SeaTV · Cyclades Islands · 7-Day Route
7-Day Cyclades Cruise — Paros to Paros Loop
A practical 7-day Cyclades charter starting and finishing at Paroikia Marina on Paros: Sifnos · Milos · Ios · Santorini · Koufonisia · Lesser Cyclades · back to Paros. Around 200+ NM total. Built for charter timing — 6 nights at sea, all main highlights of the central and southern Cyclades, returning to your start point.
This is the classic 7-day Cyclades loop — designed around Paros as the start and finish, hitting the western Cyclades, the southern volcanic islands, and the eastern Lesser Cyclades, then returning west. It moves fast (47 NM on Day 3 is the longest leg), so it works best when you want maximum island variety in a charter week and you’re confident with longer day-sails.
For a slower 8-day alternative starting at Naxos, see the SeaTV 8-Day Cyclades Route.
⚠ Reality check before committing to this route:
→ Day 3 is 47 NM (long sail). Folegandros (~30 NM, Agkali Bay) is the bail-out alternative.
→ Meltemi exposure on the long open-water legs (Milos→Ios, Santorini→Koufonisia)
→ Ios: anchoring in harbour bay PROHIBITED · quay-only mooring
→ Santorini: caldera too deep for anchoring · plan on buoys
→ Koufonisia marina: reserve in advance · 22-yacht capacity
Route Overview
Day 1: Paros (Paroikia) → Sifnos (Vathi lunch · Kamares night) · 27 NM SW
Day 2: Sifnos → Milos (Sarakiniko swim · Adamantas night) · 20 NM SW
Day 3: Milos → Ios · 47 NM E (long day · Folegandros bail-out option ~30 NM)
Day 4: Ios → Santorini (Ammoudi lunch · Akrotiri buoy night) · 20 NM SE
Day 5: Santorini → Koufonisia (Pori swim · marina night) · 33 NM N
Day 6: Koufonisia → Schinoussa (Tsigouri lunch) → Iraklia (Agios Georgios night) · 9.5 NM SW
Day 7: Iraklia (Livadi swim) → Paros (Paroikia) · ~30 NM W
Total distance: ~200+ NM across 7 days · roughly 30 NM/day average with one long 47 NM leg.
⛵ Day 1 — Paros → Sifnos
27 NM SW · Lunch at Vathi · Night at Kamares
Paros (Paroikia) → Sifnos
Depart from Paroikia Marina on a SW heading. About 27 NM brings you to Sifnos.
Lunch stop: Vathi Bay — the all-around shelter on Sifnos’s west coast · sand bottom · good holding · perfect day-anchor for a swim and lunch.
Night: Kamares Port — the main port of Sifnos · water/electricity/showers · tavernas along the front · Apollonia (capital) and Kastro (cliff-top) accessible inland.
For full Sifnos detail: Sifnos Island anchorages.
⛵ Day 2 — Sifnos → Milos
20 NM SW · Swim at Sarakiniko · Night at Adamantas
Sifnos → Milos
A short ~20 NM SW leg from Kamares to Milos. The volcanic landscape becomes the headline as you approach.
Mid-morning swim stop: Sarakiniko — Milos’s iconic white-rock lunar landscape on the north coast · day-anchor only, exposed to wind, but unique scenery.
Night: Adamantas (Milos port) — caldera bay · 5kt limit inside · weather forecast 08:00 on VHF Ch. 10 · town of Adamantas with full services.
For full Milos detail: Milos Island anchorages.
⛵ Day 3 — Milos → Ios (Long Day)
47 NM E · The Longest Day · Bail-Out: Folegandros 30 NM
Milos → Ios
This is a long day-sail. 47 NM east across open water — that’s how this route is built. With a fair wind it’s a classic Cyclades day; against the wind or in light air, it’s a long motoring day.
Bail-out option (no wind / light air / time pressure): Sail to Folegandros instead — about 30 NM east — and anchor in Agkali Bay. Sand bottom · good shelter from the Meltemi.
If you push to Ios: Ios port · anchoring in the harbour bay PROHIBITED · plan for E or N quay · heavy fenders for ferry surge · order fuel 2 hrs ahead if needed.
Stay rest-day if time allows: Ios rewards a slow day — walk up to the Chora at sunset, rent a car for the south-coast Magganari swim.
⛵ Day 4 — Ios → Santorini
20 NM SE · Lunch at Ammoudi · Night at Akrotiri Buoy
Ios → Santorini (Thira)
A reasonable 20 NM SE to the volcanic caldera of Santorini.
Lunch stop: Ammoudi (Ormos Ammoudhi) below Oia — small bay with the cliff-stair walk up into Oia village. Good lunch with the caldera views above.
Night: Akrotiri buoy field on the south coast · 15 buoys in 4 m · sand · NW–NE shelter · €50/24h · book ahead at +30 6973 838 900.
Shore excursion: Water taxi from the caldera or rent a car from Akrotiri for sunset at Oia · Fira town · the Akrotiri archaeological site.
For full Santorini detail: Santorini (Thira) anchorages.
⛵ Day 5 — Santorini → Koufonisia
33 NM N · Swim at Pori · Night at Koufonisia Marina
Santorini → Koufonisia
33 NM N — a moderate day with the Meltemi typically on the beam or aft of beam (favourable angle).
Lunch stop: Paralia Pori on Koufonisia’s east side · crystal-clear water · good holding · calm weather only.
Night: Koufinisi Marina · 22-yacht capacity · narrow entrance · reserve in advance · Meltemi shelter.
Shore time: The village is small enough for a half-day walk · traditional tavernas · the kind of quiet Cycladic atmosphere the bigger islands have outgrown.
For full Koufonisia detail: Koufonisia Island.
⛵ Day 6 — Koufonisia → Schinoussa → Iraklia
9.5 NM SW · Tsigouri Lunch · Iraklia Night
Lesser Cyclades Sub-Loop
Short hops between three quiet Lesser Cyclades islands — the calmest day of the week, two anchorages and a port stop within ~10 NM total.
Mid-day stop: Tsigouri Beach on Schinoussa · sheltered bay · ⚠ islet on right side of entrance — plot on chartplotter, eyeball the water on approach. Anchor and swim.
Night: Iraklia — moor in the small port at Agios Georgios. Quiet evening, dark skies, dinner ashore.
For Lesser Cyclades detail: Schinoussa · Iraklia.
⛵ Day 7 — Iraklia → Paros (Return)
~30 NM W · Final Swim at Livadi · Return to Paroikia
Iraklia → Paros
~30 NM west back to Paroikia — typically with the Meltemi on or aft of beam, an enjoyable downwind sail.
Final swim: Livadi Bay on Iraklia · pause for one last Cyclades swim before the long final leg west · ⚠ underwater pipes · sandy bottom · NOT in Meltemi.
Return: Paroikia Marina · charter complete.
Pro tip: Time the final approach for daylight — Paroikia’s bay is surrounded by islands and reefs, and you don’t want to navigate that final stretch in fading light.
Meltemi Strategy for This Route
The Meltemi pattern: Strong NE winds dominate Cyclades summer sailing — typically 20–35 knots from the NE for 3–7 days at a time, especially July–August.
Day 1 (Paros→Sifnos SW): Beam reach in Meltemi · favourable.
Day 2 (Sifnos→Milos SW): Beam reach in Meltemi · favourable.
Day 3 (Milos→Ios E): Meltemi on the bow → upwind beat or motor. The hardest day. Use the Folegandros bail-out if conditions are tough.
Day 4 (Ios→Santorini SE): Meltemi on aft beam → enjoyable reach.
Day 5 (Santorini→Koufonisia N): Meltemi on the bow → upwind. Plan for slower progress.
Day 6 (Lesser Cyclades short hops): Quick hops · Meltemi manageable on short legs.
Day 7 (Iraklia→Paros W): Meltemi aft of beam → favourable downwind sail home.
Pro Tips for the 7-Day Cyclades Route
Always check the Meltemi forecast. Particularly July–August — multi-day Meltemi pulses (20–35 knots NE) shape the entire week. If a heavy Meltemi is forecast for Day 3 (the 47 NM E leg), use the Folegandros bail-out.
Reserve moorings in advance. Especially during high season (July–August) — Akrotiri Santorini buoys, Koufinisi Marina, Kamares Sifnos all fill quickly.
Prepare for Mediterranean mooring. Stern-to or bow-to with anchor + lines is the dominant Cyclades style. Make sure your anchor is set well and your anchor-set technique is rehearsed before Day 1.
Top up at Paroikia before departure. Most complete services on the route are at the start. Top up water, fuel, electricity, and provisions before leaving on Day 1.
Day 3 is the route’s pivot. If conditions are good, push to Ios (47 NM). If tough, take Folegandros (30 NM) and sleep in Agkali Bay. Don’t try to push through bad conditions — adjust the plan.
Take a rest day at Ios if time allows. Ios is the route’s natural rest point — long sail in, party island ashore, good food, a Chora to walk up to. Two nights here makes Day 3 less brutal.
Explore local cuisine and culture at each stop. Each Cycladic island has its own traditional dishes and wine — Sifnos is famous for ceramics and chickpea soup, Milos for capers and cheese, Santorini for Assyrtiko wine, Koufonisia for fava. Worth tasting through.
Time-shift the season if possible. June or September give you the same route, the same islands, much less crowding and gentler Meltemi. July–August is the peak.
Alternative Routes & Variations
8-day version starting at Naxos: A slower route covering Paros, Naoussa, Piso Livadi, Ios, Santorini, Koufonisia, Schinoussa, Iraklia. See SeaTV 8-Day Cyclades Route.
If Day 3 is tough, take Folegandros: Anchor in Agkali Bay (sand, good Meltemi shelter), then continue to Santorini Day 4 (~30 NM SE) and Koufonisia Day 5.
Skip Santorini for a quieter route: Replace Days 4–5 with an extra day on Ios + a longer day to Koufonisia. Less iconic, more relaxed.
Add Naoussa or Piso Livadi: If you want to also see other parts of Paros, add a Day 0 (the night before charter starts) at Naoussa or Piso Livadi. See Naoussa or Piso Livadi.
✅ Sailor’s Checklist for the 7-Day Route
▢ Weather forecast (especially Meltemi) checked at start of week
▢ Akrotiri Santorini buoy reservation made (+30 6973 838 900)
▢ Koufinisi Marina reservation made (22-yacht capacity)
▢ Kamares Sifnos availability checked
▢ Folegandros bail-out plan ready for Day 3
▢ Mediterranean mooring technique rehearsed
▢ Anchor + scope inspected
▢ Heavy fenders ready for Ios ferry-port quay
▢ Top-up at Paroikia complete (water/fuel/provisions)
▢ VHF on Ch. 16 throughout the week
Emergency & Service Numbers — Cyclades
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Distress (VHF Ch. 16): Universal
Coastguard Working (VHF Ch. 12): Per region
Akrotiri Santorini buoy: +30 6973 838 900
Ios fuel service: +30 22860 92009 · mobile +30 6974 501 155 · 2 hrs advance
Paros Port Authority (Paroikia): Port Police on site · VHF Ch. 12 / 16
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Videos
Drone passes over each leg of the route — the Paroikia bay approach, Sifnos’s Vathi, Milos’s Sarakiniko white rocks, Ios’s Chora and Magganari water, the Santorini caldera and Akrotiri buoy field, Koufonisia’s small marina, and the Lesser Cyclades’s quiet sub-loop. Free for members.
Related SeaTV Pages
Cyclades Routes
→ 8-Day Cyclades Route · slower alternative starting at Naxos
Stops on This Route — Full Detail Pages
→ Paroikia Marina, Paros (start/end)
→ Sifnos Island · Kamares Port
→ Koufonisia · Koufinisi Marina
→ Schinoussa · Iraklia
Sailing the Cyclades in 7 Days?
Paros to Paros · 6 islands · 200+ NM · the western and southern Cyclades + the quiet Lesser Cyclades return.
“This 7-day route packs the Cyclades into a charter week — Sifnos and Milos in the west, the long crossing east to Ios, the volcanic caldera at Santorini, and the quiet Lesser Cyclades on the way home. The trade-off is one long sailing day on Day 3 (or the Folegandros bail-out). The reward is the full geographic spread of the central and southern Cyclades.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Cyclades Edition
