REVIEW · PAROS
Paros & Antiparos – Private Cruise with a luxury speedboat
Book on Viator →Operated by The Sailor's Ride · Bookable on Viator
A speedboat day can feel like a time-saver. This private luxury cruise lets you roam the sea around Paros at your own pace, guided by an experienced skipper who chooses the best water for swimming. You’ll get snorkel equipment and a comfortable ride aboard the Avant 705, with shady spots and sunpads ready when you want to just coast.
Two things I’d call out right away: the boat’s layout makes it genuinely social (wide cockpit, fridge, table, sound system), and the day is flexible enough to chase the quietest, most swim-friendly spots. Captains such as Joanna and Alessandro are known for finding protected areas and rotating through different anchor points. One consideration: the plan depends on conditions, and on a windy day you may not reach Antiparos as planned.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth clocking
- Why Paros from the water feels like the real vacation
- The Avant 705 setup: shade, space, and an easy day on board
- 10:30 departure from Aliki: how the day usually unfolds
- Choosing the right swim spots around Paros (and why anchoring helps)
- Snorkeling gear and the deck routine you’ll actually use
- Antiparos lunch: the plan that depends on the wind
- Snacks and drinks onboard: the part that keeps you from losing time
- Captain skills matter more than you’d think
- Price and value: what $902.20 per group really buys you
- Who should book this private cruise from Paros?
- Should you book this Paros & Antiparos luxury speedboat?
- FAQ
- What time does the private speedboat cruise start, and how long is it?
- Where do we meet for the Paros private cruise?
- How many people can be on the boat?
- What’s included during the cruise?
- Can the route include Antiparos?
- What happens if weather is poor?
Key highlights worth clocking

- Up to 6 people, fully private speedboat so your day moves at your group’s rhythm
- Snorkel equipment included, plus multiple anchor-and-swim locations when conditions allow
- Avant 705 comfort: sunbeds front and back, canopy shade, deck shower, and even an electrical toilet
- Skipper-led navigation around Paros (and sometimes farther afield) with routes adjusted on the fly
- Paros-to-Antiparos flexibility when the sea is calm enough for it
- Food and drinks onboard: snacks, bottled water, and soft drinks
Why Paros from the water feels like the real vacation

Paros is at its best when you see it from the coastline, not just from the road. This cruise puts you on the move—past beaches, cliffs, and small coves—so you’re constantly getting a new angle, not repeating the same view.
The value here is control. With a private boat, you don’t have to wait around for the slowest stop, and you can linger where the water is clear and calm. I also like that the skipper’s job is actively shaping your day, which usually means fewer boring stretches of “just driving.”
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Paros.
The Avant 705 setup: shade, space, and an easy day on board

This isn’t a tiny motorboat where you spend seven hours squeezed together. The Avant 705 has a wide, high windscreen that helps protect you while you’re riding, plus a large cockpit that works as a lounge.
Inside that cockpit, you’ll find a fridge and a large table for snacks and drinks, along with a sound system and a deck shower. There’s also couch seating, and the canopy can be covered quickly for shade—handy when the sun ramps up or if the wind shifts cooler.
The front and back of the boat are fitted with large, comfortable sunbeds. That matters because this type of cruise is half swimming, half relaxing, and those spots are where you’ll actually spend your downtime between stops. You also get practical extras like large storage areas, plus an electrical toilet—small details that make a big difference on a longer day.
10:30 departure from Aliki: how the day usually unfolds

Most private speedboat days like this follow a pattern: head out, find the best sheltered water, anchor, swim, repeat. You start at the Sailor’s Ride in Aliki at 10:30 am, and the cruise ends back at the same meeting point.
What makes the flow work is that the skipper can change the route based on the conditions of the day. On some days, that means focusing on Paros’s coastal areas that are protected from chop. On better days, it can mean pushing farther—toward Antiparos, or even options that go beyond it.
Expect the day to be about several different stops rather than one long excursion. That’s why you’ll feel like you’re doing “a lot,” even though you’re not rushing from place to place.
Choosing the right swim spots around Paros (and why anchoring helps)

The whole point of this cruise is the sea around Paros, especially the areas where the water turns clear and inviting. You’ll use the snorkel equipment onboard, and the skipper brings you to anchor points where swimming is the focus.
In practical terms, anchoring changes everything. Instead of fighting your way through crowds, you’re dropping in at a calm spot where you can swim, float, and climb back on without drama. Several groups have described stopping at multiple locations—think around five swim/anchor points on a day with the right conditions—so you’re not just doing one swim and calling it a day.
You might see the kinds of coastal features that make Greek island boat days memorable: cliff lines, sea arches, ruins, and those coastal “look twice” shapes along the shoreline. Some captains have also included stops where you can find spots suited for cliff jumping and a quieter shoreline feel—more private than beach-hopping from land.
The small drawback? If the wind is strong, the skipper may shift you into more protected bays. You’ll still get swimming, but the specific sights might be different from what you had in mind when you booked.
Snorkeling gear and the deck routine you’ll actually use

Having snorkel equipment included is a real convenience. You don’t need to pack it, rent it, or waste time hunting for it when you’d rather be in the water.
Here’s the routine that tends to make the day feel effortless:
1) You anchor and get your gear ready
2) Swim in the clearest water you’re offered that day
3) Back on board to dry off and relax
4) Repeat at the next stop
The boat’s deck shower is great for rinsing after you’re done. And with sunbeds front and back, it’s easy to switch between “active” and “relax” without hunting for a chair.
One more detail I like: the cockpit has room to reset between swims. With the table and fridge setup, snacks and drinks don’t feel like an afterthought.
Antiparos lunch: the plan that depends on the wind

Antiparos is one of those place names that sounds like it should be effortless. On this cruise, the Antiparos part is possible, but not guaranteed in every weather pattern.
When conditions allow, the skipper can take you for lunch in Antiparos. Even when things run differently, the day still stays packed with swim stops and coastal scenery on the Paros side—so you’re not left feeling like half the day is gone.
One day described here had wind problems that meant Antiparos couldn’t be done as planned. That doesn’t mean the cruise was a loss; it just became a “stay in sheltered areas” day, with more time spent on the swim holes near Aliki and southern Paros.
If you’re booking specifically for Antiparos, I’d treat it as a strong bonus rather than the entire point. Your odds improve when the day is calm enough for the route your skipper wants to run.
Snacks and drinks onboard: the part that keeps you from losing time

This cruise covers the basics that matter while you’re out on the water: snacks, bottled water, and soft drinks. It means you can treat the day like a floating picnic, not a “when will we eat” puzzle.
Because the boat has a fridge and table, food feels integrated into the experience. You won’t be stuck juggling snacks while balancing on a moving deck. Instead, you can eat, take a break, then get back to swimming or lounging.
And honestly, the small stuff adds up: the sound system makes waiting between anchor points feel less like downtime. It’s a better use of time when you’re already paying for a private day on the sea.
Captain skills matter more than you’d think

With private cruises, the skipper’s decisions shape your day. Here, that’s not a vague promise—you’ll feel it in how your route changes, how protected areas are chosen, and how often you’re actually spending time in the water.
Captains like Joanna and Alessandro have been praised for being friendly and for bringing groups to multiple swimming holes and sights. That’s exactly what you want: not just driving you to a single spot, but actively constructing a day with variety.
Their approach also tends to handle the realities of island boating. Wind and waves can shift quickly in the Aegean, so the best skippers react fast—keeping you comfortable, while still chasing the clearest areas for swimming.
Price and value: what $902.20 per group really buys you
The price is $902.20 per group for up to 6 people, which is how you keep this from turning into an “expensive for one person” situation. Your per-person cost depends on group size:
- If you fill 6 seats, it’s roughly $150 per person
- If you’re 4 people, it’s closer to $226 per person
That spread is why this kind of luxury speedboat works best with friends or a small family group. You’re paying for privacy, skipper-led routing, snorkel gear, and the boat itself—plus the comfort features that make a longer day manageable.
The value also comes from time. Seven hours on a private boat is a lot of sea-viewing without the friction of transfers, waiting, or crowd schedules. If you’ve got a limited number of days on Paros, this is a strong way to spend one of them.
One more practical angle: this experience is often booked about 75 days in advance, so if you have dates in mind, don’t leave it to the last week.
Who should book this private cruise from Paros?
This is a great fit if you want:
- A private day at sea with flexible pacing
- Several swim stops and time on deck between them
- A comfortable boat where shade and sunbeds are both easy to use
- A skipper who can adjust plans based on weather and wind
It’s also a good match for families with teens, since the day blends swimming and sights with plenty of room to relax. If your group includes non-swimmers, they can still have a full day—sunbeds, snacks, and the ride itself are a big part of the experience.
If you’re the type who hates strict schedules, this will feel like relief. If you only want one quick swim and you’re fine with a less active day, you might want a shorter option—but based on what’s included here, you’re paying for the full day experience.
Should you book this Paros & Antiparos luxury speedboat?
I’d book it if your priority is time on the water with control over your day. The combination of a comfortable Avant 705, snorkel gear, snacks and drinks onboard, and a skipper-led plan with multiple anchor points is exactly what turns an island “sight day” into a true sea day.
I’d pause before booking only if Antiparos is your single must-do and you can’t be flexible. Weather and wind can change routing, and while you’ll still get a great day out, the exact Antiparos stop depends on sea conditions.
If you want Paros to feel less like a checklist and more like a moving viewpoint—this is one of the better ways to do it.
FAQ
What time does the private speedboat cruise start, and how long is it?
It starts at 10:30 am and runs for about 7 hours. You’ll return back to the same meeting point at the end.
Where do we meet for the Paros private cruise?
The meeting point is the Sailor’s Ride at Aliki 844 00, Greece. The tour also ends back at that same meeting point.
How many people can be on the boat?
This is priced for a group of up to 6 people, so the boat stays private for your group size.
What’s included during the cruise?
You’ll have snorkel equipment, snacks, bottled water, and soft drinks. You’ll also have experienced skippers guiding you to the best places around Paros.
Can the route include Antiparos?
The trip can be customized, and Antiparos may be included depending on conditions. On windy days, the plan may shift to focus on protected areas instead.
What happens if weather is poor?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts.





