#20GREECE [SKOPELOS]

The ferry cuts through the Aegean, and as the harbor of Skopelos comes into view, the sheer density of the island’s greenery becomes its most striking feature. Often called the 'Green and Blue Island', the landscape is defined by vast forests of Aleppo pines and kermes oaks—a legacy of an era when these slopes supplied the timber for a thriving local shipbuilding industry. This maritime heritage is woven into the geography of the swim itself, which covers 33.3km, a distance designed to mirror the island’s scale. Swimmers arriving for this annual September event enter a rhythm dictated by the sea, much like the ancient Peparethians whose history is etched into these waters.

The route and local legacy

Navigating the coastline, you pass landmarks that were once vital to the island's endurance. Along the western shore, the uninhabited islets of Dasia and the smaller rock of Strongylo serve as natural navigation points, rising starkly from the water. It is a route that touches on ancient stratagem; near the harbor of Panormus, you traverse the site of the 361 BCE siege where Alexander of Pherae famously outmaneuvered Athenian triremes. Such historical weight adds a layer of depth to the physical challenge, as does the memory of Hagnon of Peparethus. A champion of the 568 BC Olympic Games, he returned home to a port—now named Agnondas—that still bears his name. The legend of the island's founder, Staphylos, son of Dionysos, reminds swimmers of the ancient reputation of Peparethian wine, which Pliny the Elder once insisted required six years of aging to be considered palatable.

Technical logistics and water environment

For those who have previously taken on the shorter, intense demands of UltraSwim 33.3 Greece, this 33.3km loop represents a sustained engagement with the Northern Sporades. The high registration fee of €1,969 reflects the logistical complexity of the event, which includes support for island-to-island crossings and, weather permitting, an optional night swim. The route is dominated by the sight of steep cliffs, such as those beneath the peaks of Delphi and Palouki, while the occasional sighting of Eleonora’s falcons or the rare Mediterranean monk seal adds a biological dimension to the swim. The environment is one where you are constantly reminded of the island’s longevity, evidenced by the nearby Mycenaean royal tomb at Staphylos. Whether you are navigating the currents or tracing the coastline where Bishop Riginos established the island's Christian foundations in the 4th century, the experience is a profound immersion into a landscape that has been a waypoint for sailors and athletes for millennia.