Naxos and Milos sit on opposite sides of the Cyclades, and the ferry between them is one of the longer inter-island crossings you'll find in the group -- this is a route for travellers building a proper island-hopping itinerary rather than a quick day trip. The Naxos ferry quay is right on the edge of the main town, so you can walk off the boat and be at your hotel within minutes; there's no need to arrange a taxi or bus transfer unless you're headed further afield. On the Milos side, boats dock at Adamas, the island's main port and de facto capital, with most of the accommodation, tavernas and bus connections a short stroll from the pier.
Because the crossing takes you out across open water between the two islands, rather than hopping between neighbours a short hour apart, it's worth checking which vessel and route you're booked on -- the fastest boats cut more than an hour and a half off the slowest ones. Exposed stretches of this kind can pick up a chop when the meltemi is blowing in high summer, so if you're prone to seasickness it's worth checking the deck class and, if needed, picking up something for the crossing before you board.
SeaJets runs the quicker of the two crossings, which suits anyone keen to spend less time at sea and more time on the islands. Hellenic Seaways takes the longer route but tends to run a larger, steadier conventional ferry, which some travellers prefer on a crossing of this length, particularly if the sea is up.
Given the length of this crossing, it's worth bringing something to eat and drink on board even if the boat has a café, and dressing in layers -- the open deck can be breezy however calm the sea looks from the quay. If you're catching an onward connection from Milos, or need to be somewhere on Naxos at a set time, build in some slack either side; a long crossing has more scope for a delayed departure than a short hop between neighbouring islands.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars