Why you should experience the Sikia Sea Arch from Mykonos.
The Sikia Sea Arch feels like nature showing off, a colossal gateway carved by wind, waves, and centuries of patient erosion, rising straight from the turquoise waters of the Aegean.
Approaching it by boat from Mykonos, the first glimpse takes your breath away: the cliffs of Gyaros Island stretch stark and silent, until the arch appears, an immense window of stone framing the open sea beyond. Beneath its curve, the water glows electric blue, illuminated by sunlight filtering through the shallows. Passing under it feels almost ceremonial, the moment the boat slips through, sound falls away, leaving only the gentle echo of waves against the rock. The surrounding coastline is rugged and untouched, offering a glimpse of the Aegean as it once was, raw, remote, and sacred. Sikia’s sea arch isn’t just a geological wonder; it’s a living sculpture of light and motion, shaped by the eternal conversation between land and water.
What you didn’t know about the Sikia Sea Arch.
The Sikia Sea Arch is part of a greater natural formation that includes the hidden Sikia Cave, both etched into the western cliffs of Gyaros, an island once shrouded in secrecy and exile.
The word Sikia means “fig tree,” a poetic nod to the circular opening above the neighboring cave, whose shape resembles the spread of a fig leaf. The arch itself is believed to have formed when parts of the original cave roof collapsed thousands of years ago, leaving behind this open-air portal to the sea. Gyaros, now a protected marine reserve, supports an astonishing array of wildlife, including Mediterranean monk seals, one of Europe’s most endangered species, which are often sighted resting in the quiet coves nearby. Because the island remains uninhabited and heavily regulated, its coastal formations, including the sea arch, have been preserved in their pristine, almost prehistoric beauty. It’s one of the few places in the Cyclades where the Aegean still feels wild and untamed.
How to fold the Sikia Sea Arch into your trip.
The only way to reach the Sikia Sea Arch is by sea, which adds to its allure.
Book a private or small-group boat excursion from Mykonos or Tourlos Marina that includes the Gyaros coastline, most tours stop for a swim near the arch when the sea is calm. The journey takes about an hour each way, gliding past Mykonos’ northern cliffs before reaching Gyaros’ raw, uninhabited shore. Late morning to early afternoon is the best time to visit, when the sun hits the rock at the right angle to ignite the archway’s golden glow and make the surrounding water shimmer like glass. Swimming beneath the arch is possible on still days, though visitors should respect the protected zone by keeping noise and disruption to a minimum. Bring a waterproof camera, mask, and fins, this isn’t just a stop for photos; it’s a place to feel the scale of nature in motion. The Sikia Sea Arch isn’t merely seen, it’s entered, absorbed, and carried with you long after you’ve returned to shore.
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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