Island hopping · GUIDED
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 guided island trips justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to packing a dry bag.
Join a group of 22 or fewer for a five-hour boat trip from central Venice to Murano and Burano. Watch glassblowing, see lace-making, hear local stories from guides such as Silvia, Frankie, and Alice, and enjoy free time on both islands.
“Our guide Frankie was friendly and knowledgeable. The highlight of the tour is the demonstration at the murano glass factory.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at 1 Bowling Green, then cross New York Harbor to Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty Museum. Choose a two-hour express visit or a four-hour option adding Ellis Island, its immigration museum, and an official audio guide. Guides include Joseph, Joe, Charlie, Mindy, and Christian.
“Be prepared to do a lot of walking. The guide was wonderful. Gave a lot of information and was answering all our questions.”
Meet at the Nelson Mandela Gateway, skip the ticket-buying line, and take a shared ferry to Robben Island. A bus tour covers the island before a former political prisoner leads you through the prison, including Nelson Mandela’s cell. English guides, return ferry, and museum entry are included.
“Nice tour to Robben Island by ferry. Ferry was fully enclosed and quite crowded. Once on the island after about a 45 minute ride, we boarded a bus with an ex-prisoner guide who provided details about the buildings and life on the island. After an hour we were dropped at the prison and did about an hour of walking and understanding of life inside by another ex-prisoner. The tour provided a very moving explanation of what actually happened to those who disagreed with segregation, and the goals of the Government to try to silence them.”
Cruise central Budapest in a comfortable glass-enclosed boat, with a retractable cover in good weather, one drink, WiFi, and an audio guide in 30 languages. Sail past Buda Castle, the Royal Palace, Parliament, and the bridges, then choose a 45-minute stop at Margaret Island before returning to the city center.
“It was very pleasant and worth the price! The weather was perfect. They gave us a choice of one drink and at the end of the cruise they offered us an additional glass of delicious lemonade.”
Take the wheel of a Rhino Rider speedboat from Al Bandar Marina and follow guides such as Irfan or Farhan around Yas Island. Expect mangroves, flamingos, Ferrari World, Aldar Headquarters, a photo stop, and possibly a short swim. Boats are easy to operate, but drivers must be 18 or older.
“The whole activity from start to finish was brilliant. Irfan was on time, made us feel safe and we had a great experience!”
Spend eight hours cruising Phu Quoc’s southern islands with an English-speaking guide such as Huy, Viet, or Tuan. Snorkel at Xuong or Buom Island and Gam Ghi, eat lunch aboard, then relax at May Rut Trong’s white-sand lagoon. Expect a sociable group outing, changing island stops in poor weather, and possible crowds.
“Vit was really great, he was such a character and knew how to handle a large group! We really enjoyed this trip 😊”
Spend seven hours cruising Santorini’s caldera with an English-speaking guide. Walk across Nea Kameni’s black volcanic ground, swim near Palea Kameni’s sulphur springs, and enjoy two hours on Thirassia for lunch, a beach stop, or the climb to Manolas. Pickup and return transport are included.
“We had a really good experience! The transportation to the port was comfortable and timely. Our guide, Vasso, was really knowledgeable and nice. The boat is comfortable and although there's a big group of people, it didn't feel crowded. There's plenty of time to climb to the top of the volcano, have a guided tour and swim in the hot springs (I've seen reviews from other vendors that this is not always the case). The trip to Thirassia is ok, not the highlight for me, but it's still nice. Make sure to bring cover, sunblock, and water as not the entire boat has shade and you'll have to pay for…”
Spend about eight hours exploring Maria Island by boat and on foot. Crews such as Michael, Ruby, Milly, and Tamsyn lead wildlife viewing, geology commentary, lunch, and a two-hour Darlington walk. Expect a small group, open-water conditions, and chances to see wombats, seals, dolphins, and albatross.
“Staffs were very friendly and organised which made the trip very enjoyable. We will definitely come back and join the tour again.”
Spend four hours aboard a guided cruise from Al Bateen, passing Etihad Towers and Qasr Al Watan before swimming at Dolphin Island and relaxing at Al Maya Island Resort. Expect soft drinks, snacks, pool and beach access, music, and English or Hindi-speaking crew.
“Very nice activity and a great way to see Abu Dhabi from a different angle. We had enough time to enjoy both islands we stopped by.”
Take a 4.5 to 5.5-hour guided boat tour from Venice to Murano, Burano, and Torcello. See a glassblowing demonstration, watch lacework, stroll colorful canals, and hear stories in English, Spanish, Italian, or French. Optional Venetian snacks and wine or Prosecco are available.
“This tour is definitely great for the price!! The glass blowing was amazing & Burano is vibrantly beautiful Great little restaurants for lunch/cocktails too”
From Nerano, sail to Capri with guides such as Vincenzo, Francesco, or Giovanni offering practical tips in English and Italian. Spend the day exploring Capri and Anacapri, then cruise past the Faraglioni, grottoes, Punta Carena, and Ieranto Bay before returning to the mainland.
“Fantastic! From pick up to drop off everything was so well organised. The guides were great, giving all the information you need to enjoy your time in Capri and Ana Capri. On the boat they offer a shuttle bus service (26 euros pp) from the marina up to Capri where you have approx one and a half hours to explore, they will then pick up and take you to Ana Capri where you have two and a half hours to explore, you are then picked up and taken back to the marina for approx half an hour until the boat arrives. The boat trip back to Sorrento was so beautiful…”
You pilot a two-person Creek Cat while guides such as Greg, Mason, Jack, and Monica lead a 25-mile route around Hilton Head. Expect marsh views, Harbour Town, Daufuskie Island, wildlife, local stories, and a good chance of getting wet.
“Awesome experience ! Dylan and Dawson were amazing guides ! Wear a bathing suit or quick dry clothing ! We saw dolphins as well !”
Set out from Kos at 9:30 a.m. for a 7.5-hour Aegean cruise to Pserimos, Plati, and Kalymnos. You’ll swim, watch for dolphins, visit Vathy, and eat a traditional BBQ lunch aboard the boat. Bring water money, swim gear, and arrive 30 minutes early to choose your seat.
“Unfortunately the Santa Maria had stopped sailing when we checked the day before sailing, but the company were excellent and transferred us to a sister ship the captain Morgan which was a fantastic experience so the trip was great hence the 5*”
Spend about 7.5 hours at sea from Kos, visiting Kalymnos, Pserimos, and tiny Platy. You’ll watch for dolphins, swim in clear waters, sample Kalymnian specialties, enjoy a Greek lunch aboard, and use a personalized audio guide on your smartphone. Meet at 9:00 am for the 9:30 departure.
“You canceled all us cruise passengers. We got cheated. We showed up and you didn't do the amazing tour we had paid for. Very frustrated and disappointed.”
Spend seven hours aboard the Santa Maria, an 80-foot wooden boat, visiting Kalymnos, Platy, and Pserimos. You can swim from the boat, walk a small island port, taste Greek barbecue, shop for sponges, and use a free phone audio guide in English, German, Greek, or Italian. Guides such as Alex and Aria help keep the day lively.
“This was brilliant. I had 2 nearly teenage boys with me and I was really not sure how this would go and worried I should have booked something else but book this one and don't be tempted by the others. It was a perfect size and not overcrowded (like the others I could see). The food was really good - there was a one star review complaining about that but really I could not see why at all - they must have had a bad day. They have drinks and donuts on board [take snacks if your kids, unbelievable, can't manage a donut] Take cash with you for the sponge…”
By hull, by landing, by how long you want to be out.
