Kleftiko by catamaran from Adamas

What Kleftiko is

Kleftiko is a group of white and grey rocks at the south-western tip of Milos, with whimsical shapes, arches, caves and hollows that wind and sea have carved over centuries. The town council's tourism portal calls it the "Meteora of the sea". Its name comes from the pirates, who used it as a refuge and base for their raids. The water among the rocks is transparent and turquoise.

The official portal makes it clear: to reach it you have to go by boat or sailing boat. That is why the catamaran excursion from Adamas is the usual way to see it.

Milos Attraction's excursions

Milos Attraction is one of the Adamas companies that run the catamaran route. Its offer has three group departures:

• Morning cruise: from 9:00 to 15:15, to Kleftiko, from €130 per person.
• Afternoon cruise with sunset: from 15:30 until after sunset, to Kleftiko, €140.
• Full day: from 9:00 to 19:00, to Kleftiko and the uninhabited island of Polyaigos, €180.

They also have private versions, with the catamaran for your group, from €2,280. During the journey the boat skirts the south coast and anchors among the rocks so you can swim and go through the arches; the captain decides the stops according to the sea that day. The website does not detail what food or drink is included or the child fare: ask when you book.

Which to choose

The morning one is the quietest for families: you set out early, swim with the sun high, when the water in the caves has the most colour, and return in mid-afternoon. The afternoon one swaps swimming for light: you reach Kleftiko with the low sun and return watching the sunset on the sea. The full-day one adds Polyaigos, an uninhabited island with very clear coves, and is for those who want to spend the whole day at sea.

Season and wind

Departures are seasonal, in the good-weather months: check the dates on the company's website. With a south wind the sea on the south coast gets rough, and the captain may change the route or the order of the stops; with the meltemi, the summer north wind, the south coast is usually sheltered. If the forecast is bad, ask the company what options it gives for changing day.

Meeting point and booking

The catamarans leave from the port of Adamas, where the Milos Attraction office is, and the company sends the exact meeting point when you book. You book on its website, by phone (+30 697 724 2089) or by WhatsApp from 8:00 to 15:00. In July and August book several days ahead.

If you sleep in Adamas, hotels such as Santa Maria Village or Portiani are a few minutes' walk from the port. The Adamas port page has what you need to reach the island.

What to bring

Swimwear, towel, sun cream, hat and sunglasses. A diving mask if you have one, to see the seabed among the rocks. Something warm for the return if you go on the afternoon cruise: it gets cool at sea with the sunset. If you get seasick, take something before setting out.

To see the coast paddling instead of by boat, the sea kayak tours the island's coast according to the day's wind.