A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise is one boat trip from Athens that stops at three Saronic Gulf islands and brings you back the same evening. For other Greece tours, visit our homepage first.
This page walks through the Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise in order: the morning port, lunch on board, the free time ashore on each island and the ride home to Athens.
Which Athens port and hotel pickups serve a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise?
A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise leaves from Marina Kallithea or Marina Falirou, both a short distance from Piraeus port. Sellers also list hotel pickup in Athens, and you can add it when you book.
One seller says the Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise departs from Marina Kallithea or Marina Falirou (Trokantero). Another seller runs its transfer service to and from Marina Kallithea. Without a pickup, one seller sets the meeting point at Marina Kallithea at 07:30, with departure at 07:45.
Hotel pickup is optional. A coach takes you to the port, and a return transfer brings you back to Athens. One operator says the coach makes a short sightseeing drive through Athens while it collects other guests. Hotels along the coast, such as Voula, Vouliagmeni, Vari and Faliro, use a separate coastal pickup option.
The pickup time is not fixed on the booking page. For a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise with hotel pickup, one seller asks you to contact its local office. Do this at least 24 hours before the trip. Use the landline number on your voucher to confirm the exact time and place.
Ticket type changes the transfer. One seller says a VIP ticket includes the hotel transfer and fast-lane boarding, while a standard ticket does not. Another seller says its VIP class covers a round trip from over 70 hotels in Athens and meeting points.
What does the timetable of the day look like, from boarding to return?
A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise sails between 07:45 and 08:10 and gets back to Athens between 19:15 and 19:30. Listings put the whole day at 10 to 12 hours, so plan for a full day.
The timetable of a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise differs a little from seller to seller. Here are the earliest and latest times from the three sellers that publish a full timetable.
- Meeting at the marina or start of the day: 07:30, from two sellers.
- Departure from Athens: 07:45 to 08:10.
- Hydra: arrive 11:00 to 11:15, leave 12:40 to 12:50.
- Poros: arrive 13:45 to 14:00, leave 14:30 to 14:50.
- Aegina: arrive 15:50 to 16:10, leave 17:50 to 18:00.
- Back in Athens: 19:15 to 19:30.
Those three sellers visit Hydra first, then Poros, then Aegina. Another seller lists the islands as Poros, Hydra, Aegina, or as Aegina, Poros, Hydra. Ask which order your Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise follows before you book.
The first leg is the longest. One seller puts the sail to Hydra at about 3 hours, depending on the sea. Another seller puts the sail on to Poros at 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Check the departure time on your own voucher. One seller lists 08:00 in its timetable but says in its text that the ship leaves at about 08:15. Treat each time on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise as an approximate time.
Times can shift. One seller says the schedule can change with weather conditions. Another names weather, port authority rules and unforeseen circumstances. A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise ends where it began, and one seller returns guests to the same spot. A booked hotel drop-off follows the return.
How much time does a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise give you ashore on Hydra?
A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise gives you about 1.5 to 2 hours ashore on Hydra, depending on the operator. Read the stop length on your own ticket, because the figure changes from one cruise line to the next.
One cruise line lists about 1.5 hours at leisure on Hydra. A second line’s schedule puts 90 minutes between arrival at Hydra and departure. A third line promises about 2 hours to explore the streets. On these three, a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise gives Hydra 90 to 120 minutes.
The first line visits the islands in one of two orders. It says the order does not change the length of stay on any island. On that line, a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise keeps the same Hydra time either way.
The third line offers ideas for a 2-hour stay. Walk the narrow streets of shops, cafes, churches and old mansions. Visit the Historical Archives Museum or the Lazaros Koundouriotis mansion. Climb the hills above the port for views.
That line puts the Kamini neighbourhood 15 minutes on foot from the port. A walk there and back takes 30 minutes of your Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise stop. The first line adds a free audio tour, so you explore on your own schedule.
One line sells a Hydra walking tour of about 45 minutes on its Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. It starts at the Merchant Marine Academy and the statue of Miaoulis. You buy it on board, because the ticket does not include it. The walk includes the possibility of a donkey ride.
Why does Hydra have no cars, and how do donkeys carry the loads?
A local law bans motor vehicles on Hydra, so donkeys, mules and small horses carry the loads. On a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, you explore the island on foot, starting from the harbour.
The ban covers cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and e-bikes. The law makes exceptions for fire trucks, refuse trucks and ambulances. The inhabited area is compact, so people walk everywhere. Visitors on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise do the same.
Hydra was a bustling maritime hub in the 18th and 19th centuries. Motor transport then reached the rest of Greece in the 20th century. On Hydra, the narrow, steep streets and rocky ground made cars impractical. Steep stone streets lead up and outward from the harbour.
Donkeys and mules became part of the island’s identity. They carried goods, building materials and even people. A local horse-trekking owner says the animals carry everything from building materials and furniture to luggage and shopping. At Hydra Port, visitors meet small horses weaving through the cobblestone streets.
One visitor writes that animals carry tourists’ luggage to and from the port. A travel writer lists luggage, groceries, supplies and washing machines carried up the winding cobblestone steps. The writer calls the donkey teams the island’s Yellow Cabs. The first visitor adds that mules and donkeys are known for their surefootedness, and horses less so.
Horses, mules, donkeys and water taxis provide the public transport. On the walking tour of one Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, a donkey ride is possible. Otherwise your own feet carry you through the harbour town.
What can you do in the short stop on Poros?
The Poros stop on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise lasts about 50 minutes. That is enough for the town on its hill. Walk up to the clock tower, visit the Archaeological Museum, or stroll and browse the shops.
Poros is the smallest of the three islands, and a narrow strait separates it from the Peloponnese. Its town is built like an amphitheatre on a hill, with neoclassical buildings on the slopes.
The clock tower, built in nineteen twenty-seven, is the main landmark of the town. One operator says the tower is the first thing you see as a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise comes in. Another page says it gives views from the highest point of town.
On Korizis Square you find the Archaeological Museum of Poros. It holds finds from the Sanctuary of Poseidon, ancient Troizen and other nearby sites. One operator also lists the Chapel of Panagitsa, a small white and blue chapel at the end of Askeli Beach.
Operators name outings further afield: Troizen, the Russian Dockyard and the Lemon Forest. The Lemon Forest is a favourite excursion from Galatas, the mainland town across the strait. One page puts the Sanctuary of Poseidon 5 km from Poros town. The Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise stop is short, so pick one place before you land.
Which optional excursion on Aegina can a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise add?
A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise can add a paid excursion on Aegina. Operators sell three kinds. One is a temple and monastery tour, one is a panoramic drive, and one is a speedboat swim. The standard ticket does not include them.
On a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, one operator’s Classical Tour reaches the Temple of Aphaia. It is a Doric temple from about 500 BC, on a wooded hilltop about 160 metres above sea level. Aphaia was a goddess worshipped only here. On a clear day the Acropolis of Athens is visible from the site.
The same tour visits the Saint Nektarios Monastery. The church has two tall bell towers, and the monastery is a convent. One operator says this tour lasts about 50 minutes. At one operator the temple entrance ticket is not part of the extra tour and is bought on site.
On a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, the panoramic tour drives across the island and skips the archaeological site. One operator names Paleochora, the medieval capital, and the monastery as sights. It gives the length as about 1 hour 15 minutes. A second operator adds photo stops at the Middle Ages chapels on the Paleochora hill.
On a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, the swimming tour sends a speedboat to Agistri or Moni. The weather decides which one. Moni is a 7-minute ride from the port and Agistri is 12 minutes away. The beaches have lounge chairs and umbrellas. The tour lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Two operators sell these tours on board. You can skip them and walk around Aegina town, or sit in a coffee shop on the waterfront. Two operators list a two-hour stay on Aegina for the Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. The tours above last between 50 and 90 minutes.
What do you eat on board and during the Aegina stop?
A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise serves a buffet lunch on board, with Greek and Mediterranean dishes, salads and desserts. In Aegina, you can eat at waterfront tavernas and cafes, or try the island’s pistachio sweets.
On a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, two tour pages place lunch on the sail from Poros to Aegina. One says the chef serves it right after the boat leaves Poros. The other promises a tasty lunch on board. A booking site says every stop offers authentic Greek cuisine, such as street food and pita pies.
Drinks are a separate matter. One tour’s standard ticket covers the lunch buffet, but refreshments and coffee cost extra. Another tour lists drinks and beverages as not included. A third operator has fully equipped bars, including a sun deck bar, and indoor and outdoor lounges.
Tell the crew about food needs early on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. One operator caters for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets and asks for notice, ideally at booking. Another says you can request a specific meal by telling the ship’s staff at least two days before the cruise.
At the Aegina stop, the main town and nearby villages have cafes, bars and dining places. They serve authentic Greek cuisine by the shore. That booking site suggests a pistachio sweet in a cafe along the port on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. It also names pasteli, made from pistachios and honey from Aegina.
Which music and dance shows run on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise?
A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise offers a Greek folklore show with traditional music and dancing. It plays as the boat sails back to port. Other operators add a live orchestra, bouzouki music and a Greek dance lesson.
One tour page says singers and dancers in costumes from all over Greece perform the show on the return journey. A second operator’s folk dance show, with Apostolis and his dancers, plays as the ship enters Piraeus harbour at sunset. A third tour page has passengers sit down for the show on the sail back.
Music starts earlier on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. One operator’s live orchestra plays an international repertoire in the main lounge as passengers board. Another plays music through the whole cruise. It adds live music on the way back to Athens, to end the day on a high note.
Guests can join in. One operator invites passengers to dance, to take a Greek dance lesson and to listen to music with a cocktail. After the Aegina stop, its live orchestra plays bouzouki music and its professional dancers teach Greek dances. One booking site adds that passengers socialise on the open decks while the boat sails the Argosaronic Gulf.
Entertainment differs between tours, so read the inclusions before you book a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. One tour lists a Greek dance show and music as included, while drinks and beverages are not. One booking site lists live music and traditional Greek dance performances among the options.
What is the difference between the standard Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise and the premium or private versions?
The standard Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise is a shared big-ship tour with open decks, lounges and a lunch buffet. The VIP ticket adds a separate lounge and a Hydra walking tour. The small-group choice is a private speedboat for up to six guests.
A standard Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise ticket gives you the open decks, lounges and bars. You can also visit the onboard boutique. Only the VIP lounge is closed to you. Port taxes are included. Optional island tours and breakfast cost extra.
On a VIP Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise ticket, the buffet is served in an area apart from standard-class passengers. Water, filter coffee and soft drinks are free. The ticket also brings a boutique discount and a Hydra walking tour. One operator adds a visit to the ship’s bridge to meet the captain.
The top tier is the VIP Executive Cabin Suite, sold only on the Cosmos. The operator says it matches the comfort of a five-star hotel. The VIP area also has Wi-Fi. Groups of 10 or more can ask one operator for a quote. Its form lists semi-private and private charter choices.
The small-group version of a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise is a private RIB speedboat, a rigid inflatable boat. The listing recommends up to six guests, though the boat licence allows eight. It visits Hydra and Poros, with Aegina as an optional stop. The listed extras are paddle boards, snorkelling gear, wine, refreshments, towels and ice.
How big are the cruise ships, and what decks and seats do they have?
Two of the largest day cruise ships in Greece sail the Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, says the operator. Cosmos is a 70 metre yacht. Platytera ton Ouranon is a three-deck catamaran with room for 800 people, says one tour seller.
A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise on Cosmos puts you on a yacht 10 metres wide. The operator lists five lounges, six bars and wide sun decks. Visitor accounts disagree on capacity: one counts more than 600 passengers, a tour seller more than 800. The VIP area holds 120 people.
The other ship, Platytera ton Ouranon, is 53 metres long and 15 metres wide, says one tour seller. That seller counts 450 indoor seats and 350 outdoor seats. The operator describes a sea-level dining area and salons with Wi-Fi and a boutique corner. The sun deck has an all-day bar. Passengers find something to do on all three levels.
For the Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, the operator lists Platytera ton Ouranon from November to March. Cosmos, one of the fastest ships in its class, runs from March to October. A seller of another cruise says its ship has inside and outside seating, bars and a dance floor.
Smaller boats also run a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. A travel writer on the Kassandra Delfinous reports a maximum of 344 people. That November sailing carried about 50 people, crew included, so seats were easy to find.
Does a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise suit children, older travellers and anyone prone to seasickness?
A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise welcomes families, and one operator calls it family-friendly for all ages. Wheelchair access depends on the boat, infant age limits differ by operator, and the NHS gives simple steps against seasickness.
One operator’s entertainment team pays special attention to children on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. Its dancers, magician, animator and hostesses keep them amused throughout the cruise. The ships have no playroom, but the operator says there is plenty of space for children to play.
Infant rules differ. One operator takes babies from 3 months old, and another from 6 months. Neither supplies infant food or milk, and neither offers babysitting, so parents bring their own equipment. One operator says children stay with a parent or guardian at all times. They cannot stay on board if that adult goes ashore.
One operator welcomes wheelchair users on its Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. It says access depends on the boat and places are limited. A second operator lets guests with disabilities travel only with an escort. One tour listing marks the cruise as not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.
For older travellers, the medical set-up on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise is simple. There is no doctor on board. The crew know first aid, and the ship docks at the nearest port if someone needs more care.
Seasickness has simple fixes on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise. Health advice from the NHS is to take a seat near the middle of the boat and get fresh air. It also says to look at a fixed point, such as the horizon, and not at rolling waves. The ships have open decks, so fresh air is easy to find.
The NHS also says to skip heavy meals, spicy food and alcohol shortly before or during travel. A pharmacy sells tablets, including dissolvable ones for children, and patches for adults and children over 10. A pharmacist can recommend the right one.
Which months does the cruise sail, and what does the weather change?
One agent lists the Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise as available all year round. Weather can change the island order and the route on the day, and bad weather can cancel a sailing.
The weather on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise changes with the month. On Hydra, the average daily high stays above 20 °C from April to November. It peaks at 32.9 °C in July and falls to 14.8 °C in January. July is almost dry, with 1.0 mm of rain on average, while December gets 62.7 mm.
The meltemi is the dry summer wind from the north over the Aegean, from late spring to mid-September. It is at its strongest in the afternoon. It can reach force 7 to 8 on the Beaufort scale and can rise on a sunny day with no warning.
A Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise can change on the day. One operator says the order of the three islands can change with traffic and weather. Another says the crew will adjust the route in rough seas. A third does not guarantee a visit to every advertised port.
If weather cancels a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, one agent offers another date or a full refund. A second operator says it will tell you about changes or cancellations. It then offers rescheduling or a refund under its policy.
Which items go in your bag, and where do you reserve a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise?
For a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, bring photo ID, your voucher, a hat, sunglasses, sun cream and comfortable shoes. Book online with the full details of every passenger. Four booking pages allow a full refund up to 24 hours before the start.
Operators name the same basics for the open decks. Take a hat, sunglasses and sun cream. One operator adds a swimsuit and towel, and says to wear the swimsuit only on the sun deck. For walking around the islands, another seller suggests sports shoes or low heels.
- Photo ID or passport, plus the voucher from your booking email.
- A sweater or jacket, because one operator warns of humidity or breezes in the evening.
- Modest clothes for churches and monasteries, with covered shoulders and no shorts.
- Prescription medicine, since island pharmacies are not certain to stock it, and a spare pair of glasses.
Booking a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise takes more detail than a normal ticket. Port rules ask for the full name, gender, date of birth, nationality and passport or ID number of every passenger. One operator says all names go to the port authority, and you can email a missing name after booking.
Confirmation arrives at the time of booking. One operator emails a voucher that works as your ticket. Its page says to show a printed voucher or the lead traveler’s photo ID, so carry both. Another operator takes rescheduling requests until 24 hours before the cruise.
Groups of 10 or more can ask for a quote. For a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, one operator then adds priority boarding, seat allocation and a group coordinator. One page also lets you reserve now and pay later.
Which questions do people ask before a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise?
Does my phone work on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise?
One operator says mobile coverage is available throughout the cruise, but the signal varies with your provider and your location. It offers free Wi-Fi that can drop at sea or near mountains. Another puts free Wi-Fi on the second deck. Bring a charger, because one operator has charging stations on board.
What is not allowed on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise?
One operator bans personal alcohol and food, pets and gambling. Certified assistant dogs can travel on request. Smoking is banned indoors, with set smoking zones. Another seller says smoking is allowed only in an open-deck area. Each operator sets its own rules, so read them first.
Which languages are spoken on board?
Listings differ. One lists a live tour in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Another names crew who speak English, Spanish, Italian, French, German and Japanese. A third lists Russian, Italian, Spanish, French, Greek and English. Check your language before you book a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise.
Can I store bags and valuables on a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise?
One operator offers safes through the ship’s purser. Another seller allows one piece of baggage per passenger. The first operator limits luggage to personal items reasonably carried on a trip like this.
Can I pay by card, and are tips expected?
One operator accepts all major credit cards on its cruises and says tips are the guest’s choice. Its photographers take pictures during the whole cruise. You collect the pictures at the end of a Hydra Poros Aegina day cruise, for an additional charge.