Getting There

Daily hydrofoil and ferry service to Hydra and other Saronic Gulf islands is offered by Hellenic Seaways (tel. 210/419-9200; www.hellenicseaways.gr). Saronikos Ferries (tel. 210/417/1190) takes passengers and cars to Aegina, Poros, and Spetses; cars are not allowed to disembark on Hydra. Euroseas (tel. 210/411-3108) has speedy catamaran service from Piraeus to Poros, Hydra, and Spetses. For information on schedules for most Argo-Saronic ferries, try one of the numbers of the Piraeus Port Authority (tel. 210/412/4585, 210/422-6000, or 210/410-1480), but phones are not always answered. On Hydra, try tel. 22980/52-279; www.openseas.gr is a useful site for ferry schedules as is www.gtp.gr.

Reservations are a must in summer and on holiday weekends. Tip: Lots of porters, some with and some without mules, meet the boats. If you have enough luggage to require their services, agree on a price beforehand; be prepared to pay at least 14€.

Visitor Information

The free publications Holidays in Hydra and This Summer in Hydra are widely available and contain much useful information, including maps and lists of rooms to rent; shops and restaurants pay to appear in these publications. Hydra View, available in print and online (www.hydraview.gr) is another useful resource. Saitis Tours (tel. 22980/52-184), on the harborfront, can exchange money, provide information on rooms and villas, book excursions, and help you make long-distance calls. For those wanting to pursue Hydra's history, we recommend Catherine Vanderpool's book Hydra (Lycabettus Press). You may also want to check www.greeka.com/saronic/hydra or www.hydradirect.com.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.