Best Boat Tours in Naxos (Half-Day + Full Day Trips)

No one should visit Naxos without expecting to spend at least one day on the water.

Even if you only have a few days on the island, taking a boat trip in Naxos is one of the top experiences that we’ve had in all of Greece, and as long as the water’s not too choppy when you’re there, it’s the one thing you should try to squeeze into your itinerary!

The challenge is that not all boat tours are created equal.

Some are crowded and rushed. Others have vague itineraries or skip the best swimming spots. And it’s easy to book something online, only to find out later that it wasn’t quite what you thought.

On the other hand, the Catamaran sailing cruise that we chose was unbelievable. It literally made our month!

We got to explore lagoons on BOTH Naxos and Paros, were served Dakos with homemade Moussaka for lunch, and the staff curated the most idyllic day on the water we could have asked for!

But we also understand that not everyone is looking for the same thing.

So, we’ve done the legwork for you. We spent months hanging out in Naxos and Paros, speaking directly with almost every tour company in the process.

These are the top boat tours in Naxos — from laid-back catamaran cruises, to fast-paced RIB adventures, to private yachts that let you chart your own course. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or on a family trip, there’s a tour here that fits.

Just Here for Our Top Picks?

If you’re short on time, here are our top picks for getting out on the water in Naxos. These are either tours we’ve taken ourselves or ones we’ve personally vetted through conversations with the operators.

🛥️ Best All-Around Experience — Santa Maria Catamaran Sailing Cruise: A scenic, relaxed catamaran day cruise with great swimming stops, onboard lunch, and plenty of space.

🌅 Best Sunset Tour — Sunset Private Cruise: A customizable afternoon or sunset sail, perfect for couples or small groups who want a quieter time on the water.

🚤 Best for Private Groups — Naxos Yachting All Day Catamaran Cruise: A full-service private catamaran for a luxurious boat trip in Naxos. A fully customizable itinerary that’s ideal for families and groups celebrating a special occasion.

🌊 Best Value Day Tour — Jason’s Daily Cruises: Koufonissia & Rina Cave: A well-priced group cruise that covers multiple islands, swim spots, and iconic caves.

🧭 Most Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure — Xanemo Sailing: Small Cyclades Cruise: Sail to places most travelers never see. A full-day experience with limited guests and serious island-hopping.

The Best Boat Tours in Naxos

You really have two options when it comes to boat tours in Naxos:

1. Take a long, full-day tour around the south coast of the island to Rina Cave & Koufonisia
2. Book a more relaxing tour that’s more about being on the water than the specific destination.

We chose the second option — mostly because it requires hours on the boat to get to/from Koufonisia, so we’d prefer to take the ferry there and actually spend a day or two.

Before you hit “Book,” here are a few of the most important things to be aware of.

1. Santa Maria Catamaran

Departure Port: Naxos Marina
Boat Type: Lagoon 450F Catamaran (45 feet)
Group Size: Shared (max 25 guests)
Meals Included: Yes — Greek lunch (we had Moussaka), snacks (Dakos), fruit, beer, wine, soft drinks
Book the tour here

If you want a laid-back day on the water that feels luxurious without being overly expensive, this is your tour.

The Santa Maria Sailing Cruise offers a whole 7-hour sailing experience along the sheltered southern coast of Naxos and Paros. We weren’t exactly sure what to expect when we got on board, but the day ended up being our favorite in Naxos!

The boat itself was super spacious, and with only 12 people on board, there was plenty of room to move around, lounge on the nets, relax in the shaded area, or hang out below deck.

The exact route is chosen on the day by the skipper, based on weather and wind conditions. However, all of the tours stop at several swimming/snorkeling spots.

On our tour, we started off sailing over to Paros and docking really close to Santa Maria Beach (I know… ironic right?) We were just on the opposite side of Filidi Island!

Then we sailed down the coast of Paros a bit until we were just off of Kalogeros Beach, which has THE most epic cliffs on all of Paros.

Finally, we sailed back across the channel between the islands and ended up at the lagoon by Agios Prokopios in Naxos. This is where we ate lunch and had the best snorkeling by far! There were loads of fish along the reef, and the water was so clear you could see the ocean floor over 10 meters below (30 feet!)

They provide snorkeling gear for you, and this final stop is also where we had lunch, which was provided and included homemade Moussaka, Greek Salad, fresh fruit, and drinks.

All in all, we LOVED our day with Santa Maria Catamaran. It’s definitely the best-value catamaran cruise you’ll find in Naxos.

If you want to take the same tour we took (pictured throughout), check their schedule and availability here!

2. Naxos Island Tours

Departure Port: Naxos Port or Agia Anna (varies by tour)
Boat Type: Traditional cruise boats and a 25-meter sailing boat
Group Size: Shared
Meals Included: Yes — lunch and drinks on select cruises

Naxos Island Tours offers some of the most affordable full-day boat trips on the island, with a mix of scenic coastlines, island stops, and generous BBQ lunches. These aren’t luxury yachts or catamarans, but they are an excellent option for families, groups, and travelers who want a day on the water without breaking the bank.

Each cruise departs from Agia Anna Port and includes drinks, snorkel gear, sunbeds, and floaties, making them excellent for families and relaxed travelers.

They’re not ideal for anyone prone to seasickness or looking for a high-end experience, but if you’re after a full day of swimming, scenery, and a solid meal, they deliver fantastic value.

Rina’s Cave and Koufonisi Cruise

One of the most popular options, this 8.5-hour cruise departs from Agia Anna and sails to Rina’s Cave for swimming and a sea cave BBQ.

After lunch, the boat heads to Koufonisi for three hours of free time. Explore the village, swim at nearby beaches, or catch a boat taxi to the uninhabited Kato Koufonisi.

This is by far the most popular tour offered by Naxos Island Tours, and all the reviews we’ve read rave about the food, the relaxed crew, and the rare opportunity to swim directly into a sea cave.

South Coast of Naxos with BBQ Lunch

This cruise (only available on Fridays and Sundays) hits Naxos’ quietest and least accessible beaches.

You won’t get to go all the way to Koufonisia, but that means more time at stops in Southern Naxos, like Agios Sozon chapel, the sea cave at Rina, and Panermos — a palm-shaded bay with shallow turquoise water perfect for snorkeling.

A hearty BBQ is served onboard at Spedo Beach, and the itinerary leans more towards local and low-key experiences than touristy ones.

Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ

For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, this tour explores the Small Cyclades with stops for swimming and snorkeling at Iraklia, Schinoussa, and a WWII airplane wreck near Alimia. There’s a relaxed lunch stop at Fidou beach, and two hours to stroll the quiet village of Agios Georgios. If you’re looking for quieter islands and fewer crowds, this one’s a standout.

3. Jason’s Daily Cruises

Departure Port: Agia Anna
Boat Type: Traditional wooden boat
Group Size: Large shared tour (up to 100 guests)
Meals Included: Yes — BBQ lunch, drinks, vegan options
Book the tour here

This is one of the best-known and most consistently praised day cruises from Naxos. The boat isn’t quite as comfortable as a catamaran, but if you really want to see Koufonisia and are staying in Agia Anna, Jason’s is a great company to go with.

Jason’s Daily Cruises offers full-day tours to Kato Koufonisi, Ano Koufonisi, and Rina Cave every day, complete with an easygoing, festive atmosphere and great food.

The day starts at 9:30 AM from Agia Anna. After sailing along Naxos’s east coast for a couple of hours, the first stop is Kato Koufonisi, a quiet island with postcard-perfect beaches.

Here, the crew fires up a Greek barbecue with souvlaki, fresh salads, fruit, and wine (vegan options available). There’s plenty of time for swimming, lounging, and relaxing on board.

From there, it’s on to Ano Koufonisi for 2.5 hours of free time. Travelers love how easy it is to explore this little island on foot, with colorful shops, beach bars, and the main beach just steps from the port. You can also grab a sea taxi to check out other beaches nearby.

Before returning to Naxos, there’s one last swim stop at Rina’s Cave, a natural sea cave on the south coast. Guests can jump in, snorkel, and even climb the surrounding rocks. It’s one of the most unique parts of the trip and a favorite with both kids and adults.

4. Naxos Yachting

Departure Port: Naxos Marina
Boat Type: Modern catamarans (fleet includes Danae, Rena, Anassa, and more)
Group Size: Private charter only
Meals Included: Yes — traditional lunch, drinks, and snacks
Book the tour here

For a totally private day on the water, Naxos Yachting offers one of the most luxurious experiences available.

This full-service catamaran charter includes a dedicated crew, a custom itinerary, and everything you need — from snorkel gear to wine and home-cooked Greek meals.

Tours typically last approximately 5 hours, but the exact route varies depending on your preferences and prevailing weather conditions.

Common stops include quiet coves along the south coast of Naxos and Paros. However, the shorter tour means that they rarely have time to go all the way to Paros or Koufonisia.

The boats are modern and well-maintained, featuring shaded seating, sunbathing nets, and full bathrooms on board. More than anything, we’ve heard incredible things about the crew’s attentiveness and personalized service. (which is similar to our experience with Santa Maria Catamarans)

It’s an especially great choice for families or groups celebrating a special occasion, since it’s totally private and the crew adapts to all ages and energy levels.

5. Xanemo Sailing

Departure Port: Naxos Marina
Boat Type: Classic sailing yacht
Group Size: Small group (adults only, 16+)
Meals Included: Yes — full lunch, snacks, and drinks
Book the tour here

We saw multiple Xanemo boats while out on the water in Naxos, and the unique thing about them is that it always felt like a really quiet and chill experience. The groups were typically small, often without children, and when we considered booking a tour with them, it seemed that the route changed based on the weather.

The tour departs at 8:30 AM and returns around 6:30 PM. You’ll make three main stops for swimming and snorkeling, but no two cruises are exactly the same.

Their goal is simply to find remote bays and ‘off-the-radar’ swim spots.

Food is served throughout the day, including snacks, a traditional Greek lunch, and a selection of drinks like wine, beer, juice, and coffee. Transportation to and from the marina is included.

This is a top pick for couples and solo travelers seeking a more peaceful and intimate atmosphere.

More Tips + What to Bring

Whether you’re hopping on a traditional caïque or a luxury catamaran, a little preparation goes a long way toward making your boat tour as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. Here are our best insider tips:

• Book early for high season (July–August): Many of the best cruises fill up weeks in advance, especially private and semi-private options.
• Ask about weather cancellations: Wind is a real factor in the Cyclades (The Meltami winds hit hard in the summer). Most operators will adjust itineraries or cancel with a refund if the seas are rough.
• Confirm what’s included: Some tours include towels, snorkeling gear, drinks, and transfers — others don’t. It pays to double-check.
• Don’t overpack the day before: If you’re doing a full-day cruise, plan to keep the rest of your evening free — sun, sea, and wine can take it out of you.

What to Bring

Most cruises provide all the necessary snorkeling gear, such as flippers, snorkels, and goggles — although this gear is not always in the best shape. I got really frustrated because my goggles kept fogging up, so next time I WILL be bringing my own pair.

They also provide meals on board, snacks, water, and other beverages. But you will want to bring:

• Swimsuit & Towel
• Sunscreen (reef-safe is better for the sea)
• Hat & Sunglasses
• Sandals or Flip-flops
• Motion-Sickness Pills – The sea can get really choppy at times. Our trip started really chill, but the final stretch back to the port had me feeling pretty seasick :/
• Light jacket or cover-up — If you’re getting into the water, it’s chilly. So, having a coat to throw on when you get out is a fantastic idea. It’s also necessary for sunset cruises.

There’s no need for a dry bag, and you only need enough cash to tip the crew! Otherwise, everything is included, or you can pay by card if visiting a beach/island with shops.

We absolutely loved our boat tour in Naxos and would honestly recommend Santa Maria Catamaran to anyone wanting to spend a day on the water while visiting the island.

The other cool part is that, since it was a catamaran, it didn’t feel like the same tour we took in Paros.

It was a completely different experience. The catamaran tour in Naxos was way more about the experience of being on the boat, while our boat trip in Paros was more about the actual locations we were sailing to.