NAUTICAL TOURISM

Sailing the Greek Islands

The Greek territory comprises 6000 islands and islets, scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Sea which make one of the most beautiful and interesting cruise areas in the world. Bounded by the Greek mainland to the west and north, the Turkish coast to the east, and the island of Crete to the south, the Greek islands represent a truly unique phenomenon on the European continent. As the cradle of some of the most ancient European civilizations these islands boast unique archaeological sites, an outstanding architectural heritage and centuries-old, fascinating local traditions. The Greek Archipelago offers a highly diversified landscape: sheltered bays, beaches stretching along many kilometers, coastal caves with steep rocks and black sand typical of volcanic soil, golden stretches of sand with dunes, pebbly beaches, coastal wetlands etc. Many Greek beaches have been awarded the blue flag under the programme Blue Flags of Europe. Apart from swimming, they lend themselves to scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. All this, combined with the ideal climate, the safety of Greek waters and the short distances between ports and coasts, make cruising these waters an unforgettable experience which is why the Greek islands are so popular among Greek and foreign visitors. The most popular Greek islands are divided in several groups.

Ionian Islands - Corfu, Anti-Paxos, Paxos, Lefkas, Meganissi, Ithaka and Zakynthos

General information
The Ionian Islands, also knows as the Eptánisos (Seven Islands), are strung out along the west coast of Greece from the Albanian frontier to the Peloponnese. What distinguishes the Ionian Islands from other Greek islands is their fertile land and clear blue waters. The islands have a mild climate and lush growth of vegetation. Ever-green cypress, pine, elm, green fields, flowers even in height of summer, and everywhere the dull dark sheen of the olive, characterize the lower land while higher up the slopes are covered in pine and the tenacious Mediterranean maquis. Due to less severe winds than in other regions these islands form the perfect ground for a yacht charter holiday with kids or less experienced crew. Charter bases can be found in Preveza, Corfu and Lefkas.

History of the Ionian Islands
The first settlements on these islands date back to Mycenaean times, while their first emergence into the light of history was in 743 BC, when Corinth founded the city of Korkyra, later Kerkira. In the 5th century BC the islands came under Athenian influence, and in the 2nd century BC the Roman Empire took over. Later they came under Byzantine rule, and in 1085 were conquered by the Normans. In 1203-04, after the Fourth Crusade, the islands fell into the hands of Italian rulers, and came under Venetian rule which lasted until the fall of the Republic of St Mark in 1797. During this period the islands provided a refuge for many Greeks fleeing from the Turks, including artists from Crete who founded a school of their own here, and throughout these centuries they enjoyed a richer cultural life than the rest of Greece. After an interlude of French rule the young Republic of the Seven Islands became a British Protectorate in 1815. In 1864 Britain returned the islands to Greece.

Wind and sailing conditions
Wind and sailing conditions in the Ionian Sea are ideal and predictable. From May to September the wind blows from the N-W direction at Force 2-5. In spring and autumn the wind is less strong and blows usually from the S-W direction. It arrives around noon, blows between force 3 to 6 (10 to 25 knots) and dies down at sunset. There may be strong gusts on the leeward side due to the high land (e.g Eastern side of Ithaka and Zakinthos.)

Travel tips & itineraries
An ideal starting point for your cruise is from Gouvia Marina, about 15 minutes from Corfu International Airport, or Paleros, in the mainland east of Lefkas Island.
Corfu is the most northern of the seven Ionian Islands. Proceeding south from Corfu you come to the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, Lefkas, Ithaka, Kefalonia and Zakynthos, and the island of Kythira. Here there is a barren backdrop to the islands that gives a taste of the topography to come. In between there are protected waters where the wind seldom blows too strongly and a multitude of little anchorages accessible only by yacht. From the inland sea bordered by Lefkas, Ithaka and Kefalonia you leave the rolling almost English landscape of Zakynthos to confront the rocky slopes of the Peloponnese.

The Saronic Gulf Islands & The East Peloponnese

General information
The islands situated in the Saronic Gulf southwest of Athens are among the most beautiful and interesting of all the Greek islands. The Saronic Gulf itself is by far the most famous sailing and charter area in Greece due to its proximity to Athens. A second excellent yachting area is the Argolic Gulf. Argolida (Argolis or Argolid) is situated along the eastern coastal plain and it is dominated by the citadels of Argos and Mycenae.
The Saronic Gulf islands are pretty close to one another, usually within a two or three hours sail. Long sandy beaches, refreshing pine forests and rocky capes, brilliant sunshine and crystal blue waters provide a breathtaking scenic beauty.

History of the Saronic and Argolic region
During the powerfull Mycenaean civilization, from 1600 to 1100 BC, the Argolida was the heart of Greece. After their decline, this region was controlled by the Dorians until the conquest of the country by the Romans. During the Byzantine era the Argolid shared the fortune of the rest of the Peloponnese. It was ruled by the Franks and surrendered to the Turks in 1460. Navplion, however, remained in Venetian hands until 1540. Navplion was the capital of the newly formed Greek state from 1828 to 1834, when this role passed to Athens.

Wind and Sailing Conditions
The Saronic, Argolic and eastern coast of the Peloponnesian Gulf is a very well protected cruising area with mild winds, averaging Force 3-4, usually from the N-NE direction, ideal for relaxed sailing. In the Argolic Gulf the wind blows mostly in the summer, from the S-E direction at Force 3-5. During spring and autumn the winds are normally weaker and blow from the S. The Saronic area is divided into the coast around Athens and East Poros and Hydra where winds blow from NE. The meltemi begins around mid July and builds up to full strength in August and early September. During that time it can be forced up to 5-6 (35 to 40 knots). In Argolikos Kolpos and Hydra the wind can also be SE. The meltemi is strong during lunch time and dies down at night. The wind that comes from the mountains of the Peloponnese, katabatic, can reach up to 30-35 knots but it only lasts a few hours.

Travel tips & itineraries
You can start your cruise from Alimos Marina, located 30 minutes from the Athens International Airport. This sailing area of the Saronic and Argolic gulfs combines beautiful islands and the magnificent eastern coast of the Peloponnese. It gives you the opportunity to explore many cosmopolitan towns, ancient temples, small peaceful fishing villages and unspoiled anchorages. This route is also highly recommended for easy sailing or for shorter periods of charter.
The Saronic Gulf is characterised by the greatest concentration of yachts in Greece. Most of these are based at the marinas along the Attic coast. Since many yachts take the route from the Saronic trail to Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, if you wish to avoid the crowds in the summer you should head for the eastern coast of the Peloponnese where there are unspoilt harbours and anchorages.

The Sporades Islands

General information
The Northern Sporades is the proper name for what people usually call the Sporades. The Sporades lie in the northwest Aegean and consist of the scattered (hence: sporadic) remote and fertile islands on the east coast of Central Greece. In contrast, the less travelled Eastern Sporades refer to the sailing area that includes the islands of Lesbos, Limnos and Chios, which string along the Turkish coastline.
The bigger islands in the Northern Sporades sustain small populations - mostly of craftsmen, farmers and fishermen - and the only proper towns double as ports: Skiathos town, Skopelos town, Patitiri on Alonissos and Linaria on Skyros.
Ancient ruins of the Sporades archipelago, their quite different architecture, abundant sea life and beautiful white sandy beaches are just waiting to be discovered. In fact, five or six beaches on Skiathos and Skopelos are considered the best in the eastern Mediterranean. But don't forget, the Northern Sporades are as famous for the beautiful scenery and beaches as for the amount of secluded anchorages and wildlife, so they make an ideal destination for yacht charter holidays.

History of the Sporades Islands
The history of Skiathos dates back to 478 BC when it took part in wars against the Persians and subsequently became a part of the Athenian Alliance. Later it came under Alexander the Great and then under the Romans. During the Byzantine period it sank into oblivion. In 1204 Skiathos was occupied by the Venetians and in 1583 by the Turks. At that point the inhabitants of the old town, which was located on the site of today's Skiathos, abandoned it and constructed on the north side of the island the famous Kastro, perched on a nearly invisible rock. During the Greek War of Independence of 1821, many warriors from Thessaly took refuge on the island.
Skiathos was liberated in 1823. In 1830 the local people left the historic Kastro and rebuilt Chora.

Wind and Sailing Conditions
The prevailing wind in the summer is the meltemi which blows from the NE direction at Force 3-4. Occasionally in July and August it can blow stronger from the N-W direction with a force 4-6 and dies at the end of September.

Travel tips & itineraries
There are direct flights to Skiathos, Skyros, Nea Ancheallos (Volos), Thessaloniki or Athens. Regular charter flights operate between May - late September direct to Skiathos and Skyros from most European cities, and from Athens, Olympic airways. Remember, if you are planning to have just a sailing holiday, it is better to arrive in Skiathos directly on a Saturday, to pick up your boat, but there are many alternatives. Ferries depart daily from Volos to Skiathos, Skopelos, Glossa, Alonissos and Skyros. The best charter base in this area is the marina in Skiathos port. But although Skiathos is one of the most popular holiday destinations in this part of Greece, with the most famous beaches, don't forget the remaining Sporades islands (Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros) which are relatively unspoilt. The island Evia lies parallel to mainland Greece. The inner route up the narrow gulf between Evia and the mainland is pretty frequent because of the sheltered waters and many safe harbours and anchorages of that area. Along the east coast of Evia there are also a few anchorages sheltered from the prevailing wind.

The Dodecanese Islands

General information
The Dodecanese is the most southerly group of islands in the Southern Sporades, lying east of the Cyclades, west of the coast of Asia Minor, and north-east of Crete. The name "Dodecanese" is of relatively recent origin and it means "Twelve Islands" although they are more than twelve.
The Dodecanese, with their 14 larger islands and more than 163 islets and rocks, are a real sailor's paradise. The biggest islands are Rhodes and Kos, which are also the most popular turist destinations. On each island there are numerous beautiful beaches and bays, blue skies, white houses, olive trees and many more. This is why these islands are the perfect place for relaxing holidays and for the return to the traditional way of living. You should not miss the castels and palaces of Rhodes, the ruins of Asklepieion on Kos, the historical monastery on Patmos and folcloristic treasures of Karpathos.
The Dodecannese Islands are mostly bare of vegetation although not as much as the Cyclades. Some islands, like Kos and Rhodes, are relatively green and wooded, thanks to their abundant natural springs. Because of the mild winters and refreshing summers, the Dodecanese have one of the healthiest climates in the Mediterranean.

History of the Dodecanese
Like the rest of Greece, the Dodecannese Islands have a long and rich history and the first settlements on these islands date back to pre-mycanean times. Newertheless, neither in Greek or in Roman times was the Dodecanese a separate political entity. It was an administrative region of the Byzantine Empire, and it was only when the islands came under Turkish rule in the 16th century that they were given extensive rights of self-government in domestic affairs and gained a common political status. In 1912 most of the islands were occupied by Italy as a counter-measure to the Turkish occupation of Libya. Under the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 Turkey formally ceded the whole of the Dodecanese to Italy. After being occupied by German forces during the Second World War the islands were reunited with Greece in 1947.

Dodecanese Islands
The islands of the Dodecanese archipelago are: Agathonisi, Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Nisyros, Symi, Astypalaia, Tilos, Chalki, Rhodes, Kharpatos and Kasos.

Wind and sailing conditions
In the summer the prevailing wind is the meltemi blowing from the NW-W direction at force 4-6. Usually it starts in June, blows strongly from July to September and fitfully in October. It doesn't blow every day, but when it starts it can blow for 5-10 days without break. In July and August, when the meltemi is at its strongest, the gusts off the lee side of an island can be considerably stronger than the wind strength in the open sea. Gusts are particularly strong off Patmos, Kalymnos, Kos, Nissyros, Tilos, Karpathos and Astypalea. Although it is possible to go N when the meltemi is blowing, it makes better sense to plan to be heading S in July and August.
In spring the meltemi blows mainly SE and it is not very strong. During the winter it usually blows SE and sometimes N or S. Temperatures in the summer can reach 35 degrees Celsius.

Travel tips & itineraries
There are direct flights to Rhodes, Kos and Samos, while from Pireaus there are regular daily ferries and fast ferries lines. The most convenient charter bases are in either Kos or Rhodes. Do not forget that the northerly winds influence the itineraries and that a one-way charter from Kos to Rhodes should certainly be considered. Other charter bases in the area are Samos (Pythagorion port) to the north and Paros (Paroikia port) to the west.

The Cyclades Islands

General information
One of the many enchanting groups of islands surrounding Greece is the Cyclades group. Their name comes from the Greek word kyklos for rings or circles, because of the way they seem to surround the sacred island Delos, the birthplace of Apollo. Best known for ther history, art and civilization which date back to the Bronze Age, the islands offer a stunning variety of scenic shores, unpsoiled beaches, local handicrafts entertaiment, and diving. The Cyclades archipelago consists of 23 large islands and some 200 smaller ones. All the islands are hilly, and as a result of the prevailing sharp sea-winds (the meltemi in summer) are lacking in trees. Characteristic features of the landscape are the cubed whitewashed Cycladic houses and the thatch-roofed windmills, very romantic and ideal for a sailing holiday. The proximity of the islands to one another permits a relaxed sailing schedule, allowing more time for sightseeing and shopping.

History of the Cyclades
The first settlements on these islands date back to Mycenaean times, while their first emergence into the light of history was in 743 BC, when Corinth founded the city of Korkyra, later Kerkira. In the 5th century BC the islands came under Athenian influence, and in the 2nd century BC the Roman Empire took over. Later they came under Byzantine rule, and in 1085 were conquered by the Normans. In 1203-04, after the Fourth Crusade, the islands fell into the hands of Italian rulers, and came under Venetian rule which lasted until the fall of the Republic of St Mark in 1797. During this period the islands provided a refuge for many Greeks fleeing from the Turks, including artists from Crete who founded a school of their own here, and throughout these centuries they enjoyed a richer cultural life than the rest of Greece. After an interlude of French rule the young Republic of the Seven Islands became a British Protectorate in 1815. In 1864 Britain returned the islands to Greece.

Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades Islands consist of 3 main areas:
Northern Cyclades: Kea, Kithnos, Syros, Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Delos and Rinia.
Middle Cyclades: Serifos, Sifnos, Antiparos, Paros, Naxos, Donoussa, Iraklia, Schinousa, Koufonissia, Amorgos and Levitha.
Southern Cyclades: Milos, Kimolos, Folegandros, Sikinos, Ios, Thira (Santorini) and Anafi.

Wind and Sailing Conditions
Because of the strong wind in summer, this group of islands is recommended only for experienced sailors. The majority of charter yachts that go here are skippered or crewed charters. The prevailing wind in the summer is the meltemi, which blows from the N/NW. It begins in June, blows stronger in July and August at Force 5-6 and may occasionally reach Force 8-9. It may blow for 1-3 days, but sometimes it blows for 2 weeks without break. During spring and autumn, you may also have to deal with strong winds from the South. Anyone chartering a yacht is advised to take extreme care and check the weather reports regularly. The average temperature in the Cyclades during summer is 25 to 26 °C (79F) and very often 33 to 35 °C (95F).
Travel tips & itineraries

There are direct flights to El Venizelos Airport, Athens. There are several daily ferries and fast ferries from Piraeus to main islands. You can start your route from Athens Alimos Marina (Kalamaki) or Lavrion (Main Port). We definitely suggest the port of Lavrion as a starting point, since in many aspects it is a more convenient yacht charter base than the Alimos/Kalamaki marina in Athens. The distances from the International Athens Airport are roughly the same, yet you will spare yourself a sailing day along the dull outskirts of Athens and for instance the port of Kea is just 14 nm away. Other bases from which you can start your sailing holiday are Paroikia port in Paros, Syros and Athens, which makes it possible to sail a one way charter from for instance Athens or Lavrion to Paros.