By swimming or by boat?…
If you have been to Kaş, you know that Meis Island is one of the closest Greek islands to our coast. For those who enjoy open-water swimming, the Kaş-Meis route may also be familiar. Therefore, swimming from Kaş to Meis is technically possible. But I don’t recommend it as a transportation method… 🙂
Instead, I recommend choosing one of the ferry companies in Kaş center, buying your ticket, paying the port taxes (both ports charge separately – currently Kaş 130 TL, Meis 5 Euros) and your international departure fee (for Turkish citizens only). The ticket price (25-30 Euros) and the travel time (25-30 minutes) are directly proportional to the island’s proximity.
I’ve heard that some people prefer to take a boat tour instead of the ferry. While it might be tempting to skip the hassle of transfers, I opted for individual travel. The small town where the ferry docks in Meis, the two other destinations are accessible only by sea: the Blue Cave and St. George Beach. I’ll go into more detail later, but small boat taxis can easily and frequently take you to and from both. Furthermore, you can determine the timing and how long you’ll stay on the island where the beach is located.
Things to see…
Meis Island is quite small, so don’t expect a long list. However, the town center where you disembark is so charming that how much time you spend wandering the streets is entirely up to you. Here are a few attractions:
- Meis town… Be sure to take a tour among the buildings painted in candy like colors. I recommend diving inland into the narrow streets.
- There are two museums; both were small and cute, but they were closed when I was there.Archaeological museum of Kastellorizo and Kastellorizo Folk Art Museum (Kavos Mosque)
- There is a Lycian Tomb… It’s not exactly spectacular, but since we’re wandering around the island, why not? The road is beautiful, and there’s a stunning view behind the island. It’s not a very long climb, either.
- A must-see place in Meis is the Blue Cave a sea cave at the back of the island. It’s accessible only by boat from the harbor and can be entered before high tide and during calm seas. But the interior is vast and magnificent; I think it’s a must-see.
- At a point closer to the port, on two interconnected islets stands Saint George Beach. Access is again only from the water. However, small boats depart from the harbor and take you to the Blue Cave, take a short tour and then drop you off there. They’ll pick you up whenever you want. So you can sunbathe on cushioned wooden loungers and enjoy the aquarium-like water on this lovely beach by the sea. Even in October, the water was magnificent. I paid 10 euros for a lounge chair and 5 euros for a Fredo Cappuccino; I don’t think it’s too much for a place like this.
Daily or overnight stay?…
Of course, it depends on the person and the circumstances… But I stayed in Kaş and went back and forth for the day. I took the 9:30 a.m. ferry; there’s also an 11:00 a.m. For my evening return, I chose the earlier option of 4:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. Because:
- It was off-season, so accommodation in Kaş was more affordable. Accommodation options in Meis were relatively limited, so it was a bit more expensive.
- My schedule only allowed for one day and I actually saw the entire island. But if I had the time, I’d have loved spending a full day at that stunning beach and wandering the island’s streets for longer. It would have been perfect for a relaxing weekend, and perhaps a chance to get a little accustomed to the island’s rhythm.
- I had a delicious meal on the dock at noon. Without any research, I just sat where I felt like. The seafood, like on every island, was fresh and well-prepared. But if I’d stayed overnight, I’d have had a long, ouzo night out.
After all… If you have limited time, a Daily Meis tour is very satisfying. But if you live nearby or if you are rich in time; a long week end would be perfect.
