In June we spent an amazing week sea kayaking out on the Greek island of Milos, one of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea. Our trip was with Sea Kayak Milos which is run by Rod Feldtmann and his wife Petrinela. Rod runs the kayaking part and Petrinela handles the food and accommodation. You can get all of the details from their web site. We had six days kayaking around the island in different locations depending on the wind and sea conditions.
The syrmata at Klima
On our first day we had a walk around some of the local villages at the north end of Milos. There are a lot of historical sites to visit and typical Milos boathouse communities called ‘syrmata’. We also discovered some tasty calamari for lunch.
First day paddling on the south coast
The wind was blowing strongly from the north for the first few days that we were on Milos so Rod took us down to the sheltered south coast of the island for our first day out.
Trying out a double kayak
The north wind was blowing strong again on the second day so we were all put into more stable double kayaks for a one-way trip southwards down the east coast from Pollonia.
The kayak sail in action
At one point we lashed 5 kayaks together and put up a sail made from a tent flysheet. This gave us a good speed boost with the trailing wind. Gabrielle got the hard job of being one of the masts for the sail.
Lunch stop
Each day we would stop for a morning break and again for a longer lunch break, usually at a deserted beach where we could swim, snorkel, sunbathe or get in a little more practice for kayaking techniques. Rod has bits of wood stored away on various beaches and brings them out to make a lunch table for serving up the sandwiches and snacks.
Arch at Kleftico
Our third day’s paddling was down at the south west corner of the island to Kleftico. We almost didn’t make it to Kleftico as the wind was blowing really strongly around one of the headlands leading to two kayaks capsizing. We stopped for out morning break at that point and luckily the wind eased a lot and we were able to continue around the coast.
Cave at Kleftico
Kleftico is popular with tour boats and was one of the busiest places that we visited but in the sea kayaks we were able to explore inside many of the smaller arches and caves.
The team after the Kleftico trip
Here’s the team and the kayak trailer after a long day’s paddling
Setting off for the Akradia Islands
Our fourth day’s trip was along the north coast then across to the Akradia islands. This is our starting point on the beach at Plathiena.
The lunch-time kayak stack
We stopped for lunch at a tiny, rocky cove on one of the Akradia Islands. There is just room to stack up the kayaks and a handy cave where Rod set up the lunch. We had a walk up to the top of the island where there is an old church and a disused lighthouse. This was also a good spot for snorkelling.
Paddling round the Akradia islands
Here we are heading across the gap between the Akradia Islands. There were some quite big waves due to the wind blowing between the islands.
Post-paddling refreshments
We soon developed the habit of sampling a cooling bottle of Mythos beer when we arrived back at Petrinela’s cafe after each day’s paddling.
Interesting exit from a cave at Sarakiniko
Our fifth day kayaking was along the north coast and took us to some very interesting caves and arches in the volcanic formations along the coast. Here’s Gabrielle timing her exit to coincide with a wave of water exiting from one of the narrower caves.
Gabrielle and some columnar basalt
We visited the Glaronisia Islands just off the north coast to see the rock formations. Just like Staffa on the west coast of Scotland!
John and some more columnar basalt
Arch at Kimolos
Our last day was a trip from Pollonia to the island of Kimolos just to the north of Milos. There were some good rock formations to navigate on the way along the coast including this arch.
Fun in the waves at Kimolos
We found a place where the waves were crashing in across some rocks creating an exciting little run through the gap between the rocks and the mainland. Gabrielle seemed to catch it when the waves were at their highest.
Rod and donkey at Kimolos
Rod preparing lunch at ‘donkey beach’. The donkey has been there for around 10 years now and seems to enjoy the visits from passing kayakers.
Sunset from Plaka
Plaka is the capital of Milos and is up on a hill at the north end of the island. It has a very atmospheric bar called ‘Utopia’ that overlooks the bay and gives great views of the sunset.
