Our First Visit to Halki, June 2017

[olympus]

Having seen a comment that not many "fresh" people visit Halki and post messages here, I thought I would add a few comments on our first trip to the island last month. Hopefully it will be useful for people considering visiting Halki as we could find little "feedback" about the island.

Having visited over 20 Greek islands previously, we hadn't heard that much about Halki as a destination so a quick look online and we liked what we saw/read. More recently, our trips to Greece have been booked independently but we always look at a packages for a comparison of prices/locations/accommodation choices. For Halki, we could only find Olympic Holidays who offered a "typical" package holiday and our hesitancy to use them is due to several 17+ hour delays over the last couple of years.

So we looked at the independent option. Plenty of flights to Rhodes, and many threads about ferries/transfers looked fine, although we weren't sure about accommodation. A quick search and we found Zifos Travel and Nissia Holidays, who both provided accommodation, and helped with transfers too. No reply was forthcoming from Zifos, but Daffy from Nissia sent a pretty quick response offering a couple of accommodation options for our preferred dates (we weren't giving much notice).

We chose our accommodation (Moscovia Apts) based on his description and photos, and he also put us in touch with MBC travel who could help with transfers (they quickly confirmed prices/options). Within a few days of booking with Nissia, we received the "old school" luggage tags in the post. Everything was booked (very efficiently) and Daffy confirmed someone from MBC/Nissia would meet us at Rhodes airport, travel with us to Kamiros Skala (The "port" on the west side of Rhodes where the smaller boats leave for Halki), give us our ferry tickets, and then welcome us off the boat at Halki and show us to our accommodation.

On to the trip itself, our flight landed 15 mins late but we soon collected luggage and found the Nissia team at Rhodes airport. They gave us a welcome pack with instructions for the transfer and a map of accommodation in Halki and we put our bags on the mini-bus and Ian explained we would have around 90 mins to wait as another UK flight was due which had passengers for our transfer. He showed us up some stairs away from the airport, to a nice little taverna where we had a drink and a bite to eat. We returned to the airport, boarded the mini-bus and the journey took approx 45 mins to Kamiros Skala. The Nikos Express boat was waiting for us and we quickly transferred luggage and soon left. There was around 20 of us on the boat although I reckon it holds 50-75 passengers. There was a toilet and small bar on board and the top deck (open) did have some shade from the sun. The water was very calm, with the uneventful trip taking 80 mins however in rougher seas I imagine it may test those who aren't keen on the high seas!!!!

On our approach to Halki, the local Nissia guide pointed out our sea front accommodation and as soon as we docked we grabbed our bags and met Meni from Nissia who gave us our keys. We waited until she had sorted all the other guests, and made sure they had actually bothered to attach luggage labels to all their bags (most properties have several sets of stairs which need to be negotiated so bags are delivered later on by van) and she then walked us to our property. Less than 5 mins later, we were being shown around the Moscovia Apts by Meni. The property management is in transition this year with Nissia taking it on full time for 2018. The apartment was finished to a really high standard with a very large balcony/terrace area with 2 good quality sunbeds, a large table, 2 chairs and bench, and large parasol (easy to put up too!!!). Inside, the kitchen was fully equipped (with large fridge/freezer, proper cooker, toaster, kettle), and a large dining table for 4. The bathroom had a double shower which didn't soak the rest of the room and also a washing machine. There was an upstairs "attic" style twin bedroom with wooden roof although it did feel extremely hot, with the main double bedroom (large with wardrobe and TV) downstairs. All rooms had air con and there was no problem with the Wifi.  The balcony looks over the harbour and has amzing views.

We visited the three main beaches on the island. Our favourite was Kania, which we walked to several times in the morning taking 40 mins via the well-made, undulating road from the harbour spotting many goats on the way. We left around 0800 meaning we had 2 hours on the beach with relatively few others before the mini-bus arrived at 1040. The beach was pebbly and the sea ultra clear (as were the other beaches and harbour water) and great for my wife who was trying out snorkelling for the first time.

There were 3 mini-market shops selling all the normal essentials, a couple of gifts shops, 2 shops for beach stuff, and the amazing Dimitri's Bakery. A good choice of restaurants/taverna's (8 or so) at typical Greek prices (2 courses, bread, wine for 2 people - circa Eur 30) and several low key bars. All these were along the waterfront as was the ATM/Post Office. There was no pharmacy on the island although Meni said she could order items from Rhodes if required. There was a doctor on the island if needed.

We picked up our transfer details from Meni at the Nissia Office 2 days before departure, and caught the 0830 sailing from Halki to Kamiros Scala. We had 90 mins at Kamiros Scala before our mini-bus took us to the airport so had a last drink and bite to eat at one of the taverna's overlooking the harbour. Daffy met us at Rhodes airport, chatted about our holiday, made sure we had no issues checking our bags in and waved us goodbye.

Overall, we had a great, stress-free holiday. The weather was very hot reaching 39C according to Accu Weather. There was a very hot wind one evening which resembled having a hairdryer blown in your face, and one day where it was very windy too.

What did we think of Halki? We loved its charm and "low-keyness", and it was so relaxing too.  With the number of British visitors on Halki,  it did at times feel like you were in an English village especially in the evenings when eating at the taverna's. Many people would go and stand over other people whilst they were eating, telling them what they had done over the last year and having a bit of a gossip about who was and who wasn't on the island !!!

I'm sure many on here know everything there is to know about Halki, but if any newcomers want to ask me a question, please do so.

Have fun

[Liz]

Thanks for the report Olympus.. its always nice to hear from someone with 'fresh eyes'

[davidfromhastings]

A second thanks from me Olympus for taking the trouble to post a lengthy trip report. Always interesting for those who know Halki but also useful for those considering it as a holiday destination. Much appreciated 

[pauline]

Thanks for that report. We will be first time visitors next year and staying in the same accommodation. I have one question, because that aprtment is close to tavernas, does it get noisy at night? Regards

[Liz]

Hi Pauline . have never stayed in that one but have stayed nearby .. and I'd say no .. you'll not hear noise at night . other than the boats and the sea you won't be disturbed

[Pauline]

Thankyou Liz, really looking forward to visiting Halki, have only ever heard positive reviews

[Liz]

it is a lovely place, We have been returning now on and off for 16 years .. we've stayed next door but one to you in the Muses town house and we've never been bothered by noise other than Festival night ( around 29th August) then its music all night Thats a lovely property you've picked in a perfect spot

[jamesthebutler]

Not forgetting the Sunday Morning Serenade with the 'big ferry' coming in early and three lots of church bells ! Enjoy yourselves.