Paros to Amorgos is the classic way to swap the busy middle of the Cyclades for its wild eastern edge. Paros is the hub, with Parikia, Naoussa and ferries in every direction. Amorgos is long, mountainous and far quieter, known for the Hozoviotissa monastery clinging to its cliffs, old mule paths between villages and some of the clearest water in the Aegean.
The first thing to understand is that Amorgos has two ports. Katapola, the main one, sits on the side of the island closer to Chora; Aegiali, in the north, is the base for the beach and hiking villages up there. Ferryhopper lists sailings from Paros to both, and they are about 20 km apart by road, so book the port that is closest to your accommodation rather than the first boat you see.
The second thing is the spread of journey times. In summer Seajets runs high-speed boats that can reach Katapola in 1 hr 10 min to 1 hr 45 min, but other Seajets sailings take over three hours because they call at several islands first. Blue Star Ferries sails all year on conventional ships that take three to four hours or more, stopping at Naxos and the Small Cyclades on the way.
Price follows speed. The cheapest Blue Star fares started at €11.50, while Seajets started at €52.70. If you are not in a hurry, the slow boat is a pleasant way to see several islands from the deck, and it is the only way to take a car.
