We run two very different kinds of day on the water. One, you're at the wheel of your own boat. The other, our skipper is, and you're not thinking about navigation at all. People usually assume one is obviously better — it isn't, it just depends on who's in your group.
If you take the wheel yourself
Self-drive means the day is entirely yours to shape. No shared itinerary, no other boat's schedule to work around — if a beach turns out to be quiet and you want to stay another hour, you just stay. Most of our boats need no licence at all, and you still get a proper safety briefing before leaving Agia Paraskevi Beach, so "I've never driven a boat" isn't really a barrier here. It suits people who like being in control and don't mind a bit of trial and error finding their way around. Full details are on our boat rental page.
If someone else takes the wheel
A private tour is the opposite: our local skipper drives, plans the route and knows exactly which cove is sheltered that day and which side of the island the light hits best in the afternoon. It's still just your group on the boat — nobody else's itinerary gets mixed into yours — but you're free to focus entirely on the beach, the water and the view. It's the option we'd point grandparents, very young families, or anyone who just wants a proper day off toward.
Our honest take
Most confident travellers without young kids go self-drive, mainly for the freedom to change plans mid-afternoon. Most families with toddlers, or groups who'd rather not think about wind direction at all, go with a skipper. Either route gets you to the same coastline, the same coves and the same beaches you can't reach by road — the difference is entirely about who's doing the driving.
Not sure yet?
Tell us your group size and what you're after on WhatsApp — we'll say plainly which option we'd book if it were us. You can also browse the fleet or check the FAQ page for more on how each option runs.
