A Day Boat Tour from Aegina to Agistri: The Most Unexpectedly Epic Trip of My Summer
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I wasn’t sure about being trapped with my family on a small speed boat all day, but the moment we took off for the smaller islands and I saw how fast we were cruising, I knew the day was going to be absolutely epic!
Starting the Day in Agia Marina
We were staying at a hotel just outside of Agia Marina, and yes — I absolutely get an irrational boost of joy whenever I stay in a place that shares my name. It makes me feel extremely important for no reason. Agia Marina is a peaceful pine-covered corner of Aegina, perfect for slow mornings, early swims, and strong Greek coffees.
Our captain told us to meet him in Aegina Town (the island’s main port), so we all piled into the rental car and made the 20-minute drive across the island. If you’ve never driven in Greece, picture this: twisty mountain roads, cliff-side turns, olive groves, and glimpses of sparkling water in the distance. It’s a vibe.
The Grocery Store Stop (ESSENTIAL)
On the way, we swung into a grocery store to stock up on:
- Drinks (mostly big bottles of water)
- Chips and snacks
- Fruit
- Sandwich ingredients for a DIY boat lunch
- Greek cookies for dessert
- Breakfast bars
- Ice for the cooler (the boat we rented came with one)
With zero shade on the boat and a whole day in the sun ahead of us, hydration was priority number one. Snacks were priority number two.
Meeting the Captain in Aegina Town
Once in Aegina Town, we parked near the beach where our boat was docked. Our captain, Antonis, greeted us with very chilled Greek energy — calm, smiling, definitely not concerned that we were a little late. Classic Greece.
We took our time getting ready:
- Loaded the snacks and drinks
- Organized our swim bags
- Applied our first layer of sunscreen (one of many)
- Got comfortable in our seats
Antonis gave us a quick safety briefing — where the life jackets were, what not to touch, and where to hold on when the boat went fast. He also explained the rough plan for the day, but emphasized that we could go wherever we wanted for as long as we wanted. We had the boat from morning until evening, and the schedule was flexible.
The Boat: A Zodiac That Can Move
Our ride was an inflatable Zodiac-style speed boat — comfortable enough, but absolutely not a luxury cruising situation. It was built for speed, not lounging. There was no shade at all, so the sun was part of the full-day experience (whether you wanted it or not).
Leaving the harbor, we cruised slowly at first. The water shimmered, the breeze picked up gently, and everything felt peaceful.
Then we hit open ocean.
Antonis grinned, pushed the throttle forward, and suddenly we were FLYING.
The wind whipped across our faces, the salty spray hit us just enough to feel refreshing, and I could not stop giggling. The boat cut across the water like it was skating on glass. It felt wild, exhilarating, and so much fun — like the ocean’s version of downhill skiing.
First Stop: A Swim in Agistri
Our first destination was the nearby island of Agistri, known for its turquoise waters and pine-studded coastline. As soon as the anchor dropped, we jumped straight in.
The water was unbelievably clear — that sparkling blue-green that barely looks real. There was a small sea cave nearby that we swam into, but the deeper we went, the faster the light disappeared. It went from bright blue to pitch black, and suddenly it was very creepy.
Still cool. But definitely creepy.
The Rhythm of the Day: Swim, Snack, Speed, Repeat
The rest of the day unfolded in a familiar simple pattern:
- Blast across the water at high speed
- Drop anchor
- Jump in
- Explore the coastline, caves, or coves
- Climb back in, crack open a drink, eat snacks
- Repeat
At a few stops, the others were swimming while I stayed on the boat, read my book, and lived my best sun-soaked Greek summer life. The combination of wind, salt, sunshine, and absolute freedom was addictive.
Our Captain (And His Hilarious Greek Banter)
Antonis was awesome — extremely knowledgeable about the island’s best hidden coves and bays. He knew exactly which spots would be crowded and which would be peaceful, and he navigated the boat both safely and skillfully, even when going very fast.
He also had the classic Greek teasing humor — the kind where you’re not sure if he’s joking or messing with you, but either way, he’s definitely having fun. I swear the Greeks invented humorous gaslighting.
The Beauty of Agistri’s Coastline
Agistri’s coastline is raw and stunning. There’s not much built on the edge of the island, so what you see is mostly:
- Pine trees leaning toward the sea
- Rocky cliffs
- Hidden coves
- Endless shades of blue
Some spots were more popular and had other boats and swimmers, but just around the next bend, there was always a calmer, quieter place.
Family Time (Shockingly Fun)
I was a little nervous about spending a whole day with six people on a relatively small boat. But honestly? It ended up being the best bonding day.
No drama. No stress. Just laughter, water, jokes, sun, and the kind of conversations that come out when you’re all stuck together in a beautiful place with nothing else to do.
It was surprisingly wholesome.
The Final Swim Stop
By the last stop, I was starting to feel the sun exhaustion set in — that warm, heavy, salty tiredness that only comes after a full day at sea. But I managed to do one more exploratory swim before retreating to the boat, draping my beach towel over my face, and reading a few more pages of my book.
It was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Returning to Aegina Town
As we approached Aegina Town in the late afternoon, the sun was lower, the light was golden, and the wind had softened. We climbed out of the boat tired, sun-drenched, salty, sticky, and incredibly happy.
It was one of the most unexpectedly amazing days of my entire summer.
Who Will Love This Boat Tour
- Speed-boat lovers
- Water babies
- People who love to swim, snorkel, and explore
- Anyone who doesn’t mind full sun all day (no shade!)
- Adventure-leaning friend groups
- Families/friends who enjoy doing active things together
Anyone who wants a DIY, flexible, choose-your-own-adventure day on the water, check out Sea Dog boat tours here.
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What I’d Do Differently Next Time
Honestly? Not much.
But if I were traveling with a smaller group, I’d love to rent one of the self-drive smaller boats:
- More freedom
- More independence
- More intimacy
- Go at your own pace entirely
Because we were six people, we needed the larger boat, which meant we weren’t allowed to drive it ourselves. But with fewer people, I’d 100% want to try the smaller version.
Key Tips for a Perfect Day
- Bring LOTS of water — way more than you think
- Reapply sunscreen constantly (especially on the boat)
- A waterproof phone case or GoPro is absolutely worth it (I use this one with this waterproof case)
- Pack snacks + lunch from the grocery store
- Wear a hat you can secure, or only wear it when the boat isn’t moving — the wind is real
- Bring a towel to create makeshift shade
- Don’t forget a portable charger
- Expect a full day of sun, salt, wind, and pure fun
