Much Better Adventurer, Zoe Dutton, walks us through her weekend adventure sea kayaking and wild camping on the Ionian Coastline off the coast of Greece.
> Read our guide to the best hikes in Greece
Completely clear water, secluded white-sand beaches and a large variety of marine life characterise this corner of the Mediterranean. When we needed the trip tested by a hardened adventurer, Zoe bravely stepped up to the plate. By the looks of it, she wasn’t disappointed.
She returned with a healthy haul of photos and anecdotes. She told us about singing songs over the campfire, exploring electric-blue caves and camping on the deserted islands of the western Greek coastline, mountains of Feta included.
Testing the Greek sea kayaking trip was such an incredible experience, Much Better Adventures has opened up a world of exploring and I can’t wait for my next adventure!
It turns out that discovering you have a place on a tester trip to sea kayak the Islands of the Ionian coast is quite the pick me up on a rainy winter day. Having braved my first ever solo adventure on a Much Better Adventures trip kayaking the Norwegian fjords, I was beyond excited to be kayaking again. I had fallen in love with the new world of adventures that fit around a full-time nursing career and to be able to be a part of future trips for people like me looking for a way to see the world was incredible.
The trip set off from the town of Nydri on the beautiful island of Lefkada, visiting the islands of Meganisi, Skorpios, Madouri and a night camped on the island of Thillia.
After intros to our hosts Theodore and Apostolos, and meeting my fellow tester Brigette in Athens airport we headed off on the road to Lefkada. We had a bonus stop at the Corinth Canal and the first taste of Souvlaki washed down with a Frappe.
Saturday morning we met Alexis and Panos who would guide us on our adventure. We packed up the kayaks (including Panos’ guitar!) and started our journey along the coast of Lefkada. Our first stop took us to a beautiful beach where we swam and refuelled with biscuits and Greek tea. Our next venture took us inside a fantastic cave only accessible by kayak or swimming. The water inside the cave glowed the most incredible blue giving a completely magical feel.
We finished our first day’s kayaking on the island of Thilia which we shared only with the local goats. Tents pitched with an incredible view of the sea, we enjoyed an evening swim whilst Alexis set the fire going. After a delicious grilled tea and a mountain of feta we lay under the stars, sharing stories of our adventures before Panos provided the most amazing soundtrack for the evening with a mixture of cover and original songs.
Sunday morning was a breakfast of fresh tomatoes, feta and olives before setting off on our second day’s kayaking adventure.
After a gentle kayak along the coast of Meganisi, we parked our kayaks on one of the island’s many beaches and stretched our legs on a climb to the village of Spartochori. Joining the locals in the tavern we washed down snacks with frappe and shots of the local liquor whilst Panos and Alexis entertained us with card tricks.
Our last stops took us to the islands of Skorpios and Madouri, kayaking through the trees on the coast of the islands and making a lunch stop in front of my future home… wishing.
I ended an incredible two days with a glass of wine under the most beautiful full moon and another dose of Souvlaki having fallen in love with Greece.
Craft your own adventure in Greece with the best, and most musical, local guides and hosts.
*All photos courtesy of Zoe Dutton. Thanks Zoe!