This site's pickGuides
Language
EnglishCurrency
US dollar · $Your currency applies on GetYourGuide too.
Guide · The island day
Skiathos boat trips to Skopelos and on to Alonissos
Two neighboring islands, two harbor towns and a swim on the way home. Skiathos boat trips to Skopelos that carry on to Alonissos fill a whole day, and the timing of every leg is on the listing.
Check availabilityfrom $72 · cancel for free
Editorial team, skiathosboattrip.comUpdated October 20, 2026about 7 min to read31 sources
In brief
- 01The route
- 80 minutes to Skopelos, 40 minutes to Alonissos, 20 minutes to the swim.
- 02Time ashore
- 1.5 hours on each island, plus 1 hour of swimming.
- 03The boat
- Agios Nikolaos from Skiathos Old Port, sailing at 09:15.
- 04Not included
- Food and drinks; there is time for lunch on Alonissos.
- 05Price
- From $72, rated 4.79 from 701 reviews.
Two islands east of Skiathos
Look east from Skiathos harbor and the next island you see is Skopelos, the largest of the Northern Sporades, set between Skiathos and Alonissos.1 Alonissos lies beyond it, quieter and smaller, with its own port at Patitiri and an old village on the hill.2 Skiathos boat trips to Skopelos that continue to Alonissos let you see both in a single day, with the sea crossing as part of the show rather than a chore.
The two islands feel different from Skiathos and from each other. Visit Greece calls Skopelos the greenest island in the Aegean, with 80% of its land under forest.3 Alonissos is the heart of the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and the Northern Sporades, the first marine park in Greece.4 One day gives you a harbor town with churches, a hilltop village with a castle and a long swim in clear water.
You can make this journey on the scheduled ferries and plan each stop yourself, but a day boat solves the timing for you. It waits while you explore, takes you along coast that the ferries do not follow and brings you back the same evening. The rest of this page walks through that day leg by leg, using what the listing itself states.
The route
Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and back
-
09:00
Old port
Meet at the Agios Nikolaos; it sails at 09:15.
-
80 minutes
Skopelos
1.5 hours in the island town.
-
40 minutes
Alonissos
1.5 hours at Patitiri, time for lunch.
-
20 minutes
Swim stop
1 hour in the water on Skopelos.
-
Around 19:00
Skiathos Port
Back after photo stops along the coast.
The day, leg by leg
The meeting point is Skiathos Old Port at 09:00, and the boat, the Agios Nikolaos, sails at 09:15. The first leg to Skopelos takes 80 minutes, and the boat gives you 1.5 hours in town. From there it is 40 minutes to the second island, where you get another 1.5 hours ashore.
The itinerary does not print the name of the second stop, but the listing's own text places it at Patitiri, the port of Alonissos, and names the old town of Alonissos as the place to explore, with time for lunch. On the crossing it names the Blue Caves of Alonissos and part of the Marine Park as sights from the deck.
The last leg is the swim. After 20 minutes at sea you get 1 hour in the water. The itinerary names Kastani Beach for this stop, while the listing's text names Milia Beach, so ask the crew which one is planned for your day. On the way back the boat follows the west coast of Skopelos, with photo stops at Agios Ioannis Chapel and Amarantos Rocks, and returns to Skiathos Port around 19:00.
Time at sea
How long each leg of the island day takes
min
Stop by stop
What each stop of the day offers
| Stop | Time there | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Skopelos town | 1.5 hours | Harbor town in Pelion style |
| Patitiri, Alonissos | 1.5 hours | Port and capital, path to the Hora |
| Kastani or Milia | 1 hour | Swim on the west coast of Skopelos |
| Agios Ioannis | Photo stop | Chapel on a rock, from the sea |
| Amarantos Rocks | Photo stop | Seen on the way back |
Times from the listing; descriptions of the places from Visit Greece.52678
Three ways to reach Skopelos
Island day, twin listing or beach cruise
This site's pick
Rated 4.97
More beach timeDecision helper
Is the island day your kind of day?
Match the trip to what you want
Yes, the island day
Skopelos and Alonissos, 1.5 hours each.
The beach cruise instead
Kastani for 1 hour, Panormos for 2 hours.
Not on this boat
Food and drinks are excluded.
Take the hydrofoil
Scheduled boats stop at Skopelos and Alonnisos.9
The NST listing
Rated 4.97 from 90 reviews.
Skopelos is the largest island of the Northern Sporades, situated between Skiathos and Alonissos. It is a verdant island where pine forests extend to the sea.
What to do with 1.5 hours on Skopelos
The boat lands you in Skopelos town, and that is where the hour and a half goes. Visit Greece describes a town in the traditional Pelion style.5 Climb a few lanes up from the waterfront and the noise of the quay falls away quickly. Choose one direction and wander, then turn back to the boat in good time.
The island has a long story. Its ancient name was Peparethos, after a son of Dionysus and Ariadne who, in the myth, was the first to live there.10 Film crews later shot scenes of Mamma Mia! on Skopelos, which made it known around the world.11 The chapel of Ai Giannis in Kastri, on its steep rock, is on the far side of the island from town, so on this day you see it from the sea.12
For a snack, Visit Greece names the Skopelos cheese pie among the island's traditional flavors.12 A bakery stop and a walk along the waterfront fit easily into the time. Keep the boat in view on the map on your phone, note the departure time the group leader gives you, and you will not need to rush the last stretch back to the quay.
Map
From Skiathos harbor to Skopelos, Alonissos and Lalaria
The day boat's route east to Skopelos and Alonissos, then Skiathos itself with the north-coast beaches and the islets off the harbor.
1Skiathos town2Glossa3Agios Ioannis4Kastani and Milia5Skopelos town6Patitiri
1Skiathos town7Lalaria8Kastro9Tsougria10Arkos11Koukounaries12Agia Eleni13Aselinos
- 1Skiathos town and Bourtzi
Bourtzi, a small green peninsula, splits the harbor into the old port and the new port; the boat to Skopelos and Alonissos leaves from the old port.13
In Google Maps ↗ - 2Glossa
A stop of the Aegean Flying Dolphins hydrofoils between Skiathos and Skopelos town.9
In Google Maps ↗ - 3Agios Ioannis in Kastri
A chapel on top of a rock above the sea, one of the Mamma Mia! filming locations.7
In Google Maps ↗ - 4Kastani and Milia
Kastani is the sandy Mamma Mia! beach; Milia looks across to the islet of Dasia.78
In Google Maps ↗ - 5Skopelos town
The largest island of the Northern Sporades, with a town in the old Pelion style.15
In Google Maps ↗ - 6Patitiri
The port and capital of Alonissos, below the old village and its castle.2
In Google Maps ↗ - 7Lalaria
Reached only by sea and only in dead calm, with white cobbles and the Trypia Petra arch.1415
In Google Maps ↗ - 8Kastro
The medieval town on the northern tip, 11 km from the modern town.16
In Google Maps ↗ - 9Tsougria
An islet with pines and two small lakes, less than 2 nautical miles from the port.17
In Google Maps ↗ - 10Arkos
One of the small islands the municipality names for a sailing day from Skiathos.18
In Google Maps ↗ - 11Koukounaries
The pine-backed beach on the south-west point, with boats for rent and a sunset viewpoint.19
In Google Maps ↗ - 12Agia Eleni
A west-coast beach known for its sunsets.20
In Google Maps ↗ - 13Aselinos
A north-coast beach reached by dirt road or by boat; a north wind brings big waves.21
In Google Maps ↗
Checklist
For a day on two islands
01
Before you go
- Full names and nationality for everyone
- Be at the old port by 09:00
- Money for lunch and drinks
02
In your bag
- Swimwear and a small towel
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes for the lanes
Cost calculator
The island day for your group
Choose a boat and the number of travelers.
People
Total from$143
each from $72
Check availabilityfree cancellationEach total multiplies the lowest per-person fare a boat lists on GetYourGuide by your group size, converted at the European Central Bank rate; checkout shows the final sum.
Video
Skiathos Boat trip to alonissos part 1
Nothing from YouTube loads on this page until you press play.
Patitiri and the old village of Alonissos
Alonissos has a quieter feel than its neighbors. Patitiri is its harbor and capital, and a short uphill path leads to the Hora, the old capital, where a medieval castle looks out over open sea.26 With 1.5 hours ashore, you can choose between a long lunch by the water and the walk up to the old village.
Lunch is not part of the fare, since the listing excludes food and drinks. Tavernas sit along the harbor, so eat early if you want time for the climb as well. For anyone curious about the sea floor, Visit Greece describes a virtual dive of the Peristera wreck at the Visitor Information Centre in Patitiri.22
That wreck explains a lot about this sea. It was a merchant ship of the 5th century BC, about 30 metres long, which went down carrying more than 3,000 wine amphorae.23 Divers now visit it as the Peristera Underwater Museum, the first underwater museum in Greece, opened in 2020.24 You will not dive on this trip, but it is a good story to carry back to the boat.
Inside the Marine Park
The water between the islands is protected. The National Marine Park of Alonnisos and the Northern Sporades covers more than 2,200 sq. km and dates from 1992.4 The Municipality of Skiathos notes that Alonissos and east Skopelos both fall within it.25 Your boat passes through part of the park on the way to Alonissos, as the listing describes.
Visit Greece lists sea caves, dolphins, seabirds, loggerhead turtles and the Mediterranean monk seal among the park's wildlife.26 None of these is promised on a day boat, and you should treat a sighting as luck. The monk seal in particular is one of the rarest mammals in the Mediterranean, and the shores of Alonissos are one of its refuges.27
The park has rules that every visitor shares. Fires, free camping and spearfishing are not allowed anywhere inside it, and entering its strictest zone needs a special permit from the management body.2829 The outer islets, such as Kyra-Panagia, are reached only on licensed excursions from Alonnisos itself, so they are a separate trip.30 Piperi is closed to visitors altogether.31
The swim on the way home
The final stop is the one most people talk about on the ride back. The listing gives 1 hour of swimming, at Kastani Beach in its itinerary or Milia Beach in its text. Both lie on the west coast of Skopelos. Kastani has sand and turquoise water and appears in Mamma Mia!, while Milia looks across to the islet of Dasia.78
Pack the swim kit in the top of your bag so you are ready when the boat stops. The listing's own list of things to bring includes swimwear, sunscreen, a hat and flip-flops, and a small towel makes the ride home far more pleasant. Keep money and phone in a dry pouch if you swim ashore from the boat.
Wind matters here too, since a sheltered bay can turn choppy in the afternoon. Because the itinerary and the text name different beaches, the listing does not settle which one you will get, so go ready for either and enjoy whichever it is.
Booking the island day
Two listings sell a day on the Agios Nikolaos. This site's choice is rated 4.79 from 701 reviews; the second, sold by NST Santorini Tours, is rated 4.97 from 90 reviews, and both start from $72. On both you can cancel free until a day before and hold seats now with payment later.
The port authorities ask for the full names and nationality of everyone on board, so have them ready when you book. The listing notes that the trip does not suit wheelchair users and that pets are not allowed. Pickup is offered as an option on the main listing; on the second, the pickup point and time arrive by email and may be near rather than at your hotel.
If you would rather explore at your own pace, boat trips from Skiathos to Alonissos are not the only way across: scheduled hydrofoils also stop at Skopelos and Alonnisos, with times in the ferry guide on this site.9 For a single day with both islands and a swim, though, the day boat is the simpler plan.
Book your seats
Skopelos, Alonissos and a swim in one day
Pick a date, reserve now and pay later, and cancel free up to 24 hours before.
You ask,we answer.
How long is the crossing to Skopelos?
80 minutes. The itinerary gives 80 minutes for the first leg.
How much time do you get on each island?
1.5 hours. The same on Skopelos and on Alonissos.
Where is the swim stop?
On Skopelos. The itinerary names Kastani Beach; the listing text names Milia Beach.
Is lunch included?
No. Food and drinks are excluded; there is time for lunch on Alonissos.
When do you get back?
Around 19:00. The boat returns to Skiathos Port at about that time.
Do I need my passport details?
Names and nationality. The port authorities request them for every participant.
Will I see monk seals?
Do not count on it. The seal shelters on these shores but is one of the rarest mammals in the Mediterranean.27
Sources
Sources and evidence
- 1Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Skopelos↩
- 2Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Sporades Islands↩
- 3Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)The Beaches of Skopelos↩
- 4Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)The islands of the National Marine Park of Alonnisos - Northern Sporades↩
- 5Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Sporades Islands↩
- 6Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Alonnisos↩
- 7Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)The Beaches of Skopelos↩
- 8Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)The Beaches of Skopelos↩
- 9Aegean Flying DolphinsSporades timetable 01.06.2026 - 31.10.2026↩
- 10Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Skopelos↩
- 11Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Skopelos↩
- 12Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Sporades Islands↩
- 13Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Bourtzi of Skiathos↩
- 14Municipality of SkiathosLalaria↩
- 15Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Beaches of Skiathos↩
- 16Municipality of SkiathosKastro↩
- 17Municipality of SkiathosTsougkrias↩
- 18Municipality of SkiathosSailing↩
- 19Municipality of SkiathosKoukounaries↩
- 20Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Beaches of Skiathos↩
- 21Municipality of SkiathosAselinos↩
- 22Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Alonnisos Underwater Museum↩
- 23Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Alonnisos Underwater Museum↩
- 24Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Alonnisos Underwater Museum↩
- 25Municipality of SkiathosSailing↩
- 26Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)The islands of the National Marine Park of Alonnisos - Northern Sporades↩
- 27Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)Alonnisos↩
- 28Management Body of the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern SporadesZones of action↩
- 29Management Body of the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern SporadesZones of action↩
- 30Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)The islands of the National Marine Park of Alonnisos - Northern Sporades↩
- 31Greek National Tourism Organisation (Visit Greece)The islands of the National Marine Park of Alonnisos - Northern Sporades↩
Keep reading
