A Naoussa bay cruise takes you out of the fishing harbour on the north coast of Paros for a relaxed half day of snacks, snorkelling and swims in clear water. Add other tours in Greece to the rest of your island plan.
This page covers what the cruise includes, how the day runs from the harbour to the last swim, the beaches and coves from Kolymbithres to Monastiri, the story of Naoussa harbour and its Venetian castle, the boats, timings and sunset options, who enjoys the trip, what to bring and the questions travellers ask.
What does a Naoussa bay cruise with snacks and snorkelling include?
A Naoussa bay cruise with snacks and snorkelling provides masks and snorkelling equipment for everyone. Drinks and finger food are served on board. On the Aegean Vibes pontoon, the operator says the gear suits all experience levels, and VAT and fuel are included.
Every Naoussa bay cruise sets its own list, so read the operator’s page before you book. The Aegean Vibes pontoon lists these items:
- Masks and snorkelling equipment for all guests
- Bottled water, soft drinks and local wines
- Fresh seasonal fruit and finger food
The page adds that the stable pontoon makes it easy to move around, relax, swim and snorkel in comfort.
Crystal Cruises runs a private Naoussa bay cruise on a premium RIB. Its page lists beverages, homemade snacks and fresh seasonal fruit. It also lists towels, comfortable sunbeds and a premium sound system. An experienced local skipper and fuel are included too.
Thalasenia sells its own Naoussa bay cruise with a skipper, snorkelling equipment, beach towels, refreshments, sunscreen, taxes and insurance. Anna Maria Cruises serves organic seasonal fruits and cheeses with Paros wines on its daytime cruise. It also provides water and soft drinks.
Read the exclusions as well. On a private Naoussa bay cruise, Aegean Vibes adds two SUP boards for the group. Private transport to and from the departure point is not included.
How does a Naoussa bay cruise run, from the harbour to the last swim?
A Naoussa bay cruise on the Aegean Vibes pontoon lasts four hours. It leaves Naoussa, makes three swim stops of about one hour each, then sails back. The stops are Langeri, Tourkou Ammos and the islet of Analipsi.
On this Naoussa bay cruise, guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes before departure. After the pontoon leaves the harbour, you sit back on plush seating. The coastline passes by on the way to the first swim stop.
The operator lists the three stops in this order:
- Langeri Beach, about one hour for a swim.
- Tourkou Ammos, about one hour for a swim and snorkel.
- Analipsi islet, about one hour for a swim and snorkel.
After the third stop, the pontoon sails back to Naoussa. This Naoussa bay cruise uses the same half-day route for the morning and afternoon cruises.
The captain has the final say. Aegean Vibes says the captain picks the route for safety, comfort and sea conditions. The stops can change. Its trips also do not operate in 5 Beaufort or more. Anna Maria Cruises says all its cruises are weather permitting.
Other operators run their own versions. Polos Tours describes a three-hour snorkelling cruise from Naoussa on a traditional boat. It names three designated spots. At each one, you can dive off the boat and swim close to the shore. You can also look at the seabed through a mask, or stay on board and sunbathe.
Crystal Cruises stops its private RIB at carefully selected swimming spots for snorkelling and sunbathing. Pantasoulas Cruises runs a five-hour semi-private trip from Naoussa port along the north coast of Paros. It visits four selected locations.
Anna Maria Cruises runs a three-hour daytime Naoussa bay cruise with three stops. Guests can dive or jump off the boat, swim to a nearby beach, snorkel, or relax on board.
Which beaches and coves does a Naoussa bay cruise reach, from Kolymbithres to Monastiri?
The beaches on a Naoussa bay cruise depend on the boat. The Thalasenia half-day lists Kolymbithres, Monastiri and Laggeri. The Aegean Vibes route swims at Laggeri, Tourkou Ammos and the islet of Analipsi.
Kolymbithres lies in the huge bay of Naoussa. Thalasenia lists it as a swim stop on its Naoussa bay cruise. Granite blocks border it. Its name means baptisteries, and small sandy coves sit one after another. The small ones hold two or three people, the larger ones dozens. Small fishing boats called caiques sail there from Naoussa port.
Monastiri lies a couple of kilometres past Kolymbithres, in a rocky bay ringed by huge hills. The beach takes its name from the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Detis, which you can see from the sand. The sea has an emerald colour and stays waist deep for about 100 metres. That suits a swim stop on a Naoussa bay cruise.
For a Naoussa bay cruise, Aegean Vibes and Polos Tours name the same three places.
- Laggeri is the one beach that the Thalasenia and Aegean Vibes Naoussa bay cruise routes share. Boat pages also spell it Langeri or Lageri. Anna Maria Cruises describes sand, a large bay, no road nearby and bushes for shade. Wikivoyage points to its lovely sand dunes and its peace and quiet. Nudist swimmers choose this beach too.
- Tourkou Ammos lies near the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Detis and close to the Paros Park Museum. Anna Maria Cruises says you reach it only by water and paths.
- Analipsi is a small green islet with the church of Agia Kali, which pilgrims visit every year. On the Aegean Vibes Naoussa bay cruise, guests snorkel along the edges of the islet.
What is the story of Naoussa harbour and its Venetian castle?
A Naoussa bay cruise starts in a harbour with Venetian roots. Venetians founded the village in the late 14th century and built a fortress early on to protect the young port. Travel sources date the castle to the 15th century, and only part of it survives today.
Today you see a half-submerged watchtower at the edge of the old port. A short path joins it to the land. Wikivoyage calls the half-sunken castle a remarkable sight. A second watchtower no longer exists. The towers had a large iron gate, which made trade easier. The castle was built during the Sommaripa dynasty.
The Venetians used the castle as a watchtower against pirate and enemy attacks, and as a front line in war. The spot suited watching the Aegean Sea. The design made it hard for enemy ships to reach the port, where trading ships moored. Opposite the fort, bars and fish taverns now stand where Venetian storehouses once stood.
The bay later served other powers. In the Russo-Turkish War, Naoussa Bay was the home base of the Russian Archipelago Squadron under Count Alexey Orlov. The village was a Russian naval base, called Auza in Russian, and the administrative centre of his military expedition. A Naoussa bay cruise today sails the same bay.
Naoussa sits in the northeast corner of Paros, where little colourful fishing boats called kaikia moor in the port. Anna Maria Cruises says it has the largest fishing fleet in the Cyclades. On the Thalasenia Naoussa bay cruise, you admire the village as the boat sails away. You see whitewashed houses, blue-domed chapels and a port full of tavernas.
Which boats, timings and sunset options run on Naoussa Bay?
A Naoussa bay cruise runs on a small pontoon, a private RIB or a traditional wooden boat. Day cruises leave in the morning or afternoon. Sunset cruises leave late in the day. Aegean Vibes sells all three slots.
The boats differ in size on a Naoussa bay cruise. Aegean Vibes uses a pontoon with plush seating for up to 12 guests, shared or private. Anna Maria Cruises sails a renovated vessel that is 13.5 metres long. It holds up to 50 passengers, but its page lists a current capacity of 30.
Pantasoulas Daily Cruises sails two traditional wooden boats known as trechandiri. Both were built on Spetses island by the shipbuilder Ntinos Korakis. Its cruise pages list room for up to 50 people. The semi-private day cruise takes 6 to 24 passengers.
Day timings on a Naoussa bay cruise vary by operator. Aegean Vibes runs from 09:30 to 13:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00. Anna Maria Cruises runs from 10:30 to 13:30 and from 14:30 to 17:30. The Pantasoulas semi-private cruise runs from 10:00 to 15:00. Crystal Cruises offers a morning departure.
Sunset options on a Naoussa bay cruise start with Aegean Vibes. Its sunset slot runs from 18:30 to 20:30, shared or private. Anna Maria Cruises sails a 2.5-hour sunset cruise from Naoussa Harbor, with stops in the bay. Crystal Cruises also offers a sunset departure.
Pantasoulas Daily Cruises offers a private sunset cruise at 18:30 or 16:30, ending at 20:30. Its page promises soft music and a peaceful swim and snorkel stop. A sunset dinner cruise leaves at 18:00 or 16:30. A private sunrise cruise runs from 06:00 to 08:00.
Pantasoulas Daily Cruises also sells a private sunset fishing cruise from 18:00 to 21:00. The crew casts traditional nets shortly after departure. A daily fishing cruise comes in private or semi-private form.
Who enjoys a Naoussa bay cruise, and what do you bring?
Families, couples and small groups all fit on a Naoussa bay cruise. Aegean Vibes says its stable pontoon, with an open layout, is great for kids and elderly guests. Aegean Vibes and Pantasoulas both provide snorkelling gear, so your own bag stays light.
Families on a Naoussa bay cruise find safety items listed. Pantasoulas Daily Cruises calls its boats child-friendly and lists life jackets for infants, children and adults. It also lists shaded seating for every guest. Its semi-private page offers gear to beginners and experienced snorkellers alike.
A Naoussa bay cruise also suits guests who prefer to stay dry. The Pantasoulas semi-private page offers non-adventurous guests comfortable pillows, sun and sea breeze. Swimmers can look for starfish, shells and octopuses below the surface.
Couples and groups have their own choices. Pantasoulas Daily Cruises names wedding proposals, anniversaries and honeymoons for its sunset cruise. Anna Maria Cruises lists wedding receptions, bachelor and bachelorette parties and family and friend gatherings among its events. Its private cruise takes two to thirty passengers.
Pack light for a Naoussa bay cruise. Pantasoulas Daily Cruises lists a mask, fins and floating noodles, plus a WC and a freshwater shower. Tell the crew about allergies or dietary needs in advance, because the menu can be customised. Bring a playlist too, as its sound system connects by Bluetooth.
Bring a camera or phone for the evening slot. On a sunset Naoussa bay cruise, Anna Maria Cruises invites guests to capture photos as the sun sets. Pantasoulas Daily Cruises sells its sunset as a time for photographs in golden light.
What else do travellers ask about a Naoussa bay cruise?
Which pet and season rules apply to a Naoussa bay cruise?
Aegean Vibes does not allow pets on its shared Naoussa bay cruise. It says private pet requests can be discussed. The same operator lists its season as late spring to 15 October.
Can a Naoussa bay cruise go beyond the bay?
Aegean Vibes sells its Naoussa bay cruise as a half-day trip. For a full-day plan or routes outside the bay, it points guests to its private cruises page. Those routes cover Antiparos, Despotiko and the Blue Lagoon. It also offers custom departure points, such as Parikia, Alyki and Antiparos.
Wikivoyage adds the Panteronisia to the nearby islands that boat trips and private cruises explore. Wikipedia says the channel between Paros and Antiparos is less than 2 kilometres wide at its narrowest. It adds that a car-carrying shuttle-ferry operates all day to and from Pounda, 5 kilometres south of Parikia.
Can you celebrate a special day on a Naoussa bay cruise?
Anna Maria Cruises lists wedding receptions, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and family and friend gatherings among its celebrations. Its private cruise leaves Naoussa Harbor with two to thirty passengers.
The page adds a three-course meal of fresh local seafood, such as Calamari Kritharoto, an orzo-style seafood dish. Custom menu options are available.
How do you reach Paros and Naoussa for your Naoussa bay cruise?
Wikivoyage says ferries and highspeed catamarans run daily to Paros from Piraeus, the Cyclades and Heraklion. It lists a daily air service from Athens with Olympic Air and AirSea Lines. From Mykonos, it mentions a one-hour boat ride to Paros.
Wikipedia puts Paros about 150 kilometres south-east of Piraeus. Wikivoyage places it in the middle of the Cyclades, near Naxos, Ios, Sifnos and Syros. Bus services run between the towns, and Naoussa is one of them.
Within the resorts, Wikivoyage recommends walking as the way to get around. Car hire is readily available in all towns. It warns about rental scams, especially at agencies that work only with motorbikes and ATVs.
What else can you do on Paros around your Naoussa bay cruise?
In Naoussa, Wikivoyage suggests sitting in one of the ouzeri to taste Gouna fish and octopus in vinegar. It calls the Aqua Park a fantastic place to take the kids. Boats to the park leave hourly from Naoussa and take approximately 15 minutes.
Elsewhere, Wikivoyage points to the church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani in Parikia, the Church of 100 Doors. It calls Dryos, with the Golden Beach and the New Golden Beach, a popular surfing destination. From Lefkes, it describes a walk along the old stones of the Byzantine Route down to Prodromos.
Naoussa itself sits 10 kilometres east of Parikia, the capital. On 23 August, nine days after the feast of the Assumption, the village holds a big festival. Its young people re-enact pirate raids, and fireworks go off while people dance. Eating and drinking go on until morning.
If your Naoussa bay cruise falls on that day, stay in the village for the evening. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin stands on the highest spot of the village. The Church of Agios Nikolaos houses a Byzantine Museum with 13th-century icons.