Sea Kayaking Anavyssos: Sea Caves, Hidden Beach & Picnic on the Athens Riviera

South of the busy beaches of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, the Athens Riviera gets wilder. Around Anavyssos the coast turns into cliffs, coves and sea caves, many of them out of reach by land. This guided sea kayaking tour takes you there on a calm half day: you paddle past the cliffs, slip into caves and under natural arches, and land on a hidden beach for a swim and a picnic lunch. It takes about 4 hours, and you need no kayaking experience.

Where is Anavyssos?

Anavyssos is a seaside town on the southern Athens Riviera, about 40 minutes by car from central Athens and on the road to Cape Sounio. The exact launch point depends on the wind on the day: the guides choose the most sheltered side of the coast and send you the meeting point before the tour.

What happens on the tour?

• Safety briefing and lesson: on the beach your guides show you how to handle the kayak, how to paddle and steer, and how to stay safe at sea.
• Along the cliffs: you paddle at a relaxed pace below cliffs that drop straight into turquoise water, with time to look at the rock formations.
• Sea caves and arches: with your guide you paddle into sea caves and through arches carved by the waves.
• Hidden beach: you pull the kayaks up on a secluded beach reachable only from the water, swim in clear sheltered water and have a picnic lunch.
• Return: you paddle back by a slightly different line, with new views of the coast, to the starting beach.

Do you need experience?

No. The tour is designed for beginners. The kayaks are stable sit on top models built for touring, and single and double kayaks are available. The pace is leisurely, with breaks. You need to be able to swim and have basic fitness.

Why paddle this part of the Riviera?

From the road, the coast around Anavyssos looks like a line of cliffs with a few beaches between them. From the sea it is a different place. Small coves open up behind the headlands, the water is clear enough to see the sea floor several metres down, and the caves glow blue when the sun shines in. Because most of these spots cannot be reached on foot, they stay quiet even in August. A kayak is also the gentlest way to see them: there is no engine, so you hear the waves on the rocks and the birds on the cliffs.

What is included?

• Certified sea kayak guides
• Kayak, paddle, life jacket and safety gear
• Picnic lunch on the beach
• Waterproof bags for your belongings
• Professional photos from the tour
• Public liability insurance
• VAT and taxes

Can you add a transfer?

Yes. If you do not have a car, we can arrange a transfer from your hotel in Athens at an extra cost. Tell us when you book.

Who can join?

First time kayakers, couples, families with teenagers, groups of friends, photographers and company teams. Children under 16 paddle with an adult, and double kayaks make it easy for a parent and child to paddle together. For safety, paddlers should be under 200 cm tall and under 108 kg. The minimum booking is 2 people.

What should you bring?

• Swimwear
• A hat and sun cream
• A towel and dry clothes for after
• Water
• Flip flops or water shoes

What if the weather is bad?

We only paddle in calm, protected water. The guides check the forecast before every tour and may change the launch point to find shelter. If it is not safe to go out, you choose a new date or a full refund of your deposit.

How is it different from our other sea kayak tours?

The Athens sea caves tour is shorter and starts closer to the city, and the Sounio tour is a longer, more demanding day to the Temple of Poseidon. Anavyssos sits in between: a relaxed half day with a picnic on a hidden beach, ideal if you want a full morning at sea without a long paddle.

Good to know

• We email the exact meeting point and your guide’s phone number once your booking is confirmed.
• The duration can be adjusted to the group.
• The balance is paid on the day.