bostonjenn

This is sort of a random question, but my husband and are looking for a relaxing island where we can rent a small powerboat and roam the coast. we did this a couple of years ago on paxos and really enjoyed it, but wondered what other islands offered this? i imagine it would be one of the smaller ones, but am having trouble finding information online.

Thanks in advance.

Heimdall

How small do you mean? Antiparos has dinghy sized boats with outboard motors for rent. For info on the island go to http://www.antiparos-isl.com/2006/index.html

travelerjan

I have been to 20 islands in the past 9 years and I think I can count on the fingers of one hand the powerboats I have seen... yes, you see a few fishermen with a small skiff with an outboard putt-putt -- but the kind of swoopy speedboat you may have in mind, no. Paxos is a big package-tour resort place where Europeans come and stay for 2 weeks at a shot, so maybe they go more for recreational boating (nonsail, that is).

Xenos

Jenn, I know exactly what you mean - not so much a swoopy speedboat, but something between 15 and 30 bhp that you can potter around the coast in!

I think you'll find boats for hire on almost all of the Ionian islands - Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkas and Ithaka certainly. If you enjoyed Paxos, I should think that either Lefkas or Ithaka would be your best choices. Both islands are a lot bigger than Paxos, but as Paxos is only around 6 miles by 3 miles (so not what I'd describe as a big package-tour resort!) that's hardly surprising.

bostonjenn

Thanks Xenos - that's exactly what I meant! (I guess I'm using the term "speedboat" pretty liberally). I'll definitely look into the other Ionian islands. Thanks for the tip.

Do you happen to know if we would find these kind of boats in Skiathos or Skopelo? We will be visiting friends in Volos, so it would be very convenient.

Maria_H

We hired a little boat last year from Kioni on Ithaca. It was an ideal way to explore the coastline and find little, deserted bays to stop in. The sea was generally quite calm and sheltered there - I'm not sure I'd want to be out in more open sea. We've also hired one (some time ago) on Corfu and saw them for rent on both Kefalonia and Meganissi.

Xenos

According to the Sunvil website, boats can be hired locally in both Skiathos and Skopelos.

My daughter went to Skopelos a couple of years ago and loved it. Judging by her photos, the landscape is very similar to that of Paxos - i.e. very green, with lots of little rocky coves to explore.

bostonjenn

Thanks everyone! We will likely go to Skopelos. Xenos, you're right, it seems to offer exactly what we're looking for - convenient, relaxing with lots of coves. Can't wait!

Xenos

Jenn

I thought you might be amused to read this story that I just came across on the Times website - http://tinyurl.com/2eaqkr



Elaine

Maria_H

Loved the article, Elaine. Reminds me of our minor panic when hiring the boat on Ithaca. We were lousy at landing on beaches, worried about wrecking the boat and unable to get in near enough to get our beach things ashore without getting soaked. We found a little bay with a small concrete "harbour" - well a block of concrete with a metal ring to tie up the boat, so thought we were sorted. We dropped anchor, tied up the boat and followed a little track to the deserted beach. All was well until we came to leave. The anchor had firmly wedged itself uder a rock and the more we pulled the more it stuck fast. My husband was forced to dive into the 4 or 5 metres of water to try to free the anchor. After the 3rd of 4th unsuccesful attempt, I was realy starting to panic, (I'm a poor swimmer). What if we couldn't get the anchor up, what if my husband gets tangled in the rope and can't get out, what if... Forunately the tale had a happy ending and we chugged back along the idlyllic coastline to the rest of our relaxing holiday

bostonjenn

Haha! What a great article!! Thanks Xenos.

So timely too. It'll come in very handy as we start to make plans. I also learned recently that our next door neighbor in Boston is from VOLOS! I mentioned our plans to visit Skopelos so we promised to get together before our trip so she can tell us all the best beaches and coves.

Looks like I'm destined to see Skopelos!

CarrieAnn40

bostonjenn, we did exactly the same as you on Paxos in August 2005. Great fun and the kids loved it. The bruises that I got when we hit a wave badly coming home in the rougher sea late afternoon lasted a good couple of weeks!!

We'd love to do it again, too.

bostonjenn

Yes, I had the same bruises from my afternoon paxos boat ride. But well worth it.