An epic 30km relay sea swim around the Southernmost island in Greece and Europe
Summer 2026: A big swim for big dreamers
Gavdos island is known for being an outpost in the middle of the Lybian sea, the last land you see from Crete before you meet Africa.
We are going to swim around it, in the warmth of the midsummer, with the benevolence of the winds.
The swim
We plan to do the relay swim in 2 days. Gavdos is a pretty wild, barren island with basically one road and little access to the sea by land. A long cliff on the South coast and a few scattered tiny hamlets around.
The two swimming legs should be 23km and 7km respectively. Uneven like the rugged landscape.
The plan is to have each swimmer cover about 2km at a time, then swap. Each swimmer will then swim 4-6km on the long day, and 1-2km on the short day.
End of June should have warm sea temperature, but before tourism and the Meltemi winds have fully kicked in.
When
Meet in Kissamos, Crete on the evening of 27 June.
Travel to Gavdos and setup on 28 June.
Swim 29-30 June.
Return to Kissamos 1 July.
Wind conditions considered good to go up to 3-4 Beaufort, to be assessed near the date
Plan B: dates could be moved forward by 2 days maximum, to return by 3 July.
In case of excessive winds for the whole week, Plan C is to swim the Samaria coastline on the South coast of Crete.
We are considering doing another similar swim, maybe around another small Greek island like Antikythera or Kythera, in mid-October, starting 12 or 19 October.
Sea rules
Not too many.
It’s a sea swim, so human propulsion immersed in water. You can use aids for the swim: swimsuit, wetsuit, goggles, snorkel, fins. No motors!
Each swimmer should be able to swim the distance for the day (estimated 4-6km on the longest day), in potentially rough conditions up to 3-4Bft, at a minimum pace of 2km/h (3:00min/100m) so we can finish the longer day swim in daylight.
When not swimming, you are actively part of the support team, either on the boat or paddling a kayak.
Support
When not in the water swimming, the rest of the team forms the support, going along the route, leading the way, offering encouragement, supplies, water, looking out for each other.
The team will paddle along in kayaks or ride on a small motor boat, taking turns for recovery.
Costs
Each swimmer should cover their own costs, and chip in to cover the common costs (car, boat, etc.).
You can stay with us at Mulberry Hill in Merada, Kissamos for the days of that week (27/6-3/7) before and after Gavdos. We will also use the car, kayaks and equipment from Fit in Crete.
A rough estimate of the costs per person:
Accommodation: 35-70€/night in double room, for 3 nights in Gavdos
Food: 30-40€/day, assumes some taverna meals
Ferry: 60€
Car ferry and petrol: ~50€/person
Boat rental and petrol: ~100€/person
Logistics and organization: free. As outlined here, then a team effort on location
Accommodation in Kissamos for the days before and after the swim: free, courtesy of Mulberry Hill
Transfer car, support kayaks, equipment: free, courtesy of Fit in Crete
Estimated total: 400-600€/swimmer. Or save by camping and cooking your own food
At a glance:
- Total distance: 30km
- Individual distance: 5-8km
- Duration: 2 days
- Swim type: relay
- Team size: 4-6 swimmers
- First choice of dates: 29-30 June 2026
- Probability of smooth swimming: low
- Costs: cover your own, estimated 400-600€
