Colourful kayaks await us lined up on the sandy beach of Legrena, our carriages for the day. Our group gets to choose between single and double kayaks, depending on the mood, experience and adrenaline levels of each member. Our morning chit-chat quickly leads to exchanging stories about similar adventures, right before our two guides call for the short training session to begin. It’s almost 10 am on a hot July day in Athens and perfect weather conditions grant us a gorgeous calm sea. With everyone in a great mood and sharing the excitement we're off to a great start, zero paddles in.

One by one, we are pushed into the port's calm waters and off we go into the Aegean, paddles trading waters in synchronicity. Although there is no wind, the feelings that emerge on the open sea are nothing like those felt in the safety of the port. Paddling towards the horizon and taking on the occasional wave certainly makes my blood rush. 

“I never thought of kayaking as a sport. More like a means of transportation if you ask me. It’s the same as choosing to ride a bicycle on land,” explains Konstantinos. That’s surely one way of looking at it, one that never crossed my pedestrian mind. 

Konstantinos and Andreas met a few years back, in 2019. They were both members of a kayak team which took on long-distance expeditions. They refer to themselves as synkopilates (co-paddlers) and love seafaring around the islands of the Aegean (they’ve paddled their way to Rhodes, amongst other islands), always trying out new routes. They hit it off from the start and it wasn’t long before they were getting requests for excursions from friends as well as visitors from abroad who would track them down through social media.

The time had come for us to be rewarded for our gallantry. Just around the corner from an islet there it was; the all-imposing Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion. Cameras and mobile phones all tucked away, we all lay down our paddles and simply drift for a while, taking in the moment and spiritually recording what was in front of our eyes. Definitely a moment of connection with the group, the sea and the scenery.

With that grand view in mind, we head along the coastline towards our very own small rocky beach. Anchors drop and we get to go for a refreshing dive in the crystal waters of Archi islet, a very popular stop for the area’s sea adventurers. What initially feels like a necessary pit-stop quickly turns out to be a luxury moment in its quiet, simplicity, and privacy.

“Make sure not to approach the young ones, please. Let’s not disturb the locals,” jokes Konstantinos, advising us to stay away from the several seagull nests on the islet’s surface. I can’t really say how long we were there for (no phone, no watch), but something tells me that none of us would have objected to spending the day there.

One more dive and it is time to meet the God of the Seas. We park our kayaks on the beach, follow a smooth uphill walk and 10 minutes later we are at the entrance of the temple. Keep in mind that the entrance ticket to the temple is not included in the excursion’s cost and should this be your first time visiting, a guided tour is definitely worth it and something that Expedition Kayaking can arrange at an extra cost.

The views from atop the temple never get old. Though most of us had already visited many times before, this time felt different. It’s as if we are more in sync with the history and energy of the place. We leave wondering what it would be like to have timed this during sunset, when it's arguably the best time to visit the temple.

By now the heat has taken its toll, so we rush down the hill for one last quick swim and sips of ice cold water—yup, still ice cold after four hours—before heading back to the port. We leave behind us a Homeric adventure, some adorable baby seagulls, the promises of the Aegean sea, and a layover at an Olympian God. Not bad for a Wednesday morning.