From Ag Anna: Rina’s Cave and Ano and Kato Koufonisi Cruise

Rina’s Cave is the star here: a sea-only stop where you can swim into the cave, jump from the 25-meter boat, and reach a small pebble beach with a freshwater spring. I like the generous homemade lunch and the long three-hour break on Ano Koufonisi, where you can choose between the village, nearby beaches, and a low-cost sea taxi. I also like that water, snorkel gear, sunbeds, and basic drinks are included.

The catch is the amount of time spent getting there and back. This is a slow, full-day boat outing, and strong wind can change the route. There is no onboard guide giving historical commentary, so book it for swimming, scenery, food, and easygoing island time, not for a narrated sightseeing tour.

Key points to know before you book

• Rina’s Cave is reached only by sea: Swim inside, visit the nearby pebble beach, or jump from the boat into the clear water.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Expect souvlaki, pasta, potatoes, rice with vegetables, salad, bread, fruit, and vegetarian choices.
• Ano Koufonisi gets about three hours: Use it for the village, Ammos Beach, other nearby beaches, shopping, or a sea taxi ride.
• The boat is Mikros Kosmos II: It is a 25-meter sailing boat with sunbeds, loungers, shade, snorkel equipment, and life jackets.
• Arrive early for the best sunbed: The front beds are limited and can be claimed quickly.
• Plan for a long day at sea: The scheduled departure is 9:45 a.m., with return around 7 p.m., but wind can affect both timing and stops.

A full day from Agia Anna to Rina’s Cave

The day begins at the taxi piazza in Agia Anna, where a dock leads you to Mikros Kosmos II. The advertised sailing time is 9:45 a.m., and free transfers are available from certain meeting points if arranged in advance. Confirm your pickup place carefully. One passenger reported a mix-up over the agreed location, so do not rely on a map pin alone.

Once aboard, you sail along Naxos’s west coast. The crossing to Rina’s Cave takes about an hour and a half, so this is not a quick coastal cruise. I would treat the outward journey as part of the day: find a comfortable place, put on sunscreen early, and enjoy the view rather than expecting constant activity.

The boat has sunbeds and loungers, but the most desirable front positions are limited. Several people found that arriving early helped them secure a better place, especially if they wanted the open views at the bow. Shade is available, though not in great supply, so bring a hat and be ready to move between sun and shade.

This is a sailing boat, but the trip should not be confused with a fast ferry transfer. The slow pace gives you time on the water, but it also means the return journey can feel long. Wind may make the ride home even slower, and some departures have included an additional swim stop on the way back.

Rina’s Cave: swimming, jumping, and a freshwater spring

After roughly 90 minutes, the boat reaches Rina’s Cave on the southern coast of Naxos. The cave is approachable only from the water, which gives this stop its special appeal. You can swim toward the cave, use the provided snorkel gear, or simply float beside the boat.

If you are confident in the water, you can jump from the boat into the sea. That is one of the memorable parts of the trip, but it is not compulsory. You can use the sea-pool noodles, stay close to the boat, or enjoy the scenery from deck level. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and this is not the place to test your confidence for the first time.

The scheduled stop lasts about an hour and a half. That is enough for a swim and a look at the cave, though some people would prefer more time here. The boat may also stop near a small pebble beach with a distinctive freshwater spring. Pack sturdy beach footwear if you want to step ashore, since pebbles are less forgiving than sand.

The water is the main attraction. It is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling, and the cliffs around the cave make the stop feel remote. You will not find a developed beach facility here, so bring your own towel, sunscreen, and any personal items you need before leaving the boat.

A homemade Naxian lunch served onboard

While you swim, the crew prepares lunch on the boat. The meal is more substantial than the word snack would suggest. The usual spread includes Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, rice with vegetables, spetzofai, fresh bread, fruit, and pork or chicken souvlaki.

The food is prepared with local Naxian products, and the large portions are useful after a morning in the water. You may want to eat a light breakfast rather than arriving full. The meal is served onboard, so you do not lose sightseeing time searching for a restaurant.

Vegetarian choices include Greek salad, potatoes, and rice with vegetables. If you have food allergies, tell the operator before the trip so the crew can explain the available choices. The menu is generous and home-style, though you should not expect a formal restaurant meal or a specialized menu for every dietary need.

Water is provided, and soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, and orange juice are included during lunch. Wine is also served, with additional drinks such as beer, cocktails, snacks, and some soft drinks available for purchase. The included wine received mixed practical comments, so bring modest expectations rather than treating it as a wine tasting.

The family-run feel is part of the appeal. The crew handles the food, drinks, boarding, and equipment with a friendly, informal approach. English communication can be limited at times, and you should not expect a detailed introduction or formal safety talk. That matters if you prefer a highly structured excursion.

Kato Koufonisi depends on the wind

After Rina’s Cave, the planned route may continue to Kato Koufonisi, an uninhabited island. Weather and wind decide whether the boat can stop there. When conditions allow, the island provides another quiet stretch of clear water and open scenery.

Kato Koufonisi is not a sightseeing stop packed with shops or services. Its value is the setting and the swimming. If you want a developed village, cafés, or shopping, save your energy for Ano Koufonisi.

When weather prevents the Kato stop, the crew may adjust the schedule. One reported change gave more time at Kato but less to do there, while other departures missed a planned stop because of conditions. This is normal for a boat trip in the Cyclades, but it is worth understanding before you book: the exact order and number of stops can change.

Three hours to choose your own Koufonisi

The main island stop is Ano Koufonisi, with about three hours of free time. This is a useful amount of time because you do not have to choose just one activity. You can walk the cobbled lanes, browse small shops, eat or drink at your own expense, and swim at a nearby beach.

Ammos Beach is within reach and has been a favorite stop for swimming. The water is strikingly clear, and the beach gives you a simple way to enjoy the island without spending the whole break in the village. If you would rather see more coastline, a low-cost sea taxi can take you to other beaches.

I like the freedom here. There is no forced group walk and no tight chain of appointments. You decide if your three hours are for a slow village stroll, a beach swim, or a little of both.

The tradeoff is that you are responsible for your own timing. Keep an eye on the agreed departure time, especially if you take a sea taxi. A late return could delay the whole boat, and there is no guide escorting you around the island.

Ano Koufonisi is also the stop where the trip feels least like a standard cruise. You are given time to experience the island at your own speed rather than being rushed through a short photo stop. For many people, this is the best balance in the schedule: enough time to get wet, walk around, and sit down without constantly checking the clock.

The return to Agia Anna

The boat is scheduled to leave Ano Koufonisi at about 5:15 p.m. and reach Agia Anna around 7 p.m. The return may include another swim stop, depending on the day and conditions, but you should be prepared for a long sail.

This is where the comfort of your seat matters. If you claimed a front sunbed early, you may have a fine place to rest, but those beds can remain occupied even while their owners are ashore. Other seating areas are available, though some people found them less comfortable for a long ride.

The crew may serve watermelon and a homemade sweet during the return, as well as the drinks available onboard. Bring a book, a simple game, or headphones if you like quiet downtime. The trip is social and scenic, but there is no ongoing program to keep you entertained.

Sea conditions deserve attention. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and the long crossing can be tiring in rougher water. If you know you are sensitive, this is a poor choice for an easy day. If you are comfortable on boats, the slow return becomes a pleasant chance to rest after swimming and walking.

What the price includes at $94

At $94 per person, this is strong value if you use the full package. You are paying for an 8.5-hour boat day, two island-area stops, swimming access, onboard food, water, selected drinks, sunbeds, snorkel equipment, and the chance to spend several hours on Ano Koufonisi.

The lunch helps the value calculation. A meal with meat, several side dishes, salad, bread, fruit, and drinks would add noticeably to the cost of an independent day out. You also avoid arranging separate transport to Rina’s Cave and Koufonisi.

It is less compelling if you mainly want a fast transfer to Ano Koufonisi. The boat takes time, and a large portion of the day is spent sailing. You also pay for a relaxed, self-guided format rather than historical interpretation or a small private boat.

The rating is 4.2 from 504 reviews, which fits the experience well. The most consistently praised parts are the friendly crew, the generous food, the beautiful swimming water, and the value for a full day. The recurring cautions are the long sailing time, limited front sunbeds, weak commentary, and changes caused by wind.

Who will enjoy this boat trip?

I would choose this cruise if you want a full day outdoors with a good mix of swimming, sun, food, and free time. It works especially well for confident swimmers, couples, families with older children, and anyone who likes a social boat atmosphere without a fixed guided walk.

It is also a good pick if you want to see Koufonisi without arranging ferries and separate beach transport. The three-hour island stop gives you more freedom than a quick organized visit.

I would hesitate if you need wheelchair access, dislike long rides, are prone to seasickness, or want a detailed account of the islands. The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users or unaccompanied minors, and high-heeled shoes are not allowed.

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and personal medication. Shoes that work on a pebble beach are useful. Arrive early if a good sunbed matters to you, but do not assume arriving early guarantees one.

Should you book Mikros Kosmos II?

Book this tour if you see the day as a floating beach outing with a very good lunch. Rina’s Cave, the clear water, and the freedom to explore Ano Koufonisi give the trip real variety, while the $94 price covers much of what you need.

Skip it if you want a fast, polished sightseeing cruise with constant commentary and guaranteed stops. Wind can alter the plan, English communication may be limited, and the return is long.

For the right person, this is one of the better-value ways to turn a Naxos day into a sea adventure. Go early, pack for sun and motion, tell the crew about food allergies, and treat the schedule as weather-dependent.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is the taxi piazza at Agia Anna. There is a dock there, and you should look for the sailing boat Mikros Kosmos II.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Departure is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. and return is expected at about 7 p.m. The full activity lasts about 8.5 hours, though wind can affect the timing.

How long is the stop at Rina’s Cave?

The planned stop at Rina’s Cave lasts about 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, jump from the boat if confident, and walk to the nearby pebble beach when conditions allow.

Is Rina’s Cave reachable by land?

No. Rina’s Cave is approachable only by sea, which is why the boat provides access to the cave and the nearby beach.

What food is served onboard?

The meal includes Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, rice with vegetables, fresh bread, fruit, and pork or chicken souvlaki. Vegetarian options include salad, potatoes, and rice with vegetables.

Are drinks included?

Water is included. Coca-Cola, Sprite, orange juice, and wine are provided during lunch. Beer, cocktails, snacks, and some other drinks can be bought onboard.

How much free time is available on Ano Koufonisi?

The planned stop is about three hours. You can walk through the village, shop, swim at nearby beaches, or use a low-cost sea taxi to visit other beaches.

Is Kato Koufonisi always included?

The Kato Koufonisi stop is weather permitting. Wind and sea conditions can change the route or the amount of time spent at each stop.

Is snorkel equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, life jackets, sunbeds, loungers, and sea-pool noodles are available for guests on the boat.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.