Greece is a perfect sailing destination! It is home to more than 15,000km of coastline throughout the Aegean Sea. It also offers many possibilities for sailing. Whatever type of holiday you’re planning you can get it through a sailing holiday in Greece that ranges from exploring myths and legends, or the culture and history of Greece to thrill-seeking activities such as windsurfing, scuba diving walking, or swimming.
The advantages and disadvantages of sailing
There are advantages and disadvantages to sailing. The benefits include the ability to choose your traveling partners. A cruise with friends can be fun and is a good option for families too. It also gives you the opportunity to go wherever you’d like to explore. You can visit beaches which only boats are allowed access to or go towards a tiny island an entire day.
The drawbacks of sailing are that it isn’t the best option for those who suffer from motion sickness! The motion of a sailboat isn’t suitable for all. The plans you make are dependent on the weather. Therefore, sailing is ideal for those who don’t require a specific plan, and are able to change it at any time. Yachts aren’t always big also as there’s a limited amount of area to retreat to in the event that you need to be alone. The limitations are numerous, especially in tanks for water, which means it’s not possible to enjoy long, hot showers.
Yet, despite the disadvantages, yachting is still a favorite way to discover all of the Greek islands!
Sailing zones in Greece
Poros Island
With more than 6,000 islands, Greece is a great destination for a sailing holiday. Some of the most well-known destinations are islands like the Argo Saronic islands, from which my crew and I took a sail along with the Dodecanese and Ionian Islands, Ionian Islands, and the Cyclades.
Saronic Gulf Saronic Gulf is nearest to Athens and is a wonderful spot to spend a few hours when you don’t wish to wander too far. The islands that are here include Spetses, Hydra, Aegina and Poros. These islands are dotted by pine trees and boast small towns with a tranquil atmospherethat belies their rich history and pivotal actions in the Greco-Turkish conflict.
Hydra is renowned as a car-free town, and Spetses hosts stunning Mansions as well as museums. Along the way, visitors may also stop by some of the towns in the Peloponnese and continue through the coast until Monemvasia as well as Nafplio.
The Dodecanese Islands lie located to the east of the mainland and are located at the crossroads of civilisation along the renowned Silk Road. The principal islands are Kos, Rhodes, Patmos and Kalymnos among the few. A lot of islands are peaceful, however should you wish to have a taste of Greek nightlife, you should visit Rhodes or Kos for a night.
The Ionian Islands are famous for numerous things, among them the beautiful Shipwreck Beach on Zakynthos, the legendary location of Odysseus, Ithaca, and because they are home to famous royals like Empress Sisi as well as Prince Philip. The western islands are renowned for water sports, such as windsurfing and scuba diving.
The Cyclades comprises more than 30 islands, is located in the south of the mainland. It comprises Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, Tinos, Delos, Milos and many others. Every single island comes with its unique unique history and appeal, however most are thought to be as the birthplace of gods and goddesses from Greek mythology. There’s great nightlife in Mykonos and Ios and a rich religious tradition on Tinos and Tinos, as well as great diving.
What should you pack for sailing holidays Greece
What you’ll need to enjoy a sailing vacation isn’t all that much! Take along your swimsuit and shorts, as well as t-shirts, sunglasses, and sandals. Ladies may want to pack some sundresses in case they go to town, while men might need a nice shirt to wear out for dinner.
If you’re planning to hit the club at Mykonos or Rhodes and Rhodes, confirming for dress codes is an excellent idea. Likewise, should you plan to hike, you’ll need good shoes and clothes that you can sweat in. But , you don’t have to wear anything! It’s rare to wear shoes when you go on yachts, so you don’t require lots of expensive clothes.
Also, you don’t have to bring bedding, cooking tools or cooking appliances. If you have aquatic toys which are simple to carry (blow-up rafts, etc.) you could bring them. Also, make sure you bring your personal medications and toiletries.
Do I want to hire a catamaran or monohull?
There are pros and cons for each type of boat. Monohulls are sturdy and nearly impossible to capsize as it can be tack-able and heal fast. These kinds of boats respond rapidly to the driver behind the wheel. Monohull yachts are also known to be cheaper to charter, which makes them more affordable for young travelers.
They are an adrenaline-inducing adventure as the vessel goes through the waves, it will be right next to the ocean. The drawbacks of a monohull boat are that they are generally smaller and slightly cramped. All living spaces are below the waterline, which makes air circulation a problem sometimes.
Catamaran sailing, however it offers more room for larger parties, but for the same amount of space, they are typically three times more expensive than monohull. The boat is solid and stable, and there’s less rolling and rocking, which is ideal for people with motion sickness, or for younger youngsters or for older adults. Catamarans require more space on the dock, yet they are very maneuverable, and there’s not much need for a bow thruster.
In the end, it all boils down to personal taste as well as group size budget, and yacht availability.
Do you require a permit to charter an boat?
Yes! If you charter a boat it is required that at least one member of the crew must hold a sailing permit or sailing certificate or a declaration signed by them, indicating their skills in sailing.
The sailing licenses granted through European Union countries are automatically valid and recognized in Greece. Licenses issued outside of the EU are valid if they are in compliance with EU standards. Licenses that are not in English or Greek need to be translated.
A trip on a sailing boat in Greece is perfect for families and groups of friends, or larger groups that wish to charter several vessels and travel in flotilla. You are free to choose what you’d like to do whenever you’d like and you can take as much and as less as you want. A sailing holiday can be affordable as well with no port charges and a low amount of fuel consumption. My group of friends and I truly enjoyed our sailing vacation and I can’t wait to go back to do the same thing again.
