Club sea kayaking trip to Skopelos, Greece

Saturday 4 - Saturday 11 October 2025

About this trip for Club members

After our successful 2024 kayaking trip we'e planning to explore a different location in Greece in 2025.  Our 7 night/8 day holiday will be on the Greek island of Skopelos in the Aegean in the Northern Sporades archipelago. 

It will include 5 days sea kayaking in the clear, blue Aegean waters and a day to relax/explore this pine covered island with picturesque towns and villages, ringed by a beautiful coastline.  It’s also the island where Mamma Mia! was filmed.

A well rated, local company will provide sea kayaks [single and double] and all necessary equipment and their experienced guides will lead the paddling.  

There are direct flights from London Stanstead and Gatwick to the adjacent island of Skiathos, with a transfer over the 22km by water taxi.  You can also fly via Athens, and maybe taking a a day or two to discover the city, then either take an internal flight to Skiathos, or a connecting bus/ferry.  Alternatively you can add extra days in Skopelos at the end of the trip.

Who this trip is for

Mixed ability paddlers from novices to people with basic skills and some kayaking experience.  

It is not designed for more advanced paddlers although if you’re happy with a more relaxed pace and easier conditions, you will be welcome to join in the fun and paddle with other Club members.

Group size: 12 - maximum 16 participants.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be in fully equipped self-catering studios 100m from the sea in the village of Neo Klima [aka Elios] on the west coast of the island - see the video of the area.

Double and twin studios are available and for single occupancy at Maria’s Studios or similar depending on numbers.

There are supermarkets and tavernas nearby.  It’s a ‘new’ village as inhabitants had to move from the higher original one due to an earthquake in 1981.

You can also opt for extra non paddling days after the trip to discover more of the island – the village is served by the local bus service between the main towns, Chora, and Glossa.

About the sea kayaking

Kayaking Greece will provide five different sea kayaking trips over the week with all necessary equipment provided, transfers to/from the launch points and picnic lunches.  The trips will be led by professional guides who will give paddling advice and tips, as required, to help you get the most out of the day.  [Nb it is not designed as a course.]  They will also advise on boat choice to facilitate group paddling. 

The actual schedule will be decided locally according to the group’s abilities and local weather/sea conditions.

About Skopelos

Skopelos along with Skiathos, Skyros and Alonissos make up the Northern Sporades archipelago off the east coast of Greece, alongside the Pelion peninsular.

It is the greenest of these islands with deserted beaches, rugged cliffs, sea caves and tiny uninhabited islands to explore, and the opportunity to spot wildlife.  There are traditional settlements, the main ones being the towns of Chora and Glossa, museums, monasteries as well as hiking possibilities along the old, cobbled paths. 

In October the sea will be warm, the average day maximum temperature is 21C and the sun is warm but not fierce.  A little rain is a possibility but usually it won’t stop us paddling.  

How the trip is organised

We are working with the company Kayaking Greece who will provide a complete package of 5 kayaking day trips to different destinations, plus accommodation through their usual suppliers.  

On non-paddling days and in the evenings, you will be free to choose what you would like to do whether it’s joining up with others in the group or doing your own thing.  

Once we have agreed numbers for the trip, your details will be supplied to Sea Kayaking Greece – the LRNSC organiser/participant, Mary Wray, will liaise/co-ordinate with them and you over trip-related matters – please see the costs section for terms and conditions.

You will be responsible for your own travel arrangements to/from Skopelos although group transfers to/from Skiathos airport will be co-ordinated depending on numbers.  

We recommend that as a minimum you have a GHIC card that will cover you for emergency healthcare in Greece https://www.gov.uk/global-health-insurance-card  You may also want to arrange your own travel insurance to cover you in the event of cancellation, travel disruption etc.

COSTS

Package of 7 nights’ accommodation with 5 days sea kayaking including all paddling equipment, food/drink during paddling trips, transport to/from kayak launch points.
•    Double or twin room: 940 euros per person
•    Single Room: 1050 euros per person

Please note that the prices do not include 24% VAT.  If you pay the balance by credit card or bank transfer the 24% VAT will be added to your bill, alternatively you can pay the balance in cash on arrival and no VAT will be charged.

To secure the trip a non-refundable deposit of 200 euros per person [approx. £166] will be required which will not incur VAT [will be paid to a personal account rather than a business account].  Participants pay the Club, and one payment will be made for the group by the Club to secure the trip.

Other expenses to budget for in Greece: breakfast, evening meals, drinks, snacks, lunch/transport on non-paddling days, water taxi transfer to/from Skiathos airport.

If you wished to add on extra accommodation the costs would be:
•    25 euros per person for double rooms
•    40 euros per person for single occupancy

TRAVEL

Direct flights to Skiathos: – standard fares per person at 19/12/24* including a small underseat cabin bag [swimwear and a few casual clothes are all that’s needed].  If you need more luggage you could team up with someone else to buy and share a larger cabin or hold bag.

JET2
Saturday 4/10 dep London Stanstead 08:00 arr Skiathos 13:30 - £102.00*
Saturday 11/10 dep Skiathos 14:15 arr London Stanstead 15:55 - £189.00*

[Flights from Manchester also available on those dates]

EASYJET
Saturday 4/10 dep London Gatwick 08:00 arr Skiathos 13:30 - £102.00*
Saturday 11/10 dep Skiathos 12:05 arr London Gatwick 13:45 - £193.05*  

You can buy single tickets if you want to extend your holiday [there is also an Easyjet return flight on Tuesday 14/10], or you can return via ferry & bus from Athens or another airport.

The water taxi transfer from Skiathos airport to Skopelos is extra – we will get a quote when the trip & numbers are confirmed.  

For flights between Athens & Skiathos look at Sky Express, Olympic Air or Aegean.
Full ferry schedules for 2025 are not yet available but there are year-round connections to the island from the mainland ports of Volos and Mantoudi.

What to do next

Step 1
Register your interest & preferences by completing this online form by 12:00 on Sunday 19 January – places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, with priority given to current Club members.

Step 2
Once you are advised that you have a place[s] you will need to pay the non-refundable deposit by January 31st to enable the Club to pay the supplier to confirm the trip.  
I will liaise with the supplier on behalf of participants, and you will also need to indicate how you will pay the balance.

Step 3
Once the supplier has confirmed receipt of deposits from the Club, we’ll tell you and you can then make your flight/travel arrangements.  

Any questions? 

Please email the organiser, Mary Wray.