When one thinks of a true mythological paradise with secluded beaches and hidden coves, first thing that comes to mind is island hopping in Greece. The turquoise waters paired with the warm climate makes it a perfect destination.
It can be quite overwhelming to plan a sailing vacation in Greece due to the endless possibilities that are presented to you. When looking to create your itinerary, you’ll have 220 islands to choose from, which makes it a bit hard to see all of them. Due to this, we chose our top islands to sail to, leaving a bit of room for your personal customization.
When chartering a yacht in Greece, your departure point will be Athens giving you the best access so the Saronic Gulf. Also, some of the biggest ports and marinas are in this area so there will be better facilities and a bigger inventory of boats.
Day 1: Athens
When arriving in Athens, you will have time to get to see the city before setting off on your adventure. Take advantage of the proximity of the marinas and see the Acropolis or the Parthenon. In the evening, you will arrive at the base and meet your skipper or the base manager depending on the type of rental you choose. Stay on your boat and experience Athens from the coast. You’ll immediately notice the liveliness with the amounts of tavernas and activities available to you. Take in the atmosphere of the marina and get ready to set out early the next day.
Day 2: Athens → Aegina
18 nautical miles, 3.5 hours of sailing
Situated only 18nm south of Athens, it will be the perfect first stop to get used to the manoeuvring of your boat. Aegina has the perfect number of beaches, and it is not prone to mass tourism. The beaches are always full of locals, and this is the perfect place to relax and take in some of the famous Greek sun.
Day 3: Aegina → Poros
16 nautical miles, 3 hours 10 minutes of sailing
In the Saronic Gulf, Poros is also in close proximity to Athens. The island has a rich scenery with beautiful beaches and picturesque villages that will definitely highlight your trip. With the narrow sea channel dividing Poros Town with the mountainous range of the Peloponnese, rest near the lake and you’ll settle into full relaxation. Even though Poros is still close to Athens, it holds its feeling of remoteness making you feel lightyears away from the population.
Day 4: Poros → Palaia Epidavros
24.4 nautical miles, 5 hours of sailing
Palaia Epidavros is a small destination known mainly as an escape for sailors living in Athens. For those interested in history, you will see some artifacts that are expected when you visit any ancient town in Greece. You can stop by the theater, that is only a 10 minute walk from the bay, or see the ancient ruins of the temple. By boat, you can stop by the hidden seabed where there are ancient ruins left to be discovered by snorkeling. As in any of the Greek islands, there are several beaches to choose from so you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to taking in a bit of sun.
Day 5: Epidavros → Korfos
9.4 nautical miles, 2 hours of sailing
When sailing into Korfos, you’ll notice the unique beauty village offers. The area has all you need, sailing facilities, restaurants and bars and a few other basic provisions. This means that all of the charm comes from its natural beauty. The area is worth exploring and will take less than a day to see everything. Use this to recharge your batteries and have a nice relaxing day.
Day 6: Korfos → Agistri
10.9 nautical miles, 2 hours of sailing
Agistri is another destination in Saronic Gulf that is not far away in distance from Athens, but is in a world of its own. Considered one of the most popular islands in the area due to is incredible beaches and amazing natural scenery. Two of the best beaches in Agistri, Aponissos and Dragoner, are located right next to the port, which makes it easily accessible for sailors. The perfect atmosphere and lush nature will be a perfect second to last day on your yacht charter.
Day 7: Agistri → Athens
23.1 nautical miles, 4.5 hours of sailing
The last day of the charter will be back to one of the main ports in Athens. At this point, you will meet back with the base manager and go over the state of the boat. In the morning, you’ll still have time to take a few quick dips and see the last sunrise in the beautiful Greek waters.
