Thessaloniki: Half-Day Sailing Cruise to Shipwreck Bay

The best part of this cruise is that the shipwreck is reached by swimming from the boat, not by simply viewing it from the deck. You anchor near Navagio Beach, then swim through clear water to shore and walk along the beach to the remains of the vessel that sank in 1970. It is a small adventure, but one that feels far more personal than a standard sightseeing boat ride.

I like two things here in particular: Makis cooks a fresh northern Greek lunch onboard, and the small group keeps the day relaxed. You may also see dolphins during the sail, and snorkeling masks, floats, and life vests are available. The main thing to consider is the swim. You need to manage roughly 50 meters in open water to reach shore and return, and the beach has stones and shells that can be rough underfoot.

Key points to know before booking

• The shipwreck visit involves a swim: You leave the yacht in the water, swim to shore, then walk along the beach to Epanomi’s wreck.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Captain Makis prepares a generous Greek meal, often with items such as sausages, pita, tzatziki, stuffed grape leaves, salad, vegetables, fruit, and wine.
• The group is small: The boat is limited to eight participants, giving you room to sit on the deck or near the stern.
• Mount Olympus may be in view: On clear days, the mountain associated with the Greek gods can be seen across the water.
• Bring more sun protection than you think: Your back and shoulders can burn while swimming, and sunscreen cannot always be reapplied easily once you are in the water.
• Nea Michaniona is outside central Thessaloniki: You can reach the port by public transport for part of the way or by taxi. Hotel pickup and return can be arranged for an extra fee.

Setting sail from Nea Michaniona Port

The cruise begins at Nea Michaniona Port, near the local fish market, where you look for the Blue Foam sailing boat. This is not a downtown Thessaloniki departure, so allow time to reach the port. The meeting point can be reached by bus, by metro for part of the trip followed by another connection, or by taxi.

For a simpler start, you can request hotel transportation for an additional charge. This has been especially useful for groups staying well outside the center. One family arranged a private minivan and driver for both directions and found the convenience worth paying for, particularly because the port is about 45 minutes from some Thessaloniki accommodations.

Once aboard, the difference between this cruise and a large excursion boat becomes clear. The group is capped at eight people, though the exact number depends on the day. You might share the yacht with only a few others, leaving plenty of space to sit at the front, stretch out on deck, or settle near the back while the boat moves along the coast.

The yacht is a 46-foot Hunter sailing boat, described as well maintained and clean. A bathroom is available onboard. The skipper speaks English and Greek, and Makis handles both the sailing and much of the hosting. He also provides information about the route, the local area, and Thessaloniki.

The sail across the Thermaic Gulf

The first part of the journey takes about an hour and 15 minutes in each direction, depending on conditions. That gives you roughly two and a half hours of sailing within the six-hour outing, with time for swimming, the shipwreck, lunch, and a second water stop.

This is the quiet part of the day, and you should treat it as such. Sit at the front if you want the strongest sense of movement, or use the rear seating if you prefer a steadier place to watch the coast. The cruise is not built around constant commentary or a long list of formal attractions. It is about being on the water, watching the coastline pass, and enjoying the open view.

On clear days, Mount Olympus appears across the gulf, giving the sailing a memorable backdrop. The mountain is traditionally linked with the Greek gods, and seeing it from the water adds a useful sense of place. You are not simply taking a boat ride without context. You are looking across the gulf toward one of Greece’s most famous natural landmarks.

Dolphin sightings are possible but never guaranteed. Several departures have included dolphins near the route, and Makis has pointed them out and brought the boat closer when conditions allowed. Treat this as a lucky extra, not as part of the promise of the trip.

The boat carries fuel costs, so there is no separate fuel charge. The price is $112 per person. That is not the cheapest way to reach a beach, but the comparison is not quite fair. You are paying for six hours on a private-feeling sailing yacht, an experienced skipper, swimming stops, equipment, a cooked meal, and wine. For a full day on the water with a small group, the price is reasonable, especially if you value personal service over a basic ferry or crowded excursion boat.

Reaching Navagio Beach and the Epanomi wreck

The main stop is Navagio Beach, also known as the shipwreck area near Epanomi. The wreck lies along the sandy coastline, with the remains partly covered by turquoise water. It is a striking setting because the ship is not displayed behind barriers or viewed from a distant lookout. You approach it as part of the beach and water.

The yacht anchors around 50 meters from shore. You then swim from the boat to the beach, using a life vest or float if you want extra support. Snorkel masks are available, and the water is clear enough for looking at fish and the wreck from the surface.

Once ashore, you walk along the beach to the shipwreck. This is the part that requires the most effort. You need to be comfortable swimming in open water, and the route is less suitable if you tire quickly or feel uneasy away from the boat. One practical detail matters here: the beach can have sharp stones and shells, so swimming shoes would be useful if you have room to pack them.

The wreck itself is not a polished museum site. It is an abandoned ship in a natural setting, and the surrounding water and sand are part of its appeal. You can photograph it, snorkel nearby, and explore at an easy pace before returning to the yacht.

Do not expect to carry every item with you. Sunscreen is difficult to reapply once you are swimming and walking along the shore, so put plenty on your back, shoulders, legs, and face before leaving the boat. A long-sleeved swim shirt can be a smart choice. Bring a towel, hat, and water bottle as well.

Swimming, snorkeling, and time to relax

After reaching the wreck, you have time to swim and look around before returning to the boat. The water has been described as clear, cool, and refreshing, with small fish visible near the wreck and shoreline. The mood is unhurried. You can snorkel, float, sit in the shallows, or simply enjoy the beach.

A second swimming period follows lunch or during the return portion of the outing. The exact order can change with the day, but the pattern is usually the same: sail, swim to shore, visit the wreck, eat onboard, then enjoy another chance to get in the water before heading back.

The crew provides goggles, snorkels, life vests, and pool noodles or other floating aids. That is useful if you want to look around without bringing bulky equipment from Thessaloniki. Still, you should bring your own mask if fit matters to you, and bring swimming shoes if rocky shorelines bother your feet.

The water activities are a strong fit for families with older children and teenagers. Kids can jump from the boat, swim, and explore the wreck area, while adults can spend much of the time sunbathing on deck. The crew also takes photographs for you when asked, which is handy if you want a record of the jumps or the swim to shore.

This is not a cruise for someone who wants to remain seated throughout. Even if you skip the swim, the boat remains a pleasant place to spend the day, but the shipwreck visit is built around entering the water. Wheelchair users are not suited to this activity, and anyone with limited mobility should ask detailed questions before booking.

Lunch cooked by Captain Makis

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Rather than handing you a packaged snack, Makis prepares a full meal on the yacht while you swim and explore. The food focuses on familiar northern Greek flavors and local ingredients.

The meal can include grilled lamb or pork sausages served with pita, homemade tzatziki, stuffed grape leaves, grilled vegetables, Greek salad, fruit, and other regional items. One especially praised detail is the tzatziki. Another is the use of vegetables from the captain’s own garden on some departures. You get a meal that feels connected to the region instead of a generic boat buffet.

Wine is included, with one bottle for every four people. Greek music may play while you eat, turning lunch into a social part of the outing rather than a quick refueling stop. The portions are described as generous, so arrive ready for a proper meal.

Vegetarian catering has been provided, but you should state dietary needs when booking. Extra wine or beer is not included. Bring additional water, since white wine is the standard included drink and you may want more nonalcoholic drinks after time in the sun.

The meal also changes the rhythm of the day. You spend the morning moving through the gulf, then pause in the shade or on deck for food while the boat sits on the water. That combination of swimming, sea air, and a freshly prepared lunch is what makes the cruise feel like a full outing rather than a simple transfer to a beach.

What the small group changes

A limit of eight participants gives this cruise a personal feel without making it private by default. You can ask Makis questions, move around the boat, and find a comfortable spot without competing with a large crowd.

Small groups also help with the practical parts. The captain can explain how to get to shore, help with snorkeling gear, point out dolphins, or take photographs. When one participant felt nervous in the water, Makis entered the water to help bring her back to the boat. That kind of direct attention is difficult to provide on a large vessel.

The group size can also affect the social mood. If only a few people book, the day may feel almost like a private sailing trip. If the boat fills to eight, you will have a more lively shared outing, but still with far more room than a typical large-group cruise.

The tour may operate as a small group or as a private cruise. If privacy matters to you, ask about the private option when booking. The additional price is not provided here, so confirm the cost before committing.

Practical details that make the day easier

The cruise lasts six hours and returns to Blue Foam sailing cruises at Nea Michaniona Port. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before you plan the rest of your day.

Bring:

• Passport or national ID, as port regulations require the full name, date of birth, and ID or passport number for each participant
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water
• Swimming shoes if you dislike stones or shells
• A camera or waterproof phone case if you want photographs near the wreck

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed onboard, and pets are not permitted. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the $112 price, though transport can be arranged for an additional fee.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reservation can be made with payment later. These policies are useful when your Thessaloniki plans depend on weather or changing arrival times.

The cruise is offered in English and Greek. The sailing itself depends on sea conditions, so allow some flexibility in your expectations. The schedule may shift between the wreck, lunch, and the second swimming stop.

Who should book this Thessaloniki sailing cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a small, active day on the water without leaving Thessaloniki for a Greek island. It works especially well for couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who enjoys a relaxed boat ride paired with a real meal and a little exploration.

It is also a good choice for food-focused visitors. The lunch is not an afterthought, and Makis’s cooking is central to the experience. You get to taste Greek dishes while sitting on a sailboat, with the coast and Mount Olympus as the setting.

I would hesitate if you cannot swim about 50 meters, dislike getting on and off a boat, or want a fully accessible shore visit. The beach can be rough underfoot, and the shipwreck is reached through the water. If you mainly want a calm scenic cruise with no physical activity, you may enjoy the sailing but miss the signature part of the day.

At $112, the value is strongest when you make use of everything included: the full six-hour schedule, the equipment, two water periods, the small group, and the meal with wine. It is less compelling if you plan to skip swimming and only want a short boat ride.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a personal introduction to the Thermaic Gulf, can swim confidently, and like the idea of lunch cooked by your skipper. The combination of Epanomi’s wreck, clear water, dolphin possibilities, Mount Olympus views, and a small yacht makes it one of the more distinctive day trips available from Thessaloniki.

Pack extra water, cover your shoulders, and bring footwear for the beach. Do that, and you will be ready for a relaxed but active day with Captain Makis and the Blue Foam crew.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Nea Michaniona Port near the fish market. Look for the Blue Foam sailing boat.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours, including sailing, swimming, the shipwreck visit, and lunch.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $112 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but they can be arranged for an additional charge.

Do I need to swim to see the shipwreck?

Yes. The boat anchors about 50 meters from shore, and you swim to the beach before walking to the shipwreck.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Snorkels, masks, life vests, and floating aids are available onboard.

What food and drinks are included?

A full meal prepared by the captain is included, along with one bottle of wine for every four people. Extra wine and beer cost more.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.