October Check-In: What’s Happening at Costa Navarino

By Paulina Björk Kapsalis

It may very well be the most pleasant time of the year at Costa Navarino. The destination offers just what most of us are looking for in October; a few more days of summer, with warm swims in the sea and breathtaking sunsets, along with temperatures ideal for exploring the surrounding area. Nature and the nearby villages call for leisurely afternoon strolls, as life in Messinia continues in its gentle, unhurried pace.

Still, as always at Costa Navarino, there is also plenty to do, with a full fall schedule offering a variety of events, from wellness retreats to big celebrations.

Transformative retreats

During five special days (October 10-14), participants can embark on a journey of rejuvenation and self-discovery at a transformative wellness retreat led by Laura Dodd at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino. Among other things, the program includes holistic spa treatments, guided meditation, culinary explorations, and yoga sessions lit by the rising sun in the mornings, and flickering candles in the evening. Laura Dodd, an experienced and certified yoga and meditation teacher who collaborates with top brands and celebrity clients, is also the founder of the award-winning app The Yoga Class. She is dedicated to the transformative benefits of yoga and meditation, empowering others on their journey of self-discovery. Check here for more information.

Later in the month (October 25-28), the Sound Wellness Retreat, a unique four-day retreat hosted by W Costa Navarino, invites guests to reconnect with the four elements of nature. Through activities such as flow yoga, sound massages, ice bath therapy, sound healing, and crystal healing, the immersive experience promises to guide participants through the energies of fire, air, water, and earth, helping them reconnect with nature, and with themselves. Check here for more information.

Challenge yourself

As Ultramarathon runner Constantine “Dean” Karnazes once said: “You just feel more alive when you come to Messinia, and I think that’s especially true in October when the Navarino Challenge is taking place.”

Karnazes is the ambassador for this sporting event, which gathers professional athletes and running enthusiasts from around the world at Costa Navarino each fall (October 18-20). The event has become a staple on the athletic events calendar, boasting more than 40 different activities, including a half marathon at Voidokilia Beach, a swim in the picturesque bay of Navarino, aqua aerobics, pilates, football, biking, taekwondo, baby swimming, and more. The main draw, however, is the running races (5k, 10k, half-marathon, and marathon), which attract Olympic and Paralympic medalists alongside amateur athletes. But it’s more than a race; the event aims to raise awareness about the benefits of healthy living, exercise, and the Mediterranean diet.

Swimmers will be welcomed once again at a second race, Messinia Open Water Swimming (October 26-28) – an exclusive swimming event hosted by Transition Sports at W Costa Navarino. Featuring two distances, athletes will make their way across the bay between Moraitis Watersports on the W Costa Navarino beach, and the historic island of Chelonisi. It’s a three-day event, featuring the main races (4 km to and from the island, and 2 km from the island), as well as a kids swimming race and a running event, set up as practice for the upcoming Athens Marathon.

The little island of Chelonisi is known for having played a pivotal role during the Battle of Navarino, the anniversary of which is also celebrated this month, on October 20. Its name translates to “turtle island,” and refers to its turtle-like shape, but swimmers shouldn’t be surprised if they’re joined on their way by a friendly loggerhead sea turtle, whose breeding season on nearby beaches peaks at this time of year.

A treasure chest of flavors

The grapes producing the region’s excellent wines have been harvested, and the main agricultural event of the year, the olive harvest, is in full swing. What better time to experience the rich gastronomical culture of Messinia? Costa Navarino arranges a plethora of culinary activities for its guests, from harvesting and sampling the “liquid gold,” to wine masterclasses and traditional cooking lessons. Dining options are abound too, with over 40 dining venues, boasting cuisines from all over the world.

Every year, Costa Navarino strives to further illuminate Messinia’s unique potential as a gastronomy destination. This month, guests are invited to a special 4-hands dinner at The Private Kitchen, where Michelin-starred Chef Nikos Leivadias from Athens’ Tudor Hall at King George Athens will collaborate with Chef Bertrand Valegeas. This exclusive event will highlight Chef Leivadias’ expertise in contemporary Greek cuisine, blending the best local ingredients with global culinary techniques. Together, the chefs will create a remarkable menu, offering an unforgettable evening of exceptional flavors, artistic presentation, and culinary excellence—an event not to be missed. Starry Night evening at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino.  (October 11).

Furthermore, discover plant-based culinary excellence at W Costa Navarino. On October 12-13, join the eco-conscious Green Pepper restaurant for a unique culinary journey led by guest Chef Stavriani Zervakakou from “Aspasia” restaurant in Mani, Messinia. This exclusive Veggie Weekend celebrates the richness of nature’s bounty, bringing flavors and techniques rooted in Greek tradition and elevated by modern culinary innovation.

A spectacular anniversary celebration

Every year in October, locals and guests at Costa Navarino take part in the anniversary celebrations of the legendary Battle of Navarino – one of the last major naval battles in history to be fought only with sailing ships. This battle, which took place on October 20, 1827, between Ottoman and Allied warships, and proved decisive for the independence of the Greek revolutionaries, happened in the enclosed bay, the bay of Navarino that is now home to W Costa Navarino and Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino.

Throughout the week of the anniversary, celebratory events draw visitors from near and far. The central square in the village of Pylos becomes a lively stage for many ‘Navarinia‘ festivities, culminating on the evening of October 20th with a spectacular reenactment of the battle that took place 197 years ago, which can be seen from any spot along the waterfront