Athens: Lichadonisia Islets Day Tour with Boat & Thermal Spa Pool

Do not recommend

Where to start… we were encouraged to pre-order lunch on the bus for pick up once in the port town but we were rushed from the bus to the boat and our guide helped cancel the food order. No time to buy towels or food as listed on the itinerary. The boat ride is short and scenic. We docked and walked to the beach. The beach is operated by the boat owner. It was dirty (so bad that I took photos of the trash) and loaded with bugs. Bring food, drinks and towels etc. The owner gave us his kitchen towels after chastising us for not having them (I told him we weren’t given any time in town). The small cafe (same owner) has limited basic options and is expensive. Our son was sick and we asked to leave early but once on the island YOU CAN NOT LEAVE for at least 5 hours NO MATTER WHAT - and say THEY WILL CALL AN AMBULANCE if you leave early!! We felt trapped with nothing to do in the high heat with a sick son. The owner insisted our son take an anti nausea pill and gave him an “exam” telling us he will be fine and others have “lied to get off the beach”. We offered to pay $200 for a ferry to take us early but no luck. Finally 5pm we left the island and paid $200 for a taxi back to the city because it was another 3 hour wait for the bus! While the owner was courteous he was not hospitable. We had huge bug bites and the heat was scorching. I don’t recommend this experience to anyone.

Response from the operator: Dear guest, Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that the day did not meet your expectations, but we would like to clarify a few points. Guests are advised in advance to come prepared for a beach day, including towels, swimwear, sun protection, and any personal items they may need. There were also shops available at the marina and in town where towels or snacks could be purchased, but this concern was not raised with our team until after arrival at the islets. The tour follows a fixed boat schedule, so an early private return from the island is unfortunately not always possible. In case of a real medical emergency, the correct procedure is to call for medical assistance or an ambulance, which is why this was mentioned. Our understanding was that your son was feeling unwell but was also able to swim at the beach during the stay. Finally, the time after returning from the island was not simply waiting for the bus. It is part of the itinerary, allowing guests to explore the seaside village, have dinner, or enjoy the thermal spa pool at the 5-star resort. We regret that this experience was not enjoyable for you, but we always aim to provide a safe and well-organized day trip for all guests. Kind regards, The Visit Meteora Team

via Viator

Private beach feel with amazing scenic views.

Truly a hidden experience but an amazing one. The feel of a private beach, an amazing water front and fabulous food at the beach site. I would pick the shipping over the spa visit but the spa was still relaxing. It just didn't leave time for anything else. Our bus driver was so friendly and it was an amazing smooth and comfortable ride. You need to try the tour.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the hidden beauty of Lichadonisia, the private beach feeling, the beautiful waterfront, and the food by the beach. We’re also happy to know that the ride was smooth and comfortable and that our driver helped make the day even more enjoyable. Thank you as well for your helpful feedback regarding the spa option. We understand that choosing the beach/island time can be even more valuable when the scenery is so special, and your comments are very useful for future guests. Thank you again for recommending the tour — we truly appreciate it!

via Viator

Beautiful beach day with a lovely family-run business

For the first and last part of this trip, I was with a much larger group on a big tour bus, but I was dropped off at a small town for my tour. I was the only one on the tour from Athens, but met up with three other small groups for the tour. We had had a beautiful boat ride to the beach (even saw a monk seal!). The private beach was beautiful and the beach chair and umbrella kept me cool. The water was clear and perfect for cooling off. There was a small concession stand at the beach with snacks and drinks. At the end of the day, I enjoyed a milkshake in town at a restaurant with seating on the beach and an appetizer at the meeting place. Met up with the rest of the group for the ride back to Athens. Great day!

Response from the operator: Dear traveler, Thank you so much for your beautiful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day at Lichadonisia, from the boat ride and clear waters to the private beach and seaside stops. Seeing a monk seal is truly special, and we’re so happy it made your experience even more memorable. We’re glad everything connected smoothly with the Athens transfer and that you had such a great day. Warm regards, The Visit Meteora Team

via Tripadvisor

Excellent

Absolutely fantastic experience — highly recommended. Our guide George Keramidas was exceptional from start to finish. The weather conditions on the day were quite uncertain, with the possibility of heavy rain and worsening sea conditions, but he was constantly updated and clearly very experienced in assessing the situation. Thanks to his professionalism, we were able to enjoy an amazing day on Ligadonisia in complete safety. He perfectly managed the timing and made sure we returned before the weather turned bad. What impressed us even more was the incredible timing: literally as soon as we arrived back on land, the weather suddenly worsened significantly. It was clear he had made exactly the right call at the right moment. During the trip, he also took us to see monk seals, which was an unforgettable and special experience that made the excursion even more unique. Beyond being a great guide, he was also a genuinely kind and caring person. Since it was raining heavily when we returned, he kindly drove us with his own car to the bus stop so we could get back comfortably instead of leaving us in the rain. Professional, knowledgeable, safety-conscious, and truly human — one of those guides who genuinely makes the experience memorable. We would absolutely do this tour again.

Response from the operator: Thank you for your fantastic review and for taking the time to share your experience! We are delighted to hear that you had such a memorable day at Lichadonisia. George is indeed a highly experienced guide, and we're pleased that his careful planning, local knowledge, and focus on safety allowed you to enjoy the islands despite the challenging weather conditions. Spotting the monk seals is always a special highlight, and we're glad you were able to experience it. Your kind words about George's professionalism, care, and willingness to go the extra mile mean a lot to us. We will be sure to pass on your compliments to him. Thank you once again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on another adventure in Greece soon!

via Tripadvisor

Perfect!

Everything was awesome! The whole trip was extraordinary, I’m gonna do it again for sure.

via Tripadvisor