I am trying to find information on how often ferries run from Koufonisia to Naxos. We find conflicting (and small amounts of) information on the web and in books, and none of it seems to be reliable or specific. We will be traveling in late July - early August. Does anyone know where I can get information on this? We're trying to book a flight from Naxos to Athens on the same day as the ferry trip from Koufonisia to Naxos, so it's prety important that it all works out. Eeeks!
Also does anyone have travel tips, hotel info or dining recommendations for Koufonisi? Thank You!!!!

I have not been....but the concensus seems to be that the summer schedule is not out yet (April was quoted in a different post). I found this website helpful:

www.gtp.gr

The Express Skopelitis runs once a day, 6 days/wk, between Amorgos and Naxos, stopping at Koufonissia. I believe there is also a ferry coming out of Pireaus (Blue Star Naxos?) that stops at Koufonissia once a week. There is one daily flight from Naxos to Athens, departing at 1320.

The Express Skopelitis is a small ferry, very prone to cancellation when the winds are strong. You need to be flexible when visiting the Little Cyclades. Unfortunately, by the time you know the timing of the ferries in July, the flights will probably be fully booked. Sorry to sound so negative, but those are the facts.

Thank you so much for the info! Heimdall, You mentioned "by the time you know the timing of the ferries in July, the flights will probably be fully booked." Does that mean that there is a way to find out the timing of the ferries before arriving in Greece on one of the islands serviced by the Express Skopelitis?

http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesResults.asp?...RSKY56,11943,6

You can see from this link the current published schedule for the run from Koufonissi to Naxos, but it has yet to show the schedule for July or August. My guess is that it will appear on the www.gtp.gr website soon. there are several ferries each week from 3 different companies. I'd be surprised if the July-August schedule wasn't the same or more extensive since it's Peak Season then.

Vtoothman, Brotherleelove provided www.gtp.gr, which is probably the best link for Greek ferry schedules, and it still isn't showing Jul/Aug departures. Another website, http://greekferries.forth-crs.gr/eng...gres.exe?PM=BB,
shows the Blue Star Naxos departing Koufonissia (not every day ofthe week) around 0650 and arriving Naxos at 0840, which would allow you plenty of time to reach the airport for a 1320 flight to Athens.

Frankly, though, I would NOT rely on a ferry from Koufonissia getting to Naxos in time for a flight to Athens the same day, especially if you are planning to connect with an international flight out of Athens. There are just too many things that can go wrong. Ferry schedules sometimes change at short notice, and Meltemi winds in Jul and Aug occasionally force the ferries to cancel their sailings. Ferry runs to the Little Cyclades are notoriously unreliable.

Further to my last post, it seems the Blue Star Naxos leaves Koufonissia at 0650 on Tue and Thu for Pireaus, with a stop at Naxos at 0840. That could change, of course.

If you take this ferry, it would make more sense to stay on board until you reach Pireaus, rather than getting off at Naxos and taking the plane. The ferry schedule shows it reaching Pireaus at 1445. The flight from Naxos to Athens arrives at 1405, only 40 minutes earlier.

The other ferry, Express Skopelitis, runs from Amorgos to Naxos six days a week in high season, stopping off at Koufinissia. I have taken this ferry, but don't remember what time it arrives at Naxos. The schedule until the end of June shows it arriving Naxos at 1200, and that may be when it will arrive during July and August as well. Assuming it arrives on time (big assumption), that would allow at best only 1hr 20min to get to the airport and check in before the 1320 departure.

There are just too many uncertainties at this point to go ahead with your flight booking, IMO. Anyone visiting Koufonissia needs to be flexible and have a few days in hand at the end of the trip for possible changes.