Greece, known by heart.
Five cruising regions, each with its own character, season and winds. Here is how they differ, so you can choose the right one for your dates.
Saronic & Peloponnese
The closest islands to Athens, and the easiest week at sea.
Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses are short passages apart, with the coast of the Peloponnese close by. Car-free Hydra, the pine-covered bays of Poros and the mansions of Spetses make a varied week without long days at sea.
Aegina · Agistri · Poros · Hydra · Spetses · Ermioni
- Best season
- May to October
- Wind
- Generally moderate; sheltered from the strongest summer winds
- Usual base
- Athens
- Ideal for
- First charters, families, shorter trips
Cyclades
White villages, clear water and the Greece of the postcards.
Mykonos and Santorini are the famous names, but the quieter islands, Milos, Folegandros, Sifnos, Paros and Antiparos, are where the Cyclades are at their best. The islands are close together, though July and August bring the meltemi, a strong northerly wind that shapes the route.
Mykonos · Paros · Antiparos · Naxos · Milos · Folegandros · Sifnos · Santorini
- Best season
- May to October; June and September are ideal
- Wind
- Meltemi in July and August, often strong; calmer early and late season
- Usual base
- Athens, or Mykonos and Paros for some yachts
- Ideal for
- Experienced guests, catamarans, those who want the classic islands
Ionian
Green islands and calm water on the western side of Greece.
Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Meganisi, Kefalonia and Ithaca. Wooded hills come down to turquoise bays, the winds are usually light in the morning with a steady afternoon breeze, and distances are short. Venetian influence is everywhere, from the architecture to the food.
Corfu · Paxos · Antipaxos · Lefkada · Meganisi · Kefalonia · Ithaca · Zakynthos
- Best season
- May to October
- Wind
- Generally light to moderate; a steady afternoon breeze
- Usual base
- Corfu or Lefkada
- Ideal for
- Families, relaxed cruising, swimming and quiet anchorages
Dodecanese
A long season and history in every harbour.
Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros and Patmos, close to the Turkish coast. Medieval Rhodes, the painted harbour of Symi and the monastery of Patmos sit alongside quiet coves. The season starts early and ends late.
Rhodes · Symi · Tilos · Nisyros · Kos · Kalymnos · Leros · Patmos
- Best season
- April to November
- Wind
- Meltemi in high summer, often lighter than in the central Cyclades
- Usual base
- Rhodes or Kos
- Ideal for
- Culture and history, early or late season trips
Sporades
Pine forests down to the water, and a marine park.
Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros, in the northern Aegean. Alonissos is home to the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades, one of the largest protected marine areas in the Mediterranean and a refuge of the Mediterranean monk seal.
Skiathos · Skopelos · Alonissos · Kyra Panagia · Skyros
- Best season
- June to September
- Wind
- Generally moderate; less affected by the meltemi than the Cyclades
- Usual base
- Volos or Skiathos
- Ideal for
- Nature, swimming, quiet bays away from the crowds
Before you choose.
A few things that make the difference between a good week and a great one.
- 01The season
The main season runs from May to October. July and August are the warmest and busiest; June and September are, for many, the best months.
- 02The meltemi
A strong, dry northerly wind of July and August, strongest in the Cyclades. It keeps the heat comfortable but shapes the route; a good captain plans around it.
- 03Weather decides
Every itinerary is a plan. The captain adapts the route to the conditions, and the final decision on sailing rests with the captain.
- 04One week or two
A week suits one region. Two weeks allow a longer passage, for example from Athens through the Cyclades.