Greek Aegean Sea Kayak & Soft Adventure Tour
Deserted Beaches, Sea Caves & Arches, Crystal Clear Blue Mediterranean Waters
Our 2022 spring paddling & walking ‘soft’ outdoor adventure is going to be based out of the southwesterly Cyclades Group of Islands in the Greek Aegean Sea lying halfway between Athens and the Island of Crete. Travelers looking for varied outdoor activities combined with diverse European Island culture will love the itinerary we have planned on this unique and spectacular island archipelagos adventure! We’ll do a series of day trips, a combination of sea kayaking, walking and exploring the island villages. In the evening we will enjoy the great Mediterranean food and wine in local restaurants and retire to a local hotel, guest house or B&B for the night.
These are Volcanic Islands in origin and hence have unique and spectacular coastlines. They are a geological wonderland and a paddling paradise. Paddle the clear, blue Mediterranean waters; explore sea caves, tunnels and arches; relax on deserted beaches; explore uninhabited islands.
The program will consist of paddling day trips, broken up with walking or hiking days. There will be time for some relaxation in the quaint Greek villages or maybe even a relaxing day on the beach. We’ll explore a variety of local sites and visit Kimolos, Milos, and Fologandros Islands. Our exact itinerary will depend on wind and weather. Milos, the island of colours and the largest of these islands, is most well known as the place where the famous statue, the “Venus de Milo” was discovered. It, like the smaller Kimolos and Fologandros, offers fantastic scenery and culture.
The 5500 inhabitants of Milos and 650 of Kimolos live in 7+1 villages in the north and east part of the islands. They are economically dependent on Mining and Tourism, with a bit of fishing. Tourism has only recently developed and the islands remain untouched by hotel chains and package tourism. Mining has occurred since ancient times and currently occupies about half the workforce. This dual economy has preserved an authentic local culture that is not found on many of the other islands that have become entirely dependent on tourism.
These islands composed almost entirely of volcanic rocks. Unlike Santorini, which was formed from a single volcanic center, this area is composed of dozens of eruptions that occurred over a period of about one million years, 3-4 million years ago. This complex volcanic origin is responsible for the wide variety of useful rocks and minerals that have been mined over the millennia and for the unique and colorful rock formations that comprise the coastline. Although the volcanic activity has ceased, earthquakes occasionally rock the island – the last major one was in 1993. Geothermal activity continues to the present day and can be seen in the form of steam vents, native sulfur deposits hot springs and a natural sauna cave.
Of particular interest to paddlers, are the abundance of sea caves, which occur all around the island. Numbering well over 150, they are particularly abundant in the southwest of the island, around an area called Kleftico and on the North coast at Sarakiniko and Papafrangus. Many form impressive arches and some form tunnels over 50m long. Some have massive, cathedral-like roofs, while others have small entrances and crooked passages, requiring torchlight for exploration.
Folegandros: This small island (32 km2), has only 650 inhabitants, though recently more popular it is still a relatively untouched piece of old Greece. On account of the simple and relaxing atmosphere that reigns all around the island residents distinguish it as the “island of Peace”.
Folegandros has three small villages, Karavostasi (the port), the Chora, and Agali Beach. These are connected by paved roads. What catches the eye immediately is the endless series of “dry-placed” walls that have been erected over the centuries by the inhabitants to create terraces on the sunny slopes of the territory to be able to raise cereals.
The village of Chora is closed to car and motorcycle traffic and has a unique “center” of three squares in a row, with trees under which to enjoy a drink or food in a quiet,romantic atmosphere. The church of Panaghia , on the top of a hill, offers a nice walk and a magnificent view of the Chora and of the west coast.
In the area of the Kastro, a small fortress made by the Venetians in 1210 will take you back to the Middle Ages. The village of Ano Merià is spread over cultivated fields and “dry-placed” walls and has typical “kafeneio” and taverns.
Our 2021 soft adventure will be a combination of pleasurable paddling day trips, plus walking and cultural tours.
Accommodations will be in B&Bs. SINGLE PERSON SUPPLEMENT $450CAD
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I'm Shawn Hodgins, owner and chief guide of Wanapitei Canoe & Northern Outdoor Expeditions.I've been guiding our trips since the late 1970s and have been heading up the company since 1985. I continue to guide a number of trips each season and still plan all of our adventures myself. Each year I try and plan a few new and exciting trips that are off the beaten path. This is one of the best parts of the job—apart from actually going on the trips of course!If you have any questions, let us know. When I’m not out on the water, I'll personally try to help you.