5 days
Duration
Athens – Kamena Vourla
Location
10+
Age

Join this Mediterranean Monk Seal Trip to get aboard on daily boat tours and observe the rarest seal species in the world, in its natural habitat!

In just a 2 hour drive from Athens, you arrive at Kamena Vourla, a picturesque location where the mountains meet the sea. Across the mainland in this region there are located, some very little known Greek islands off the beaten track, Leichadonissia.

There, it’s guaranteed Monk Seal territory where adult seals and pups are often seen foraging around the reefs.

You travel to this stunning location and stay in your hotel right in front of the sea. From here, you will set sail on daily boat tours with an experienced captain and a biologist in search of this elusive species!

In which way are you helping?

Join this unique opportunity to observe this magnificent creature, while at the same time you offer your contribution to the work of the charity that deals with the protection of the species in Greek waters.  This way, more accurate measures are taken for its conservation and protection. With your participation, we offer a donation to MOm. Furthermore, your photos will be added to the database and used for population monitoring.

Contact us to inquire or book this holiday

The tour is on offer from mid-May till the beginning of October. Just send us your wish list and we’ll put the itinerary together.  You could stay in a mid-range hotel, a family apartment or a 5* Spa Resort. It is possible to combine the tour with other activities, like:

  • mountain biking on scenic forested slopes with a licensed instructor
  • hiking the path of Heracles at Mt. Oiti (where the mythical hero died) -visiting his 3rd-century BC Doric temple dedicated to Heracles and his funeral pyre
  • nearby Thermopyles, famous for the battle between Greeks and Persians (480 B.C.)
  • Delphi archeological site is < than 2 hours away
  • Meteora UNESCO world heritage, a day excursion
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Athens
TOUR DURATION 5-days
PRICE Contact us for questions, bookings and enquiries.
INCLUDES
  • Activities as described in the program
  • 4  nights in a beachfront hotel
  • Breakfasts and Dinners
  • Knowledgeable English-speaking local naturalist traveling with the group
  • Monk seal expeditions aboard the boat
  • All transportation, fuel, road tolls
  • All taxes, VAT
  • Liability Insurance
  • Donation to wildlife organization MOm for Monk Seal Conservation projects
EXCLUDES
  • International flights to/from Greece
  • Private travel insurance
  • Drinks, lunches, tips, personal expenses
1

Day 1 - Arrival in Athens, transfer to Kamena Vourla

Welcome to Athens! Your guide will meet you at the Airport, from where you will hop on a comfortable vehicle and travel to Kamena Vourla, a stunning location between the mountain and the sea.

There you will spend the rest of your trip, in your hotel that overlooks the blue waters of the Euboean Gulf. After you get settled in your room you will have a brief presentation by a biologist about the ecology and biology of the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus). Later, you can have the rest of the day, to relax from your long trip. Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation: 3* Beach Hotel, hotel upgrades possible

2

Day 2 - Boat trip to Leichadonissia

Breakfast at your hotel under the friendly sun. Today, depending on weather and sea conditions you will hop on your boat and travel to Leichadonissia. There, you will get the chance to see Monk seals foraging and swimming, undisturbed by mass tourist activity.

All practices regarding wildlife watching from Natural Greece aim not to disturb the animal and the natural habitat. Seal-watching happens from a distance aboard the boat and no effort is taken to follow any animals that flee or express resentment to our presence in the area.

Dinner at your hotel.

The program is susceptible to change according to weather conditions.

3

Day 3 - In search of Monk Seals

After your breakfast at your hotel, you will have yet another day to explore the area around these mesmerizing islands! Snorkel in crystal clear Greek waters under the summer sun. You sail with your guide and visit more of the secluded and hidden beaches in search of this amazing creature, only rarely seen. Dinner at your hotel.

4

Day 4 - Free day to relax

Today it’s your chance to relax by the beach and have cocktails while getting your tan, or set off to explore this lush area. Many options for you to take part in, such as mountain biking, trekking, canyoning, bird watching or simply having some yoga classes at the beach. There is also the option of visiting some natural thermal spa nearby or snorkeling around the beach in front of your hotel.

Dinner at your hotel

5

Day 5 - Back to Athens

It’s time to go back home. After your breakfast, you set off for Athens to catch your flight. Alternatively, extend your stay.

Contact us for customized tours.

Monk seal by Natural Greece
Euboean Gulf
KAmena Vourla
Kamena Vourla
dolphin in Greece
monk seal in Greece
kamena vourla
Kamena Vourla
Monk Seal

Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 5 reviews
September 8, 2022

I wanted to thank you, your colleagues and guide Christos for the amazing and once in a lifetime experience. I had a very good time as everything was carefully planned from beginning to end by Natural Greece, from transport to daily excursions. For me the trip had no downsides, and the possibility to observe in such detail the rare monk seal is an unparalleled experience that very few can offer.

June 7, 2022

The best place or, maybe, the only place to see monk seal with many chances in the world. Our experience was great. Christos is a very good guide. A group of 7 was perfect for the experience, and we did 3 day boat-trips.
Natural Greece is a serious agence and the trip was organized so well. When the trip was finished, Natural Greece sent us the receipt of the donation done for Monk Seals.
If you want to see monk seal that is the best place and Natural Greece is the perfect Agency to do it..

October 7, 2021

Thank you Natural Greece team for an amazing experience! We were an international group of 8 people participating in the Monk Seal Tour in October 2021 and we learned so much about the unique Monk Seals habitat in Lichadonisia. Our tour guide Christos is very knowledgeable and we learned many interesting facts and insights about Monk Seals, their habitat and other species living there. We had a chance to observe the Monk Seals, including adorable Jackie (named after Jackie O´)´. Thanks to Christos and his colleague David taking photos of the Monk Seals and local birds with their professional cameras, we had a chance to see them in a great detail. The trip included also swimming in crystal clear waters and relaxing on the sandy beach of the main island. Due to the local tavern being already closed for the season, the Natural Greece prepared for us a very generous baskets with vegetarian/ vegan meals & drinks and having a picnic on the beach made our trip even more special. The whole trip was very well organized to the last detail and our guides & boat crew were not only very professional but very welcoming and kind, which made our experience truly unforgettable.

July 16, 2021

Me and my family joined the Mediterranean Monk Seal Trip in July 2021. We had two amazing days with the guide Christos and the seals. The guide was really professional and we got a lot of new and useful knowledge about the seals, other marine animals and birds. During the trip we saw 4-5 seals, two dolphins, a float of tuna hunting for sardines, some jelly fish, two Shags, about 50 Yelkouan Shearwaters, two species of terns and three species of gulls. I would highly recommend this trip to those who love nature and want to know more about it. On behalf of my family I want to say a big thank you to ‘Natural Greece’ for organising such a wonderful trip for us.

July 2, 2021

I attended the Monk Seal Tour in June 2021 and I was highly impressed with the duration and quality of the tour. Tour guides Chritsos and his friend David made the experience very memorable. Both were extremely knowledgable and passionate about the fauna and flora of Greece, and they answered every question we had in great detail. They were fun, friendly and extremely polite, they really made the experience amazing. Seeing the seals and other animals was also an incredible experience, we saw a turtle, sea sponges, jelly fish and a variety of other marine life, as well as a lot of different sea birds. We were on the boat/different islands from 8am until 7pm, which made the trip extremely good value for money. I would highly reccomend this to anyone and everyone. Thank you Natural Greece for offering such wonderful services.

Leave a Review

Rating