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4.7
| 38 reviews

Kayak and Wild Camp Greek Islands

Paddle around the Ionian Archipelago, discover uninhabited islands and camp under the stars

Duration

4 nights

Annual Leave

3 days off work

Group Size

Up to 16 people

Season

April-Oct

Location

Greece

Meeting Point

Aktion National Airport, Greece

Classic Accommodation

Wild camping · Campsite · Guesthouse

Customer Reviews

(38)

4.7

Difficulty

Moderate

From

From

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

Day 1

Welcome to the Greek Islands

Kayaking

6 nautical miles

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 on to the private island of Skorpios. 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 the shoreline of Thilia, where you’ll set up camp and enjoy your first beach barbecue.

Day 2

Sunrise swimming and stargazing

Kayaking

6 nautical miles

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 through the ‘fjords’ until you reach the gulf of Atherinos. Build a fire on the forest-flanked beach of Limonari before settling in for another night spotting shooting stars from your wild camping spot.

Day 3

Explore the caves

Kayaking

9 nautical miles

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 campsite in Mikros Gialos Bay.

Day 4

Secluded beaches

Kayaking

8 nautical miles

Slowly make your way up the coast as you head to the finish line back at Nydri. Stop at some secluded beaches to swim, explore some more caves or just catch a few rays. You’ll arrive back in Nydri in the late afternoon and after checking into your guesthouse, there will be a post-adventure celebration dinner with your group at a local taverna. 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.

Included

Guides

Expert, English-speaking guides

Accommodation

2 nights wild camping, 1 night at an organised campsite, 1 night in a guesthouse

Meals

Munch on tasty local food throughout

Transfers

Group transfers to and from the airport and everything in-between

Equipment

All your camping, kayaking and snorkelling equipment

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Visas where required

Day 1

Wild camping · Twin tent

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Wild camping · Twin tent

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3

Campsite · Twin tent

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4

Guesthouse · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Departure day

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?

Nydri

You'll stay in a traditional guesthouse in a twin-share room.

Wild Camping

You’ll set up camp on remote beaches and sleep in twin-share tent. You’ll also spend one night in an established campsite with washing facilities and a bar within walking distance of the beach.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent 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).

The Area

map

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.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What's included?

  • Single or double kayak
  • Paddle
  • Life jacket
  • Sprayskirt
  • Dry bag 20L
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Safety equipment
  • First aid kit
  • Throw rope
  • Extra paddles
  • 2-person tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat

What do I need to bring?

Bags

  • Small rucksack to carry items throughout the day

Clothes

  • Lightweight breathable clothes for kayaking in (long sleeves recommended for sun and wind protection)
  • A sunhat and sunglasses
  • Long-sleeved shirt and trousers
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Warm jacket and/or jumper for the evenings
  • Hiking shoes/trainers for exploring
  • Socks
  • Beach sandals/kayak shoes to walk in water
  • Swimsuit

Sleeping

  • Sleeping bag liner (optional)
  • Pillow (optional)
  • Ear plugs & eye mask (optional)

Other

  • Quick-dry Towel
  • Sun protection
  • Insect repellant
  • Head torch
  • Water bottle 1L minimum
  • Waterproof phone case (recommended)

Please inform your host if you are bringing your own sleeping bag as space and weight are carefully measured for the kayaks.

*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Per Person

Pre/post trip accommodation in Nydri (single room)

Payable Before Departure

Pre/post trip accommodation in Nydri (single room)

Pre/post trip accommodation in Nydri (twin/double room)

Payable Before Departure

Pre/post trip accommodation in Nydri (twin/double room)

Per Night

Private transfer to/from Nydri from airport

Payable Before Departure

Private transfer to/from Nydri from airport

Per Person

Catherine(November 2023)

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!!

Emilio(November 2023)

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.

Adrian(November 2023)

Such a great time! Our guides thought of a diversity of opportunities to really get a feel for Greek culture and life while also having an amazing kayaking adventure among beaches, open water, and caves! Highly recommended

Claire(October 2023)

I travelled solo and would 100% recommend this trip. It is so much fun! The location is stunning, the itinerary well planned and the Greek guides (Alex and Charitini) were superb. They made us feel welcome and looked after us. There was one afternoon of tough kayaking but it was a satisfying challenge and we more than earned that evening’s (excellent) meal.

Sian(September 2023)

An enjoyable trip with fun people

Michael(September 2023)

It was an absolutely fantastic trip! The views and food were amazing and the guides were incredible!

Natasha(July 2023)

So much fun!!!! This trip is a great balance of really good kayaking, which you take on some reasonable distances without being too hard. (Pre this I had only been on a lake for an hour and this giant leap was very manageable.) As well as having great fun. Camping on the beach, early morning swims, exploring caves, exceptional food. This list goes on….Alex and Charitina are both so welcoming and really do everything to make sure you have a fantastic time. Absolutely loved it.

Emma(June 2023)

The tour is EXCELLENT and run by the most experienced and frankly awesome guide in Alex... he is great fun, attentive to the groups needs at all times and generally just a really nice guy. The food is amazing with fresh, quality food provided all the time at all locations, either on a beach eating fresh fish or steak and salads, or in a restaurant with perfectly chosen options. The days vary in intensity some quite relaxed, but if the wind picks up on the longer legs, you have to work much harder of course which can make for quite tough rowing periods, but again nature is nature (just worth being aware of) and always felt safe with Alex and the group around. In summary a great tour in great company, thanks for the memories!

Jon(June 2023)

Highly recommend this trip. Alex is a great guide. The trip isn’t too challenging which leaves time for relaxing.

Juanette(May 2023)

Lots of laughter and fun and support if needed.I had an amazing time on this kayaking trip.

Poppy(October 2022)

This trip was an absolutely awesome experience and the perfect escape. Think paddling across the ocean to idyllic beaches, incredible fresh food and waking up for sunrise swims.

The hosts were great and kept the group together, progressing at a good pace for all.

Plenty of time for swimming/snorkelling and enjoying the beach as well as the kayaking.

James(September 2022)

Would highly recommend this trip to anyone. Lovely warm hearted guides and made great friends. Some hard physical stretches of kayaking rewarded by incredible scenery and evenings of fun. Exciting and relaxing in equal measures.

Lucy(September 2022)

We had an absolutely magical time in Lefkada kayaking and camping on the islands. Alex, Charitini and Markos were all brilliant hosts and kept us in line through some sometimes quite sea-traffic-heavy crossings.

The camping was very well-organised, with tents easy to put up and containing everything we needed including air mattresses, sleeping bags, etc - by the end of three days we had a very well-established routine! Whilst we did spend one night on Thilia, an uninhabited island (which was gorgeous) we were more often camping on tourist beaches. If the remoteness of the trip is a major factor of appeal you might want to keep this in mind - however, the flipside is that we were never too far from a shower/supermarket/bar, so it worked in our favour, and waking up on the beach to a mirror-calm sea was an absolute highlight for me.

Alex did a brilliant job with the food, making sure that we were well-fed on a variety of different things over the course of the trip - vegetarians and vegans in our group were also well-catered for. Eating freshly bbq'd fish on the beach in Thilia was a highlight, but we also thoroughly enjoyed our evenings at tavernas eating local seafood and specialties! Keep in mind that whilst basic drinks are covered, alcohol isn't, so be sure to bring cash with you for beers/cocktails/wine if needed - but otherwise we didn't need to buy extra food at any point, and were very well-fed indeed.

Everyone in our group was in double kayaks, and very few of us had any prior experience. The seas were very calm while we were there so everything felt quite easy. If you have previous kayaking experience and are looking for a challenge this might not be the trip for you as generally the distances are quite short and the pace is very gentle - however, if you're looking for an easy and beautiful introduction for kayaking, I would highly recommend this trip. As well as kayaking we also had plenty of downtime for reading, sunbathing and generally relaxing together, both in the mornings and the evenings, and we enjoyed a couple of great nights out along the way as well.

Overall I would definitely recommend this trip. The hosts are fabulous, and I've come away with some wonderful memories and a thirst to return to Greece as soon as possible! Thank you so much Alex, Charitini and Markos for an amazing trip!

Hollie(September 2022)

Our trip was amazing! Alex, Chartini, and Markos were brilliant. We got to kayak just the right amount, swim and snorkel in caves and bays, see spectacular views. My highlight was jumping off rocks in to the sea. The health and safety measures were great and I never felt unsure or unsafe. We were never hungry! Delicious food was provided for all preferences and I would highly recommend the vegetarian options we had. The trip was very sustainable everywhere we stayed. Our group was lovely. Everyone shared things like plasters and head torches, and shared meals and stories.

Laura(September 2022)

Amazing first solo adventure holiday experience, hosts were very knowledgeable about the local area and ensured activities were undertaken safely. Food was great and prepared for you from camping meals to dining out at the end of the trip. A great group of like-minded people. Would thoroughly recommend.

Chrissy(August 2022)

Caves are cool, food is great but the trip could be more adventurous and remote. Lots would need to be reviewed.

Elaine(August 2022)

The trip was OK, but not quite the experience I was expecting. When advertised as remote Greek islands I didn't expect the beaches to be covered in tourists.

Gary(August 2022)

Exactly what it says in the write up. I had a fantastic time. Cannot wait to book another experience

Stephanie(August 2022)

Fun paddling on beautiful turquoise waters

Amy(August 2022)

Amazing trip with a great group of people. Check the weather before you go - not all items on the kit list are necessary (waterproofs). The guides, Alex and Dmitry were fantastic and looked after us all so well. Kayaking across crystal waters was so beautiful and dinners and lunches in Greek tavernas. I would say if you are looking for an off grid remote experience this isn’t for you. Otherwise it’s incredible.

Hannah(August 2022)

Amazing, beautiful trip with truly brilliant local guides. Vegan/veggie options were a bit lacking so take some extra snacks with you. And it's more kayaking than the MBA website suggests - up to 20km on one day. Which was really great fun but definitely challenging. Overall a really excellent trip and I would love to go back.

Sunette(August 2022)

We had an amazing time on this trip! Charitini and Spyridoula were fantastic guides, going out of their way to make sure that everyone was safe, enjoying the experience, and had everything they needed. Alex kept us exceptionally well-fed; the food was out of this world! While there are definitely some challenging stretches on the trip, it's all worth it. Waking up for sunrise swims, camping right on the beach, and exploring with a great group of people were definitely highlights for me.

Ryan(August 2022)

Great adventure! Everything was well managed and it didn't feel like the kayaking was rushed.

Tony(July 2022)

Awesome trip, above what I was expecting. Extremely well organised and knowledgeable guides. The food on the trip was very good. Two nights in local tavernas, fresh fish and pork on the Beach BBQ with fresh salad. I didn’t take any extra food, everything supplied was tasty and plentiful. I took my own sleeping mat and pillow for comfort. Lots of stops to cool down in crystal clear sea. Sleeping outside on the beach was just beautiful and cool. Definitely recommend this trip, expect a bit of roughing it, but worth it. Thank you Alex and Co. So glad I booked. Awesome trip again

Ian(July 2022)

Great trip - Alex, Sakis and team were great. Helpful, happy and chilled. The trip was challenging but fun. Super group of people. Kayaking between islands was so beautiful. Stunning beaches and clear blue water. Food was great and i would recommend this trip to anyone

Jessie(July 2022)

Great experience, I am bringing home some amazing memories. Was nice to meet some new people. The hosts were so kind, always making sure we were okay and happy. We got to take pics of some great views. Honestly an experience I would recommend to anyone to try!

Es(July 2022)

It was a fantastic trip - Kayaking along the beautiful Greek coastline, snorkelling in stunning clear water and in a cave. Camping on beaches and being fed amazing food (the bbq'd fish was a highlight). The paddling at times was challenging but our local guides were brilliant, supporting and encouraging us along the way. A great adventure!

Fanny(July 2022)

A memorable trip exploring the islands and caves near Lefkada. Well organised, our guides Alexis and Dimitri were very friendly and helpful. Great food and gorgeous scenery. Would definitely recommend it!

Hannah(June 2022)

I had a super time on this trip. The guides were really great - so friendly and helpful - and it was absolutely beautiful. Morning swims in crystal clear turquoise waters were my faves. All the gear was good and the amount of kayaking was pretty prefect for me. It was mostly pretty easy paddling, though it will depend on what conditions you get. We had a couple of stretches where the wind was against us that were really hard work! But I enjoyed that because it made the whole experience pretty rewarding. Oh and one tip: I had to ask for a single kayak and everyone else was in doubles, so I'd recommend checking before you book if you want a single.

Evan(May 2022)

Really fun trip exploring islands and caves near Lefkada. Alex and Katerina were very fun guides! Very nice food spreads even on wildcamping days (including an awesome last night out in a local bar with live music). Since it's double kayaks on ~10km days, more experienced paddlers will probably find this one less challenging, though wind and surf keeps it interesting.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 83kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

No previous kayaking experience is required, although you will be on the water for a few hours each day so a reasonable level of fitness is required. There are many options to try out kayaking before you travel, in the UK you can find out more about kayaking opportunities near you at Go Paddling or even better you can join an MBA group on one of our UK-based kayaking trips!

You must also be able to swim and should ideally feel comfortable in the open sea for extended periods (although the option to return to shore is always available).

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

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. Whilst kayaking it's important to dress thinking about the effects of the sun, as there's no shade and the water reflects a lot of extra rays, so a good hat, sunblock and long sleeves are recommended as a starting point. Check out the Kit List for more advice on what to pack for this trip.

Absolutely. Anything you don't need can be left with your host at the port in Nydri and collected when the trip is finished.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.

TRIP DEPARTURE DATES

May 2024

Wednesday • 22nd May 2024

to Sunday • 26th May 2024
Guaranteed to run
Last Minute - 3 spots left at 10% off

Wednesday • 3rd July 2024

to Sunday • 7th July 2024
Guaranteed to run

Wednesday • 4th September 2024

to Sunday • 8th September 2024
Guaranteed to run

Wednesday • 11th September 2024

to Sunday • 15th September 2024
Guaranteed to run

Wednesday • 25th September 2024

to Sunday • 29th September 2024
Guaranteed to run

Wednesday • 2nd October 2024

to Sunday • 6th October 2024
Guaranteed to run
Only 2 spots left at 5% off
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