What To Consider When Looking At Greece Sailing Holidays

Greece is a perfect sailing destination! It is home to more than 15,000km of coastline throughout the Aegean Sea, and offers a variety of possibilities to sail. Whatever kind of holiday you’re planning you can have 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, diving, walking, or swimming.

Benefits and disadvantages of sailing

There are benefits and drawbacks to sailing. The benefits include the ability to select your traveling partners. A cruise with friends can be fun and is a good alternative for families as well. You can also choose to go wherever you’d like to explore. You can visit beaches which only boats can access or go towards a tiny island the day.

The drawbacks of sailing are that it isn’t a good choice for people who are motion sick! The motion of a sailboat isn’t suitable for all. Your plans are dependent on the weather, which is why sailing is ideal for those who don’t require a specific plan that can be altered in the blink of an eye. Yachts aren’t always big too 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 water tanks, meaning it’s not possible to enjoy long, hot showers.

Yet, despite the disadvantages, sailing holidays Greece are still a favorite way to discover the islands!

Sailing zones in Greece

Poros Island

With more than 6,000 islands, Greece is the perfect 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 an ideal spot to spend a few hours in case you don’t want travel too far. The islands that are here include Spetses, Hydra, Aegina and Poros. These islands are dotted by pine trees and boast charming towns and a peaceful environment, despite their rich history and their decisive actions in the Greco-Turkish conflict.

Hydra is famous for its car-free environment, and Spetses has gorgeous houses and museum. On the way, you may also stop by several towns on the mainland in the Peloponnese and continue on the coast to Monemvasia as well as Nafplio.

The Dodecanese Islands lie to the located to the east of the mainland and sit at the intersection of civilisation along the famous 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 enjoy Greek nightlife, make sure to stop in Rhodes or Kos to enjoy a night out.

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 more. Every island is unique in its unique history and appeal, however most are thought to be the home of gods or goddesses from Greek mythology. There’s a great nightlife on Mykonos and Ios and a rich religious tradition on Tinos and Tinos, as well as great diving.

What Should You Pack for the sailing Holiday

What you require for a trip to the sea isn’t all that much! Make sure you bring your swimsuit shorts, t-shirts, shorts sunglasses, and sandals. Ladies may want to pack some sundresses in case they go to town, while men might need a nice shirt for a night out.

If you are planning to go to an establishment within Mykonos or Rhodes and Rhodes, confirming your dress code an excellent idea. Likewise, when you’re planning to hike you’ll need a pair of good sneakers and clothes that you can sweat in. But , you don’t have to wear anything! It’s unusual to wear shoes when you go on yachts, so you’ll not need many fancy outfits.

Also, you don’t have to bring bedding, cooking tools or cooking appliances. If you have inflatable water games that you find simple to carry (blow-up rafts, etc.) then you can bring them. Make sure you pack the personal items for toiletries and medication.

Do I need to rent a catamaran or monohull?

There are pros and cons to every type of yacht. Monohulls are sturdy and nearly impossible to capsize as it is able to tack and heal fast. These kinds of boats respond swiftly to the captain behind the wheel. Monohull yachts are also known to be cheaper to charter, which makes them affordable for younger tourists.

They are an adrenaline-inducing experience as the boat is on the water, it could be right next to the ocean. The drawbacks of a monohull vessel is that they are generally smaller and cramped. All living spaces are below the waterline, which makes the ventilation of the space a challenge sometimes.

A catamaran in contrast it offers more room for larger parties, but for the same amount of space, they are typically three times more expensive than the monohull. The boat is extremely solid and stable, and there’s less rolling and rocking, which is ideal for people with motion sickness or for small children or elderly people. Catamarans require more space on the dock, yet they are easily maneuverable and have no need for bow thruster.

In the end, it all is all about personal preference and size of the group budget, and yacht availability.

Do you require a permit to charter boats?

Yes! If you charter a boat at least one of the crew members must possess a sailing license or sailing course certificate or a written declaration from them, indicating their skills in sailing.

The sailing licenses granted from European Union countries are automatically valid and are accepted in Greece. Licenses from outside the EU are accepted as long as they are in compliance with EU standards. Licenses issued in languages other than English or Greek need to be translated.

A trip on a sailing boat in Greece is perfect for families as well as groups of friends or larger groups that would like to charter multiple vessels and travel as flotilla. You are free to be able to do whatever you like at any time and you can be as active you want or do as you’d like. A trip on the water can be affordable as well and comes with low port costs and minimal fuel usage. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our sailing vacation and are eager to repeat it again.