If you’re staying in the area, getting on the water is not optional. The question is how. Most visitors start by searching for a boat rental. Some find their way to a private cruise instead. Both are available from the beach in front of Ekies Resort, and both are worth understanding before you decide.
Here’s how they compare, what each option costs, and where you can go.
Two ways to explore by boat from Vourvourou
A self-drive boat rental gives you a small motorboat and the freedom to go where you want, at your own pace. No skipper, no fixed route. You follow the digital map provided, handle the boat yourself, and return within your chosen time slot. It’s the right choice if you’re comfortable on the water, want total flexibility, and are happy to navigate independently.
A private skippered cruise means you book the entire vessel, including an experienced skipper who handles everything: navigation, anchoring, local knowledge about which coves are worth stopping at and where to swim. You’re a passenger, not a driver. The boat is larger, the range is greater, and you can reach destinations — Ammouliani, Drenia Islands, Mount Athos — that are too far for a small rental. It suits families with young children, groups who want to relax rather than navigate, and anyone who wants a full day at sea without any of the logistics.
Explore Boat Trips offers both from the same base at Ekies Resort beach, Vourvourou. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to book — independent visitors are welcome to park and join directly at the beach.
Do you need a licence to rent a boat in Vourvourou?
It depends on the boat. The smaller self-drive boats in the Explore fleet (Explorer 15ft, Navigator 17ft, Voyager 19ft) require no licence at all. Anyone can rent them. The largest rental boat (Skipper 20–22ft, 115HP Yamaha) does require a licence. If you don’t hold one, the no-licence options cover everything you’d want to do around Diaporos and Vourvourou bay.
For the skippered private cruises, no licence is needed from you at any point. The skipper is fully qualified and handles the vessel.
Private cruise routes from Vourvourou
All private cruises depart from Ekies Resort beach. Departure is typically 10:00 AM with flexible timing. Every cruise includes skipper, fuel, water and refreshments, beach towels, life jackets, and port fees. Snorkelling gear is available on request. An optional wine tasting package (Greek wines from Zervas Winery, local cheese, seasonal fruit) is €25 per person.
1. Diaporos Island & Vourvourou Classic — 3 hours
The natural starting point for anyone new to the area. The route covers the Blue Lagoon, Hawaii Beach, Mesopanagia Cove, and Dimitri’s Cove — the four spots that define Diaporos for most visitors. Clear water, calm conditions, time to swim and snorkel before heading back. Three hours is the right amount of time to see the highlights without rushing.
Starting from €400 for up to 6 guests.
2. Diaporos Island & Vourvourou Premium — 5 hours
The extended version covers everything in the Classic route, plus Karydi Beach (calm, shallow, good for families), Krifto Bay (a hidden cove with historical character), and the double-sided beaches of Ampelitsi and Peristeri Islands. More time in the water, more stops, and room for a proper lunch break if you want one.
Starting from €600 for up to 6 guests.
3. Sithonia Riviera & Orange Beach — 4 hours
This route heads south along the Sithonia coastline rather than into the Diaporos archipelago. The destination is Orange Beach, aka Kavourotrypes, one of the most striking beaches in Halkidiki, with its distinctive orange-tinted sand and pine-covered cliffs. The cruise passes several secluded bays along the Sithonia riviera that are only accessible from the sea, with swim stops along the way.
Starting from €600 for up to 6 guests.
4. Ammouliani & Drenia Islands Classic — 4 hours
From Vourvourou, the cruise heads north towards the Ammouliani and Drenia island cluster near Ouranoupoli. The Drenia Islands are small, uninhabited, and only accessible by boat — white sand, shallow turquoise water, and none of the crowds you find at road-accessible beaches. The route includes a stop at Ammouliani Island for a walk through the village, with time to swim at the islands before heading back.
Starting from €600 for up to 6 guests.
5. Ammouliani & Drenia Islands Premium — 6 to 7 hours
The extended version of the Ammouliani route, with more time at each stop and additional beaches along the Ammouliani coastline. After Drenia, the cruise continues to Karagatsia and Banana Beach, two secluded coves with excellent snorkelling. There’s a proper lunch stop in Ammouliani town at a local taverna (not included in the price), and unhurried time in the water before the return to Vourvourou. The longest all-water day available from this base, short of the Athos cruise.
Starting from €950 for up to 6 guests.
6. Sunset Cruise — 2 hours
A two-hour evening cruise timed for golden hour, departing around 6:00 PM. The route covers Karydi Beach, the Blue Lagoon, Hawaii Beach, Mesopanagia Cove, and Vourvourou Bay at sunset. Short enough to fit around a dinner reservation, long enough to feel like a proper evening on the water. Works well as an add-on to a beach day or as a standalone.
Starting from €400 for up to 6 guests.
7. Mount Athos Monasteries — 7 hours
The longest route from Vourvourou, and the most ambitious. The cruise heads north past Ammouliani Island and along the western coast of the Athos Peninsula, where the monasteries of Simonos Petras, Dionisiou, and Agiou Pavlou rise from the cliffs above the water. The Athos coastline is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; access to the peninsula on land requires a special permit and is restricted to men, but the view from the sea is open to everyone.
On the return, there’s time to stop at Ammouliani for lunch at a local taverna (not included in the price).
Starting from €950 for up to 6 guests.
Boat rentals from Vourvourou
If you’d prefer to explore independently, the self-drive rental fleet at Ekies gives you four boats to choose from. All are simple to operate, no experience required, and come with a full safety briefing, digital map, GPS tracking, cool box, and emergency assistance. Fuel is not included in the rental price.
Half-day slots are 09:30–13:30 or 14:00–18:00. Full day is 10:00–17:00.
- Explorer 15ft (Yamaha 30HP, up to 4-5 guests) — Half day €100 / Full day €150. No licence required.
- Navigator 17ft (Tohatsu 30/50HP, up to 5-6 guests) — Half day €150 / Full day €200. No licence required.
- Voyager 19ft (Tohatsu 30/50HP, up to 7-8 guests) — Half day €200 / Full day €300. No licence required.
- Skipper 20–22ft (Yamaha 115HP, up to 8 guests) — Full day €500. Licence required.
The Explorer and Navigator are the most popular choice for couples and small families wanting a few hours around Diaporos. The Voyager suits larger groups. All four stay within comfortable reach of the Diaporos archipelago and Vourvourou bay.
Which private boat?
All skippered cruises are available on four vessels. The Brig 22 Navigator and Axopar 24 T-Top each hold up to 6 guests. The Axopar 28 T-Top (300HP Mercury Verado) holds up to 7. The Cranchi 26 eRider (350HP Honda V8) is the largest, with capacity for up to 9 guests and the most deck space — the right choice for a bigger group or anyone who wants more room to spread out during a long day.
Prices increase slightly with the larger vessels. Routes and inclusions are the same across all four.
How to book
Both private cruises and boat rentals can be booked online through the Explore Boat Trips website for instant confirmation. If you’re staying at Ekies Resort, the concierge can also arrange it on your behalf. No licence is required for private cruises or for the three smaller rental boats.
All departures are from the beach in front of Ekies Resort, Vourvourou. Hotel guests and independent visitors are equally welcome. Parking is available nearby.
For the full pricelist by route and vessel, visit exploreboattrips.com/pricelists.
Check availability and book your boat trip from Vourvourou
