Yacht Charter Greece

Yacht charter Greece: The Greek peninsula at the far south east of Europe is made up of the mainland (Attica, Peloponnese, Central Greece, Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace) and the islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. The area has a population of about 10 million.

The Greek cruising area offers about 2000 islands and 10,000 nautical miles of coastline. Famous for their tradition of a glamorous & vivid nightlife , Greece is one of the few countries in the world where the party goes on till morning. Certain islands have an international reputation for their night life, and are frequented by celebrities of all kinds. Live it up, dancing until the light of dawn.

Greece is a blessed country, with more than 10.000 miles of coastline and some 1.500 islands, making it the perfect yacht charter holiday destination for water lovers & sun worshipers, and the ideal sailing ground for yachtsmen. Unrivaled for natural beauty, it is a country of white washed houses, crystal clear waters, olive groves, waterside taverns and a cultural paradise offering a variety of attractions.

Here you can sample some of the finest fruit and vegetables in the world. Enjoy the privacy of a small stony cove with a few overhanging pine trees or walk around the ruins of an ancient town. Indulge in the pleasures of a Greek meal served in a candle light under a star filled sky. Drink the sparkling wine that will elevate your spirit and help you relax, and relish the excellent traditional cooking in one of the less obvious restaurants that your captain will point out.

Yacht charter Greece —Yacht charter destinations:

Athens: The name of Greece’s capital derives from the name of the Goddess of wisdom and intelligence, Athena. This unique city is where democracy first saw the light of day, and where the Parthenon, the gem of architecture, was built. Today, about a third of the population of Greece (around 4,5 million people) live in Athens, and the modern city offers an endless variety of culture and entertainment.

Two hills lie at the heart of the city, one surmounted by the Acropolis and the monuments of Perikles, and the Lykabettus hill with the small white church Agios Georgis. Plaka and Monastiraki, the city quarter around the Acropolis hill, is a tourist highlight with narrow alleyways and attractive squares, which show the city’s romantic side. In summer the streets are full of bustling activity, in the most picturesque of settings. Kolonaki, the quarter around the Lykabettus hill, is typical of modern city life with its elegant boutiques and numerous cafés.

We strongly advise you to spend a day or two in Athens, in order to view its many attractions such as the Apterous Nike temple, the Dionysus Theatre, the Odeon of Atticus and the House of Music, which should not be missed.

Piraeus, Athens’ harbour, is one of the largest shipping junctions in the Mediterranean, as it has been since ancient times. It has made quite a name for itself amongst travellers to Greece, due to its attractive nightlife and its romantic seafood restaurants and taverns.

The coast from Piraeus to Kalamaki is lined by high-rise apartment buildings. During the hot summers, the nightlife moves from the city to this coastal strip and its numerous beach clubs and restaurants.

Yacht charter Greece —Greek Islands:

Aegean Islands: Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Limnos, Agios Efstratios, Ikaria, Fournoi, Oinousses, Psara, Thasos, Samothraki

Cyclades: Serifos, Delos, Koufonisia, Schinoussa, Donousa, Iraklia, Folegandros , Antiparos, Kimolos, Anafi, Santorini, Sikinos, Sifnos, Syros, Mykonos, Kythnos, Ios, Amorgos, Kea, Milos, Tinos, Paros, Naxos

Dodecanese islands: Yiali, Arki, Kastellorizo, Agathonisi, Pserimos, Lipsi, Halki, Patmos

About 20 inhabited islands rise from the eastern Aegean Sea, within easy reach of the Turkish coast. The mild winters and dry summers provide the Dodecanese islands with one of the healthiest climates of the entire Mediterranean and allow voyages during the winter and even around Christmas. Besides the well known islands, such as Rhodes, Kos and Lesvos, the islands have not so far been developed for tourists.

Rhodes

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese, with a charming and varied landscape. It is more fertile than most of the other Dodecanese, and is also known as the “Island of the Sun”. Rhodes has marvellous beaches and famous historical sites, plus an international airport.

Rhodes – city:
The lively capital not only has a very charming old center with medieval city walls and a picturesque life, but also modern hotels, numerous shops and intense nightlife, which will delight any night owl.

Mandraki – the port of Rhodes, base on Rhodes:

The popular harbour is located a small distance from the city, and is easily identifiable by a small fort with a lighthouse and three windmills on the jetty. A large part of the Eastern quay, as well as the larger part of the city quay in the South Eastern corner, is reserved for charter boats. In summer you will often have to moor three boats deep from the quay.

The harbour is well protected from all sides, and the bottom provides a good hold. In the summer, many boats avoid the busy harbour and anchor on the Eastern side of Mandraki, where they are harboured from the summer winds. However, in these areas the sea is churned up by the passing ferries. The harbour is well equipped for repairs and can provide all necessary supplies.

Kos

Kos, a very fertile island, lies between the Myndus peninsula in the North and the fingers of the Turkish coast in the South. In many ways, Kos has a surprising resemblance to Rhodes, with its green hillsides, large hotels and busy harbour dwarfed by a Knight’s Castle. It is, however, much quieter than its large neighbour to the South, although there is an international airport on the island.

Kos – city:

Both Turkish and Medieval, as well as Italian architecture still dominate the cityscape of Kos. There is a lively hustle and bustle around the numerous taverns, cafés, and shops. The climate is very agreeable, since the heat of the summer is pleasantly reduced by the Meltemi.

Kos – the port of Kos, base on Kos:

If you are coming from the North or the West, it is easiest to find the harbour by using the large brown hotel as a reference point, as it can be seen from a long way away. If you arrive from the East or the South, it is best to orientate yourself using the minaret of the city. If the strong Meltemi is blowing, it will be noticeable in the harbour. The bottom provides a good hold. You can get petrol in town, and it can be also be delivered quayside. There are facilities for repairs, and all supplies are readily available.

Aegean Islands: Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Limnos, Agios Efstratios, Ikaria, Fournoi, Oinousses, Psara, Thasos, Samothraki

Cyclades: Serifos, Delos, Koufonisia, Schinoussa, Donousa, Iraklia, Folegandros , Antiparos, Kimolos, Anafi, Santorini, Sikinos, Sifnos, Syros, Mykonos, Kythnos, Ios, Amorgos, Kea, Milos, Tinos, Paros, Naxos

In Greece, one of the most popular sailing areas are the Cyclades. This group of islands, which is situated in the Aegean Sea is made up of 56 islands of various sizes. A popular destination with island-loving tourists and yachtsmen alike is Mykonos, but you can also find more unspoilt islands. Just South of Cape Sounion there are a couple of islands that are far more removed from mainstream tourism, and thus a lot quieter.

The landscape varies from island to island, but is generally quite barren.

The climate is dominated by a Northerly wind, which blows weakly in May and June, but can be quite strong in July and August. Even around Christmas, the temperature still climbs to 16 – 20 degrees.Due to its warmer climate, this area is be particularly recommended for March, April, September and October, when it is much colder in central and western Europe.

Syros, Ermoupoli, Finikas:

Syros, which lies in the heart of the Cyclades, has one of the most jagged rocks in the North, and more gentle ranges of hills in the South. The prehistoric digs and the rock walls inscribed during Roman and Byzantine times, in the North-East of the island, are worth a trip.

The most beautiful beaches of the island are located in the more densely populated south and west of the island near Galissas, Possidonia, Vari, in Finikas Bay, near Kini, and Megas Gailos. Syros is well developed for tourists, and getting supplies is easy compared to more remote islands. You can travel to the island on a domestic flight, or aboard the ferry from Piraeus (3.5 hours).

Ermoupolis – Capital of Syros:

Ermoupolis, capital and port of Syros is also the uncontested capital of the entire Cyclades. This lively city, full of cafés and taverns, captivates with classical buildings, imposing old houses and the typical snow white homes of the Cyclades, which stretch from the surrounding hills right up to the harbour.
The old city of Ano Syros, which lies a little higher up, has narrow alleyways and countless steps and still looks exactly like a medieval town.

Finikas – Finikas harbour and base on Syros:

Finikas port is located in a harboured inlet on the South Western side of Syros. Just off the coast lies the islet of Psthonisis. At night, the bay is illuminated by the lighthouse on the Dimitra Rock. The best anchoring grounds can be found in the North or the South of the bay. In the North eastern corner, which protects well against the Meltemi, there is a short pier with a water depth of 3 metres.

There is water supply and showers in the harbour, and there are a couple of hotels and taverns on the coastline. To obtain supplies and fuel you would have to travel about one kilometre. The port in the South Eastern corner is military terrain.

Dodecanese: Yiali, Arki, Kastellorizo, Agathonisi, Pserimos, Lipsi, Halki, Patmos, Nisyros, Leros, Symi, Tilos, Kasos, Astypalea, Telendos, Kalymnos, Kos, Karpathos, Rhodes

Eptanisa: Cythera, Anticythera

Saronic Gulf: Agistri, Spetses, Poros, Hydra, Aegina, Salamina, Athens

Sporades: Skiathos, Alonissos, Skopelos, Skyros

IONIAN ISLAND- LEFKAS, CORFU, KERKIRA, GOUVIA: North of Evia, and away from the usual sailing routes, lie the green islands of the Sporades. All the islands are fertile, gentle, and idyllic, being known for their white beaches and rich under water fauna. Those islands that are more readily accessible have developed into popular holiday destinations.

Peace and quiet is the trademark of Alonissos, the tree-covered Skopelos, Peristera (with just 25 inhabitants), the uninhabited Psathura, Palagonisi, and Skyros in the South. Alonissos stretches out quite far and along with the islands just off its coast makes up the “Sea Park”, a natural reserve that is home to the Mediterranean seal and dolphins. The islands are very closely grouped, being about 15 to 20 nautical miles apart, and are thus an ideal area for family holidays and inexperienced yachtsmen.

The prevailing wind in the summer is the “Meltemi”, blowing from the Northeast, Force 3-4, although occasionally in July and August wind blows stronger from a North-West direction with a force 4-6 and dies at the end of September.

The Sporades Islands hug the east coast of central Greece. Beautiful white sandy beaches, unspoiled anchorages, ancient ruins and abundant sea life, will offer you a sense of exploration and independence. So, let the beauty of the islands, forests, beaches, villages, churches and castles take you on a journey back in time.

Our new base, which is about 15 minutes from Skiathos airport, is an ideal starting point, for a journey to explore the Sporades and the coast of northern Greece.