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices.
• The sailing time is the experience: You spend about 2.5 hours reaching Agistri and roughly 2 hours returning to Athens.
• Swimming gear is supplied: Masks, water noodles, and life jackets are available, though bring your own snorkel if serious snorkeling matters to you.
• Central Athens transfers are optional: Pickup is available from central locations near Syntagma Square, but you must be ready early and late arrivals are not refunded.
• The mood depends on the weather and season: Summer brings more activity and swimming, while October and November can feel quiet, with some island businesses closed.

From Marina Zea to the open Saronic Gulf

The day begins at Marina Zea in Piraeus, a short drive from central Athens. If you book the transfer option, pickup begins about an hour before departure from selected central locations around Syntagma Square. The exact time is confirmed by 7:00 p.m. the day before, so check your email and spam folder.

At the marina, you board a wooden motorized sailing ship with a five-person crew. Coffee, tea, juice, water, and pastries are served while the crew explains the route and gives a short safety briefing. This early welcome matters because the day is long, and a calm start makes the whole outing easier.

The boat can carry up to 49 people. That is not a private yacht experience. On busy departures, the deck may feel crowded, especially around the best sun mats and railings. Show up early if you want first choice of seating.

The first sailing leg lasts about 2.5 hours. You pass the Athens Riviera, Piraeus Port, Salamina, and the Lagouses islets. This is when you settle into the rhythm of the day. Sit in the sun, find shade, listen to music, or simply watch the coastline fade.

The long outward sail is one of the strongest parts of the experience for anyone who enjoys being on the water. It is also the first warning for anyone hoping to spend most of the day on land. This cruise is built around the boat, not just the islands.

Agistri offers beach time, not a packed sightseeing tour

Agistri is the first proper stop, with about 90 minutes ashore. The island is known for pine-covered scenery, clear water, and a relaxed village feel around Skala. You can swim, sit on the beach, stroll around, or look for a café or small shop.

The time here is short, so plan one simple activity. I would choose either a swim and beach break or a walk around Skala. Trying to cover the island in 90 minutes will leave you watching the clock.

An optional bike tour is available for an extra fee, arranged through a rental shop. It may appeal to you if you want to see more of the island, but it is not included and the stop is already brief. Ask the crew about the timing before committing.

Descriptions of Agistri sometimes make it sound like a major archaeological visit, but the practical appeal of this stop is its sea, beach, and small-island setting. You are not getting a long guided tour of temples. You are getting a taste of island life between two long boat rides.

In the quieter months, Agistri can feel very still. By October, some seasonal businesses may be closed. That can be a disadvantage if you want a lively beach scene, but it can also make a walk more peaceful and less crowded.

Moni or Metopi is the swimming stop

After Agistri, the boat sails for about 20 to 30 minutes toward Moni or Metopi. The exact stop depends on sea conditions. This is important: Moni is not always a walk-on island visit. The boat generally anchors offshore so you can swim.

The water stop lasts about 90 minutes and is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day in warm weather. You can jump from the boat, float with a noodle, use a life jacket, or try the supplied snorkeling equipment. Masks are available, though several people have found the supply of snorkels limited. If snorkeling is a priority, bringing your own mask and snorkel is sensible. Fins are not listed as included.

While the boat is anchored, the crew serves lunch. You can eat first, swim first, or move between the two. The buffet includes traditional Greek dishes and caters to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets when those needs are provided at booking.

The lunch receives the strongest praise for good reason. It is plentiful, varied, and prepared onboard rather than being a basic boxed meal. Wine, beer, and soft drinks are included, along with water. If you have a medical need for food at a particular time, carry a small personal snack anyway. Lunch may not begin until around 1:30 p.m., depending on the day’s timing.

There are a few comfort points to keep in mind. Towels are not supplied, so bring one. Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a dry change of clothes if you plan to swim. One practical complaint concerns smoking around the rear of the boat. If you are sensitive to smoke, choose a seat toward the front.

Aegina brings the history and shopping

The final island stop is Aegina, reached after a short sailing leg of about 20 minutes. You have around 90 minutes to explore. Compared with Agistri, Aegina gives you more things to do on land, though the visit is still too short for a full island tour.

The harbor area is the easiest choice. You can walk along the waterfront, browse pistachio products, sit at a seaside café, or look through the tourist shops. Aegina is particularly known for pistachios, and the crew can point you toward local tastings and shops. A pistachio and gelato stop has been a highlight for some people, but allow time to return to the boat.

You can also visit the Temple of Apollo at Kolona, close to the harbor. If ancient sites are your main interest, ask the crew about arranging a taxi to the Temple of Aphaia. The sanctuary is farther away, so a taxi tour is the practical option, but it costs extra and must fit within the short stop.

Another possible side trip is the Monastery of Agios Nektarios. Again, this is not something to attempt casually on foot during a 90-minute visit. Ask before leaving the harbor, and be realistic about traffic and return time.

Horse-drawn carriage rides, shops, and cafés add variety, but the harbor area is fairly geared toward short visits. If you want a deep look at Aegina’s archaeology or local life, take the public ferry and spend a full day. If you want a taste of the island as part of a relaxing cruise, 90 minutes works.

The return sail is two hours of real downtime

After Aegina, the boat heads back to Marina Zea. The return trip lasts about two hours. This is when you can nap, sit with a drink, talk with people you met onboard, or listen to music.

The mood on the return leg depends heavily on the crew and the group. Many departures are social and easygoing, with music and plenty of conversation. On one departure, the music was too loud and unpleasant for some passengers, so you should not assume the soundtrack will suit everyone. If you want a quiet ride, sit away from the speakers and ask the crew if the volume can be lowered.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Sam, Mo, and Elizabeth have been singled out for being friendly, helpful, and fun, while other departures have received praise for attentive service from the full team. The captain can change the route or timing for safety, wind, waves, or comfort. That flexibility is sensible, but it means the advertised schedule is approximate.

You return to Marina Zea in Piraeus. If you booked a transfer, the team helps with the ride back to central Athens. If you came independently, you can continue around Piraeus or make your own way back.

What the $180 price really includes

At about $180.19 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Saronic islands. A ferry gives you more control and usually more time on one island. The value here comes from combining transport, food, drinks, a swimming stop, equipment, crew service, music, and three locations in one day.

The included lunch is especially important. A generous Greek buffet plus wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and snacks can add up quickly if purchased separately. You also avoid arranging ferry tickets, island transfers, and a separate boat for swimming.

The tradeoff is time. You pay for an all-day boat experience, but you get only about 90 minutes on Agistri and 90 minutes on Aegina. If your priority is archaeological sightseeing, local food away from tourist areas, or long beach time, this is not the best value.

If your priority is a simple day on the water with food and drinks handled for you, the price is easier to justify. The boat itself is the main attraction.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a break from Athens without the work of planning a multi-island day. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who like swimming, sun, conversation, and a relaxed schedule. Solo visitors can also find it easy to meet people onboard, especially during the long sailing sections.

Families and mixed-age groups may like the flexible structure. Swimmers can use the water stop, while non-swimmers can stay onboard with drinks and lunch. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, spending many hours at sea, and managing sun and wind.

I would hesitate if you get seasick, dislike group outings, need a quiet boat, or want serious island sightseeing. The boat holds up to 49 people, and the old wooden vessel may show some wear. Some passengers have found the seating crowded, and the smoking area at the rear can bother nonsmokers.

The season matters. In summer, the swimming stop is likely to feel like the star of the day. In October and November, the sea can still be pleasant, but the islands may be quiet and seasonal businesses may have closed. The departure time also changes to 8:00 a.m. in late October and November.

Practical details before you book

Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothes, pack a towel, and bring sunscreen. A refillable water bottle is useful even though water is served. If you have dietary needs, state them when booking.

For central Athens pickup, be at your assigned point five minutes early. The bus cannot wait for late arrivals, and missing the pickup or boat departure does not qualify for a refund. Pickup is limited to central Athens unless you arrange and pay for an additional transfer from another area.

Free Wi-Fi is listed throughout the cruise, though the quality of any connection at sea can vary. Mobile tickets are accepted, and the tour is offered in English.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. A weather cancellation results in either another date or a full refund. Since conditions at sea can differ from conditions in Athens, the captain has the final say on route changes and swimming stops.

Should you book the three-island cruise?

Book it if you want a social, food-filled day at sea and are happy with short island visits. The strongest reasons are the excellent buffet, included drinks, friendly crew, clear-water swim, and the chance to see Agistri and Aegina without arranging transport yourself.

Skip it if your main goal is to explore the islands in depth. A ferry to one island gives you more freedom, more time ashore, and less time sitting on a boat. This cruise works best when you treat the sailing, lunch, swimming, and easy pace as the main event, with the islands serving as welcome stops along the way.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from All Day Cruise Calypso at Marina Zea, Pasalimani, Piraeus 185 36, Greece. It ends back at the same marina.

Is hotel pickup available from Athens?

Pickup is available from selected central Athens locations, mainly around Syntagma Square, if you choose the transfer option. Pickup outside central Athens may require an additional fee.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours. The return sailing to Marina Zea takes about two hours, and the route includes long sailing sections between the islands.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Agistri, a swimming stop at Moni or Metopi depending on sea conditions, and Aegina. Moni or Metopi is generally visited by anchoring offshore rather than walking ashore.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Greek buffet lunch is included, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices available when dietary needs are provided in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include wine, beer, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and juice. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks, water noodles, and life jackets are provided for the swimming stop. Snorkels and fins may be limited, so bring your own equipment if snorkeling is especially important to you.

Can I take an optional bike tour on Agistri?

Yes. An optional bike tour can be arranged through a rental shop on Agistri, but it costs extra and is not included in the cruise price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather makes the cruise unsafe or unsuitable, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The captain may also change the route or timing during the cruise for safety and comfort.