
Tags: Greece, Greek Islands, Retreat, water, watersports

Skyros Island, Greece, April 2025 — This summer, Skyros Holidays introduces The Blue Water Programme, a signature series of water-based experiences set in the serene haven of Atsitsa Bay on the tranquil Greek island of Skyros. From wild swimming and windsurfing to sunset kayaking and bioluminescent night swims, the programme invites guests to experience the deep wellbeing benefits of life on, and in, the water.
The Wellness of Water Inspired by the growing “blue mind” movement, which links proximity to water with lower stress and improved mental health, the Blue Water Programme offers moments of calm, vitality and connection in the great outdoors. Guests are encouraged to move, breathe, and simply be whether gliding across the bay or floating beneath the stars.
A Healing Legacy from the Ancient Greeks Water's therapeutic power is no modern discovery. The Ancient Greeks, including Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine used hydrotherapy to treat various ailments. Healing temples, or Asclepieia, were often built near natural springs, and water's mineral content was believed to enhance health and vitality. Hippocrates wrote extensively about the use of water in balancing the body and restoring wellness, a philosophy that lives on in today's wellness culture.
What's Included in the Blue Water Programme (availability varies by week):
- Wild Swimming – Swim in crystal-clear, Aegean waters surrounded by pine trees and peaceful silence.
- Sunset Kayaking – A gentle, golden-hour paddle to unwind and reflect.
- Bioluminescent Night Swims – Swim through glowing waters for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- SUP Yoga with Kat Harding – Strengthen your core and calm your mind on a stand-up paddleboard, surrounded by the sea.
- Windsurfing – Learn the basics or build confidence with expert guidance in a supportive and relaxed setting.
- More Than Just Water – Creativity and Wellbeing,
Too Each Atsitsa holiday includes a rich mix of workshops across creativity, movement, and personal development. Activities change weekly but may include:
- Creative Arts – Mosaics, watercolour, linocut, and more
- Performance & Play – Singing, improv, music, comedy writing
- Mind & Body – Yoga, 5Rhythms®, Feldenkrais, and meditation
- Writing & Storytelling – Life writing, fiction, and journaling
- Self-Discovery – Emotional growth, relationships, and inner resilience
Guests can participate as much or as little as they like, choosing the combination that best suits their interests and pace. Simple Living, Deep Connection Atsitsa Bay's rustic eco-huts and traditional house rooms offer a unique, back-to-nature experience just moments from the sea.
With nourishing shared meals, warm-hearted facilitators, and open, welcoming community, the setting is ideal for solo travellers or anyone seeking meaningful connection and renewal.
About Skyros Holidays Founded in 1979, Skyros Holidays is Europe's leading holistic retreat. With over 45 years of experience and two beautiful centres on Skyros island, Skyros offers weeklong holidays focused on creativity, wellbeing, and connection. Over 80% of guests travel solo, and many return year after year for the magic of the Skyros community and the rejuvenating power of the island itself.
Find out more and browse upcoming retreats at www.skyros.com
Contact Leigh Jackman at marketing@skyros.com for further details and interview options.