Donousa is the outlier of the Small Cyclades, a remote island north of Amorgos with one main harbour village, a handful of beaches and a lot of empty hillside. Amorgos, its big neighbour to the south-east, is where most people head next: a long, mountainous island with proper walking trails, more places to stay and two ports with onward boats to the rest of the Cyclades.
The first thing to settle is which Amorgos port you need. Aegiali, in the north of the island, is the close one: the crossing is short and Ferryhopper lists boats on 6 to 7 days a week, shared between Blue Star Ferries and Small Cyclades Lines. Katapola, the main port on the west side, is further round the coast, and the direct service there is mostly the Small Cyclades Lines boat, which takes over two hours on its usual run.
Neither company sails every day on its own. In last year's data, Blue Star Ferries reached Aegiali on 3 or 4 days a week and Small Cyclades Lines on another 3 or 4, which together fill most of the week. That makes the day you travel more important than the time of day, and it is worth fixing this hop before you book rooms on either island.
Prices are low. One adult to Aegiali started at €5 when we checked, and a car with two people was listed at €16.50. If you are staying in Chora or around Katapola, weigh the slow direct boat against landing in Aegiali and crossing the island by road.
