Cycladic harbours, golden coves and a channel made for swimming — Paros is at its best with the engine off and the anchor down.
Paros sits in the middle of the Cyclades, which is exactly why it makes such a good base on the water. The channel to Antiparos is a sheltered, swimmable strait of pale sand and turquoise shallows, and the wind-carved coves around Naoussa are a short hop from the harbour. Set your own course and let the skipper read the meltemi for you.
From a full-day charter around the island to a fast private transfer in from Mykonos, Naxos or Athens, every boat comes crewed by a professional skipper who knows the anchorages, the lunch tavernas, and where the water stays calm when the wind gets up.
The best of Paros — and its quieter neighbour Antiparos — is easiest to reach from a deck. Six anchorages, beaches and crossings worth planning a charter around.
Across a shallow, protected channel from Paros, Antiparos trades crowds for clear water and low whitewashed lanes. Skippers anchor over pale sand for the island’s clearest swim, then run south to the sea caves and the islet of Despotiko. It’s the easiest, prettiest crossing in this corner of the Cyclades — and far better from a boat than the little ferry.
Just across the bay from Naoussa, Kolymbithres is a run of smooth, wind-sculpted granite that splits the beach into a dozen little pools. Arriving by boat lets you anchor off the quieter outer coves, away from the shuttle crowds, and swim between the rocks in waist-deep, glass-clear water. Late afternoon, when the day-trippers leave, is the time to have it to yourself.
Naoussa is the prettiest harbour on Paros — a working fishing port wrapped in bougainvillea, with a Venetian breakwater you can tie up beside. Come in from the water in the late afternoon, anchor off the bay, and tender in for dinner on the quay as the boats unload. It’s the classic Cycladic evening, and arriving by sea skips the island’s only real traffic.
Tucked under the headland at the mouth of Naoussa Bay, Monastiri is a sheltered, sandy-bottomed cove that stays calm even when the meltemi is blowing outside. It’s a natural first or last anchorage of the day — easy snorkelling over rocks at the edges, a small chapel and beach bar ashore, and deep enough water to swim straight off the boat.
The south coast faces away from the prevailing wind, which makes Faragas and Aliki the place to head when the north of the island is blowing. Low rocky points shelter pockets of fine sand and shallow turquoise water, with a couple of easy tavernas a tender-ride away. It’s the calm, family-paced end of a Paros charter — anchor, swim, eat, repeat.
Private day charters around Paros, Antiparos and the central Cyclades. Every boat is skippered — pick your style and your pace.
Fast private crossings from Mykonos, Naxos and Athens, straight into Parikia or Naoussa — on your schedule.
Private boats come alongside at Parikia or Naoussa. Typical crossing times from the main hubs:
Your skipper meets you on the quay at Parikia or Naoussa and handles berthing. Pick-ups from Antiparos or your hotel jetty can be arranged on request.
Tell us the dates and the vibe. We’ll match you with the right boat and skipper for Paros and Antiparos.
