Exploring Naxos

I've been living in Naxos for about 5 years now and I'm still discovering new places and new ways to move around.

When our friend Manolis suggested a boat tour around Naxos and Koufonisia there was not much to think. All we needed is to pick a date and a group of friends. So Sunday was a perfect day for all of us.

Naxos is the biggest island of Cyclades and after all these years I'm still discovering it. It's amazing how there are places that even locals don't know they exist.

A boat tour is a great experience if you are interested in seeing other side of the island - with it's caves, crystal water and small islands around.

We rented Panteleos (Naxos Yachting) small boat that is suitable for 6 people.

These kind of trips need to start quite early so we left the port of Naxos around 9:30 just to have plenty of time to chill and visit Koufonisi. Such an amazing experience to see the infinite blue and the sides of the island that you've never seen. First stop was at a random cave (that's the coolest thing about having a small boat that you can stop anywhere you like). The color of the sea was incredible, crystal clear and calm. I couldn't stop making pictures, wanted to capture every moment of this minute.

Then a stop to a cave at Koufonisia that is called Devil's eye but unfortunately there was no water inside there!! Anyway, we had a great first swim of the day!

Koufonisia is a small cycladic island that is famous for it's beaches. Not much to see in general (the main town is very small) but you can take a swim in a georgeus waters all over the island.

After that we headed to the port of Koufonisia to leave our boat for few hours and take a walk and stay at the beach. I'm really impressed with the beaches in Naxos but Koufonisia was something else! Crystal clear and so blue (or even turquoise) water! You just can't get enough!

Of course we had to eat something and while we were deciding where to go we found out that most of the restaurants open at 5 p.m. so it made it very easy for us. We went straight to the our first choice restaurant Aneplora. Luckily we asked some locals about how far it is from the port as we were thinking to walk there but appearantly it was 15 minutes walk with ups and downs at the hot sun! So what we did? Took our boat and reached the place in 5 minutes. There is a small port with lots of different boats but it's not hard to find a spot to part.

The tavern "Aneplora" is literally the only place out there to eat so it was fun to have this "no choice" solution for once.

We had various sea food plates and salad and everything was so fresh and delicious. The octopus with green split pea spread was just amazing! So juicy and full of flavors! They treated us with their homemade dessert Halva (made of semolina and syrup with cinnamon) and it was a perfect end of our afternoon (I must say I love greek hospitality and their generosity).

It was time to go home but the sea was not so calm. Luckily our captain and best friend Manolis is a great and experienced captain so it was all under control. Yes, we got wet and it was a tough ride but it was worth it.

Final stop was at Rina's cave in Naxos. Definitely a must place with an impressive cave and a beautiful surroundings.

We came back to Naxos around 5:30 p.m. all excited and super happy!

What is worth saying is that you should definitely experience this kind of trip at least once while you visit any island. The possibilities to see so much more is unique and you won't reget it! Choosing a good and experienced boat company should be your number one priority because you want your trip to be carefree and memorable! Panteleos (Naxos Yachting) was our best choice!