Boat trips are one of the best ways to enjoy Aegina and the beautiful Saronic Gulf around it. From short local hops to the tiny islet of Moni, with its clear water and tame deer, to the quick crossing over to green. Beach-fringed Agistri. The popular all-day cruises that take in Agistri, Moni and Aegina together, there is a boat trip to suit everyone. These excursions let you swim in turquoise coves, snorkel in crystal-clear water, explore neighbouring islands, and see the coastline from the sea, often with lunch and drinks included.
Whether you are based on Aegina or visiting for the day, a boat trip adds a notable extra dimension to a stay, and this guide covers all the options.
Below we explain the boat trips you can take around Aegina: the short excursion to Moni islet from Perdika, the crossing to Agistri, the popular Saronic Gulf day cruises linking Agistri. Moni and Aegina, what you can do on these trips, private and sailing options. Practical tips, so you can choose the perfect boat trip for your visit.
What boat trips can you do from Aegina?
From Aegina you can take short boat trips to the islet of Moni from Perdika, cross to the neighbouring island of Agistri, or join all-day Saronic Gulf cruises that visit Agistri, Moni and Aegina with swimming stops.
Aegina offers a variety of boat trips to suit different tastes. The simplest are short local excursions, above all the quick hop from the fishing village of Perdika across to the little islet of Moni, and the brief crossing from Aegina Town to the neighbouring island of Agistri, both easy to arrange on the spot.
For a fuller day on the water, popular organised cruises sail the Saronic Gulf. Typically taking in Agistri, Moni and Aegina in a single trip with swimming stops and lunch on board. There are also private and sailing boat trips for those wanting a more exclusive or tailored experience. Whatever kind of day at sea you are after. Aegina has an option to match.
How do you visit Moni islet by boat from Aegina?
You visit Moni islet by taking a small boat from the harbour of Perdika, on Aegina’s southern tip, a crossing of only about ten minutes.
The most popular short boat trip from Aegina is the excursion to the tiny islet of Moni, reached by small boats from the harbour of Perdika, the fishing village on the island’s southern tip. The crossing takes only around ten minutes, and in summer the boats run frequently, so you can simply turn up at the quay and pay a small fare.
Moni is an uninhabited, pine-covered nature reserve with a lovely beach of clear, sheltered water. Ideal for swimming. It is famous for its free-roaming wild deer, peacocks and goats, so tame they wander close to visitors. A trip to Moni, combined with a seafood lunch back in Perdika, makes for a perfect half-day boat excursion and one of the highlights of Aegina.
This is an easy, flexible trip that needs no advance planning. Its low cost makes it ideal for families and budget travellers. Bring water, sun protection and a picnic if you plan to stay a while, as facilities on the islet are minimal. Simply enjoy the beach. The walks and the animals before hopping back across to the village.
How do you get to Agistri by boat from Aegina?
You get to Agistri by ferry from the harbour of Aegina Town, a very short crossing of about ten minutes on the fast boat.
Just across the water from Aegina lies the small island of Agistri, easily reached by a short ferry crossing of only about ten minutes from the harbour of Aegina Town. Boats run frequently throughout the day, and the fares are very low, making it a simple and inexpensive trip.
Agistri is greener, quieter and even more focused on its beaches than Aegina, ringed by some of the clearest water in the Saronic Gulf. A day trip across to swim at its lovely coves and explore its pine-covered landscape is one of the most rewarding boat trips from Aegina. See our full guide to going from Aegina to Agistri for details.
What are the Saronic Gulf cruises that include Aegina?
The Saronic Gulf cruises are popular all-day boat trips, usually from Athens, that visit three islands, Agistri, Moni and Aegina, in a single day.
One of the most popular ways to experience the area by boat is the classic Saronic Gulf day cruise. Which typically sails from Athens to take in three islands, Agistri, Moni and Aegina, in a single all-day trip. These cruises combine hours of sailing with time to explore and swim, offering a notable overview of this beautiful corner of the gulf.
A typical cruise sails first to Agistri, where you can swim or wander the little towns, then makes a swimming stop at the pristine islet of Moni. Famous for its turquoise water, before giving free time on Aegina to explore its port, pistachio shops and sights. A Greek lunch and drinks are usually included on board, along with snorkelling gear, making for a relaxed and enjoyable full day at sea.
These cruises are especially popular with visitors based in Athens who want to sample several Saronic islands in one outing without arranging their own transport. They usually depart from a marina near the city and return the same evening. Because everything, the sailing, the swimming stops, the lunch and the guiding, is organised for you, they make a wonderfully easy and sociable day, though the time on each island is naturally limited by the fit all three into a single day.
What can you do on an Aegina boat trip or cruise?
On an Aegina boat trip you can swim and snorkel in clear, turquoise water, relax on deck in the sun, explore neighbouring islands and villages, and see the coastline from the sea.
The great pleasure of a boat trip around Aegina is the combination of swimming, sightseeing and relaxation. The clear, warm waters of the Saronic Gulf are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Especially at spots like Moni with its turquoise sea. Cruises usually provide snorkelling gear and time to dive in and enjoy the water at each stop.
Between swims, you can relax on deck under the Greek sun. Take in the scenery of the islands and coastline from the sea. Step ashore to explore the villages, beaches and sights of Agistri and Aegina. With lunch and drinks often served on board the longer cruises, a boat trip offers a full, varied and memorable day out, mixing activity with pure relaxation.
Are there private or sailing boat trips from Aegina?
Yes, as well as the scheduled boats and group cruises, there are private and semi-private boat trips and sailing excursions around Aegina and the Saronic Gulf.
Beyond the regular boats to Moni and Agistri and the large group cruises, there are more exclusive options for exploring the Saronic Gulf by boat. Private and semi-private day trips, often on sailing yachts, can be arranged, giving smaller groups a more personal and flexible experience on the water.
These private trips let you tailor the day to your wishes, choosing your route, the islands and coves you visit, and where you stop to swim, away from the crowds. Whether for a family, a couple or a group of friends, a private sailing trip around Aegina and its neighbours is a special way to enjoy the gulf. Combining the freedom of your own boat with the calm beauty of the Saronic islands and their clear waters.
Such trips can often include extras like snorkelling equipment. Refreshments and an experienced skipper who knows the best coves and swimming spots, taking the effort out of the day while keeping it personal. For a special occasion, or simply for those who prefer to avoid the larger group cruises. A private boat trip around Aegina and its neighbouring islands is a memorable and relaxing way to spend a day on the water, entirely at your own pace and very much on your own relaxed terms.
When is the best time for boat trips from Aegina, and how do you book?
The best time for boat trips from Aegina is the warm season from late spring to early autumn, when the sea is warm and the boats and cruises run regularly.
Boat trips around Aegina are very much a warm-season pleasure, best enjoyed from around late spring to early autumn when the weather is fine. The sea is warm for swimming. The excursion boats and cruises are running regularly. High summer offers the warmest water and the fullest schedule of trips, while the shoulder months are pleasant and less crowded.
For the short local trips, such as the boats from Perdika to Moni or the ferry to Agistri. You can generally just turn up and go, buying tickets at the quay. For the organised all-day cruises and private or sailing trips, it is wise to book in advance, especially in peak season, to secure your place. Whichever trip you choose, it is worth taking swimwear, a towel. Sun protection and some cash. Keeping an eye on the return times for the short local boats so you are not left waiting at the quay. With a little planning, a boat trip is one of the most enjoyable things to do on Aegina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best boat trip from Aegina?
The best boat trip from Aegina depends on what you are looking for, but the short excursion to the islet of Moni is a favourite for visitors. Reached by a ten-minute boat ride from the fishing village of Perdika, Moni is an uninhabited, pine-covered nature reserve with a beautiful clear-water beach and. Most memorably, free-roaming tame deer and peacocks, making it a magical half-day trip, especially when combined with a seafood lunch back in Perdika. Another excellent option is the short crossing to the neighbouring island of Agistri, greener and even more beach-focused than Aegina, ideal for a relaxed day of swimming in turquoise coves.
For those wanting a fuller day on the water, the popular Saronic Gulf cruises that take in Agistri. Moni and Aegina together, usually with swimming stops, lunch and drinks included, offer a notable overview of the area. There are also private and sailing trips for a more exclusive experience. In short, Moni is the classic short trip, Agistri the perfect island escape. The three-island cruise the ideal full day out, so the best choice comes down to how much time you have and what kind of day at sea you want.
Can you take a boat from Aegina to Moni island?
Yes, you can easily take a boat from Aegina to the islet of Moni, and it is one of the most popular short excursions on the island. The boats depart not from Aegina Town but from the harbour of Perdika. The fishing village on the southern tip of Aegina. The crossing to Moni takes only about ten minutes. In summer the small boats run frequently throughout the day. Generally leaving when they have enough passengers. You can simply go to the quay in Perdika, pay a small fare, and hop across. Moni itself is an uninhabited, protected nature reserve covered in pine forest, with a lovely beach of clear. Sheltered water that is safe and pleasant for swimming.
It is famous for the tame wild deer, peacocks and goats that roam freely and wander close to visitors. Because the trip is so short, cheap and easy. Combines a boat ride, a beautiful beach and close encounters with friendly animals, it is a notable outing for families and nature lovers, and pairs perfectly with lunch at one of Perdika’s renowned seafood tavernas afterwards.
Do the Saronic Gulf cruises stop long enough to explore Aegina?
The Saronic Gulf day cruises that take in Agistri, Moni and Aegina do include free time to explore Aegina, though the length of the stop varies by cruise. These all-day trips typically divide the day between sailing, a swimming stop at the pristine islet of Moni, time on Agistri. A period of free time ashore on Aegina. Where you can wander the picturesque port, browse the shops selling the island’s famous pistachios, enjoy a coffee or ice cream by the harbour, and get a feel for the town. However, because the cruises visit three islands in a single day, the time on Aegina is usually limited to a couple of hours rather than a full exploration.
It is enough to enjoy the port and town centre but not to travel out to more distant sights such as the Temple of Aphaia or the monasteries. If seeing Aegina’s major ancient sites and beaches is your priority, it is better to visit the island independently by ferry and spend a full day or more there, whereas if you want a relaxed overview of islands with plenty of swimming, the three-island cruise is an ideal and enjoyable choice.
When do boat trips and cruises run from Aegina?
Boat trips and cruises around Aegina run mainly during the warm tourist season, from around late spring to early autumn, which is the best time to enjoy them. During these months, roughly from April or May through to October, the weather is fine. The sea is warm enough for swimming. The excursion boats and organised cruises operate on a regular schedule, with the fullest programme in the height of summer. The short local boats, such as those from Perdika to the islet of Moni, are seasonal and run most frequently in summer, while the ferries to Agistri operate year-round but are busiest and most frequent in the warmer months.
The all-day Saronic Gulf cruises and private sailing trips are also concentrated in the summer season. Outside this period, in the colder and wetter winter months, most of the excursion boats and cruises stop running, though the regular ferries to Agistri continue. For anyone hoping to enjoy boat trips, swimming and island-hopping around Aegina, therefore. Planning a visit for the late spring to early autumn window is the surest way to find the full range of trips available and the best conditions for a day on the water.