DURATION
4 nights
LOCATION
Greece
ANNUAL LEAVE
3 days off work
SEASON
May-Oct
GROUP SIZE
Up to 8 people
MEETING POINT
Thessaloniki Airport
ACCOMMODATION
Comfort
Guesthouse
DIFFICULTY
Easy
An easy-going paddle each day with no experience needed. You’ll hug the coastline with plenty of stops in hidden bays
Paddle to remote beaches and uninhabited islands for idyllic picnics and sea swims
Indulge in delicious Greek food including organic farm-to-table dinner experiences, washed down with local wines
Guaranteed fun, sun and adventure while surrounded by the emerald Aegean Sea and spectacular coastline
Stay in a unique and serene rural guesthouse, brimming with authentic Greek hospitality
Day 1
Settle into Amanita Guesthouse
Meet your host at Thessaloniki Airport and enjoy the 3.5-hour drive to the East Pelion coastline, heading for Tsagarada village where the Amanita guesthouse is nestled. Check-in, relax and enjoy the serene surroundings before joining your group for a special welcome dinner prepared using ingredients from the guesthouse's organic farm.
Day 2
Damouchari Bay to Mylopotamos
Kayaking
4-5hrs · 9km
Enjoy Amanita's award-winning breakfast before heading to the first put-in spot at Damouchari's old harbour, made famous by the movie 'Mamma Mia'. After a quick intro to sea kayaking, paddle along the coast, stopping in a secluded bay with natural water springs. You’ll explore a sea cave before reaching the remote and idyllic Fakistra beach for a refreshing swim. Further along, you'll stop at Mylopotamos beach for a delicious Greek picnic of bruschetta and tabbouleh. Paddle back to Damouchari in the afternoon and on to the guesthouse ready to grab dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 3
Paddle, swim, eat, repeat
Kayaking
4-5hrs · 9km
Another sumptuous breakfast before heading to Marathias beach, your put-in spot today. Explore a sea cave before crossing to the tiny Cookie Island (aka Prasouda) which you can explore on foot, hiking over to an abandoned monastery dating back to the Byzantine era. Enjoy a blissful swim and some iced coffee or ice tea before hopping back in the kayak, paddling southward to Tzasteni beach - one of the highlights of the Pelion region. Tuck into today's Greek picnic and grab another swim before paddling back to Marathias beach where your day began.
Day 4
Another day in your Pelion paradise
Kayaking
3-4hrs · 7km
Starting at Damouchari harbour, you'll paddle to a little hidden bay around the corner and on to Papa Nero; a long sandy beach for your first swim of the day. Pass along Agios Ioannis seafront, reaching Plaka, a gorgeous pebble beach that provides the backdrop to today's idyllic picnic and yet more swims. Back at the guesthouse, your hosts will be laying on another multi-course farm-to-table dinner experience for your final evening at Amanita.
Day 5
Beach time and farewell Pelion
Enjoy one last breakfast on the terrace at Amanita before checking out and leaving your luggage here. The rest of the morning is yours to do as you like; some time at the beach or a wander around the hillside villages. Early afternoon your host will arrange a transfer back to the airport in time for any evening flights.
Included
Guides
Expert, English-speaking sea kayaking guides
Accommodation
4 nights in a traditional 4-star Greek guesthouse
Meals
4 award winning breakfasts, 3 Greek picnic lunches, 2 farm-to-table organic dinners
Transfers
Transfers to and from Thessaloniki Airport, and everything in between
Equipment
All your kayaking gear
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Some meals as described
Tips for your guides
Visas where required
Day 1
Guesthouse · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Guesthouse · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Guesthouse · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Your breakfasts and two dinners at Amanita consist almost exclusively of locally-sourced, homemade Greek food, introducing you to some well-known and unfamiliar gastronomic delights. The marmalades, hand-kneaded bread, pies, cakes and desserts are all made by your hosts at Amanita guesthouse. Their approach to food is 'farm to table'. Each morning vegetables, fruit and herbs are collected from the organic garden and used for the day's meals. These ingredients are supplemented with locally-sourced products such as yoghurts, honey, oil and flour.
The seasonality of ingredients is strictly followed, so expect wild herbs, mushrooms and asparagus tips along with ripe seasonal fruit, such as greengages, plums, damsons, raspberries, pears, apples, persimmons and loquat. The picnics during your days out sea kayaking will vary but mainly include a salad tabbouleh, bruschetta and juice. The two dinners will include local starters, salads, cheeses, a first plate, main course and dessert. You have 2 evenings with no dinner included, allowing you to sample the local restaurants nearby.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Amanita Guesthouse
A big highlight of your trip is Amanita Guesthouse; your base for the whole adventure. Amanita is a traditional 4-star guesthouse based in the village of Tsagarada and offers authentic Greek hospitality against a backdrop of lush green mountains and the azure shimmer of the Aegean Sea. Your hosts Filaretos and Marianna run the guesthouse along with the adjacent organic farm from which they source the ingredients for your award-winning breakfasts and organic farm-to-table experiences in the evening on days 1 and 4. You'll stay in twin-share rooms split between one of the three separate buildings that make up Amanita.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking - it is subject to availability.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Thessaloniki Airport
14:00 on Day 1
Ends
Thessaloniki Airport
17:30 on Day 5
Transfers
Your host will meet you at Thessaloniki Airport at 14:00 on Day 1 and transfer you to Amanita Guesthouse in the village of Tsagarada, approximately a 3.5-hour drive away. You are advised to book any flight arriving before 13:00. On the afternoon of Day 5, your host will transfer you back to Thessaloniki Airport in time for any evening flights departing from 20:00 onwards.
Group airport transfers are included on Days 1 and 5, however, you can request a private transfer to/from either Volos or Thessaloniki Airports if you are arriving before or departing after the trip. See optional extras for details.
Travel options
Thessaloniki Airport is serviced by direct flights from the UK and Europe.
Although arrival and departure airport transfers are included in the price, you are welcome to make your own way to Amanita Guesthouse in Tsagarada anytime on Day 1 if you wish. Be sure to arrive before 18:00 if you'd like to check-in and enjoy the welcome dinner with your hosts and fellow adventurers.
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?
- All your kayaking equipment
- Drybag 20l & 8l (if you prefer to bring your own, we recommend anythign smaller than 30l)
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Daypack (20+ litres) - Optional for your activities pre and post the kayaking. Bags can be stored in lockers during the trip. If you wish to take a bag with you into the kayak, it must fit into the 20l drybag.
CLOTHES
- Waterproof jacket
- Breathable wicking layers
- Lightweight & quick dry trousers/shorts/skirts
- Rash vest/ long sleeve for sun protection
- T-shirts, underwear & socks
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses (with a strap)
- Sunhat with neck cover
- Sandals
OTHER
- Universal travel adapter (if you need to charge anything)
- Spare camera batteries (optional)
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel Insurance documents
- Earplugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Reusable water bottle x1 litre (2 of these if you have room)
Pre/post trip accommodation Single/Twin/Double room
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post trip accommodation Single/Twin/Double room
…
Optional private room upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional private room upgrade
…
Private transfer Thessaloniki Airport to Amanita Guesthouse
Payable Before Departure
Private transfer Thessaloniki Airport to Amanita Guesthouse
…
Private transfer Volos Airport to Amanita Guesthouse
Payable Before Departure
Private transfer Volos Airport to Amanita Guesthouse
…
A fantastic sea kayaking experience! With a stay up in the mountains, you descend onto lovely beaches to begin each day’s kayak. Wind conditions changed our itinerary however it didn’t take away from the experience. A fair bit of driving on winding roads but lots of time paddling and enjoying the scenery.
Wonderful experience on the remote and less traveled Pelion peninsular.
Amazing way to see a less popular part of Greece. Amazing hosts with both accommodation and the kayaking, gorgeous local produce and food throughout and beautiful scenery and kayaking! Definitely extend the trip if you can and explore more of the area on foot. The hikes down to the beaches and Damachouri are beautiful!
Stunning scenery, beautiful accommodation, the best people with awesome food and lots of it!
The whole trip was fantastic. Food and accomodation were amazing, very vege and cheese heavy. Kayaking was very well done and flexible, adapting the pace and locations for the whole group. We had bad weather some days for kayaking in certain areas, but Thomas took us to the correct parts of the coast every day so we hardly even noticed.
The trip was amazing great kayaking with beautiful views. The guide was friendly and very knowledgeable about the area. Food fresh and tasty. Great new friends and memories made.
Excellent trip, we had a fantastic group, some experienced and others beginners but we all paddled together and enjoyed it in a mixture of single and double kayaks. The guides were fantastic from Shakayak and our host at Amanita was superb and helpful. Food provided was excellent throughout. Highly recommend. Didn’t need waterproofs in June - sunshine everyday!
Highly recommended trip, with great accommodation and superb kayaking team. We would recommend you stay on for extra days to enjoy the all the guest house has to offer. And the local area. All the food and service was excellent and friendly.
Had an amazing time out on the water! Loved every second
Awesome trip, everything was great. The highlight was the location and kayaking!
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 220kg 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 for 2023 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. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
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.
You'll be spending full days out on the water for 3 consecutive days, however no further than 9km is paddled on any given day, so the going is steady, with plenty of stops for swims, refreshments and beach picnics.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tipping is not obligatory, and it is up to you and your satisfaction level with the guides to give a tip. On average for a single day of kayaking, a 10€-15€ tip will be welcome. At restaurants in Greece, the most common practice is to leave 10% of your total paid amount as a tip, but still, it is not obligatory.
In the Pelion region, tap water is amongst the best in Greece, fresh from the mountains. So you are advised to fill up your water bottles before heading off to the sea kayaking each day. During Day 2 and 4 there are freshwater taps to refill en route, although this is not possible on Day 3. The support motorboat has extra water in case you need to refill your bottle at any stage.
The weather in Pelion is mild with dry, hot summers. Average monthly temperature ranges from 31-33°C in the peak summer months of June-August, 28°C in the shoulder months of May and September, and drop to 20°C in October. During May, June, September and October there is also a chance of rain on average 6 days a month. At night the temperature drops to around 10°C – 12 °C. The water temperature between May and October is on average 25°C.
As you'll be staying at your base the whole 4 nights, you can simply leave your luggage in your room from the start of the adventure to the finish.
For current advice about travelling in Greece, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our adventures. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure.
Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you, your travel companion or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
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 in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.
