Just off the southern tip of Aegina, close enough to Perdika to see clearly from the harbour tavernas, Moni is one of those places that surprises people who thought they already knew Aegina well. The islet is uninhabited — hotels, no tavernas, no road — and has been managed as a protected nature reserve since the 1970s.
Small wooden boats ferry visitors across from Perdika harbour during the summer months. The crossing takes around ten minutes and runs whenever enough passengers turn up; in July and August this is effectively continuous through the middle of the day. The return fare is a few euros.
On the island, the main activities are swimming and very gentle walking. The water around the western shore is shallow and crystal-clear over white rock, with good snorkelling if you bring your own mask. The eastern side has deeper water and is better for those who prefer not to navigate rocky shallows.
Moni is also home to a small herd of deer and a colony of peacocks, both introduced by the Touring Club of Greece decades ago and now entirely at home on the island. The deer appear with surprising confidence around the picnic areas; the peacocks are more elusive but unmissable when they do appear.
There is one small snack bar on the island in summer. Bring water and sunscreen — shade is limited. The last boat back to Perdika typically leaves in late afternoon; confirm the time when you board.
Photo: Flickr user 'dronepicr' / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)