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Sailing In Greece

Sail around Greece and you sail on two very different seas. Sunsail has bases in both the Ionian and the Aegean and each area offers a unique experience.

From our established Vounaki base you can set sail into the waters of the Ionian and discover a magical, mythological Mediterranean. The Ionian is the central basin of the Med bounded by the west of Sicily and the foot of Italy. Two winds predominate here the Sirocco and the Gregale, or Bora as it's know in Corfu. The Sirocco blows from the south during Spring and Autumn and is a warm wind originating in South Africa. The Gregale is a Winter wind, but luckily it's full force is not felt in the Greek Islands.

Our other base in Greece is in the Sporades in the midst of the Aegean. The birthplace of Greek seamanship and also the word 'archipelago', which originally meant the sea containing the Aegean Islands, but now means any large group of islands. During Summer the Meltemi wind blows every day from dawn, peaking at noon and dropping off at sunset. Unlike the Ionian, the Aegean is not a deep sea and the visible islands are peaks of old hills and mountains.

Vounaki Base

This is a wonderful cruising area, a great place for a first time yacht charter or a first visit to Greece. You will never be far from a small port with a wide range of facilities and amenities, or a secluded cove for swimming.

The Vounaki Marina is nestled at the foot of the Arkanika Mountains, they create a spectacular backdrop to the marina, meaning 'little mountain' in Greek. The marina has great facilities including a number of restaurants and there are many more to choose from in the town of Paleros just a 15 minute walk from Vounaki.

Cruising Notes

Levkas

As you sail out from Vounaki, Levkas is a popular first stop for sailors. The town is a very pleasant, friendly, traditional Greek town with a pedestrian, main shopping street. Halfway along you'll find the town square, full of friendly cafes. Lefkas Town provides one of the calmest harbors in the Ionian and the new luxury marina is an enjoyable place to moor up.

Meganissi

With a population of less than two thousand people, the island of Meganissi offers complete relaxation in a typically Greek atmosphere. Sip on ouzo with the locals in the village taverna. Spartahori, perched high above Spilia Bay, is reached by a ten-minute walk up the road and has spectacular views across the sea to the mountains of the mainland. Spilia Bay Harbor is a popular sailing stop, you can take advantage of a few quaint tavernas and welcoming beach.

Ithaca

With its pebbly coves dotted around the coastline, Ithaca is an island to visit. With some two thousand inhabitants Vathi, is Ithaca's capital. The town itself is a picture of classical Greece with tavernas and cafes. Frikes is the most northerly of Ithaca's resorts and the relaxed lifestyle of the village revolves around the tiny harbor. Nearby Kioni draws sailors into its dramatic horseshoe bay for the traditional architecture on show.

Cephalonia

Made famous in the year 2000 with the release of the film Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Cephalonia has been drawing visitors from far and wide since. Cephalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands with its stunning Greek island of lush flora and fauna, exceptional beaches and secluded sandy coves.

The Ionian generally experiences predictable Mediterranean winds. Prevailing winds blow from the northwest at 5-15 knots, with light breezes in the morning and freshening in the afternoon, occasionally reaching up to 20 knots, and lays down at sunset. The beginning and end of season you may experience some Southerly winds, bringing slightly more challenging sailing. In the summer, climate in the northern Ionian is sunny with little rain.

Sporades Milina Base

The Aegean islands of the northern Sporades are ever popular with tourists looking to enjoy their golden sands, crystal clear waters and quaint little villages. The northern Sporades are lush places with forests reaching all the way to the beaches. The close distances between the islands make it ideal.

Milina is a small, attractive seaside village located on the eastern shores of the Gulf of Volos. Attractive tavernas spill out onto either side of the coastal road running through the village, which remains a quiet area unspoiled by tourism. The village has a few local stores for provisioning and a good pharmacy and medical center.

Thel base is located in the tranquil waters of Porto Vathudi, nestling in the lee of the island of Alatas being sheltered from the prevailing winds and the open fetch of the Gulf.

Cruising Notes

The Gulf of Volos

The waters in the Gulf tend to be sheltered, with some idyllic spots to anchor for the night. Make sure you visit the harbors and villages of the Trikeri peninsula at the southern end of the Gulf of Volos, before setting sail to explore further afield.

Paleo Trikeri and Pegadi

On the south side of Paleo Trikeri island is a fishing village of the same name. The nearby port of Trikeri has spectacular scenery and makes an impressive backdrop to an overnight anchorage. On the west side of the Gulf is the little village of Pegadi. It is well worth a walk up to the old lookout tower of Achilles for a spectacular view of the Gulf and the Skiathos channel.

Orei

In Hellenic times, Orei, on northern Evia was an important maritime city and the Acropolis above the harbor stands as a reminder. Now a busy little village, Orei still has a good harbor wall to moor up to and many tavernas and cafes just a short stroll from the quay. Fresh fish abound in the restaurants and you can buy almost anything you need in the many local shops.

Winds blow mainly from the NE, 10 to 20 knots and are stronger in June, July, and August when the local Meltemi wind blows. There may be some long passages, but it is mainly line-of-sight sailing.

There are a number of local variations to the overall weather pattern in this cruising area. In the Trikeri and Orei Channels, the wind is funneled into the channel so that it blows from the E-ENE. In the Gulf of Volos a NW wind, Force 2-5, often blows down the valley at the head of the gulf in the spring and autumn. There may also be southerlies, which can also blow in the summer months.

Poros, Saronic Gulf

Set sail from our base at Epidavros, the Saronic Gulf is on your doorstep. Discover a mythological land dotted with ancient ruins, striking architecture, quaint waterside towns and rugged hillsides. Deserted bays, traditional fishing villages and stunning scenery at every turn makes this an extra special sailing area. Apart from the location, the rich ancient history in Epidavros, Poros, Aegina and Methana attracts many sailors to these beautiful waters.

From the base you can enjoy sailing to delightful costal villages such as Peredika. A very beautiful and picturesque town, popular with visitors and locals alike, the harbour comes alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life - a great spot to relax on the deck on your yacht.

Poros itself is a cosmopolitan island with a host of dockside cafes and tavernas. As you approach the town you�ll sail through the narrow channel that separates the island from the mainland. At it narrowest this is only 300 metre wide.

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