Athens: Lichadonisia Islets Day Tour with Boat & Thermal Spa Pool

Lichadonisia gives you a full day beside clear water without the cost and planning of arranging several separate trips from Athens. After a two-hour coach ride, you cross from Kamena Vourla by small boat to sandy beaches, turquoise water, and tiny volcanic islets where you can swim, sunbathe, and look for dolphins or monk seals.

I like the easy transport and the generous five to six hours on the beach. I also like the choice at the end: you can stroll through Kamena Vourla, eat by the sea, or select the adult-only thermal pool at Galini Mitsis for a warm mineral-water soak.

The main drawback is the long day, about 14 hours, with food not included. The small beach café may be slow, costly, and limited, so I would bring snacks or a packed lunch rather than depend on it.

Key points at a glance

• Lichadonisia beach time: Plan on roughly 11 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. on the islets, with sunbeds and an umbrella included.
• A scenic two-hour ride: The air-conditioned coach leaves Athens at 8 a.m. from Larissis Station and includes Wi-Fi and two cold bottles of water per person.
• Wildlife and a wreck: Keep watch from the boat and shoreline for dolphins, monk seals, and the submerged World War II shipwreck.
• Kamena Vourla pause: You have time for coffee, brunch, a seaside walk, and dinner before the return coach.
• Optional thermal finish: The spa-rate option includes a 20-minute session in Galini Mitsis’s warm mineral-water pool.
• Small organized group: The maximum group size is 35, with guide support and round-trip transport included.

Leaving Athens for the Gulf of Evia

The day starts at 8 a.m. outside Larissis Station in Athens. That meeting point is close to public transport, which matters when you are leaving early and do not want to cross the city by taxi.

You travel in an air-conditioned coach with free onboard Wi-Fi. The ride to Kamena Vourla takes about two hours, so this is not a quick half-day outing. It is best treated as a complete day away from Athens, with the drive acting as the bridge between the city and the coast.

I like this setup because you do not need to rent a car, find the boat dock, or work out the return trip from a resort town. The tradeoff is clear: a coach day gives you convenience, but you spend a meaningful part of the day in transit. Bring headphones, water, and something to read, even though two cold bottles of water are supplied.

The group can reach up to 35 people. That is large enough for a proper coach and boat operation, but not so large that the outing has the feel of a major sightseeing convoy. Guide Giorgio is specifically associated with the experience, and guide support helps with the transfers and timing.

Kamena Vourla makes a useful first stop

Kamena Vourla is the first taste of the coast. You have about an hour to stretch your legs, buy a coffee, and enjoy a relaxed brunch by the water before boarding the boat.

Brunch is not included, so plan to pay for your own food. This stop is less about formal sightseeing than getting comfortable before the beach portion begins. You can use the time to pick up something portable for later, which I strongly recommend.

The town also returns at the end of the day, when you have around two hours before meeting the coach at Restaurant Camino. That second visit gives you more freedom. You can take a seaside walk, sit down for dinner, or simply enjoy the marina after the heat and sun of Lichadonisia.

That split is one of the smarter details of the schedule. You do not have to rush straight from the beach onto a long coach ride. Instead, you get a buffer for dinner and a chance to wash off some of the salt before heading back to Athens.

Crossing by boat to Lichadonisia

From Kamena Vourla, a small boat carries you across to Lichadonisia. The islets are volcanic, low, and surrounded by clear turquoise water. The setting is the reason to book this experience, not a long list of monuments or guided lectures.

The boat ride is part of the pleasure. Keep your eyes open during the crossing for dolphins and monk seals. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the possibility gives the trip a little extra interest. You may also be able to see the World War II shipwreck lying beneath the water.

Once you arrive, the day becomes largely your own. You can swim, lie under the included umbrella, use a sunbed, walk around, or simply sit near the water. The beach area has a relaxed feel and is visited by local people, which gives it a more everyday coastal character than a polished resort excursion.

I especially like the amount of time here. You are scheduled to remain on the islets from about 11 a.m. until 5 or 6 p.m., depending on the day’s timing. That is long enough for a proper beach day rather than a hurried photo stop.

What the beach day is really like

Lichadonisia works best for people who are happy setting their own pace. After the transfers, you are not placed into a chain of timed activities. You have several hours to decide when to swim, when to sit in the shade, and when to explore.

The water is the star. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and water shoes if you like exploring the shore. The supplied sunbed and umbrella are useful because six hours in direct sun can become tiring, even when the water feels inviting.

There is a small café on the islet, but I would not make it the center of your meal plan. Food choices may be limited, orders can take time, and prices may feel high for the setting. Lunch, snacks, and dinner are not included in the tour price, so pack food from Athens or Kamena Vourla if you want a reliable meal.

This is also a place where basic preparation improves the day. A waterproof bag helps protect phones and wallets during the boat ride. A hat, light cover-up, and extra dry clothes are sensible additions. These are not supplied, and the tour’s two bottled waters may not be enough for you during a hot afternoon.

The setting is beautiful, but it is not a full-service resort. That is part of its appeal and part of its limitation. You get a natural coastal setting and open time, but you should not expect a broad menu, constant service, or a long list of facilities.

The optional Galini Mitsis thermal pool

If you choose the spa-rate option, the day includes a 20-minute session in the hydrotherapy thermal pool at the Galini Mitsis Spa Resort. The pool uses warm, mineral-rich water, and the session is designed for relaxation after the beach.

The spa is about a 10-minute walk through the marina from the boat dock. That short walk is worth noting if you are carrying beach gear or moving with children. The thermal pool option is available only to adults.

Children can use the hotel’s regular pool when accompanied and supervised by an adult while that adult takes the thermal session. This makes the spa option possible for some families, but it does not mean children can enter the thermal pool itself.

I like the idea of adding warm mineral water after swimming in the sea. It changes the rhythm of the day and gives you a calm transition before dinner in Kamena Vourla. Still, the session is only 20 minutes, so you should view it as a brief extra rather than a full spa visit.

Check which rate you are selecting when booking. The experience information describes the thermal pool as optional, so the total price and included services depend on the option you choose. At the listed price of $118.82 per person, the value is strongest for someone who wants an organized beach day with transportation, boat tickets, a sunbed, an umbrella, and possibly the thermal session.

Is $118.82 a fair price?

The price is not simply paying for access to a beach. It covers round-trip coach transportation from Athens, the boat crossing, beach equipment, Wi-Fi on the coach, two bottles of cold water, and free time in Kamena Vourla. If you tried to arrange the transport and boat independently, the convenience would be harder to match.

The value depends on what you want from a day trip. If you prefer a quick, low-cost swim near Athens, this may feel expensive. You also pay for a very long day, and meals are extra.

If you want a simple way to reach a coastal spot that is awkward to visit without a car, the price makes more sense. The boat ride and the long beach stay are the core benefits. The spa option adds a pleasant finish, but I would not book the entire trip only for a 20-minute pool session.

A good comparison is this: you are buying time at Lichadonisia without having to drive, navigate, park, coordinate the boat, or worry about the return to Athens. For many people, that is the real value.

The return through Kamena Vourla

After the beach, you return by boat to Kamena Vourla. The schedule gives you about two hours before the coach leaves from Restaurant Camino.

This is your chance to eat a proper dinner, take a waterfront walk, or sit quietly with a drink. Since dinner is not included, budget for it separately. The timing is useful because you are unlikely to want a full coach ride immediately after several hours in the sun.

The coach then returns to the original meeting point in Athens. The total day lasts about 14 hours, so expect a late return. That matters if you have evening plans, an early flight the next morning, or limited energy after a day outdoors.

The long schedule is also why I would avoid placing this excursion between demanding Athens sightseeing days. Give yourself room to enjoy the beach rather than worrying about your next appointment.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want:

• A beach day outside Athens without renting a car
• Several hours for swimming and sunbathing rather than a rushed stop
• A boat ride with the chance to see marine life
• Some independent time instead of constant guided commentary
• A thermal pool option for adults
• A practical group trip with a maximum of 35 people

It suits couples, friends, and families who can manage a long day. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The beach and boat portions still require ordinary care around sun, water, and uneven outdoor areas.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long coach rides, need a large choice of meals, or want a tightly guided cultural tour. This is mainly a sea-and-relaxation outing. Kamena Vourla adds a coastal-town stop, but Lichadonisia is the main event.

The trip also suits you if you like having free time. Once you reach the islets, you are not pushed from one activity to the next. You can make the day active or lazy, depending on your mood.

Practical details before you book

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is provided when you book, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, so pay attention to the local cut-off time.

Bring food, snacks, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. Also carry a little extra water beyond the two bottles supplied if you know you drink often in the heat.

I would confirm the exact return timing and whether the thermal pool is included in your selected rate before paying. The published schedule allows beach time until 5 or 6 p.m., and the spa is optional, so the precise flow can vary.

Should you book the Lichadonisia day tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized escape from Athens with a real beach stay, a scenic boat crossing, and no need to handle the transport yourself. The clear water, volcanic islets, local coastal setting, and optional thermal pool create a satisfying change from city sightseeing.

Skip it if you want a short outing, a generous included lunch, or a full-service beach resort. The 14-hour day is demanding, and the food facilities on the islet are limited.

For the best experience, choose the spa rate if the warm thermal pool appeals to you, bring your own lunch and snacks, and treat Kamena Vourla as part of the day rather than mere transfer points. With those expectations, this is a strong choice for a long, sunny break from Athens.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at St. Larissis, Athens 104 37, Greece, at 8 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 14 hours and ends back at the original meeting point in Athens.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from Athens by modern, air-conditioned coach is included, along with free onboard Wi-Fi.

Is the boat ride to Lichadonisia included?

Yes. The boat ticket to Lichadonisia is included in the tour.

How much time do I have on the islets?

Beach time is scheduled from about 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.

Are meals included?

No. Brunch, lunch, dinner, and snacks are not included. Two bottles of cold water per person are provided.

Is the thermal pool included?

The 20-minute session at the Galini Mitsis Spa Resort’s thermal pool is optional and available through the spa-rate option. The thermal pool is for adults only.