Sailing Greek Islands is the way to see them. Nothing surpasses the peace and serenity of riding the open sea, and the freedom of being able to do and choose exactly as you want to.
Sailing Greek Islands can be very exhilarating and extremely competitive.
Land on uninhabited islands, picnic on remote Greek island beaches in secluded coves, or simply spend the balmy evenings bobbing up and down in the harbour of a lively village or town.
Greek islands sailing, as anyone who has done it will tell you, is the best way to see the coasts of mainland Greece and its islands, whether you are bareboat sailing, part of a flotilla, or being skippered.
This part of Europe has to be one of the most popular areas for sailing Greek islands holidays because of its perfect weather conditions and significant number of islands.
In excess of 2,000 striking islands and 26,000 km of elaborate coastline strewn with tiny fishing villages, serene bays, white-washed houses and archaeological sites all contributing to making this one of the most attractive areas in the world.
Mild temperatures from April to October, clear blue skies and gin-clear, warm, clean waters make swimming, scuba-diving, snorkelling and, of course, sailing an absolute pleasure. The Greek islands have a very high quality for their light and, consequent colours, offering each one with its unique character, history and culture.
Every island is a small distinctive world. The people are joyful, open and well-known for their warm hospitality. A visitor here is considered a comrade. Tavernas offering exciting tastes of rustic Greek cuisine, local wines, and traditional costume dancing are sure to make your evenings magical when sailing Greek islands.
Sailboat anchored in beautiful blue lagoon
There is a myriad of private, and corporate yacht and sailing companies, skipper-owners, flotillas, cabin cruises, and even day-sails cruising the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean seas of Greece to choose from, to name but a few.
The sailing season lasts from March until October, although the best time to go is heavily influenced on where you want to go. The most busy and popular time is between the months of July and September, which is what you would probably expect, as it ties in nicely with children's time away from their schools.
Unfortunately, this is the same time when the meltemi is at its most forceful and sailing Greek islands can become a little more challenging, although it does not affect sailing in the Ionian Sea. The summer winds in the Ionian is a light to moderate north-westerly that arrives in the afternoon and is usually dissipated by sunset; it is known as 'the maïstros'.
Full sail at last!
The long and wonderfully busy charter season starts as early as March when air temperatures rise above the seawater temperatures; thus having a stabilizing effect on sailing conditions.
Around mid-May the 'Azores High' gradually becomes more dominant and and the 'Euro-Asian High' loses its influence, resulting in very stable weather.
June sees the arrival of frontal systems, followed by cool air masses, start entering the East Mediterranean from the north. The contact with the relative warmer seawater will subsequently lead to an unstable atmosphere and showers, and the 'Euro-Asian High' loses its influence, resulting in very stable weather, and of course, ideal sailing conditions.
July and August bring with them a peak in temperature and the number of hours of available sunshine - in other words, the high season for chartering! In Oct/Nov the 'Azores High' becomes less dominant and frontal systems, followed by cool air masses, start entering the East Mediterranean from the north. The contact with the relative warmer sea water subsequently leads to an unstable atmosphere and resultant showers.
The free EOT (Greek National Tourist Organisation) booklet, Sailing the Greek Seas, has a sizeable amount of useful information about weather conditions, weather bulletins, entry and exit regulations and entry and exit ports and guidebooks for boatowners and sailors. You can obtain a copy of the booklet from any of the EOT/GNTO offices in Greece or in other countries.
It is my intention that these pages of my site will help in your decision when choosing what kind of boat you want, where do you you wish to sail, when would you like to go, who to go with, and even if you need to go at all.
