We joined the Out Adventures gay cruise through the Greek islands: think Speedos, sunsets, ouzo, and new friends. Here’s what really happens when you sail Greece, gay style!
I’ve been to the Greek islands before: Mykonos sunsets, Santorini selfies, me whining about the heat while Seby happily devours an entire wheel of feta. But never like this.
Out Adventures invited us on their Greek gay cruise, and I thought, why bother ferry-hopping with the tourists when you can sail in style with 60 gays, a rainbow flag flying high, and my husband in speedos so tight they deserve their own seat at dinner?
Life onboard felt like summer camp meets Greek mythology with a splash of RuPaul. Mornings were for plunging into secret coves, afternoons for Greek salads bigger than Seby’s head, and evenings that always began with “just one glass of wine” before spiralling into me choreographing a Beyoncé routine on deck under the stars.
This wasn’t just another gay trip to Greece. It was the gay odyssey I never knew I needed: fabulous, scenic, ridiculous, and a little bit scandalous…
Who are Out Adventures?
Think of them as the cool gay uncles of travel: globe-trotting, endlessly organised, and always ready with a cheeky cocktail suggestion.
Seby and I have known about them for years and did a gay cruise to Antarctica with them. They specialise in LGBTQ+ small-group trips, from safaris in Africa to Antarctica expeditions. Their focus is always on community. You don’t just show up, tick off a few sights, and leave. You eat together, explore together, laugh together, and by the end, you’ve somehow collected a dozen new squirrel friends.
The gay cruise format is exactly that: intimate, fun, and free from the mega-ship chaos of those floating cities that look like shopping malls at sea. Instead, it felt personal. We actually got to know everyone on board, which is why when Seby inevitably started holding court about French wine at dinner, there was a captive audience nodding along.
Out Adventures makes it easy. They handle the logistics, you bring the sunscreen and sass.
Our Cruise Itinerary and Route
We started in gay old Athens, which is always a thrill because nothing says “holiday mode” like Seby insisting we climb the Acropolis in 35-degree heat before we even board a boat. From there, the real magic began: sailing into the Aegean with our rainbow flag flapping in the wind and 60 gays buzzing with anticipation.
Our first stop was Poliegos, a tiny, uninhabited island with water so blue it looked Photoshopped. We dived straight off the boat into coves that felt like private swimming pools. Seby swam gracefully, I belly-flopped with enthusiasm.
Then came Poros, with its charming harbour and narrow streets, where Greek cats dramatically outnumber humans. Folegandros followed, a quieter island that felt like Greece in “zen mode”. Stunning cliffside villages, fewer crowds, and the perfect excuse for me to drink retsina at sunset without interruption.
And then there was Santorini. Beautiful? Absolutely. Overhyped? Completely. The views were jaw-dropping, but the crowds were suffocating. Watching that famous sunset from our boat with a glass of rosé was heavenly. Wading through the packed alleys of Oia? Less so.
Things picked up again in beautiful Paros (laid-back beaches, delicious food), the very gay Mykonos (where subtlety goes to die), and finally Syros, a hidden gem with neoclassical charm that was the perfect finale.
Life on Board
Life on board our little gay flotilla was a mix of summer camp, floating village, and occasionally, disco at sea. The boat itself wasn’t some faceless mega-cruise ship. It was intimate, cosy, and just the right size for 60 gays to mingle without feeling like we were trapped in a floating shopping mall.
Days fell into a glorious rhythm. Mornings usually began with a dip in the Aegean before breakfast. Seby gliding gracefully into the water like a French dolphin, me shrieking at the temperature like a Greek tragedy in motion. Afternoons meant lounging on deck with the sun beating down, gossip flowing, and someone inevitably pulling out a speaker to turn the top deck into an impromptu dance floor.
Meals were shared, which meant you actually got to know people beyond a polite “hi” in the corridor. It was like family dinners, if your family consisted entirely of gays.
Nights ranged from chilled conversations under the stars and even a toga party for those of us who enjoy a bit of dress up.
Food and Drink on Board
If you ever worry about going hungry on a gay cruise, let me reassure you: we ate like Greek gods. Meals were served family-style, which meant large platters of salads, grilled meats, fresh fish, and of course, enough feta to keep Seby smiling for a lifetime.
Sharing food like that turned every meal into a social event, with people passing dishes across the table and swapping stories as easily as they swapped wine refills.
Breakfast was usually simple and fresh, which was exactly what you needed after a late night on deck. Lunches were relaxed affairs, often after swimming stops, when we were starving. Dinners were the real show, with long conversations and flowing wine.
Excursions and Activities
One of the best parts of this cruise was how varied the excursions were. Every island came with its own personality, and Out Adventures made sure we got a taste of each one. Some days were about history and culture, wandering cobbled streets and learning about local traditions. Other days were pure hedonism, with lazy afternoons on hidden beaches where the only decision was whether to swim before or after lunch.
Poliegos was all about nature, with those unreal turquoise waters that made even Seby gasp mid-bite of feta. Poros gave us quaint harbour strolls and a cat population that treated us like honoured guests. Folegandros was slower and calmer, the kind of place where you lose track of time sipping wine while the sun sets. And of course, Mykonos delivered on its reputation with beach clubs, cocktails, and enough glitter to last a lifetime.
There were also activities on board when we were sailing between islands. We swam straight off the boat into hidden coves, snorkelled in water so clear it felt like floating in glass, and occasionally napped in the sun like professional holidaymakers. Every stop added a new layer to the adventure, and no two days ever felt the same.
The Gay Vibe and Community Feel
What made this trip so special was the people. There is something uniquely comforting about being surrounded entirely by LGBTQ+ travelers, where you never have to second-guess yourself or wonder if holding your partner’s hand will raise eyebrows. The cruise instantly felt like a safe, welcoming bubble where everyone could just relax into themselves.
It was not about wild parties or late nights. It was about connection. Meals felt like big dinner parties, where conversations drifted from travel stories to life back home, and by the end of the week we knew everyone’s quirks and inside jokes. Days exploring the islands often ended with small groups gathering in little cafés, enjoying local food, or simply watching the sunset in good company.
There was an incredible sense of camaraderie on board. Some people came as couples, some as friends, some as throuples, and some travelled solo, but by the second day it felt like we were part of one big floating family. Seby and I loved how quickly barriers broke down. By the end, it was hard to imagine the trip without the laughter, warmth, and easy companionship of the people we met.
How to find out more…sign me up!
If you are tempted to swap ferries for a fabulous floating gay adventure, check out the Out Adventures Gay Tours page for more awesome trips they are planning around the world.
Read more travel adventures like this in our book!
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We hope it inspires you to have a fun and safe trip!
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For more inspiration:
- Use our Athens gay hotels guide to plan your trip
- Our Greece gay hotels guide will also have your back
- We've published a gay guide to Cyprus
- Read what we rate to be the top gay holiday destinations in Europe
- Our Mykonos gay hotels guide will help you heaps