Ferry from Amorgos to Folegandros.

Amorgos and Folegandros sit at opposite ends of the southern Cyclades, about 75 nautical miles apart by sea, and both are favourites of travellers who want dramatic scenery without the crowds of Santorini. Amorgos has its cliff-hung monastery and long hiking trails; Folegandros has its striking Chora, perched on the edge of a cliff. Linking them directly is a neat way to pair two quieter islands in one trip.

There is only one way to do it in a single hop: the Seajets high-speed catamaran, which sweeps across the south of the Cyclades in the warmer months. It is quick for the distance, but it is also expensive, at €96.70 per adult when we checked, and it does not take vehicles.

Because the direct boat is seasonal and does not sail every day in every month, many travellers end up routing through a hub instead. Santorini, Naxos, Ios and Paros all have boats to both islands, and a two-leg trip on conventional ships can cost much less, at the price of a longer day and a change of boat.

Before you book, check which Amorgos port your ticket names. Boats for Folegandros normally leave from Katapola, but Amorgos also has a northern port at Aegiali, some 20 km away by road. If you are staying up north, leave plenty of time for the drive.

This long crossing runs across the open southern Aegean, exposed to the meltemi, the northerly wind that blows hardest in July and August. High-speed catamarans are the vessels most often slowed or kept in port when the wind is strong, and the port authority can hold departures. If your sailing is cancelled, Seajets will rebook or refund the ticket. With no conventional ship on the direct route, your fallback is to travel via Naxos or Santorini on the bigger ferries, which cope better with rough seas.