Mykonos and Donoussa port information
The Mykonos to Donoussa ferry route links one of the busiest Cycladic islands with one of the quietest. Sailings for this journey normally begin at the New Port of Mykonos in Tourlos, which is the main ferry harbour for large vessels and is about two kilometres from Mykonos Town. You can reach the port easily by local bus, taxi, hotel shuttle or pre booked transfer, and there are basic services nearby such as cafes, ticket offices and bus stops for onward travel around the island. On Donoussa the ferry arrives at the small harbour in the village of Stavros. This is a simple concrete pier with a docking area on one side and a small marina on the other. Facilities are low key but you will find tavernas, mini markets and rooms to let a short walk from the quay. The island is very compact, with just one main road that links Stavros with the small villages along the southern coastline and the beaches, so getting to and from the port is straightforward by foot, local minibus or taxi where available. Donoussa has no airport, so every visit is by sea, which keeps the atmosphere peaceful compared with larger Cycladic islands. Travellers usually reach Donoussa from Mykonos with a change of ferry at Naxos, and sometimes at Paros, because there is normally no direct passenger service between the two islands, even in summer.
Mykonos to Donoussa ferry schedules and seasons
There is usually no direct Mykonos to Donoussa ferry, so the journey is made with one ferry from Mykonos to Naxos or Paros, then a second ferry from there to Donoussa. In summer there are several daily sailings between Mykonos and Naxos, run by large operators such as Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets and other companies. The fastest boats cover the crossing in about thirty to forty five minutes, while conventional ferries take around one and a half hours, so you can choose between speed and lower prices. From Naxos to Donoussa, services are provided by Blue Star Ferries and by Small Cyclades Lines with the Express Skopelitis. Blue Star offers a larger ship that usually takes about one hour ten minutes, while the smaller local boat takes around four hours and calls at several of the Small Cyclades on the way. In total, the combined Mykonos to Donoussa ferry journey normally takes between about three and seven hours including the waiting time for your connection, with the quickest links taking around two hours forty five minutes when the schedules line up well. The summer season from late May to early October gives the most choice, with Blue Star Ferries and Express Skopelitis together offering around three to six Naxos to Donoussa departures per week, although the smaller boat does not call at Donoussa every day and often skips Sundays. In the winter months the island stays connected by a few Blue Star sailings each week, but options from Mykonos are more limited, so you may need to stay overnight in Naxos to complete the trip comfortably. For exact departure times, available dates and current prices it is best to check live results on Ferryhopper before you travel.
Is there a direct Mykonos to Donoussa ferry in summer?
There is usually no direct Mykonos to Donoussa ferry, even in the busiest summer months. Most travellers sail from Mykonos to Naxos or sometimes Paros, then change to a second boat that continues to Donoussa on the same day or the next day, depending on the schedule.
How long does the Mykonos to Donoussa ferry journey take with a change in Naxos?
If the timetables connect well, the combined Mykonos to Donoussa ferry trip via Naxos can be as quick as about two hours forty five minutes. More often you should allow between three and seven hours in total, as the waiting time for your second boat can be longer on some days and in shoulder seasons.
Can I do the Mykonos to Donoussa ferry in one day or do I need to stay overnight?
On certain days in high season it is possible to complete the Mykonos to Donoussa ferry journey in one day by taking an early boat to Naxos and an afternoon sailing to Donoussa. However, because the Naxos to Donoussa ferries run only a few times per week, many travellers choose to stay overnight on Naxos, especially outside the main summer months when there are fewer connections.
Do I need to book Mykonos to Donoussa ferry tickets in advance?
It is wise to book the Mykonos to Donoussa ferry segments in advance, especially in July and August when both the Mykonos to Naxos boats and the smaller Naxos to Donoussa ferries can fill up. Booking through an online platform such as Ferryhopper lets you see all available combinations on one screen and helps you plan around the limited days when boats actually call at Donoussa.
What happens if my first boat is late and I miss the Mykonos to Donoussa ferry connection?
When you plan the Mykonos to Donoussa ferry trip, try to leave a generous gap between the arrival of the first boat and the departure of the second, because delays can happen with wind or heavy traffic. If you miss your Naxos to Donoussa connection, the usual solution is to ask the ticket office about moving to the next sailing and to find a room on Naxos for the night, since there may be several days before the next ferry to Donoussa depending on the season.