Wildlife Sailing itinerary

Here is a sample of what you will experience during our Wild Tale, while sailing with us around the islands of the Cyclades…

Day 1. Welcome at Syros

We start our journey from the historical port of Syros, Ermoupolis. The day will be devoted to getting to know each other, a briefing on the Aegean ecosystem and settling down on the boat. You will have plenty of time to walk around the picturesque old town of Ano Syros.

Day 2. Dolphin & bird spotting while we sail to Paros

Sailing and dolphin spotting is on the agenda today. We will follow the route southwards towards Paros island. Plenty of time for dolphin spotting with the aid of our hydrophone and for watching sea birds, such as the common Yellow-legged gull, the rare Audouin’s gull and plenty of shags that hang around in these waters. By late noon we will reach the small fishing port of Piso Livadi, on the eastern coast of Paros, where you can taste the local fish delicacies of Halaris.

Day 3: Unspoilt Iraklia is the next station of our “project”

Our prow is pointing to the southeast, to the very heart of the Aegean, the ”small Cyclades” complex. Only a few of the 50 islands, islets and rocks are inhabited by man, giving the impression of an ”empty” habitat to the unsuspected eye. On the contrary, these islands hide an impressive variety of life.

The typical vegetation of the ecosystems here is phrygana. You will be surprised to discover that even a tiny rocky islet may be home to tens of invertebrate species and even to many vertebrates including birds, such as chukars, shags, but also Eleonora’s and Peregrine falcons and even the majestic Griffon vultures. Reptiles include geckos, Balkan Rock lizards, Sand boas and others. And lets not forget the endemic flowers growing there, which include a variety of unique orchids, crocuses, knapweeds, mulleins, bellflowers and many more!

Day 4. Sail & anchor at remote Despotiko island

Today’s route is eastwards. The sailing area we will cover is a well-known passage for dolphins. Despotiko, another small island, favourite meeting point for sailors in the Aegean, is where we’ll end our small experiment. We will compare and analyse our results and photos, breaking the work with plunges in the crystal clear waters of the bay.

At night you will be a witness to a unique spectacle: the glowing sea. A myriad of minuscule planktonic crustaceans produce light thanks to the phenomenon of bioluminescence.

Day 5/6. Sail to Kimolos-Polyegos complex, home of the Monk seal

We’ll have an early start and enjoy a day sailing towards the unspoilt island of Kimolos. The area north of Kimolos and the neighboring uninhabited island of Polyegos harbors one of the most critically endangered marine mammal species in Europe, the Mediterranean Monk seal.

MOm, the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, a Greek NGO, has been working for the protection of the Mediterranean Monk seal since 1998, through field research, conservation and public awareness actions. After years of research and lobbying, MOm aspires to see Kimolos amongst the protected marine areas of Greece, as the second largest European population of the Mediterranean Monk seal lives and breeds in the Kimolos-Polyegos island complex. Though the Mediterranean Monk seal is not exactly sociable, we have spotted it in several occasions and who knows… we may be lucky again!

Day 7: Sail to volcanic Milos to admire its unique fauna

One of the first volcanic islands to emerge from the sea about 2 million years ago, Milos features a quite unique fauna, with the Milos viper one of its most interesting as well as rare animals in Europe. Its population is estimated to be less than 4,000 individuals and is strictly protected by a Presidential Degree. The Milos Wall lizard, the extremely rare Milos Grass snake and Milos Green lizard are three important endemic species of the Milos archipelago.

Milos and the Cyclades in general lie along the Aegean migratory route for European birds that fly southwards to spend the winter in Africa. Our observation point will be the small brackish lake of Achivadolimni ('lake of shells' in Greek), where wading birds can be observed (herons, waders, the occasional Glossy ibis e.t.c.). It’s hiking time! All the aforementioned animals, plus the Stripe-neck terrapin, can be found here, in this small oasis of water and vegetation in the midst of the general Cyclades aridness.

That will be the end of our “biodiversity project”. Please note that photographs of cetaceans and other interesting fauna and flora that you take during the sailing cruise might be of great relevance to scientists in their researches. If you like, you can contribute by sharing with us your photos at the end of the trip.

We’re as flexible as the weather!

The above itinerary is an example of what you will experience in our Wild Tale sailing trips in the Aegean Sea. We don’t follow the same route every week and every itinerary may slightly change due to the weather and other factors beyond our control. Remember that we cannot sail against the weather! We will do our best. Everything else is KISMET!

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