Andros has one of the longest and most indented coastlines in the Cyclades, and most of its finest beaches, sea caves and coves are cut off from every road. Boat trips are the way to reach them. In summer a small fleet of RIBs, caiques and private cruisers runs from the west-coast harbours to the wild shore. The waters below the Tourlitis lighthouse and the neighbouring islands.
This guide sets out the boat trips you can take from Andros: the cruises to hidden coves and caves, what a typical trip includes. Where they depart, the day trips by sea to nearby islands, rough prices and the best time to sail. Read it beside the things to do in Andros guide when planning a day on the water.
What boat trips can you take in Andros?
Boat trips from Andros range from half-day RIB and caique cruises along the wild coast to remote coves, sea caves and the Tourlitis lighthouse, to full-day private charters and sea day trips to neighbouring islands such as Tinos and Mykonos.
The core of the offering is a coastal cruise. Fast RIBs and traditional wooden caiques run from the west coast to the beaches and sea caves that no road reaches. Stopping in sheltered bays for swimming and snorkelling in clear water. Shared trips take a small group; private charters let you set your own route and pace along the shore.
Beyond the coastal cruises, boats also make longer day trips across the water to the nearby Cyclades, and specialist operators run diving and snorkelling excursions. Whichever you choose, a boat trip opens up the emptiest, most pristine stretches of the island’s coast, which is why it ranks among the best things to do on Andros.
What does an Andros RIB cruise include?
A typical Andros RIB cruise lasts three to four hours, with a professional skipper, stops for swimming and snorkelling at secluded coves, and often snorkelling gear and water aboard. Shared and private options both run through the summer season.
The luxury RIB cruise is the signature Andros boat trip. Over three to four hours a skipper takes a small group along the rugged coast. Weaving past cliffs and caves and anchoring in hidden coves for swimming and snorkelling in turquoise water. The speed of the RIB covers a good stretch of shore, so you see far more coast than a slower boat allows.
Most cruises include the skipper, fuel, snorkelling equipment and drinking water, with certain operators laying on light refreshments; you bring a towel, swimwear and sun protection. Trips run in shared form, joining other guests, or as private hire for a family or group who want the boat to themselves and a route of their own choosing.
Which beaches and coves do the boat trips reach?
Boat trips reach the wild coves and sea caves of the northern and eastern coast that no road serves, along with the waters below the Tourlitis lighthouse at Chora, giving access to the clearest, most secluded swimming spots on Andros.
The reward of a boat trip is the coast you cannot drive to. Cruises anchor off remote sandy coves in the wild north and east, slip into echoing sea caves. Pass beneath dramatic cliffs. Stopping wherever the water is clearest for a swim well away from the crowds of the organised beaches.
Many trips also cruise the waters around Chora to see the Tourlitis lighthouse, the island’s emblem, rising straight from the sea below the Venetian castle, a view impossible from land. For the beaches you can reach by road as well as by sea, see the full Andros beaches guide.
Can you take a day trip by boat from Andros to other islands?
Yes. Private cruisers run sea day trips from Andros to the neighbouring Cyclades, most easily to Tinos and on to Mykonos and Syros, while a scheduled ferry also links Gavrio with Tinos and Mykonos for a simple island-hopping day.
Andros sits at the northern gateway of the Cyclades, so the neighbouring islands are within easy reach by sea. Private boats offer customised day trips south to Tinos, and on to Mykonos and Syros, cruising between the islands and stopping to swim along the way, a relaxed alternative to the scheduled ferry.
For a simpler day out, the regular ferry from the port of Gavrio reaches Tinos in around an hour and Mykonos not long after. Letting you spend a day on a neighbouring island and return by evening. Either way, the short sea distances make island-hopping an easy addition to a stay on Andros.
Where do boat trips depart from in Andros?
Most Andros boat trips leave from the west-coast harbours of Batsi and Gavrio, the port. Batsi, the island’s main resort, is the busiest departure point, with cruises and watersports based in and around its sheltered bay.
The sheltered west coast is the base for the island’s boat trips, and the resort of Batsi is the main hub. Its harbour is the departure point for most coastal cruises, and the watersports centre at nearby Kipri adds diving and other activities, so a boat trip folds naturally into a stay in the village, as the Batsi guide describes.
The port town of Gavrio, seven kilometres north, is the other departure point and the base for local operators and the ferries to the neighbouring islands. Both harbours sit on the calm, west-facing coast, which is sheltered from the summer meltemi wind and makes for an easier start to a day on the water.
What do Andros boat trips cost?
Shared coastal boat trips from Andros typically start from around forty euros per person for a half-day cruise, while private RIB charters run from around two hundred euros for a small group, depending on the boat, the duration and the.
Prices vary with the type of trip. Shared cruises and snorkelling excursions, where you join a small group, are the most affordable. Often starting from about forty euros a head for a half-day trip, which makes a boat outing accessible for most budgets on a day when the sea is calm.
Private charters cost more but give you the boat, the skipper and the route to yourselves. Usually priced from around two hundred euros for a half-day depending on the size and comfort of the vessel. Booking ahead in peak season is wise, as the small local fleet fills quickly in July and August.
When is the best time for a boat trip in Andros?
Late June to September is the season for boat trips in Andros, when operators run daily and the sea is warm for swimming.
The boat-trip season runs broadly from June to September, peaking in July and August when operators sail daily and the sea is at its warmest for swimming and snorkelling. Outside these months the choice of trips thins out, though private charters can often still be arranged in the shoulder weeks of late spring and early autumn.
The one thing to watch is the wind. The meltemi that blows across the Cyclades in high summer can whip up the open north and east coast and lead operators to cancel or reroute. A calmer day makes for a smoother, safer cruise. Booking a flexible trip and keeping an eye on the forecast is the way to get the best of the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are boat trips worth it in Andros?
Yes. Andros has a long, rugged coastline whose finest coves, sea caves and beaches are cut off from every road, and a boat trip is the only way to reach them. Cruises give you clear, secluded water for swimming and snorkelling. A view of the Tourlitis lighthouse from the sea. Access to the wild north and east coast that most visitors never see, making them one of the most rewarding things to do on the island.
Where do you book Andros boat trips?
Boat trips are booked with local operators based mainly in Batsi and Gavrio, either directly at the harbour, through your hotel, or online in advance. Shared cruises and private charters both run through the summer. Booking ahead is recommended in July and August, when the small local fleet fills quickly and calm-weather days are in high demand.
Do Andros boat trips run in bad weather?
Not always. The strong summer meltemi wind can make the open coast of Andros rough. Operators will cancel or reroute a trip when conditions are unsafe. Especially on fast RIB cruises along the exposed north and east. Trips run reliably on calm days, so it is worth keeping the plan flexible and checking the forecast, as most operators will rebook you for a better day.