Kayak and Wild Camp Greek Islands
Paddle around the Ionian Archipelago, discover uninhabited islands and camp under the stars
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesAll Accommodation
2 nights wild camping, 1 night at a campsite, 1 night in a guesthouseMeals
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinnersTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenEquipment
All your camping and kayaking equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 16 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Discover picturesque beaches, deep blue coves and hidden sea caves that were once used to hide submarines in World War 2
Wild camp on an island inhabited only by wild goats and dine on traditional Greek food cooked over the campfire
Snorkel in clear turquoise waters, eyes peeled for sea turtles and dolphins
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to the Greek Islands
Kayaking
Meet your host at Atkion Airport (also known as Preveza Airport) by 14:00 for the 1 hour group transfer to Nydri, where your kayaking adventure will begin. On arrival at the beach, your guides will give you a thorough briefing and introduction to your kayaking equipment. You'll then get a feel for the kayaks on the water, before setting off to paddle from Nydri to the tiny island of Madouri, and then past the private island of Skorpios once owned by Aristotle Onassis and where his wedding to Jackie Kennedy took place. Covered in thick forest, Skorpios has over 200 varieties of trees that were all imported to this once barren island. You'll end the day on Lakka Beach, a secluded cove back on Lefkada, where you’ll set up camp and enjoy your first beach barbecue.
Day 2
Sunrise swimming and stargazing
Kayaking
If you’re an early bird, enjoy a superb sunrise, or alternatively grab a little more sleep before a pre-breakfast swim. Snorkel and paddle along the coast of Meganisi through the ‘fjords’ until you reach the gulf of Atherinos. Build a fire on the forest-flanked beach of Limonari on the eastern side of the island before settling in for another night spotting shooting stars from your wild camping spot.
Day 3
Explore the caves
Kayaking
Swap your kayaks for snorkelling gear and dive into the Papanicolis and Giovanni caves - so huge they were once used to hide submarines in World War 2. Take a well-earned rest and then set off on the longest paddle of the trip as you cross the Gulf of Rouda back to Lefkada, where you’ll spend the night at a fixed campsite in Mikros Gialos Bay.
Day 4
Secluded beaches
Kayaking
Slowly make your way up the coast as you head to the finish line back at the picturesque port of Nydri. Stop at some secluded beaches to swim, explore more caves or just catch a few rays. You’ll arrive back in Nydri to check into your guesthouse in the late afternoon. With its incredible stretch of white sand and forested, mountainous backdrop, it's the perfect spot for a post-adventure taverna celebration with your group. Ouzo at the ready!
Day 5
Time to head home
Enjoy a well-earned lie-in at your guesthouse in Nydri, tuck into a last delicious Greek breakfast and then head back to the airport.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Aktion National Airport, Greece
14:00 on Day 1
Ends
Aktion National Airport, Greece
10:30 on Day 5
Transfers
Your host will meet the group at Aktion Airport (also known as Preveza Airport, airport code PVK) at 14:00 on Day 1 and transfer you to Nydri, approximately 1 hour drive away. You are advised to book a flight that arrives no later than 13:45 as the group transfer will need to leave by 14:15 because there is kayaking to be done on the first afternoon. If you are arriving a day early and would like pre-trip accommodation and/or a private transfer to Nydri, where the kayaking trip starts, this can be arranged with your host. Please see Optional Extras for prices.
A group transfer back to the airport (1hr drive from Nydri) will also be provided on the last day at 09:30. You should book any departing flight that leaves after 12:00.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Aktion Airport (PVK) from major airports across the UK and Europe. From the UK, for example, on Wednesdays there are morning direct flights from London Stansted, London Heathrow, and Manchester to Aktion that arrive before 14:00. There is a flight from Amsterdam and there are also regional flights from Corfu. In the event of a significant flight delay on arrival, your host would assist as best possible but it may result in your paying additional costs to catch up to the group. If you are unable to book an option to reach the joining point in time for the start of your trip, you may wish to arrive a day early. Your host will be able to support you with making pre-trip transfer and accommodation arrangements, if required.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Greek food is fresh and full of flavour. Breakfasts are typically light and might include fresh fruit, olives and yoghurt as staples. Lunches will mostly be picnic style whilst dinners are beach barbecues where you'll enjoy fresh fish, salads and steaks for the meat-eaters.
Vegetarian, vegan and most other dietary requirements can be catered for on request. Please advise your host of any dietary requirements via your booking details.
What is the accommodation like?
Wild Camping
You'll set up camp on remote beaches and sleep in twin-share tents provided by your host. As this is really wild camping there are no facilities available - we advise bringing biodegradable soap to wash in the sea and to be comfortable enough with finding wild toilet spots on land or in the sea. Your guide will give you a full briefing on the etiquette and practicalities of outdoor toileting, and will provide the necessary equipment. For more information on this, please see our FAQs below.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private tent and room (for the last night) can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
Fixed Camping
You’ll spend one night in an established campsite at Mikros Gialos Bay with your camping spots shaded by olive trees and vines. The site has hot showers and toilets, and also a small supermarket and a bar all within walking distance of the beach.
Nydri
On the last night in Nydri, you will stay at a small hotel like the Oscar Hotel, Athos Hotel or somewhere similar. These family run, traditional hotels will typically be in the centre of the village and have an outdoor pool, and bar/restaurant. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathroom.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
You'll be paddling for around four to six hours each day along the stunning coastline and from island to island. There will be plenty of opportunities for swimming and snorkelling along the way. This trip is totally suitable for beginner or intermediate-level sea kayakers; however, a generally good level of fitness and stamina will help you enjoy your time on the water to the full. Building a little arm strength beforehand can help with sea kayaking, and ensure you can get the most enjoyment out of the trip. You must also be able to swim and should ideally feel comfortable on the open sea for extended periods of time.
From April to October the temperature ranges from 20°C to 25°C, with the sea temperatures lagging only one degree behind. Days are often breezy, but they’re also clear and sunny with practically no chance of rain.
The BEST kayak trip
If you like kayaking then you MUST book this. The weather in Greece is amazing. I was a solo traveller on the last trip of the season and it was 28° every day. Stunning scenery every paddle stroke of the way. The food was plentiful and incredibly tasty. Local restaurants we visited served local delicious food as well as old favourites for the less adventurous with sea food. The trip is run by a family business.. very friendly and knowledgable. All they cared about was us having a great time! Very safety conscious and everyone was 100% confident in their kayaks. Loved every second of this trip xx
👌
The trip exceeded all my expectations. The trip had the right balance between kayaking and relaxing. The area is truly stunning and will definitely be returning.
The tour guides were excellent especially dealing with adverse weather conditions (wind). Both guides were very friendly, personable and informative.
All meals were excellent and provided a great range of variety, if you choose this trip you will definitely not go hungry.
Good trip but some issues
I would echo the lack of remoteness of the location as per other reviews, some touristy areas but nothing too bad.
I was a little concerned that our guides were drinking before paddling, especially since some of the group were novice kayakers and there some chopping weather conditions.
The guides were OK, Ellen didn't seen like she wanted to be there and didn't find her particularly engaging. Trini and Alex was great but the food options for those on a special diet wasn't good - being given bread for breakfast whilst others had ham/cheese/eggs...etc for instance. This was really through lack of planning and foresight.
This trip was everything I
This trip was everything I expected and more! The organisers were friendly, helpful and excellent instructors on the water. Alex's cooking was fantastic every evening, and Ellen and Tini kept us on schedule and kayaking safely. The breaks on the secluded beaches and in the rock caves were the highlights for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed camping under the stars on the beach.
10/10 would kayak again
This was an absolutely amazing experience. Ilias, our guide, did an amazing job with showing us all the amazing spots, as well as, getting us to where we needed to be in a timely manner. The food was above expectations, and I found the camping gear very comfortable. Overall, I would happily do this trip, or one like it, again.
Beautiful way to explore Greece!
Amazing trip - my first with Much Better Adventures. Everything was organised perfectly, the kit was great and the team (Ilias was our main guide) were amazing. Agree with the other reviews that it’s not as remote as maybe suggested. But hey! The pros of that are that you see a bathroom sooner than thought… and your guide can collect more fresh food along the way for the bbqs! Overall an amazing trip. Couldn’t recommend it more.
This was my first trip like this and it was absolutely amazing, there were only highlights. The hosts were superb, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, patient, caring and fun. The food was brilliant, catering for a range of diverse needs and never disappointing. Stunning scenery and I would definitely recommend this specific trip!!
Alex created a wonderful experience: paddling between Lefkada and Meganisi islands, we visited gorgeous beaches and caves. The locations for the nights provided a good balance between a wild camping experience, and other nights with access to facilities, bars, and restaurants. The hosts were very friendly and helpful. The night of wild camping on Lakka Beach, with Alex's grilled fish, has been a highlight for me. We had one day with wind and high waves, crossing the channel between Meganisi and Lefkada, it has been very challenging and rewarding: we really felt like having completed an adventure! All the people choosing this type of holiday were kind, interesting, and friendly: we really bonded and had fun together. I strongly recommend this holiday to anyone.