Why you should experience Sikia Cave from Mykonos.
Sikia Cave is one of the Aegean’s best-kept secrets, a cathedral of stone and light hidden along the coast of the uninhabited island of Gyaros, accessible only by boat from Mykonos.
Sailing toward it feels like a journey into myth. The cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, barren and sun-bleached, until suddenly the entrance appears, a vast, gaping arch carved into the rock, glowing with turquoise light reflected from the water below. Inside, the ceiling has partially collapsed, creating a natural skylight that floods the cavern with shifting rays of sunlight. It’s as if the sea itself has built a secret sanctuary. The sound changes too, every whisper becomes an echo, every wave a heartbeat against the walls. Snorkeling here feels surreal, the water impossibly clear, the limestone shimmering with colors that shift from emerald to sapphire. It’s a raw, untouched experience that strips away time, leaving you suspended between sea and sky.
What you didn’t know about Sikia Cave.
Sikia, meaning “fig tree” in Greek, gets its name from the fig-like shape of the natural opening in its roof, but the cave’s story runs much deeper.
Formed by millennia of erosion from waves and wind, it is one of the largest sea caves in the Cyclades, measuring over 20 meters high and nearly 40 meters across. The cave lies along the western cliffs of Gyaros, an island long cloaked in mystery and solitude, once a place of exile during the mid-20th century, now a protected marine reserve rich with life. The waters surrounding Sikia are home to monk seals, sea turtles, and countless fish species that thrive in its clear depths. Because access is limited and the site remains undeveloped, the cave has avoided the heavy tourism that’s reshaped much of the Aegean. Its isolation is part of its charm, a reminder of what these islands once were: wild, sacred, and ruled by nature’s hand alone.
How to fold Sikia Cave into your trip.
Reaching Sikia Cave is an adventure in itself, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.
Most visitors book a private or small-group boat tour from the Mykonos marina, which takes about an hour each way depending on sea conditions. The ride offers sweeping views of Mykonos’ northern coastline before the sea deepens into that impossible Aegean blue. Bring snorkeling gear or arrange with your captain to swim inside the cave when conditions are calm. The best time to visit is late morning, when sunlight pours through the roof opening, turning the water into a living prism. Because Sikia lies within a protected zone, boats aren’t allowed to dock inside, so expect to float just beyond the entrance, a surreal, cinematic experience that feels more like a dream than a day trip. Pack light, bring a waterproof camera, and let yourself drift. For those seeking to feel small in the presence of nature’s grandeur, Sikia Cave from Mykonos delivers something few places in the world still can: the thrill of discovery itself.
Hear it from the Foresyte community.
Row in through this tiny gap and suddenly boom you’re in this massive cave with the roof open to the sky. Wildest thing I’ve ever seen. THIS is peak Greece.
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