Nafplio sits on a fine natural harbour at the head of the Argolic Gulf, so the sea is one of its great pleasures. Boat trips range from the short crossing to the island castle of Bourtzi in the harbour to half-day and full-day sailing and catamaran cruises that reach secluded beaches and tiny islets for swimming and snorkelling. With the fortresses rising behind and the gulf opening ahead, a boat trip gives a view of Nafplio that no walk on land can match, and it is one of the best things to do in the town.
This guide covers Nafplio boat trips in full: the crossing to Bourtzi, the Argolic Gulf cruises, the swimming stops and islets, the sunset sailings, what is included, the season and who they suit. Read it beside the full Nafplio travel guide, the guide to Bourtzi castle and the guide to the Nafplio beaches.
What boat trips can you take from Nafplio?
From Nafplio you can take the short boat to the island castle of Bourtzi in the harbour, and half-day or full-day sailing and catamaran cruises of the Argolic Gulf. The cruises reach secluded beaches and the islets of Romvi and Daskaleio for swimming and snorkelling, with sunset sailings in the evening.
The Bourtzi boat is the shortest. A small boat crosses the harbour from the waterfront to the island castle of Bourtzi in ten to fifteen minutes, so the simplest boat trip in Nafplio is the quick hop out to the fortress, taken by nearly every visitor to the town.
The gulf cruises are the main event. Half-day and full-day sailing and catamaran cruises set out from the port into the Argolic Gulf, reaching quiet bays and islets for swimming, so these are the boat trips for a day on the water rather than a quick crossing.
Sunset sailings end the day. Evening cruises time the trip for the sunset over the gulf, so a sunset sailing gives the finest light on the water and the town, one of the most memorable ways to spend an evening in Nafplio.
How do you take a boat to Bourtzi?
You take a boat to Bourtzi from the Nafplio waterfront near Akti Miaouli, where small boats cross the harbour through the day. A return trip costs around 7 euros, paid in cash on the spot, plus a separate entrance fee to the fortress, and the crossing takes ten to fifteen minutes each way.
The boats leave from the waterfront. Small passenger boats run out to Bourtzi from the harbour of Nafplio, from the quay along the seafront near the old town, so reaching the fortress means walking down to the port and stepping aboard one of the boats waiting there.
You pay cash on the spot. The short Bourtzi boats are not pre-booked; you simply pay at the quay, around 7 euros for the return crossing, with a separate entrance fee to go inside the fortress, so it is worth carrying cash as cards are not always taken.
The crossing is quick. The boats shuttle back and forth through the day, and the crossing takes only ten to fifteen minutes, so getting out to the islet and back fits easily into a morning or an afternoon, as the guide to Bourtzi castle describes.
What is an Argolic Gulf cruise like?
An Argolic Gulf cruise from Nafplio is a half-day or full-day sail by yacht or catamaran into the gulf, with stops to swim and snorkel at secluded beaches and islets. Half-day trips run about four and a half hours, full-day trips about eight, with food and drinks served aboard.
It leaves the town behind. The cruises set out from the port of Nafplio and sail into the Argolic Gulf, away from the crowded beaches, so a cruise reaches quiet water and coves that no road serves, with the fortresses and town shrinking behind.
It centres on swimming. The trips anchor at secluded beaches and the small islands of the gulf for swimming and snorkelling, so the heart of a cruise is the time in the clear water, with the boat as a base for a day of sea and sun.
It comes in two lengths. Half-day cruises of about four and a half hours suit those wanting a taste of the gulf, while full-day cruises of about eight hours give a fuller day on the water with more stops and a proper meal aboard, so there is a trip to fit the time available.
Where do the Nafplio cruises stop?
Nafplio cruises stop at secluded beaches and islets in the Argolic Gulf, including Karathona bay, Xiropigado, and the small islands of Romvi and Daskaleio, which are reachable only by boat. The exact stops depend on the cruise and the weather, but all offer clear water for swimming.
Karathona and the coast feature. Many cruises call at the bay of Karathona and other points along the coast south of Nafplio, so a trip takes in the same beautiful coast that the beaches occupy, seen and reached from the water.
The islets are the highlight. The small islands of Romvi and Daskaleio, out in the gulf and reachable only by boat, are favourite stops, so a cruise gives access to hidden spots with clear water and no crowds, the reward of travelling by sea.
The route follows the weather. Because the stops depend on the conditions, each cruise chooses its coves and islets on the day, so no two trips are quite the same, and the crew picks the calmest and clearest water for swimming, as the guide to the Nafplio beaches notes.
What is included on a Nafplio boat trip?
A Nafplio gulf cruise usually includes snorkelling gear, paddleboards and swimming aids, snacks and local wine on a half-day trip, and a full meal with fruit, drinks and coffee on a full-day trip. A crewed boat, swimming stops and the equipment for the water are provided throughout.
The water gear is provided. Cruises supply snorkelling masks, stand-up paddleboards and swimming aids, so guests can snorkel and paddle at the stops without bringing their own equipment, making the most of the clear water of the gulf.
Food and drink are served aboard. Half-day trips offer handmade sweets and savoury snacks such as spanakotiropita with local wine, while full-day cruises add a Mediterranean main course, seasonal fruit, drinks and coffee, so no one goes hungry on the water.
A crew handles the sailing. The boats are professionally crewed, so guests simply relax, swim and enjoy the sail while the crew handles the boat and chooses the stops, making a cruise an easy and comfortable day at sea.
What is a Nafplio sunset cruise?
A Nafplio sunset cruise is an evening sail into the Argolic Gulf timed for the sunset, often starting around four in the afternoon. It combines a swim and drinks aboard with the finest light of the day over the town, the Bourtzi and the gulf, one of the most romantic boat trips from the town.
It sails for the light. The sunset cruise times its trip for the evening, so guests are on the water as the sun drops over the gulf, with the town, the fortress of Palamidi and the island castle of Bourtzi glowing in the low light behind.
It mixes swimming and sunset. An evening cruise usually includes a swim stop and drinks or snacks aboard before the sunset, so it combines the pleasures of a gulf cruise with the magic of the light, a relaxed and romantic end to a day.
It suits couples. Because of its romance and its timing, the sunset cruise is a favourite for couples, so it is a fine choice for a special evening, pairing the sea with the sunset over one of the most beautiful towns in Greece.
When is the season for boat trips in Nafplio?
The season for gulf cruises from Nafplio runs from about May to October, when the weather is warm and the sea calm, with morning and sunset departures. The short Bourtzi boat runs through much of the year, so the fortress crossing is possible outside the summer cruise season.
The cruises run late spring to autumn. The sailing and catamaran cruises operate from around May to October, the warm months when the sea is inviting for swimming, so the main boat-trip season matches the beach season on the coast.
Departures suit the day. Cruises typically leave in the morning, around ten, or in the late afternoon, around four, for a sunset trip, so guests can choose a full day in the sun or an evening sail depending on their plans.
The Bourtzi boat runs longer. The short crossing to the island castle operates through much of the year, more often in season, so a boat trip to Bourtzi is possible even outside the summer cruise season, as the guide to the best time to visit Nafplio notes.
Who are Nafplio boat trips best for?
Nafplio boat trips suit everyone: the short Bourtzi boat is for all visitors, the gulf cruises are ideal for families and swimmers wanting a day at sea, and the sunset sailings are perfect for couples. Private charters suit groups, while small-group cruises suit solo travellers and couples.
The Bourtzi boat is for all. The quick crossing to the island castle is cheap, short and easy, so it suits every visitor, from families with children to those with little time, as a simple taste of the harbour and the fortress.
The cruises suit families and swimmers. The half-day and full-day gulf cruises, with their swimming stops and gear, are ideal for families and anyone who loves the sea, so they are the choice for a full day of swimming, snorkelling and sailing.
Charters and sunset sails suit groups and couples. Private charters suit families or groups who want a boat to themselves, while the small-group and sunset cruises suit couples and solo travellers, so there is a trip to match every kind of visitor.
What to bring on a Nafplio boat trip?
For a Nafplio boat trip bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a hat for the gulf cruises, and cash for the short Bourtzi boat. Sunscreen, water and a light cover-up matter on the exposed deck, while the cruises provide snorkelling gear, food and drinks.
Sun gear is essential. The deck of a cruise is exposed to the sun, so a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are important, along with a light cover-up for the breeze, to enjoy a day on the water in comfort.
Swimwear and a towel are needed. Because the cruises stop to swim and snorkel, swimwear and a towel are essential, while the gear for snorkelling and paddling is provided aboard, so guests need only bring what they wear in the water.
Cash suits the Bourtzi boat. The short crossing to Bourtzi is paid in cash at the quay, so carrying small notes is wise, as the little boats and the fortress ticket booth do not always take cards, as the guide to Bourtzi castle notes.
What can you see from the water at Nafplio?
From the water at Nafplio you see the whole town as it was meant to be seen: the fortress of Palamidi crowning the hill, the Acronafplia ridge, the marble old town along the waterfront, and the island castle of Bourtzi in the harbour, with the mountains of the Argolid rising beyond the gulf.
The fortresses stand out. From the sea the great fortress of Palamidi dominates the skyline on its rock, with the older Acronafplia on the ridge below, so a boat trip shows how the town was defended and gives the finest view of its castles, seen whole from the water.
The town lies along the shore. The marble old town, its waterfront and the harbour spread along the shore beneath the fortresses, so from a boat the whole shape of Nafplio is clear, a view that explains the town far better than any walk through its streets.
Bourtzi sits in the harbour. The little island castle of Bourtzi rises from the water in the middle of the harbour, and passing it by boat gives a close view impossible from land, so the sea reveals the fortress and its setting as the defining image of Nafplio.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a boat trip in Nafplio?
The cost of a Nafplio boat trip depends on the type. The short crossing to the island castle of Bourtzi is the cheapest, around 7 euros for the return trip, paid in cash at the quay, plus a separate entrance fee of a few euros to go inside the fortress. The half-day and full-day sailing and catamaran cruises of the Argolic Gulf cost considerably more, as they include a crewed boat, swimming stops, snorkelling gear, and food and drinks aboard, with full-day and private trips the most expensive, running into the hundreds for a private charter for a group. Small-group cruises are cheaper per person than private charters. So a visitor can take a quick, cheap boat to Bourtzi for a few euros, or book a half-day or full-day gulf cruise for a fuller day on the water at a higher price, with the exact cost depending on the length, the boat and whether the trip is private or shared.
Do you need to book a Nafplio boat trip in advance?
It depends on the trip. The short boat to Bourtzi does not need booking; you simply walk down to the waterfront and pay in cash on the spot, as the little boats run back and forth through the day. The half-day and full-day gulf cruises, by contrast, are best booked in advance, especially in the busy summer months and for the popular sunset sailings, as they carry limited numbers and fill up. Private charters in particular need booking ahead. Because the cruises run mainly from May to October and depart at set times, usually mid-morning or late afternoon, booking a place in advance secures your spot and the departure that suits you. For the Bourtzi crossing, no planning is needed beyond carrying cash, but for a gulf cruise it is wise to book ahead, particularly in high summer and at weekends when demand is highest.
Can you swim on a Nafplio boat trip?
Yes, swimming is the heart of the Argolic Gulf cruises from Nafplio. The half-day and full-day sailing and catamaran trips stop at secluded beaches and the islets of Romvi and Daskaleio, where the water is clear and calm for swimming and snorkelling, and the boats provide snorkelling masks, stand-up paddleboards and swimming aids, so guests need only bring swimwear and a towel. The crew choose the calmest, clearest coves on the day, so there is always good water for a swim. The short crossing to the island castle of Bourtzi, by contrast, is a quick transfer rather than a swimming trip, so for a day of swimming from the boat it is the gulf cruises, not the Bourtzi boat, that you want, ideally in the warm months from May to October when the sea is at its best.
What is the best boat trip from Nafplio?
The best boat trip from Nafplio depends on what you want. For a quick, essential experience, the short crossing to the island castle of Bourtzi is a must, giving a close view of the fortress and the town from the water for just a few euros. For a full day on the sea, a half-day or full-day sailing or catamaran cruise of the Argolic Gulf is the best choice, reaching secluded beaches and the islets of Romvi and Daskaleio for swimming and snorkelling, with food and drinks aboard. For romance, the sunset cruise is unbeatable, timing the sail for the finest light of the day over the town, Palamidi and the Bourtzi. Most visitors take the short Bourtzi boat as a matter of course, and add a gulf cruise or a sunset sail for a fuller experience of the sea, so the best trip is often a combination of the quick crossing and a longer cruise.