Kleftiko

Kleftiko is a cluster of blinding white rock formations rising straight out of deep blue water at the southwestern corner of Milos, riddled with arches, tunnels and caves that boats can pass through and swimmers can enter. The name comes from klefts, the pirates and bandits who used the caves as a hideout and the enclosed water as an anchorage out of sight of the sea lanes. The rock is volcanic tuff, soft enough for the sea to have cut it into shapes over millennia, and the contrast between the white stone, the water and the absence of any vegetation is what people come for. There is no road: every visit is by boat, either a full-day cruise around the island or a shorter trip from the southern coast.

What you actually see

• The white formations - volcanic rock stacks, arches and pinnacles.
• The sea caves - openings that boats and swimmers can pass through.
• The pirate anchorage - the sheltered water once used as a hideout.
• The snorkelling - clear deep water around the rock bases.

When to go

May to September when boats run; the water is warmest in August and September. North winds can cancel trips or force operators to reverse the route, so build in a spare day.

Honest expectations

Getting there means a boat trip of several hours in each direction on a full-day cruise, which can be rough and is unsuitable for anyone prone to seasickness. There is no shade, no landing and no facilities at the site. Multiple boats arrive at midday and the water gets busy.

Nearby

Sarakiniko and Papafragas are on the northern coast; Polyaigos island trips often combine with Kleftiko.