The Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise is a one-day boat trip from Athens. It has free time on Agistri, a swim at Metopi and a stop on Aegina. Find more trip ideas on Greece Tours.
Below we follow the day stop by stop, compare the operators’ versions and cover boats, lunch, season and booking.
What is the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
The Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise is a one-day boat trip from Athens that calls at three Saronic islands. Operators sell it as a 9-hour or 10-hour day. It has a swim stop, a buffet lunch on board and free time ashore.
Each island plays a different part. Agistri is a pine-covered island with a village port. Metopi is an uninhabited islet where the boat stops for the swim. Aegina is the last stop, with an old town, shops and cafés.
GetYourGuide sells the day under different names. The Official version lasts 9 hours. The luxury version with meals and drinks lasts 10 hours. Both start in Athens, and more day trips from the capital sit on our Athens tours page.
This guide follows the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise stop by stop, with one planning question in each section.
In what order does the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise visit the islands?
The Official cruise sails to Agistri first, stops at Metopi for the swim, and docks at Aegina last. Lunch is served while the ship sails from Metopi to Aegina. Yacht versions swim at Moni or Metopi, serve lunch after the swim and reach Aegina last.
Agistri comes first on every Kallithea, Zeas and Flisvos departure we read about. The swim stop of the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise follows it.
Metopi and Moni are uninhabited, so the boat drops anchor offshore. On the Official cruise the swim sits between the two islands with people living on them.
Aegina closes the island part of the day. After it, the ship turns back toward Athens. Travellers who prefer a ferry to a cruise can read our Agistri day trip from Athens notes instead.
Where does the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise start?
The start is a marina on the Athens coast, and the marina depends on the operator. The Official cruise boards at Marina Delta Kallithea. Yacht versions board at Marina Zeas in Piraeus. Greca lists Flisvos Marina, next to the Averof Museum.
The Official operator names its ship Platytera. Keytours lists the same ship and the same Marina Kallithea start. The Official cruise ends at the marina where it began.
Pickup is an option on the GetYourGuide listings for the Official cruise and the luxury cruise. Both mark pickup as available. The operator says pickup begins at 8:45 for a 9:30 departure.
Without pickup, guests of the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise travel to the marina themselves. The Zeas yacht listing names the boat Angelique at Marina Zeas as the meeting point.
What time does the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise leave and return?
The Official cruise leaves Marina Delta Kallithea at 9:30 and docks there again at 18:30. Zeas yacht listings give a meeting time of 8:45 or 9:00 and an end near 18:45. Greca lists a 9:45 start and an 18:40 return.
The operator adds one warning for the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise. Departure and return times can shift slightly with port traffic, weather or other factors outside its control.
Sellers also round the length differently. The operator site says 9 hours. Athens Walking Tours says 10 hours for the same Kallithea marina and 9:30 departure. GetYourGuide lists 9 hours for the Official cruise and 10 hours for the luxury cruise.
Athens Walking Tours sets the Kallithea boarding window between 8:45 and 9:25.
How does the Official Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise run minute by minute?
The Official operator’s schedule runs from 9:30 to 18:30. It lists 1 hour 45 minutes of sailing, then 2 hours at Agistri. Swim preparation takes 20 minutes, and Metopi takes 40. Lunch comes under way, then 2 hours at Aegina and 1 hour 45 minutes back.
- 9:30: departure from Marina Delta Kallithea, then 1 hour 45 minutes of sailing
- Agistri: 2 hours of free time ashore
- 20 minutes of swim preparation, then 40 minutes at the Metopi swim stop
- Lunch: served as the ship sails on to Aegina
- Aegina: 2 hours ashore
- Return sail of 1 hour 45 minutes, docking at 18:30
The first leg is the longest block of the day. The operator says guests settle on the sun beds with a drink while Athens fades behind the ship.
Yacht operators give shorter island stops on the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise. The Tour Guy lists 90 minutes of free time at Agistri and 90 minutes at Aegina. Cruise in Athens lists one hour of free time at Agistri.
Greca splits its day differently. It lists 2 hours at Agistri, a 20-minute dive at Metopi and 2 hours at Perdika, from a 9:45 start.
What is the shore and swim stop at Agistri like?
Agistri is the first land stop, and the Official cruise gives 2 hours of free time there. The operator lists swimming, local shops, cafés and coastline walks. Greca says snorkelers and beginners find marine life just below the surface.
The operator calls the stop a seaside port village with golden beaches and clear water. Guests choose between a swim, a walk along the coast and a stop at a café. The Official ticket for the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise treats this stop as free time.
Headout describes sandy shores backed by pines and small alleys with coffee houses. It also lists the local markets at Agistri and Aegina among the inclusions.
PlayTravel lists cycling around Agistri as an option. The Key Tours listing at Discover Greece names a bike tour as an optional extra with its own cost.
What is the swim stop at Metopi like on the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
At Metopi the ship stops in open water beside an uninhabited islet. Guests dive or slide off the ship, rinse under outdoor showers or lie on the loungers. The Official schedule gives this stop 40 minutes, after 20 minutes of swim preparation.
The operator describes a water slide from the upper deck into the sea. A dive platform lets guests jump in whenever the ship is moored. Swim noodles and inflatable sea toys are on board.
Not everyone dives. The operator tells guests who skip the swim to head straight to the buffet. GetYourGuide’s listing for the Official cruise highlights the onboard waterslide.
Greca lists a shorter 20-minute dive at Metopi. It describes a white sandy beach, shallow turquoise water and sea turtles as frequent visitors.
What happens ashore at Aegina on the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
On the Official cruise the ship docks at Aegina’s main port for 2 hours. Guests join a free 1-hour guided walk through the neoclassical streets or explore alone. Greca’s version lands at Perdika instead and also gives 2 hours.
The operator says the walk covers streets from the 19th century, when Aegina was the first capital of independent Greece. The operator lists the walk on its own site as a web exclusive.
Wikipedia names pistachio as the characteristic crop of Aegina today. The operator tells guests to pick up pistachios in the old town and to rest at a portside café.
Entrance fees cost extra. Athens Walking Tours lists archaeological site fees, such as the Temple of Aphaia, among the items not included. The island sights themselves are in our Aegina day trip from Athens guide.
PlayTravel suggests a short taxi ride to the Monastery of Agios Nektarios or to a beach. Key Tours describes a horse-drawn carriage ride in Aegina town.
Which boats carry the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise, and what is the group size?
Three boat types carry the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise. Listings show a three-deck ship, a wooden sailing yacht and a wooden motor-sailing boat. The Official ship has 1,400 square metres of open space. One yacht listing caps the group at 40 guests, and The Tour Guy caps it at 50.
The Official operator calls Platytera a certified three-deck ship with private VIP areas. It says the wide design keeps the ride stable, even for first-time cruisers. Keytours lists an outdoor deck with sun loungers and beanbags.
Cruise in Athens sails the yachts Angelique and Martika from Marina Zeas with a crew of 5. PlayTravel’s four-island version runs on Calypso or Omega, depending on the date, operational needs and sea conditions.
The listings we read for the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise do not name a catamaran. Private boats and sailing-yacht formats sit in our Agistri boat trip guide.
What lunch and drinks come with the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
The Official cruise serves a Mediterranean buffet prepared on board by a chef. Water, soft drinks, filter coffee and house wine are included. Cocktails, spirits and premium drinks are sold at the bar.
House wine goes to guests aged 18 and over. The operator serves lunch as the ship leaves Metopi for Aegina, so the meal happens at sea.
Yacht versions of the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise list drinks differently. Key Tours lists unlimited local wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch. A welcome round of coffee, juices, water and pastries comes first.
The Tour Guy describes a buffet of salads, pasta, seasonal desserts and Greek wines. Each listing names its own drinks policy, so read the drinks line before you pick a version.
PlayTravel lists vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and lactose-free options. The Official operator asks guests to report allergies and dietary needs when they book.
Which swimming and snorkelling gear is on board the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
Gear depends on the listing. Cruise in Athens and The Tour Guy include snorkelling equipment, and Headout adds life jackets and flotation aids. The Official operator lists water noodles and sea toys, and lists goggles, flippers or snorkelling gear as items to bring.
Athens Walking Tours lists towels and snorkel equipment as optional to bring yourself. Key Tours lists water noodles with its yacht cruise.
The Official operator tells families to bring their own life jackets for children and infants. Outdoor showers and restrooms are on every deck of the Official ship.
How do the operators’ versions of the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise differ?
The Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise differs in marina, ship, entertainment and ticket tier. The Official cruise has a three-deck ship, a live DJ and a slide from Kallithea. The luxury versions sail on yachts from Zeas with a crew of 5 and a buffet with wine and beer.
- Kallithea, Official: three-deck ship, live DJ, slide and dive platform, 9 hours
- Zeas, yachts: wooden sailing yacht or motor-sailing boat, snorkelling gear, 10 hours
- Flisvos, Greca: 9:45 start with Perdika as the Aegina stop
- Four-island version: adds a swim at Salamina
The Official operator also sells a VIP ticket. It adds a private sun deck, a private lounge with Wi-Fi and fast-lane boarding. It also adds beer, a cocktail and Greek meze.
The Aegina stop differs too. The operator names Aegina’s main port. Keytours lists the same Kallithea start but names Perdika in its description.
Music differs as well. The Official and Keytours versions list a live DJ. The Tour Guy describes chill music and a friendly atmosphere on its boat.
What changes on the Moni and four-island versions of the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
Moni versions swim at Moni or Metopi and still visit Agistri and Aegina. The GetYourGuide three-island Moni listing notes roaming peacocks and deer on Moni. The four-island version adds a 20-minute swim stop at Salamina.
Titles such as “Agistri, Moni or Metopi & Aegina” name two possible swim stops. The Tour Guy says the itinerary can change for the safety and comfort of passengers and crew. Greca offers Moni as an optional boat excursion from Perdika.
PlayTravel’s four-island day lists 1 hour 30 minutes at Agistri and about 1.5 hours at Aegina. It anchors near Salamina for a swim in calm water. Wikipedia says the Battle of Salamis, fought in 480 BC, was a major naval battle of the Greco-Persian wars.
The four-island day is a longer variant of the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise. The wider gulf, from Aegina to Hydra, is in our Saronic islands tours guide.
Who suits the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
The Official operator says the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise suits couples, families, friends and solo travellers. On its GetYourGuide listing, children aged 5 to 11 book as children. Infants of 4 and younger join free but must be added to the booking.
Age bands change by listing. The luxury listing sets adults at 11 and over and children at 6 to 10. One day-cruise listing sets adults at 18 and over, youths at 14 to 17 and children at 6 to 13.
Key Tours defines children as under 10. The Tour Guy says infants sit on laps because no child seats are available.
PlayTravel and Cruise in Athens list the day as suitable for all physical fitness levels. The Official operator lists the ship as stroller accessible and not wheelchair accessible, and allows guide dogs only.
The operator invites solo travellers too. It says they meet other guests over lunch.
Which months and sea conditions suit the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
Athens Walking Tours lists the Kallithea cruise as running from June to September. Greca lists daily departures from August to October. The captain decides on weather for safety, and the operator helps reschedule cancelled cruises.
The Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise sails the Saronic Gulf, which Wikipedia also calls the Gulf of Aegina. It says the Attic mainland partly shelters the gulf from the summer Meltemi wind.
GetYourGuide’s listing for the Aegina, Agistri and Metopi day cruise offers an alternative date or a refund in bad weather. The Tour Guy reschedules the tour or refunds guests if weather cancels it.
The Official operator says it informs guests as early as possible if the cruise cannot run.
How do you book and cancel the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
Book the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise with the operator or GetYourGuide. Add passport or ID details for every traveller. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. GetYourGuide cut-offs run from 30 minutes to 10 hours before the start.
Port regulations require each traveller’s full name, gender, date of birth, nationality and passport or ID number. The operator says it deletes the data after the activity.
The listings checked here set these booking cut-offs:
- Official cruise: 1 hour before the start
- Metopi day cruise: 9 hours
- Luxury cruise with meals and drinks: 10 hours
- Four-island cruise: 30 minutes
Cruise in Athens asks guests to reach the boat 30 minutes before departure. It says it cannot wait for delayed passengers and gives no refund for a delay or a no-show. Greca asks for 48 hours for a full refund.
What do travellers ask about the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise?
Can you pay later?
The Official operator lists a book-now, pay-later option for the Agistri Metopi Aegina swimming cruise. Headout says you can book without paying anything and cancel for free if plans change.
What do you bring?
The Official operator lists swimwear, sunscreen, a hat or cap, sunglasses, a towel and sandals or flip-flops. Extra clothing and an action camera are optional.
Is there a dress code?
The Tour Guy lists no dress code and recommends casual, comfortable clothing for a day at sea.
Is Wi-Fi available on board?
Key Tours, The Tour Guy and Cruise in Athens list Wi-Fi on board. The VIP lounge of the Official ship lists separate Wi-Fi.
Can you bring a pet?
No. The Official operator and Headout allow guide dogs and registered service animals only.
Which languages does the crew speak?
PlayTravel lists a live guide in Greek and English and a multilingual crew of 5.