Please sign in to post.

Modifying Cyclades Itinerary: Need to Avoid Rough Ferries

Posted by on

Hi everyone,

A few months ago, I planned my trip to Greece this September. Recently, I realized my original plan might not work for me, and I’d love a second pair of eyes before making significant (and expensive) changes to my itinerary.

Here’s what I originally planned:

  1. Fly from Boston to Athens (arrive Sept 8, 7:00 AM)
  2. Fly Athens to Milos (originally departing 10:15 AM; planning to change to the 11:50 AM flight, arriving 12:30 PM, for a safer connection)
  3. Ferry Milos to Sifnos (Sept 8)
  4. Stay in Sifnos until Sept 13
  5. Ferry Sifnos to Naxos (Sept 13)
  6. Stay in Naxos until Sept 18 Fly Naxos to Athens (Sept 18, departing 3:25 PM)

I suffer from pretty intense motion sickness. When I double-checked the ferry from Sifnos to Naxos, I realized it's the SeaJets Super Jet 2, a very small ferry with a 3-hour crossing that seems to be known for being rough. Motion sickness tends to knock me out for a full day. I have tried SeaBands, Dramamine, Bonine, and Scopolamine patches and don’t think any of them will get me through that ride. Given this, I’m looking to avoid that ferry altogether, as upset as I am to miss Sifnos.

Here are the alternatives I've considered:

  1. Fly into Paros instead of Milos. Stay in Paros until Sept 13, then take a large Blue Star Ferry to Naxos (short ride, large ferry and much more stable).
  2. Fly in and out of Milos. Start in Sifnos or Kimolos, then return to Milos by ferry on Sept 13.
  3. Leave my flights as they are and take the 6.5 hour ferry on the Hellenic Seaways Artemis from Milos to Naxos. 6.5 hours is daunting, but I think it's a larger, more stable ferry — can anyone confirm? Hubris on my part, maybe.

A few quick notes about me:

  • I’m comfortable renting a car.
  • I love food, exploring, beach time, and the occasional hike.
  • I enjoy hustle and bustle — but prefer authentic "lively" areas over heavy tourist crowds with the ability to leave for quiet when needed.

Are there any better alternatives I should consider, given my motion sickness and preference for large ferries? Changing flights will not be free, so I want to be sure I'm making an informed decision. I was dead set on Sifnos and Naxos, so Paros feels a little disappointing at the moment, but it also feels like the most logistically reasonable option.

Thank you so much!

Posted by
2810 posts

Unfortunately, there's no 100% safe option if you get seasick. Whether on a large conventionnal ferry or a small Seajets catamaran.

I've had very quiet trips on the Superjet and Superjet 2, although I admit they're the most unpleasant ferries, and a couple of trips on large conventional ferries where it was almost impossible to walk on the decks and many people's faces turned green. Me I don't care, I don't get seasick, but I sympathize :-)

https://youtu.be/d8ENUqTmjTE

So, in my opinion, no plan is potentially better than another. If you want to travel between the Central Cyclades (Paros-Naxos) and the Western Cyclades (Milos-Sifnos, Kimolos, etc.), which are generally not routes used by locals.
Except for the Artemis, which operates once or twice a week, you'll have to take those small intra-Cycladic Seajets catamarans used by tourists traveling the Cyclades.

I would add that I don't see why you would be disappointed by Paros. What could disappoint you compared to Naxos? I like Naxos, and I like Paros too.

Posted by
3496 posts

Skip Milos, because one of the big deals about that island are the very interesting boat rides around its fringes tp see caves & volcanic stuff... and you don't do well in boats.

Fly Into Naxos, spend your time there,... spend 5 days or so ... take Big Ferry 1 hour to Paros... consider Staying on AntiParos, it is SO charming, walkable, its "Agora" lane in evening is lively and enchanting, lantern-lit, populated, but not crowded ... If u are lucky you can stay at Thalasea, just 100 yards uphill from beautiful, Psaraliki Beach https://antiparos.com/explore/psaraliki-beach/ - sunbeds but no noisy tavernas. Here's a photo album of ANtiparos in late May, just pre-season --https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632126687570/
and you'll be going just post-season... both are the best times.

You can have best of both worlds, stay In ANTIPAROS by a lovely beach, , take cute little 10-min ferry to PAROS as day-trip... here's a great photo-sequence that shows exactly how ..https://agreekoddity.com/monday-24th-june-2013-a-day-trip-to-paros/

Posted by
3052 posts

I personally would not try connecting central and eastern Cyclades with a tendency towards sea sickness. Frankly, I would stick to one or the other without that complication. I would think Naxos and Paros would be your better choice, given that boat rides are one of the prime attractions of Milos.

I understand disappointment when you get your heart set on something but logistics rule in Greece. I will tell you that I also changed my original plan of which islands to visit Greece once I understood ferry routes better. I had a wonderful time.

And you will too.

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.