Astypalaia Boat Trip Review: A Day at Koutsomiti, Kounoupa & Red Rock (2025)
Waking up in Astypalaia feels a little bit like you’re in on a secret, you know? The air is sort of different here, thick with the smell of wild thyme and the sea. The plan for today, well, it was one of those experiences people write home about: the full-day boat outing to a few of the island’s little satellite gems. We were pretty much set on seeing Koutsomiti, Kounoupa, and the Red Rock cliffs. I mean, you see the pictures, right, and you honestly think they can’t be real. Let me just tell you, they are very real. The excitement was actually palpable as we strolled down to the Pera Gialos port, the sun just starting to feel warm on our skin. Honestly, it was a feeling that this day was going to be a good one, like one for the memory books.
Setting Sail from Pera Gialos: The Morning Atmosphere
So, the port at Pera Gialos in the morning is just a lovely scene. You’ve got these small fishing boats bobbing next to slightly larger excursion vessels, all more or less getting ready for the day. Our boat for the trip was, you know, this classic-looking wooden boat, painted a brilliant white and blue, which just felt so right. The captain, a local man with skin that showed a lifetime on the water, gave us all a really friendly nod as we came aboard. Actually, his welcome made you feel like a guest, not just another ticket number. As we pulled away from the dock, the view back towards the island was honestly breathtaking. The white-washed houses of the Chora looked like a dusting of sugar spilled down the hill, with the impressive shape of the Venetian castle standing guard above it all. Basically, you get this postcard view that changes and gets wider with every chug of the engine. It’s a very gentle start to the adventure, just watching the island shrink a little as the open sea welcomes you in.
First Stop: The Twin Islets of Koutsomiti
The first place we were heading to was Koutsomiti, which is really two tiny islands connected by a very narrow strip of sand and shallow water. The approach is honestly quite amazing. The water color starts to change from deep navy blue to this almost unbelievable shade of light turquoise, you know, the kind you see on screen savers. The captain slowed the boat right down, and frankly, the quietness, just hearing the gentle lapping of water, was magical. We dropped anchor a little way from the sandbar. I mean, you could literally just step off the boat into this waist-deep, crystal-clear water. The bottom is mostly soft sand with some smooth, white pebbles here and there. Of course, the first thing everyone did was jump in. The water was incredibly refreshing, and just floating there, looking at these two little green-topped islets on either side, was kind of perfect. Some people went snorkeling along the rocky edges; apparently, they saw a fair number of little fish darting about. To be honest, it’s not a spot for seeing huge marine life, but the sheer clarity of the water is what makes it so special. It’s more or less nature’s swimming pool, and it’s pretty hard to beat.
Kounoupa: Finding Caribbean Blue in the Aegean
Okay, so after an amazing time at Koutsomiti, we thought it couldn’t get any better. Then, well, we got to Kounoupa. This place is, at the end of the day, on another level. Similarly to Koutsomiti, it’s a double beach formed by a sandy isthmus, but this one is, sort of, grander. The strip of sand is wider, making two distinct beaches on either side, and the color of the water is just… wow. It’s an almost electric cyan that is seriously so vibrant it almost hurts your eyes in the bright sun. The boat found a spot in the deeper water, and honestly, it felt like we were floating in mid-air, you could see the anchor resting on the seabed like it was through glass. This was typically where the fun really picked up. Music started playing on the boat, and people were just diving and jumping off the sides with a lot of laughter.
“You look at the water, and you just have to jump. It pulls you in. It’s honestly the bluest water I have ever seen in my life.”
As a matter of fact, while we were all swimming and splashing around, the crew was busy preparing lunch. The smell of grilling meat started to drift over the water, which was just incredible. They served us these very tasty grilled souvlaki skewers, a fresh Greek salad with big chunks of feta, some crusty bread, and cold drinks. I mean, eating a meal like that after a swim, floating in one of the prettiest places you can imagine… it’s one of those really simple, perfect moments that you remember for a very long time.
The Crimson Cliffs of Red Rock (Kokkinos Gremos)
Our last swimming stop for the day was at a spot called Kokkinos Gremos, or Red Rock. The vibe here is completely different from the other two stops. As you approach, you see these really striking cliffs that are, as the name suggests, a deep, rusty red color. They drop quite sharply into the deep blue water, creating this very dramatic and almost stark contrast. It feels a bit wilder here, you know, more elemental. The boat pulled up pretty close to the cliff face, and the captain told us a little bit about the unique mineral deposits that give the rocks their color. Unlike the other spots, there’s no beach to swim to, just the open water next to this huge, colorful rock wall. So, swimming here felt a little more adventurous. The water is much deeper and a darker shade of blue. It was honestly quite cool to swim up close to the cliffs and touch the rough, warm rock. This is definitely a spot where you want your camera. The color of the rock against the Aegean blue makes for some absolutely fantastic pictures, especially in the afternoon light. It was a really good way to experience a different side of the island’s coastal character, you know, away from the gentle, sandy spots.
What You Need to Know: Practical Tips for Your Trip
Alright, so if you’re thinking about doing this trip, here’s a little bit of practical information that might help you out. Most of these full-day boat tours tend to include a few things in the price. For example, our trip included lunch on board and pretty much unlimited water and soft drinks, which was really welcome in the heat. They also typically provide snorkeling gear, like masks and snorkels, but you know, if you have your own gear that you like, it’s always a good idea to bring it. Honestly, you’ll be spending most of your day in and out of the water and in the sun, so you should definitely come prepared. You will be very glad you did. In short, here is a list of things you might want to bring with you:
- Sunscreen: You will absolutely need this. The Greek sun is no joke, especially on the water.
- A Hat: A wide-brimmed hat is probably a very good idea for extra sun protection.
- A Towel: Of course, you need one for drying off between swims. A quick-dry one is always useful.
- Water Shoes: While many spots are sandy, some areas have pebbles or rocks, so these are actually very helpful.
- Your Camera: A waterproof camera or a protective case for your phone is almost essential. You will take so many photos.
- A Light Jacket: For the ride back in the late afternoon, it can sometimes get a little breezy on the boat, so it’s nice to have something to put on.
Booking the trip is usually pretty easy. You can often just walk along the port in Pera Gialos the day before and talk to the captains of the boats directly. They have signs out showing the itinerary and prices. Alternatively, you can typically ask at your hotel or a local travel agent, and they can arrange it for you. Frankly, it’s one of the most popular things to do on the island, and for very good reason. It’s just a truly fantastic way to see the stunning coastline and islets that make this part of the Aegean so incredibly special.
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