Destinations

Where to sail in Greece

Greece has more coastline than most countries have roads, and the sailing areas are genuinely different from one another. Choosing the right one for your dates and your crew matters more than choosing the boat.

Cyclades

The classic run: Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini. Whitewashed villages, serious nightlife and the best beaches in the country. The meltemi blows hard here in July and August, which makes for exhilarating sailing and occasionally uncomfortable anchorages, so this area rewards an experienced skipper.

Saronic Gulf

Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, all within a few hours of Athens. Sheltered water, short passages and a genuine island atmosphere without the crossing. The obvious choice for a long weekend, a first charter, or a group with mixed sea legs.

Ionian

Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca. Green hills instead of bare rock, flat water, gentle afternoon breezes and anchorages a short hop apart. The friendliest area in Greece for families and for anyone chartering bareboat for the first time.

Dodecanese

Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Patmos and the smaller islands towards the Turkish coast. Medieval harbours, hot springs and a very different history from the Cyclades. Longer legs between islands, so it suits a two-week charter more than a one-week one.

Sporades

Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos, wrapped around the largest marine park in Europe. Pine forests running down to the water, quiet bays and a real chance of seeing monk seals and dolphins.

When to go

May and early June bring warm days, empty anchorages and light winds. July and August are hot, busy and windy in the Aegean. September is the sweet spot: the sea is at its warmest, the crowds have thinned and the meltemi has usually eased. October is beautiful but the weather becomes less predictable.

Building an itinerary

A comfortable week covers roughly 120 to 180 nautical miles without feeling like a delivery trip. We plan routes as loops from your embarkation port, with an alternative for each day, so a change in the forecast means a different bay rather than a cancelled plan.