The Greek Archipelago has over 16,000 km of coastline, with many
beaches that run for kilometres, a host of secluded bays and coves,
and a rich variety of wildlife. Some say the best sailing waters in
the world can be found in Greece!
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Reviews - Sailing holidays in Greece with a local skipper
A metà settembre, organizzati last minut, io ed Agata ci siamo imbarcati su un Bari-Kos e dopo tre giorni trascorsi a conoscere i posti più belli di Kos, su Sailsquare abbiamo trovato la possibilità di imbarcarci con Stefano a Patmos. Preso il primo catamarano veloce da Kos in un paio d’ore eravamo a Patmos imbarcati con Stefano. Anbiamo trascorso quattro giorni tra Ptmos, Arckì, Lipso e Leros, quasi sempre a vela nei posti e nelle spiagge più belle grazie a Stefano con la sua esperienza di skipper e di vita sul suo 15 mt del 1989 ma in perfette condizioni.
In barca eravamo solo in tre, Stefano e noi due e quando siam dovuti sbarcare per raggiungere Kos in Traghetto e non a vela a causa di un vento a 30 nodi e mare non tranquillo una lacrimuccia ci ha accomunati nei saluti.
Grazie Stefano per averci regalato questi 4 giorni indimenticabili, con la tua tranquillità e disponibilità come se fossimo amici da sempre.
Ci rivredremo prestissimo.
George is the owner of the sail boats and he has at least 2 skippers that he works with (Eric & Georgios), so your experience can differ really depending on which skipper you get. George is a really cool guy with lots of great tips and local insider tips for taverns, caves and beaches, however, he is not the skipper. Our skipper was Eric.
Eric is a polite person, we felt safe with him as he is a experienced sailor. Unfortunately, he preferred speaking French on the boat, which wasn’t so nice for the international crowd. My boyfriend was really curious to learn about sailing, but the English communication was an issue for that. I’d recommend the trip for French speaking tourists.
He is also a bit introverted, so if you want to have someone entertaining the crowd, giving proactive advise, then this is not the skipper for you.
However, overall Eric is a great person with a good heart. He brought us to some hidden gems for swimming and knows a few nice taverns in the area.
Gran bella vacanza! Itinerario splendido con fermate in calette tranquille e mare cristallino. Vacanza all'insegna del relax in barca ampia e molto comoda!
Se stai cercando una vacanza che combina divertimento, avventura, relax e nuove amicizie hai trovato ciò che fa al caso tuo! Io e la mia ragazza ci siamo imbarcati senza conoscere nessuno dell'equipaggio ed è stato fantastico. Abbiamo avuto modo di stringere delle bellissime amicizie e di divertirci un sacco. Lo skipper è stato bravissimo! Ci ha portato in posti paradisiaci e si è dimostrato estremamente disponibile in ogni tipo di situazione. Di giorno ci spostavamo in posti diversi per fare il bagno e visitare splendide isole, mentre la sera solitamente mangiavamo in delle taverne davvero particolari. Il buon cibo e la compagnia rendevano le serate magnifiche! Onestamente consiglio a tutti di provare un'esperienza del genere! Probabilmente smetterai di passare le tue vacanze in spiagge affollate per prediligere la barca anche negli anni successivi. Come già detto, lo skipper è stato fantastico e ha contribuito molto a rendere la vacanza perfetta! Grazie di cuore :) :) :)
Mattia è il migliore skipper con cui io abbia mai navigato : sempre molto attento e scrupolosi con un grande senso di responsabilità e passione per la vela , nonostante ci siano stati momenti di mare e vento forte mi sono sempre sentita tranquilla. È sempre di buon umore ( incredibile) e al lavoro per pianificare la giornata perfetta per tutti
Esperienza bellissima, la nostra flottiglia era composta da bellissime persone, ho stretto molto legame con la mia barca, un esperienza che sicuramente rifarò. Ho lasciato alle spalle le mie aree di confort e ho passato 7 giorni all'insegna dell'avventura, la condivisione e lo spirito di squadra. Un grazie particolare a Nicola che è stato un amico, un fratello e un grande capitano per questa settimana.
Giuseppe est remarquable pour son accueil, sa sympathie et sa bonne humeur. Il est attentif et veille à ce que tout se passe bien à bord et il reste toujours à votre écoute. L'ambiance est ainsi conviviale et chaleureuse et permet de passer de bons moments sur son voilier !
Bon vent à Giuseppe "Pino" !
Brigitte, Dominique, Frédérique et Davide
Renato fait de son mieux mais à son âge ce n’est plus aussi facile (je pense sincèrement qu’il a - beaucoup - plus de 62 ans). Le bateau est confortable mais aurait besoin d’un coup de jeune, comme son capitaine ! l’aide aux manœuvres n’est pas simple si vous ne comprenez pas l’italien, car l’anglais est succin. Sinon navigation et repas sympas, jolis coins et coup de coeur pour Alakka.
Our week on Vincent's catamaran was great!
Vincent is really good captain, with a lot of experience, you can learn a lot if you want - do things on the boat - or not, depends from you. He will explain everything (he also has a groups for sail training). Apart from this, he is a really interesting person with many great stories from his life, really easy going and with good recommendation always. Normally at night you can have a dinner in a restaurant, on your own or go with the captain and the rest of the crew, we always chose the second option, as dinner with them was great and the selection of the place perfect!
Melanie, his partner, was helpful, and funny! You just have great time with her! And a lot of ice-creams :)
The boat is comfortable, and they do not take more than 4 people although there is one cabin unocupied so the group is more comfortable.
The area of Ionian Islands was above our expectations. Wonderful views, really beautiful places with clear water.
I recommend it!!!
Il viaggio più rilassante della mia vita. Se avete davvero bisogno di staccare la spina, senza annoiarvi, una settimana in barca a vela è quello che fa per voi. Relax, riposo, contatto con la natura, musica, vento, acqua, silenzio, musica, colori, adrenalina, buon cibo, condivisione, nuove esperienze: trovate tutto. Fabio è uno skipper d'esperienza, conosce bene la zona, si integra al gruppo essendo una persona molto alla mano e simpatica; sa come creare belle atmosfere. Penso proprio che l'anno prossimo un altro giro in barca a vela non mi farà male :D
Excellent navigateur et marin connaissant parfaitement la région. De +, il parlait bien anglais.
Bon bateau très propre et confortable malgré la petite taille de la cabine.
Il nous a toujours proposé d'excellents petits restaurants et nous a aidé à visiter les îles de Skiathos et Skopelos
Nous comptons retourner en Grèce et naviguer avec Lambros.
Guido is an experienced skipper that leaves no room for surprises. He's fully proficient using sailing apps for navigation and weather forecast to plan routes and happy to share its knowledge with the crew.
He's keeping the boat in immaculate condition for the crew to fully enjoy the time onboard and the sailing experience.
I'm happy to have met Guido and the rest of the crew on this occasion and would be more than happy to book sailing with him again.
Stephane, was warm, friendly and welcoming as soon as I stepped out of the taxi he had organised for me.
The week was amazing, good food and company. For me the night in the bay “eating on board and star gazing” was wonderful. We saw the milky way.
Swimming and snorkelling in secluded bays, crystal clear waters, what more can you ask for.
Each evening we visited a different island, sailing into Kefalonia, berthing and sitting on deck with a sundowner was so memorable.
If you want a sail around the Ionian Islands I couldn’t recommend Stephane highly enough, “your wish is his command”???? there was nothing he wouldn’t do to try to help anyone.
Amid Covid-19 the boat thoroughly cleaned, galley hygiene was impeccable.
Would I go back? ABSOLUTELY ??????
Adrianna and Radu are the hardest working team on the islands and their goal is to figure out exactly what you want from your sailing vacation and provide it. They were sensitive to what we were looking for- local/ insider sights, some nightlife, the best spots for snorkeling and paddle-boarding, and have great recommendations about what to do and see at each port. Quad biking on Kythnos is a must! They were super informative and helpful from my first enquiries until the day we left. I and my travel buddy will be back for sure!
Che dire? Gianfranco è un capitano eccezionale con grande esperienza , un vero lupo di mare, un ottimo skipper , un perfetto chef e da buon romagnolo persona gioviale e molto ospitale.
La sua barca è assolutamente confortevole, spaziosa e ben tenuta......e poi c'è il mare cristallino che la fa da padrone. Buon vento!!!
Where to begin...
Spiros is without a doubt one of the most attentive, relaxed, talented people we have met- sailing aside. In regards to sailing, Spiros was an absolute wonder to have as a skipper. We had some days with a lot of wind (meltemi) and waves but he was both re-assuring, fun and made the experience exhilarating.
We not only had a wonderful holiday visiting wonderful places but we also made a friend in him. We will be back.
Devon et Hugues
Skipper e catamarano Top, fornito di ogni ben di dio... Sup, canoa, attrezzatura da sub etc... Fabio oltre ad un'ottima preparazione è molto bravo a insegnare un po' di vela agli interessati, sembra strano, ma nei Charter é cosa rara. Consigliato a chi desidera passare una settimana di relax all'insegna di mare vela e tanta natura. Da non dimenticare il simpatico Jack, il cane marinaio buonissimo, sempre alla ricerca di essere coccolato da tutti, la mascotte della barca!
Vi consiglio vivamente di non esitare neanche un momento a prenotare una vacanza in barca vela con Andrea e Susanna! Saranno attenti a soddisfare la vostra voglia di relax ed avventura in mare sulla loro barca, tenuta in maniera eccellente. Ne hanno una cura impeccabile, è sempre pulita ed in ordine, e qualsiasi imprevisto dovesse mai accadere, sappiate che Andrea, con le sue competenze, sarà in grado di trovare una pronta soluzione senza ritrovarsi mai in difficoltà. Lasciate anche che sia lui organizzare l’itinerario, conosce bene quei porti quelle spiagge, vi guiderà in sicurezza e vi farà scoprire la bellezza di quelle coste: non resterete per niente delusi! Susanna vi accompagnerà ogni giorno con il suo sorriso e la sua gentilezza, è di Corfù e saprà prepararvi ottime colazioni ed ottimi pranzi con piatti tipici. La settimana passerà fin troppo velocemente, anche in compagnia di Mathias, il loro simpatico e quieto barboncino, mascotte della vacanza. Vi dispiacerà tornare a casa!
Emocionada con mi primera experiencia en velero!, tuve una agradable semana en Grecia y sus bellas costas :).
Claude y Genevieve siempre atentos con sus huespedes en cada detalle.
100% recomendable para una experiencia de viaje tranquila y fascinante a la vez.
Cette croisière avec Nikos et Mathilde était notre première croisière en voilier, et nous avons adoré! L'itinéraire a dû être revu du fait des conditions climatiques et nous avons finalement navigué dans les îles Saroniques, mais l'expérience est restée exceptionnelle. Quelle sensation que celle de se laisser porter au gré du vent. Nikos nous a initiés à la navigation et aux manœuvres, et grâce à la planche de paddle et à l'équipement de snorkeling, nous avons profité à fond des plaisirs marins. Nikos et Mathilde nous ont tout de suite mis à l'aise, sachant se montrer très souples et réactifs, désireux de satisfaire à la moindre de nos envies, sans jamais s'imposer. Les bons petits plats de Mathilde sont un vrai plus!!! La Grèce est un pays magnifique, et les Grecs un peuple charmant. Nous avons visité différents villages traditionnels et nous n'oublierons jamais l'effervescence de ce petit port d'Hydra, où tout le monde s'affairait à faire une petite place pour notre voilier... MERCI.
Unforgettable, amazing experience.
One of those events in life that will be talked about for many years to come.
Emanuel exceeded our expectations in every way possible and he does it so effortlessly. He is an extremely competent Skipper and even though we had some rough weather whilst sailing... at times winds up to 40 knots, he was always calm and totally understood the situation at hand. He made us feel relaxed at all times.
He is an accomplished chef... and I say chef... not cook, the meals he prepared were fabulous.
Nothing was too much trouble for him and he always asked if things were ok for us.
He is thoughtful, respectful, helpful to all, not only us on the boat, he was constantly helping other boats when they had troubles.
He knows all of the secret spots in the Dodecanese which gave us some secluded undisturbed evenings away from others and protected from overnight winds.
Emanuels boat is very well equipped for ALL situations .. and I have run out of lines to writ any mor
Nous avons passé une excellente semaine. Phil a été très accueillant et nous a fait nous sentir à l’aise tout de suite malgré nos lacunes en anglais.
La cohabitation dans le bateau a été très facile.
Phil a été à l'écoute de nos attentes concernant le trajet à effectuer pendant la semaine et notre volonté d’apprendre à naviguer. Nous avons ainsi pu naviguer seuls et réaliser des manœuvres sous son contrôle, si nous le voulions.
Si la météo le permettait, nous nous arrêtions dans un port différent chaque jour, et nous pouvions compter sur Phil pour nous conseiller des visites ou de bons restaurants.
En somme, si vous voulez passer des vacances originales, oublier votre quotidien, ne penser qu’à la mer et au vent (au moins une partie de la journée) et apprendre à naviguer sous les bons conseils d’un capitaine passionné et bienveillant, foncez ! Arnaud et Marie.
8 reasons to choose Greece for your next sailing holidays:
Excellent sailing conditions throughout the year, with calmer areas and areas for more advanced sailing
Thousands of unique islands to explore, including some of the world’s most beautiful
Delicious local specialties, such as: tzatziki, tarama, moussaka, dolmades, the famous Gyros, and of some of the traditional Greek liquor Ouzo and Raki
Home to some of the most spectacular beauty in the Greek Isles in Santorini, Mykonos, and Ios
Endless sailing itineraries to be designed with your skipper
Immerse yourself in the regions iconic white, cubic architecture and charming fishing villages
Discover some of the world’s most charming coves and lagoons
Learn the special sirtaki dance in the area’s street festivals
The best places & specific destinations to visit during your sailing holiday in Greece:
Famous sailing areas include the Cyclades, the Saronic islands, Ionian islands, Dodecanese, Sporades, and Crete - however, there are an estimated 5,000-6,000 islands in Greece. Travelling the Greek isles by sailboat allows for full exploration of the areas treasures, that would otherwise be inaccessible. Whether you are planning to travel solo, as a couple, with friends or family, and whether you are looking for a sailboat or catamaran experience, there are numerous areas of Greece that make for perfect holidaying destinations.
The variety of sailing in Corfu between coastal town hopping and more open water routes, make it a great destination to gather a well-rounded sailing experience. Surrounding Corfu are some smaller Ionian Islands, with striking beauty and unique wildlife ecosystems - along with the coast of Albania to the north, there is much surrounding the region to explore.
The area is named after the grandson of Greek god Apollo - god of music, art, and the sun - Mykonos is often described as the heart of the Cyclades, and an excellent place to observe some of the richest history and tradition in Greece. Alefkántra or 'Little Venice' in Mykonos' capital town Hóra, is a beautiful example of such history - the 18th district of the town is recognised for its unique architecture, and its relationship with the sea it is perched above.
As a precious jewel of the Aegean, and a place of striking natural beauty, Santorini has become one of the most sort after destinations in Greece. The island is the byproduct of a volcano eruption, which explains the incredibly dramatic views over Oia town, which at sunset is a truly iconic sight to behold. With a collection of golden and red beaches, and natural springs surround the island, exploring the area by island is the only way to truly experience it.
Tips to help you to better plan for your next sailing holidays in Greece:
All you need to know about your next cruise in Greece aboard a sailboat.
When to go to Greece for a sailing holiday
Greece has a pleasant Mediterranean climate throughout the year. The temperatures become particularly pleasant from April until the end of November. The periods of July and August are relatively busy, and travellers may find that in May, June, September and October trip are particularly enjoyable for boarding a sailing or catamaran holiday. The wind is moderate, therefore, you can calmly enjoy the beauty of the islands. If you decide to travel at a busier time of the year, your localised skipper will be able to take you to places tucked away from the masses.
How long should a sailing holiday in Greece be?
The Greek archipelago is vast and it is important to choose the destination according to the available amount of time, so you can fully enjoy the experience without hurry. We recommend a minimum of two weeks to discover the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. If you have less time, we recommend looking at holidays in the Ionian, Saronic, Sporades and Crete.
Transport options to and from your holiday
Greece has many international airports including Athens, Corfu, Kos, and Kefalonia where there are budget airline options. Prices can increase significantly during school holiday periods, mainly summer in July and August. We would recommend going slightly outside of the main season in May, June, September, and October. Greece has a highly developed ferry network that connects the main islands with each other, it might be required that you use one of these ferry routes in order to reach your skipper. Your skipper will be able to advise you on the best flights and additional ferry services that might be necessary.
Sailing holidays in Greece with a family
There are some sailing destinations that are particularly suitable for family holidaying. Greece is one of these destinations. The sailing conditions are ideal and the mooring opportunities are numerous. You will easily find a deserted cove where you can find an anchor spot for the kids to have fun on the beach or shallow waters. Sailing holidays are fun for both young and old!
Sailing holidays in Greece - why you should travel with a local skipper
If you want to fully enjoy your sailing holiday in Greece in the best conditions, we recommend that you go choose a trip with a local skipper. Travelling with a skipper who has insider knowledge on the area, allows travellers to fully immerse in the pleasure and relaxation of the holiday. Where individuals on the trip wish to learn or practice their sailing skills, skippers will be there to integrate travellers into the responsibilities onboard.
The best sailing itineraries for your next holiday with a skipper in Greece
The big Cycladic Tour: For this trip two weeks are needed to explore this archipelago from Athens. The first part of the trip will be to explore the islands of the small Cyclades ( Kea, Siros, Tinos, and Kithnos), before heading to the archipelago of the great Cyclades (Naxos, Milos, Ios, Sifnos, and Amorgos) where there is the option to push up to Santorini. The return can be made directly to the port of Piraeus in Athens, or by first making a detour to the Saronic Islands (such as Hydra).
Cruise around the minor Cyclades: a very beautiful adventure, and ideal for a week or more away from the powerful Meltem that can blow during the summer months in the great Cyclades. From Athens, you could then consider exploring the beautiful Kea, Siros, Tinos, Kythnos and Serifos.
Discover the Ionian Islands and the Sea of Ulysses: a wild and untouched archipelago that is ideal for a week of relaxation. Fiscardo, the white cliffs northwest of Ithaca, the beautiful village of Kioni and its beautiful bay, the isolated island of Atokos without forgetting to stop by Kalamos and Kastos. Lefkada is then not too far away with a final well-deserved stopover before arriving to the charming port of Sami in Kefalonia.
The beautiful islands of northern Corfu: get ready for an extraordinary adventure exploring the islands of Mathraki, Erikoussa and Othonoi. Deserted beaches, very few inhabited islands, splendid moorings - a destination perfect for a holiday made of serenity.
The magical journey to Saronic Islands sailing from Athens: a splendid region sheltered from the wind and waves for calm and pleasant island hopping. From Athens, the first step can be Hydra (famously, the island without a car). After a hike ini Leonidio, you can then reach the islands of Dokos for a BBQ on the beach at Poros, and end the voyage with a cultural stopover in Epidaurus.
Exploration of the Sporades: with a week at sea aboard a sailboat, you are sure to uncover some of the wonders of the Sporades. Let yourself be carried by the wind to the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos, Kyra Panagia, and Peristera.
Discovering the Dodecanese: From the island of Rhodes (the largest of the archipelago), embark on a wild sailing holiday with changing sceneries. On the agenda: hopping along the Turkish coast to reach the ruins of Bouzoukale and the charming village of Bosborum, visiting the island of Symi, the Datca Peninsula and the small port of Palamut. Finally, the island of Nisyros and its volcano make for an excellent last stop before heading back to Rhodes.
