We Love Sailing in Greece! Among offered gulets you can find the most luxurious ones with all needed luxury goods on board. It has a lot of different climatic areas and vegetation, and big differences in culture and architecture. If you miss the forecasts, you can call the coast stations and get free weather information: (01) 9 69 93 06 or (01) 8 94 06 16. “Whatever itinerary one has, it is highly unlikely to pan out exactly as you imagine it because the weather can change everything. The Meltemi blows up to 8 Beaufort and brings cold and dry air with humidity of 50-70 %, thus making summer temperatures very pleasant. If you want to listen to the forecasts, you can do it with the channels: 1, 2, 4, 23, 25, 27, 60, 69, 82, 83, 85. The Greek coast can be divided into the Ionian Sea, Epirus, Central Greece, the Peloponnese, the Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese, the Aegean Islands, the Sporades, Macedonia, and Thrace. by Amylee Silva Posted on 29 January 2014. On average skippers are paid about 1,000 euros per week, (not including their meals). To best enjoy the journey it is crucial to split up the tasks that need to be done when on board. The northeastern end of the island group is protected as a National Marine Park, and is a habitat and breeding ground for the rare Mediterranean Monk seal. If you choose to hire a domestic cook, you will enjoy flawless Greek cuisine merged with the best Greek wines, some of which belong to the best wines in the world. The peak season lasts from the end of July to the beginning of September. The Meltemi declines in the morning and evening, and reaches its strength during sunny hours. You can reach the coastal station Olympia Radio by dialling +30 210 600 1799 with your phone. Make sure that you choose a yacht that covers your needs, depending on your sailing route, the length of the trip and the group of people coming along with you on this journey, which brings us to the following point. Northwards of Crete is the Aegean Sea segmented to the Dodecanese, the Cyclades, and the North Aegean. KG Med Marinas - a first class Marina association in Greece with four marinas | http://www.medmarinas.com/, Cleopatra Marina – a newly built private marina with space for one hundred vessels up to 30 meters in length, located in the west of Greece in the Ionian Sea and near the cities of Preveza and Lefkada, good infrastructure, all berths are provided with electricity, water and moorings, a small market and restrooms, easily accessible for people with disabilities | http://www.cleopatra-marina.gr, Flisvos Marina – located near the Port of Piraeus, perfect if you want to charter a megayacht, connected to the city center of Athens, offers yachting services, you can find a shop in the marina | http://www.flisvosmarina.com, Alimos Marina – ideal if you want to start sailing from Athens, the largest marina surrounded by the city where you can find restaurants, café bars, clubs, shops, groceries, rent a car, etc., the marina staff and the staff of charter companies is friendly and engaged to help | http://www.alimos-marina.gr, Marina Agios Kosmas – prominent marinabuilt for the Olympic Games 2004, located on the Attica coast, has a high quality standard with good generators for electricity, private security and 320 berths, well-protected against every wind and waves | https://marinaagioskosmas.com, Marina Lavrion (Olympic Marine) – located on the southernmost point of the Attica coast, the most ideal marina if you want to explore the Cyclades, has a few charter bases, reachable from Athens by car or bus, 690 berths, a very good standard with a dry repair dock, won several prizes and is called the most modern marina in the Med | http://olympicmarine.gr, Marina Agios Nikolaos (Crete) - a small marina with 250 berths on the island of Crete, has moderate prices and offers a good weather protection, suitable for layovers if you are sailing long distances, surrounded by the city of Agios Nikolaos | http://www.marinaofagiosnikolaos.gr, Rhodes Marina (Rhodes Island) - a high standard marina with professional services, charter agencies, shops, restaurants, etc., located on the northeast side of Rhodes Island, won many certifications and has a very good reputation, has good environmental standards (pollution control, electric transport vehicles inside the marina, carbon dioxide collector and storage) and a green flag certification, good starting point to explore the SE Aegean Sea | http://www.rhodesmarinas.com, Kos Marina (Kos Island) - a Blue Flag-certified marina located on the SE end of the harbor of Kos, 250 berths with moorings, water and electricity supply, protected by guards, offers services such as yacht charter companies, brokerage, luxury apartments, shops, boat yard, rent a car, etc., a good starting point to explore the SE Aegean | http://www.kosmarina.gr. If you think that a sailing holiday is only a crash test for couples, think again…. When you sail in Greece you become part of a community. It is useful to set a second anchor then. Sailing in Greece is a tour that every yacht lover should experience. Keep in mind there are gusts of winds blowing between and behind isles with high mountains. A charter base should warn you about fuel quality if you are to sail long distances. Greece can be divided into five wind zones. It is also necessary to have the SRC (short range certification). The main coastal radio station is Olympia Radio with Hellenic coast guard. The number of the police is 100, tourist police 171, ambulance 166, SOS life line 175, the Red Cross 150! The peak season starts from the last week in June till the second week of September. This post was originally published on the blog... Editor’s note: The following has been taken from... why athens is becoming a magnet for young expats, not the new berlin: curator katerina gregos on the greek art landscape, how the 1821 greek revolution changed the world, architect yorgos tzirtzilakis: the emst, odysseus, and the clown, modiano market: restoring the grandeur of a thessaloniki landmark. The Greek archipelago is a particularly attractive playground for novice and experienced sailors alike, with countless secret coves and beaches that are only accessible by boat. You are heavily relient on your anchor when sailing in Greece and with deep waters, so you will need plenty of anchor chain and a good anchor. Sunset Sails on the Greek Islands By far, the most popular option for sailing in Greece is to take a sunset sail. You only need to pay for the trip and show up on the yacht. If you have a skipper on board, you will be responsible for their wellbeing – a skipper should be provided with three meals a day. One can travel first by conventional methods to the Cyclades, Dodecanese, Sporades or Ionian, and charter a boat from an island marina. Stock up on groceries at the beginning of your sailing journey. The crew consists of a professional skipper, host/cook, or/and professional cook. The Greek land comprise more than 6,000 islands and islets and a 16,000 km coastline to explore. Unless you are a hardened sailor it can be a harrowing experience – less perfectly delightful and more Perfect Storm. The Dodecanese are eastwards of the Cyclades and at the border of Turkey. The question that the group needs to settle before the trip is ‘how many days do we want to sail per day?’ Only after everyone has agreed can destinations be chosen.”. During summer, a barometer is not a good indicator to predict the weather since it never goes over 10 hPa. In any event, before you set off you will be asked to pay a deposit upfront that will be returned to you after your trip, provided there is no damage. And the trend is only set to rise. 13 tips for family sailing holiday in Greece What do you need for a Greek sailing holiday with kids? We are rated 4.72 out of 5 based on 376 reviews, 2003-2021 © All rights reserved - SailingEurope. The most popular sailing period is however between April and October when the weather is usually warm and sunny. Greece sailing holidays are know for protected harbours, and Sivota is one of the nicest natural harbours and one of the most picturesque fishing village in whole Ionion. The coast around Peloponnese is dominated by west winds which can reach up to 6 Beaufort, and sometimes south winds (Scirocco) as well. This beautiful area is ideal for sailors-beginners, so one can opt for a bareboat yacht charter. If you like dinghys, one of the the best Greek Islands for sailing holidays is Lemnos. “Most people who come to rent boats ask to go to Mykonos and Santorini. After surrounding the Peloponnesian coast, you can sail southeast to the biggest and sunniest island of Greece – Crete. According to Greek maritime laws, there have to be at least two persons on board with sailing licenses. Greece generally has relatively low prices in yacht charter industry. Above all, the secret to a good trip is a good group dynamic. The only givens are when you will set off and when you will return – everything else is pleasantly fluid. On larger yachts there will also be a deckhand on board to help with all the ropes and mooring operations. Organized sailing will mean that places in ports and marinas are waiting for you. The exception is the Ionian Sea where the distances are shorter, and the bays and harbors are close to each other. By Deppi Kourellou | After lunch it weakens and is perfect for beginners. Many experts recommend sailing during May or early June. If you are taking your holiday vacation with your kids or the whole family, sailing in Ionian Islands is ideal for you. Olympia radio is constantly listening to channels 2.16 and 70, and transfers emergency calls to the coast guard. Vacationing on a yacht has long been associated with a life of luxury, wealth and power. Top 5 Travel Tips for Greek Islands Sailing G Adventures' Amylee Silva tells you all you need to know when preparing for a sailing trip in Greece. The wind is stronger in the morning which is ideal for experienced sailors. Crete, the largest of the Greek islands near the African coastline, is an excellence choice for a … Many novice sailors prefer to guide their boat in the Saronic Gulf, the Ionian Islands, the Sporades, and Halkidiki, due to the calm sea and light winds. After a long summer period, at the end of October, the weather begins to be more unstable because of the decreasing Azores High, and the mixture of the cold and hot air masses can cause thunderstorms. The same can be applied to restaurants and some other offered activities, resulting in providing extra value for the customers. Located about 9 miles southwest of downtown Athens, this is where you are most likely to board any sailing boat or yacht that you are going to take around the islands of Greece! The climate in Greece is affected by the Mediterranean, and as mentioned less protected by the Azores High, but this guarantees long summers. After its decline, it could be possible that the coast gets weak south winds between 1-3 Beaufort. The Saronic Gulf, Ionian islands, Sporades and Haldiki are paradises for bare-boat voyages as the winds tend to be relatively light and the seas calm. If you sail more southward, you will reach the Peloponnese, a peninsula connected with the mainland by the Corinth Canal. Ian’s Best Tips for Bareboat Sailing in Lefkas Ordering some provisions online before you leave home is a lovely luxury if you want to avoid a major shop on arrival. Gulets are very wide, so you will feel very comfortable while spending time on the sea. However that is a trip that is not recommended as it requires 8 hours of sailing per day,” Bogiatzoglou warns. The same applies for a hostess. If you lack sailing experience, or you want a complete vacation with no worries about your boat, charter a skippered boat. There are plenty harbors along the coast and the extensive tourism makes this country a top choice for sailors whose prime exigency is their crew’s … f Best Sailing Locations in Greece . At first, you may be a bit confused by all the types of boats there is. Bear in mind that in deciding whether to hire a skipper or not, your level of sailing knowledge is not the sole criteria. The more experienced can head to the west Cyclades (Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos and Milos). The only givens are when you will set off and when you will return – … The marine world surrounding Santorini is in danger. It is to say that the infrastructure of harbors and sanitary installations are in generally worse condition than in other countries, and there are less moorings and buoys to anchor/moor your boat. All the other regions near the coast can expect north-dominated winds because of the land masses. Often 6-8 people will be living together on a boat that is only 40ft long, meaning that space and privacy are limited. • When to sail in Greece? The highest values are measured around the coast of Attica (0.7 m). Once you arrive to marina your yacht will be waiting for you with a professional skipper on board and with all needed equipment. The LRC (long range certification) will also be accepted. Sailing Channel; Tips & Tricks; Yoga; Events; Login/Register; Subscribe. Alternatively from the marina of Alimos in Athens set sail for the islands of the Saronic Gulf which also usually have easy sailing conditions in the summer, with stops in Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Methana and Spetses. The peak/high season lasts from the last week in June until the middle of September. The Greek seas rank among the top sailing destinations in the world. Don’t shop in the closest shops to the marina as they may well be priced to suit. If you do not have a VHF radio set, you can call the guards with your mobile phone (dial 108 or 112). There are more thunderstorms in the inland area and more often in June than in summer. Step further would be renting a crewed yacht. Sailing the Saronics is suitable for kids of all ages and can include plenty of opportunities to swim, soak up the sun, and see the islands. If you have received your license from a sailing school outside the European Union, bear in mind that you will have to have it translated / certified. Charter a yacht in Greece and experience the beauty and wonders of a nation made up of 6,000 islands and over 13,500 km of inspiring coastline. In all marinas and ports fees are determined by the length of the yacht. After you book your yacht, you have to send your license(s) to a charter company along with details and passports of the whole crew on board, and a confirmation of your nautical history. The weather is characterized by damp, mild winters, while summers can be very hot and dry. Greek sunsets are out of this world, and unless a cloud blocks it, I have never seen a bad Greek sunset. Therefore, deciding what is the right kind of boat for you and how you would like to sail is the first crucial step. With a sailboat you also can visit pristine beaches that are difficult to reach by land, such as Kleftiko on Milos, Bisti on Hydra and Kolona on Kythnos. Many holiday sailors sail here. Our Services; How Does Yacht Charter Work; Motoryacht Charter; ... SailChecker (Greece) Ltd 26-28 Asklipiou Str. “Generally sailing holidays are like going on a holiday in an RV. In the case that the co-skipper does not hold a sailing license, but has sailing experience, there is a possibility to sign a so-called “declaration of honour”, which has proven to be a frequent practice in Greece. But in the past decade the price of such holidays have dropped significantly, making what was once an activity for the few, far more accessible. They are ideal for short sailing trips. A sunset sail will usually leave in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on the activities involved. “Whatever itinerary one has, it is highly unlikely to pan out exactly as you imagine it because the weather can change everything. Greece is one of the most popular destinations for sailing worldwide. Each and every of 3,000 Greek islands is more beautiful than the other, and they all have their special charm. You only have whatever fresh water is in your tanks and so need to be careful not to waste it – particularly when taking showers. In the months from mid-October to mid-June, the wind is changing the direction and the strength quite often. The fuel prices on the islands are really high, and it is also possible to get fuel diluted with water. A sailing trip to the Saronic Islands is perfect for families due to the short distances involved and the relatively mild winds in comparison to other sailing areas in Greece. You can find a restaurant where you can eat and get a mooring space for your boat beside the restaurant for free. If you’re wondering whether you’re up for sharing a confined space with a stranger, bear in mind that professional skippers are trained to keep a low profile. Check out our tips! Skipper will take full responsibility over the yacht, sailing maneuvers, and itinerary. Are you going sailing? Try to divide up jobs based on people’s expertise and ability (eg don’t task the person who gets seasick easily with making lunch below deck) and make sure to inform any novice sailors about what to expect. To charter a boat without a skipper you need to have the appropriate level of experience for your choice of destination. The most popular areas for having a sailing holiday in Greece are the Ionian Sea, the Cyclades, the Saronic Gulf, the Dodecanese and the Sporades. There is also a rule of 3-4 days that means the wind will change its direction from north to south and back every 3-4 days. So if your budget allows it, seriously consider putting your boat in the hands of a professional skipper. Why? For example, for a ten-meter yacht, you will pay €5.50 to €10/night for a mooring in harbors. Apart from their sailing experience, skippers will have … Boats are confined spaces, and the line between an amazing trip and one marred by frustrations and squabbles is a fine one. Are you going sailing? It will come in handy when you drop anchor in a bay and want to head to the beach to explore (or eat at a taverna). When you are sailing in Greece, it is very common to sight gulet motorsailers, yachts, flotillas, and bareboats. Additionally, a chartered yacht can be a floating base for many other summer activities such as fishing, diving and windsurfing. Ferries are then not allowed to sail, and some charter-companies do not allow boats to leave the harbor. Bareboat charter means you get only the boat and steer its wheel yourself, for which you a need a license. Summer months can be very hot and dry, with a lot of sun and temperatures up to 35 °C around the coast and islands, but not in the Cyclades where the Meltemi winds are constantly blowing for weeks and up to 8 Beaufort in July and August. The Cyclades are central sailing location and are the most interesting sailing area if you are looking to just sail around and do many miles a day. It is known for beach holidays, but one can also find changing landscapes. They can range from dinghies to super yachts, from catamarans to monohulls. This sailing guide has all the necessary information to make your sailing holiday in Greece as convenient as possible. From spectacular coastlines, a number of islands, pretty landscapes and a wealth of ancient history, Greece is the destination to visit. Almost each marina and harbor have their own grocery shop, but they are more expensive than shops on land. Greece is full of wonder - it's one of the most visited countries in Europe and a staggering 32 million tourists flocked there last year. Greece is the world’s most popular and most attractive yacht charter destination. And when you get tired of the sea and want to get your feet back on dry land, all you need to do is point your boat in the direction of the nearest bay or harbor. The first question to answer when considering a sailing holiday is whether you want/need a skipper. Hire a domestic skipper because of their specific set of skills and for their knowledge of local islands, customs, ports, restaurants, bays, beaches and all other crucial information for successful sailing holiday. Zizoo’s Guide to Sailing in Greece: Discover stunning islands, breathtaking sunsets and traces of ancient civilizations. The Peloponnese is also known for its vineyards and ruins from the oldest cultures of the Greek history. Just like hotels, seasons are divided into periods of low, medium and high demand. Greece accepts nearly every licence of the European countries, but it has to be at least equivalent to a RYA Yacht Master Coastal with a range of 20 nautical miles. Sailing in the sea of eternal myths and history is an experience of a lifetime. It is very important to prepare yourself and regularly check weather forecasts. The temperatures can reach high levels really fast, but humidity stays around comfortable 50%, and the air is sometimes dry. Yacht Charter. 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