SWIM & EXPLORE – Astypalaia
You will be swimming daily around the wild coastline of Astypalaia mainly on the south side of the island that is sheltered by the meltemi winds. Coastal swims will have a length of approximately 5 km per day. Itineraries will be decided by the Swimtrekking instructors that will be guiding and swimming with the group to the final destinations. Swimtrekking will provide you 6 full days of coastal swims and 1 half day of specific coaching before the start of the expedition. During the swims as part of our contribution for the protection of the environment we rescue any plastics we found in the sea.
Equipment
Swimtrekking involves the use of specifically designed equipment. One swimmer out of two will tow a light weight, water tight barkino during coastal swims. This is attached to the swimmer by a harness worn around the waist. Barkinos allow swimmers to carry drinking water, aqua shoes, lunch, spare equipment and anything else you will find useful for the days adventure as well as being a visible piece of safety equipment. In addition to this Swimtrekking will provide all guests with a mask and snorkel, wetsuit and fins. These items are provided by the club and allow you to freely explore your underwater environment whilst giving you the personal protection required.
About Astypalaia
Astypalea island is one of the Dodecanese islands. It is actually a small but lovely typical Greek island washed in blue and white. (Read more…)
Dates of trip
14-21 August
Please note: for group bookings Swimtrekking can tailor the trip to the groups specific needs/requirements/dates
About the trip
Start point: Galini Studios, Astypalaia.
Start time: 14 August at 15:00 meet your Swimtrekking Instructors at Galini Studios.
Check in, briefing and coaching session in the afternoon.
Finish point: Galini Studios, Astypalaia.
Finish time: 21 August at 7.30 transfer to the port for the departure.
Typical day Swimtrekking
Breakfast and briefing.
Pack up your essentials for the day before heading out for the morning swim.
Short walk or take our vehicle to our start point for the day.
Once on the shoreline we kit up before beginning our morning adventure.
We’ll stop off in a cove for lunch, after which you have time to spend exploring the inland wilderness of Astypalaia or just relax on the beach.
Once lunch has settled and everyone is ready to cool off in the water again, we continue our sea adventure off in search of groupers, sting rays, tuna fish, shells, multi-coloured star fish, sea bass, morays, pinna nobilis (the largest shell in the Mediterranean sea) and much more…
During the swims as part of our contribution for the protection of the environment we rescue any plastics we found in the sea.
We work up a final appetite by the time we get back to the Studios having dinner in a characteristic restaurant of Analipsis.
Getting to Astypalaia
Fly to the international airport of Athens. Ita Airways, Aegean Airlines, Easyjet, Vueling Airlines, Ryan air, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, SAS, KLM, British Airways, Swiss, Iberia, Eurowings, Norwegian, are only some of the most important flight companies that fly to Athens from different European destinations. Then from Pireo port take the ferry to Astypalaia or an internal flight with Sky Express.
The ferry company travelling from Pireo to Astypalaia is Blue Star Ferries. Please select your flights according to the ferry schedule. Then from Pireo port take the ferry to Astypalaia. 
Accommodation
We stay 7 nights at Galini Studios, located in the nice village of Analipsis (or Maltezana). The village located in a valley in the Outer Island (Exo Nisi) along a beautiful sandy beach. Vineyards and orchards reach as far as the serene sea. The village’s alternative second name “Maltezana” draws its origins from the pirates that used to loot around the Aegean and then looked for a safe haven in these beaches where now small fishing ships are docked along the village’s waterfront. Galini Studios offers nice, comfortable and fully equipped apartments for 2/3 persons.
Food
Self catering breakfast each morning at 8:00 (food will be bought by the instructors); lunches will be a selection of sandwiches, fruit and snacks; traditional Greek dinners will be served each evening in a local restaurant.
We can cater for vegetarian and gluten free diets but please ensure you inform us of your dietary requirements on booking.
Temperatures and conditions
August: air temperature 29°C; sea temperature: 25°C.
Sea conditions will vary according to the weather and currents. This all adds to the experience of being in open water.
What to bring
On top of your normal clothes you should bring with you:
a waterproof jacket, warm sweatshirt, walking shoes/sandals, sun hat and sun glasses. There are cash points on the island in the town of Chora.
Places of interest
Astypalea is a small island of the Dodecanese. Tourism has been developed on the island over the last years only, however, there are enough tourist facilities for comfortable holidays. (Read more…)
Check for here more information about Astypalaia.
Important informations
Approximately daily swimming distance: 5 kilometers.
Program will be supervised by qualified Swimtrekking Instructors/Guides.
Swimtrekking Instructors/Guides will be responsible for all the camp organization and logistics.
Timing and itineraries can be modified according to the sea and weather conditions and may be cancelled.