Ferries operate all year round in the Greek islands although the more remote might get only one ferry a week. There are four kinds of ferry - hydrofoils, catamarans, ferries and caiques.
HYDROFOILS: These are twice as fast but cost twice as much and are a boring way to travel. You sit in aircraft type seats in the gloomy interior and there are no snack bars or facilities other than a small toilet. They are built on an old Russian design that is unsuitable for bad weather and trips are likely to be cancelled in storms.
CATAMARANS: These are super sleek, super fast and super expensive ferries and are only found on the longer, more commercial routes. It's a sleek way to travel if you have the cash.
FERRIES: These can come in all shapes and sizes and are the workhorses of the islands, taking passengers, supplies and vehicles from island to island. They can offer comfortable seats, sundecks, toilets and cafes, though food and drink can be poor and exorbitantly priced. Safety concerns following the Express Samina disaster off Paros in 2000 in which 82 passengers and 61 crew died have eased. New rules ban boats more than 30 years old and permits for new routes are only issued for vessels built after 1990. Statistically, you are very safe travelling on a Greek ferry but beware older boats, check exits and life jacket points if you are concerned.
Check out timetables at the nearest ticket agent (there are several in each port) as times can vary daily. There's not much point in booking in advance except in August when boats can be packed with Greeks on holiday. Buy tickets and hand them to the officer on the gangway when the ferry arrives. Dump your luggage at the side of the vehicle deck and climb the steps to the passenger decks.
CAIQUES: These are found in every port, lined up on the quayside touting island trips and visits to small islets. There are usually no facilities on board so take your own food and drink. No toilets either and be prepared for hard wooden seating. Boats can also sway about even in a small swell so beware of seasickness.
Some hydrofoils have a small outside deck at the rear where you can get some fresh air and be drenched in sea spray
Several firms now offer Greek island-hopping tours. These usually consist of a predetermined route around the more popular islands with hotel reservations and ferry tickets. Often there is a "party night" to start and end the tour and the overnight hotel stop will probably include breakfast. Until the next ferry leaves your time is your own on the island.
On the plus side you avoid all the hassle of booking ferries and finding decent hotels. The downside is that chosen routes are usually the most well-travelled, that is those where ferries are frequent (thus avoiding the problem of cancelled ferries) and in peak season (for much the same reason). Larger ports are usually chosen so there is plenty of hotel accommodation and, of course you can't linger on an island that you may like.
Independent travelers may face missed ferries, sub standard rooms and getting stuck on an island for a few days but they get the freedom to choose, can linger where they like and head off into the unknown if they feel adventurous. For many, myself included, that is what island hopping is all about and i many years I have yet to be disappointed. But for first time visitor tot he Greek island and those who prefer a more structures holiday an island hopping tour could be just the ticket.
Check with the local ticket agents for times of sailings - they can change daily.
Buy your snacks before you get aboard. Ferry food is poor and expensive and usually best avoided - unless you have a passion for microwaved mini-pizzas.
Don't sit behind the funnel on the sundeck or you may choke on the fumes.
Some hydrofoils have a small outside deck at the rear where you can get some fresh air and be drenched in sea spray
