National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades
National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
237 reviews
Excellent
175
Very good
38
Average
12
Poor
6
Terrible
6
AlisonCornwall_UK
Falmouth, UK26 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Did quite a lot of research on boat trips as wanted to see the wildlife in the Marine Park and chose this one as the captain was supposed to be instrumental in setting up the marine park (I’ve lived in the Galapagos and now live in Cornwall so this was my interest!) and also where we were staying recommended him. Was really disappointed he didn’t say much more than I’d read about already and wouldn’t engage in conversation at all with us (mum and 2 daughters) although he did with the dads… 😊 and we saw no seals, dolphins or turtles. In fact when we were on the trip he said there was a 3 mile exclusion zone from the area the seals are so basically it’s unlikely you’ll see one at all. If you’re looking for wildlife don’t waste your money - we paid €60 each + €5.50 each to the marine park (which was only mentioned once we’d booked). If you want a nice day out on a boat with swimming and sites thrown in you’ll enjoy it I expect!
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
Newport Pagnell, UK4 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
€60 for 7 hours going round islands (which all look the same) and swim stops. You won't see any wildlife or the seals. Water and coffee only you have to take your own food (don't be good by old reviews quoting food). Captain was a really interesting guy but honestly the most boring boat trip we've ever done.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZoeB
Jersey, UK64 contributions
May 2022
We were booked on the first boat trip of the season with about 20 plus others. Great way to spend the day with lots of stops for sea swims. Captain very interesting and knowledgable. Quite expensive but a good day out. You need to take your own food and drink.
Written 8 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine C
Athens, Greece47 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
We booked our trip with captain Pakis. He was a great guide, told us lots of stories and myths about the island. The scenery was beautiful. We made 2 stops to swim, visited the monastery and the shipwreck. Food and water was provided. Unfortunately we didn't see any sea animals. On deck we were around 25 people. (The day before we had booked a trip with the competing company and ended up not going through with it because there were about 65 people on board!) Very happy about taking the trip with captain Pakis. You won't be disappointed!
Written 15 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John F
London14 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We were on Alinossos and wanted a boat trip. There are 3 of these wooden boats doing, as far as I can tell, similar but slightly different trips. We chose this one primarily because it should have involved a trip to the outer islands to see the Monestry - the other trips by design go no further than the waters between Alinossos itself and the nearby island of Paristera. Half our party don't swim (or don't swim well) and this seemed the best with that in mind. Unfortunately on the day the waves were too high to go that far and we basically stuck to the near Paristera waters anyway - in turned into a sequence of stops for swimming plus lunch. Lunch was good and for the two of us who swim, it was a fun day. I think for the others it started getting a bit boring - which is why I've knocked off a star and perhaps could have knocked off two.
I have doubts as to whether anybody seems Monk seals on these trips although Dolphins would have been nice. I assume you need to actually cross towards the outer islands to see either. We saw no more than a Cormorant to two. The Monastery would have been good as an extra and to give some variety. I would suggest Captain Pakis has a thought about an alternative plan B. However with that in mind, I would do it again.
I have doubts as to whether anybody seems Monk seals on these trips although Dolphins would have been nice. I assume you need to actually cross towards the outer islands to see either. We saw no more than a Cormorant to two. The Monastery would have been good as an extra and to give some variety. I would suggest Captain Pakis has a thought about an alternative plan B. However with that in mind, I would do it again.
Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S. R. K
Finger Lakes, NY862 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
My stay on Alonissos was May through July, 2023. It is a stunning Greek island. A Marine park for the protection of monk seals. And it’s a great place to take a spectacular vacation.
There are pristine beaches, the port area bustling with shops and tavernas, Old Town at the top of the island, and many gorgeous places to enjoy.
I’ll let some photos say a few thousand more words!
There are pristine beaches, the port area bustling with shops and tavernas, Old Town at the top of the island, and many gorgeous places to enjoy.
I’ll let some photos say a few thousand more words!
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StuartHammill
Saffron Walden, UK19 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
This trip is fine if you are happy with a handful of stops for a swim! Lunch was great and the wine erm... flowed! A stop at the blue cave and monastery didn't happen due to sea conditions (?) sadly. No marine life was seen. The Capt of the boat is a lovely entertaining man with many a story to tell. But the trip was overlong and expensive. If this kind of trip floats your boat (!) then fair enough.
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Signe S
Copenhagen, Denmark13 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We had a great day with captain Paki on the daytrip from Patiri, Alonissos. Yes, he is a great heart felt teller and cooking basic but great food for us. We saw a seal all close to the boat!
Just go with him and his fine boat. We were just around 20 on board.
Just go with him and his fine boat. We were just around 20 on board.
Written 19 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asherah R
1 contribution
Jul 2016 • Family
I'm actually surprised that this is a Marine Park and lack of awareness in the positive reviews. The coral is pretty much dead and barely any fish visible. For many years I worked with scuba-diving and marine preservation. There is no evidence here of eco-projects to restore the damage. The boat trips are very dear, and you do not see anything difference from any other underwater location in Greece. Plus there is little awareness of the use of plastic and cleaning chemicals on the boats that poison sea life. Lunch is served with plastic throwaway plates, cutlery and cups. I felt heartbroken after the trip for I realised that the Marine Park was no more than another tourist marketing technique and that we are still a long way from the preservation of these beautiful waters. One supposed eco-guide gave to a family with children some rare shells to take home with them.... Please do not support these tours with your money. The Greek people are wonderfully hospitable and so this review does not stand in judgement, simply greater awareness and honesty is needed for the transition to ecotourism from only profit tourism.
Written 26 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steventravels
1 contribution
Ikos travel on the island or Alonissos promises that they are the "Marine Park Experts" and having made a specific trip to the island in the hope of learning about the Monk Seals, dolphins and bird life particular to this area we booked a trip aboard the Gorgona for a day trip out that promises to be a relaxing and informative day out. Beware, the day is nothing more or less than a 6 hour boat trip with around an hours leisure time and the rest visiting a monastery on the remote island of Kyra. The monastery as of July 2010 is nothing more than a building site, my advise would be to take along a a wheelbarell or shovel to help with the renovations as this is the only use you could make of the visit. The tour guide on the boat made very little reference to the marine park itself, despite being the secretary of the park, we learned nothing of the Monk seals or anything else come to that due to there being no public address system on the boat, so what ever was said we could not hear. The island is beautiful so do yourself a favour and save yourself the 40 euro price tag per personage hire a car or bike and do your own exploring. Much more worthwhile and enjoy this stunning location.
Written 29 July 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does anybody know if there is the possibility of a daytrip to the park departing from Volos? Thank you in advantage for the answers.
Written 10 August 2018
Debo reservar el tour por el parque Mariono con antelacion o puedo esperar a setiembre cuando haga el viaje?
Written 29 June 2018
Καλημέρα σας. Επειδή πρόκειται ν/α επισκεφτούμε το νησί τον Αύγουστο, θα ήθελα κάποιες πληροφορίες σχετικά με το θαλάσσιο πάρκο. Έχουμε δύο κορίτσια 7,5 χρονών και αναρρωτιέμαι αν αξίζει γιατί οι απόψεις μεχρι στιγμής που΄εχω διαβάσει διίστανται... Ευχαριστώ εκ των προτέρων. (και εννοείται πως οποιαδήποτε αλλη πληροφορία σχετικά με το νησί θα μας βοηθούσε πάρα πολύ.)
Written 2 July 2017
Olá. Eu e minha esposa já compramos a passagem para Atenas. Qual a estrutura em Alonissos? Pôde-se alugar carro, Scooter ou algum outro veículo?
Written 31 October 2016
BeachHouse_VillaMaro
Alonnisos, Greece
Olá. Sim, podem alugar carros, motas (evitem as moto-quatro) e barcos. Desejo-lhes boa viagem.
Hello. Yes, there are cars, motos (avoid moto 4x4) and motor boats for rental. I wish you a pleasant journey.
Salut. Oui, vous pouvez louer des voitures, des bateaux et des motos (moto 4x4 à éviter). Je vous souhaite un agréable voyage.
Привет. Да, вы можете арендовать автомобили, motos (Избегайте мото 4 x 4) и лодки. Желаю вам приятного путешествия.
你好。是啊，你可以租汽车、 摩托车 （避免摩托车 4 x 4） 和电机船。我祝你旅途愉快。
Written 8 December 2016
Hello,
I'm going to Alonissos with my boyfriend and another couple of friends in august (from 22 to 28).
I red on my lonely planet that you organize boat or kayak around little Alonissos' islands. We would like to spend one night and two days in camping with your kayak or boat. Do you any travel as well?
If not have, do you have any travelo around the islands? Do you think it's better buy a travel since know?
I'm intersted to know prices of excursion of 1 or 2 days (we are interested in sea, snorkeling and harbour seal).
Thanks a lot,
see you soon
Federica
0039-32.93139988
Written 5 May 2016
BeachHouse_VillaMaro
Alonnisos, Greece
Hello Federica. How was your trip? Cheers.
Written 8 December 2016
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