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If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable experience in Naxos, Greece, then look no further than a boat tour of the island’s stunning coastline.
I’m a sucker for a boat trip, and it feels like the Greek islands were made for exploring from the ocean. Taking to the waters on a boat tour in Naxos is the best way to check out what the island has to offer, from remote beaches and hidden coves to picturesque fishing villages.
In this post, I’ve rounded up the very best boat tours from Naxos, and written about what makes each one so special. In a hurry? No worries, you can check out my top pick below.
Top Pick: Best Boat Tour in Naxos
> Naxos Sailing Tour with Lunch & Drinks
Includes: Rina Cave and 2 islands, Lunch, Drinks, Snorkel Equipment
As somebody who fell head-over-heels for Naxos within minutes of my arrival, I love shouting from the rooftops about all of the wonderful things there are to do here. And Naxos boat tours are definitely on that list! If you don’t squeeze a boat trip into your Naxos itinerary, you’re missing out.
It can feel overwhelming when looking for Naxos boat tours, though. There are so many! So, whether you’ve already been on numerous boat tours in the Greek islands or have never had the pleasure, this guide will help you plan the perfect Naxos boat tour.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Best Group Naxos Boat Tours
1. Top Naxos Sailing Tour with Lunch & Drinks
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Experience a day of adventure and relaxation on the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island on this unforgettable Naxos sailing tour.
This is my top pick for the very best Naxos boat tour since it has over 50 great reviews, includes lunch and drinks, and visits all of Naxos’ best bits.
You’ll kick off the tour at 8:30am at Naxos Town, where you’ll board your sailboat and set sail towards the Rina Cave – Naxos’ top boat trip attraction. From there, it’s on to two islands for some free time. Take a swim or jump off the boat into the turquoise waters, or stay on the deck and lie back and catch some rays!
Lunch will be served onboard – a delicious Greek spread made with fresh ingredients. Snacks of fruit, chips, and drinks are also complimentary throughout the tour, so you’ll never go hungry. After lunch, you’ll have more free time to explore the islands or jump in for a snorkel around the shallow waters.
This Naxos boat tour lasts for 7 hours in total before returning to port at around 4:30pm, making it perfect for a Naxos day boat trip.
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2. Naxos Day Cruise on a Catamaran with Lunch
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5-7 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Enjoy a full day exploring the Aegean Sea around Naxos on this catamaran boat tour! What makes this trip stand out from the crowd is the fact that your captain will decide where to go on the day depending on the weather conditions. Every trip is different, and each stop is a complete surprise!
Experience the thrill of cruising on a modern and comfortable catamaran as you soak up the sun and enjoy breathtaking views. But that’s not all – dive into crystal clear waters and discover the colourful marine life with the snorkelling equipment that’s included in the price.
As you explore the hidden gems of the Aegean, indulge in the taste of local delicacies freshly prepared onboard by the skilled crew. From refreshing coffee to tasty snacks, they’ll make sure your tummy never rumbles. At one of the stops, savour a mouth-watering lunch made with the freshest local products while enjoying cold refreshments like beer, raki, and wine.
From my research, this looks like the most “party boat” excursion in Naxos, since there’s plenty of wine, beer and raki for everyone. If that’s what you’re looking for, this is the best Naxos boat tour for you!
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3. Naxos Catamaran Day Cruise with Lunch
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7-10 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
It’s all smooth sailing aboard this catamaran tour of Naxos’ coastal highlights. On this full-day tour, you’ll be able to visit some of Naxos’ most iconic landmarks, swim in crystal-clear waters and enjoy a delicious Greek lunch, all while taking in stunning coastal views. Life doesn’t get better than this.
The day starts bright and early at 8:30am in Naxos Town. From there, you’ll set sail towards the Rina Cave – a natural landmark sure to take your breath away! After that, it’s onto two islands for some free time. Take a refreshing swim or relax on deck with your favourite drink in hand, and enjoy the beautiful Greek sun.
A fabulous authentic Greek lunch is served onboard, and it’s included in the price of your tour. After lunch, jump, dive and spring into the water to cool off, snorkel past brightly coloured fish and explore the coolest landmarks along Naxos’ coast from the boat.
This amazing trip is perfect for those looking for an unforgettable day out exploring the islands of the Aegean Sea. It’s one of the best Naxos catamaran tours!
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4. Naxos One Day Boat Trip to Delos and Mykonos
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Want to see as much of the Cyclades Islands as you can, but you’re limited on time? This Naxos boat tour is the perfect solution! Taking you from Naxos to the islands of Delos and Mykonos in just one day, this is the ideal way to sightsee in a time crunch. The tour begins in the morning, departing from Naxos Town at 8:30am. After a fun-filled journey along the waves, your first stop will be Delos.
You may not have heard of Delos, but it’s a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site that’s home to some of Greece’s most iconic monuments. With a fully-guided tour, you don’t need to worry about a thing – just follow the guide and enjoy the views!
Next up is Mykonos – one of Greece’s most popular islands. Known for its windmills and bustling nightlife, it also offers a serene side with its quaint cobbled streets and stunning beaches.
All in all, this Naxos boat tour is the perfect way to experience the best of the Cycladic islands in a time crunch!
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5. Full Day Naxos Sailing Tour to Small Cyclades
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 9.5 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Feel the wind rush through your hair on this full-day Naxos sailing tour around the Small Cyclades Islands. Getting far away from the tourist hotspots, this full-day adventure is all about visiting secluded beaches, snorkelling in areas with no other people in sight, and keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins!
You’ll depart Naxos at around 8.30am, returning at around 6.30pm, so this tour will have you out on the water for the entire day.
You’ll make three stops on this Naxos sailing tour, all totally dictated by weather conditions and where the captain feels like taking you. It’s a surprise! Each stop will have something different to offer, from the vibrant blue hue of the waters there to the inspiring marine life, to its unspoilt beauty.
Oh, and your tummy won’t be rumbling on this tour, because lunch, snacks, and drinks are all included. This makes it one of the best Naxos sailing tours on the market!
6. Naxos Day Cruise to Rina Cave & Ano Koufonissi with Lunch
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 9.5 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
This Naxos boat tour is the perfect option for those who prefer to take things slowly. Rather than rocketing from destination to destination, you’ll make just two stops on this full-day tour, leaving you with plenty of time to reeeeeelax.
After 90 minutes on the water, you’ll arrive at the Rina Cave, one of the top attractions in Naxos. You certainly won’t be the only visitors here, but you’ll get to stay here for far longer than the other tour groups. That’s because you’ll get to spend two hours here, diving from the boat, swimming in the water, and enjoying a fresh BBQ lunch on deck. Sounds heavenly, right?
After lunch, you’ll travel to your second stop of the day – the port of Ano Koufonissi, where you’ll stay for three delicious hours. Sun yourself on the beaches, explore the hidden gem town, and snap photos of this awesome island before more tourists find out about it.
As if the day couldn’t get any better, unlimited soft drinks and house wine are included in the price of your tour. Yamas!
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7. Naxos City Cruise to the South Coast with BBQ
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
This Naxos boat cruise is ideal if you want to visit some spots around Naxos that most other boat trips don’t go to. Sure, you’ll visit the Rina Cave on this trip, but you’ll also break off the beaten path to visit Spedo Beach, Panermos Beach, and the chapel of Agios Sozon.
Agios Sozon is undoubtedly the highlight of this trip. This old church looks like something straight out of Mamma Mia!
At just €70 for a 7-hour trip, this is one of the most affordable boat trips from Naxos, perfect if you’re travelling on a budget. You’ll leave Naxos from Agia Anna port at 9.45, returning at around 5.30pm.
To break up the day, you’ll get to devour a Greek beach BBQ including favourites like tzatziki, souvlaki, and Greek Salad. Yum!
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8. 2-Hour Naxos Sunset Cruise with Free Drink
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Want to go on a Naxos boat cruise, but don’t have a full day to spare? I’ve got you – this 2.5-hour Naxos sunset cruise is the perfect way to spend time on the waves when you’re rushed for time.
Departing from Agia Anna port at around 7pm, you’ll have already had the whole day free to spend sightseeing before getting on board. You’ll hit the waves and sip on a free glass of wine or Aperol Spritz as you admire the Naxian coastline and watch the sun sink below the horizon. There’s no better way to watch the sunset in Naxos.
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Best Private Naxos Boat Tours
As well as taking the tours above as a group, there is also the option to take a private tour in Naxos. On the face of it, these tours look really expensive – costing around €800 per boat. However, that price covers a group of up to ten people.
If you’re travelling as a group, it could easily work out cheaper to hire a private boat. Here are your options!
Best Places to Visit on Boat Trips from Naxos
Rina Cave
Located in Kalandos, in the southern part of Naxos, the Rina Cave is one of the top attractions on the island. When you see the azure blue waters and rock-dome roof, you’ll understand why. You can only access the Rina Cave from the sea, so you’ll have to join a Naxos boat tour to check it out.
Mykonos
Mykonos is one of the most famous Greek islands, and it’s also one of the most expensive. By visiting it for the day on a boat trip from Naxos, you’ll get to explore this mystical island without breaking the bank on accommodation costs.
Delos
Delos is an incredibly underrated Cycladic Island, home to the UNESCO-Listed Archaeological Site of Delos. If you’re into ancient Greece and awesome ruins, this island is a must-visit.
Agios Sozon
This charming ancient church which perches over the ocean in Naxos is known as the protector of sailors. It’s only accessible on foot or by boat thanks to its remote location.
Koufonisia Island
Although this is the smallest inhabited island in the Cyclades, its natural beauty and authentic way of life make it one of the most underrated destinations in Greece!
Boat Tours in Naxos vs Paros
Since Naxos and Paros are so close to one another, many boat tours from both islands visit similar spots.
Naxos boat trips offer visits to Rina Cave, one of the most beautiful spots in the Cyclades Islands. If you want to visit this iconic Cyclades landmark, boarding a boat trip from Naxos is the right choice for you.
Paros is more tourist-oriented than Naxos, so it has a wider range of boat tours. Many Paros boat tours also visit the tiny, celebrity-favourite island of Antiparos. If this is on your bucket list, a boat tour from Paros is right for you.
In all honesty, if you have time you should just take a boat tour from both Naxos and Paros. You won’t regret it! The coastlines of these two islands are nothing short of spectacular, and although you’ll definitely do a few of the same things, like jumping off the boat and enjoying a Greek BBQ lunch, the spots you’ll visit from these two destinations will be totally different.
I’ve got you covered by picking out the best Paros boat tours for you!
Both of these islands are some of the best Greek islands for solo travellers, and going on a boat tour is one of the best way to meet other travellers there!
What is the Best Month to Go on a Naxos Boat Tour?
Most Naxos boat tours only run from mid-April until the end of October or November, because the seas would be too rough in the winter months for an enjoyable tour. The best month to go on a Naxos boat tour is probably June or September.
In these months, it’ll still be hot and sunny, but since you’re visiting outside the “peak” season, you’ll avoid the truly boiling weather and won’t have to book your tour super far in advance.
If you want to go on a Naxos boat tour in July or August, book it right now! Like, literally click on the link to your boat tour and book it now. You can finish the rest of this post later! The best Naxos boat tours book up weeks in advance for the peak summer period, so you don’t want to risk missing out by waiting until the last minute.
How Much Do Naxos Boat Tours Cost?
There’s no two ways about it, Naxos boat tours aren’t cheap. The Greek islands are fairly expensive as it is, so it makes sense that boat tours will also cost a fair amount.
The most affordable full-day boat tours from Naxos start at around €70 per person, with the average price being around €115 per person. When you consider that these Naxos boat tours usually last for over 7 hours, and include lunch, snacks, drinks, and snorkel hire, it’s actually a pretty good deal overall.
Obviously, if you’d prefer a private tour this will be far more expensive – starting at around €800 per boat. If you have a larger group, this could be a sensible decision, because the cost-per person would work out lower.
What to Pack for a Naxos Boat Tour
You don’t need to pack anything specific for a Naxos boat tour that you wouldn’t pack for any other boat tour, but in case you’re scratching your head wondering what that may be, here are a few suggestions you may not have thought of.
A dry bag is the most essential item you can pack on a boat tour in Greece. When I went on a boat tour in Paros, water splashed all over the boat, drenching everybody’s bags. Apart from mine🌞. Since I had packed my dry bag, I stashed all of my belongings in there and they stayed dry the entire day.
A GoPro is ideal to pack for a Naxos boat tour to capture underwater footage and photos. If you don’t have one, no worries – I don’t expect you to splash out and buy one just for this trip! A great (and cheap) alternative is this waterproof phone lanyard. The clear plastic means you can take photos and videos underwater, and keep your phone around your neck. And don’t worry – your phone stays completely dry and safe.
This quick-dry towel is my go-to! It dries super quickly, so you don’t have to carry a soggy towel around with you, rolls up into a tiny ball, and sand doesn’t stick to it. It’s perfect for a boat trip.
Conclusion: Best Boat Tours in Naxos
Naxos, Greece is a wonderful place to go on a boat tour. With so many stunning coastal attractions, the best way to see the true beauty of Naxos is from the water. From party boats to sunset cruises, there’s something for everyone.
So, don’t miss the chance to enjoy an experience you’ll never forget on one of these Naxos boat tours.