Archive for the ‘sailing in Greece’ Category
February 5th, 2010 | 
Author: Join Aegean Sailing School in March and April for spring sailing and special offers:
Competent Crew | Day Skipper | Coastal Skipper Practical Courses:
18:30 Sunday 28 March – 17:30 Friday 2 April
Special offer price 650 EUR / 545 UKP per person
18:30 Sunday 25 April – 17:30 Friday 30 April
Special offer price 700 EUR / 585 UKP per person
Get your training in the Spring before the crowds arrive and you’ll be ready to put your new skills into practice in the summer. Choose a course at a level that is right for you and benefit from the school’s expert tuition. Aegean Sailing School are happy to advise you if you are in any doubt about which would be most suitable for your level of experience.
If you are travelling with a friend or partner it is possible for them to do different courses on the same yacht. But you don’t need to come with anyone – lots of students take and enjoy courses alone, especially in the off-season months.
Day Skipper Combined Theory & Practical Course:
09:00 Thursday 25 March – 17:30 Friday 2 April
Special offer price 1050 EUR / 875 UKP per person
09:00 Thursday 22 April – 17:30 Friday 30 April
Special offer price 1100 EUR / 920 UKP per person
Spend three days staying in a hotel on shore studying your RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course. Then move on board your yacht to complete your Day Skipper Practical while everything is fresh in your mind.
The school can help you to arrange rooms for the night before the course either on Aegina or in Athens.
All Offers include:
- 5 days tuition
- 6 nights on board (you can stay on the yacht on the final night)
- RYA course books, log books, and certificates
- All yacht expenses – fuel, water, mooring dues etc
- Linen and towels
- Food for breakfasts and lunches
- Use of waterproofs if required
The combined courses also include:
- hotel accommodation for 3 nights (we can arrange accommodation the previous night if required)
- 4 days theory tuition with RYA course materials and certificate
Not included:
- Flights
- Transfers
- Personal travel insurance
- Evening meals
To book your place please contact Aegean Sailing School now …
Posted in sailing in Greece, sailing schools | 
Tags: learn to sail, rya sailing course greece, special offers | 
No Comments »
I had an email today from Giannis Makridakis, owner of Sail Greece Yacht Charter
He and his partner, Vassilis Patiniotis, established the company 15 years ago with a very customer-focussed approach. They own all the yachts they charter and so can offer competitive prices as no commission is being paid to a broker.
The Ionian is one of the best known destinations for yacht charter in Greece. The Ionian Islands are a group of islands located to the northwest of mainland Greece – the side facing Italy. The northermost of the Ionian islands are opposite Albania and the most southerly islands is off the southern tip of the Pelopponese.
The islands are traditionally called the Seven Islands, or Eptanisia in Greek. The seven main islands, from north to south, are Corfu (Kerkyra), Paxos, Lefkada, Ithika, Kefallonia, Zakinthos, and Kythira. There are many smaller islands as well as the seven principal ones, including some that are uninhabited.
Off the south-east coast of Lefkas, for instance, is the beautiful island of Meganisi. This has unspoilt sandy beaches and famous sea-caves. It is a delightful area for relaxed family sailing.
You’ll find a variety of spellings for the names of the islands as they acquired Itailian names during the time of Venetian rule, and like all Greek names, they can be wriiten slightly differently when translated into English characters.
The Ionian is a particularly popular sailing area for families and less experienced skippers and crew. More flotilla companies operate there than in any other area of Greece. They are attracted by the calm seas and gentle winds for which the area is best known. However, do not be fooled into thinking that it is always calm. Although the winds are typically less strong than elsewhere in Greece it is still subject to storms from time to time.
One of the features of sailing in this area is that there are many harbours and anchorages to choose from and plenty of sheltered sailing areas. The Ionian tends to get very busy in mid summer, especially August, and it can be difficult to find a berth in the more popular harbours if you arrive late. However there are often delightful places to anchor nearby. In Spring and Autumn sailing in the Ionian is a paradise.
The Ionian is slightly cooler and much greener than most of Greece. It has more rainfall over the winter.
Often the area is sub-divided into the North and South Ionian with Lefkas and the Lefkas canal as the ‘dividing line’. Most people would sail in one or other area if on a week’s sailing holiday. In a fortnight it is possible to take in both south and northern islands.
The best bases for sailing holidays in the northern Ionian are Corfu and Gouvia with Preveza, Nidri and Lefkas being the main bases for yacht charters in the southern Ionian. You will find numerous yacht charter and flotilla companies to choose from.
Among the companies offering sailing holidays in the Ionian are Sailing Holidays. They have both flotillas and bareboat yacht charter available.
It is possible to take skippered sailing holidays in the Ionian on either a yacht or luxury catamaran such as that run by Cata Sailing.
There are also several sailing schools in the area for those who want to ‘learn the ropes’. These include Corfu Sea School and Sail Ionian, both of which are RYA recognised training centres.
The Sailing Issues website has four suggested itineraries for a sailing holiday in the Ionian islands together with masses of useful information on the area – click here to see their suggestions.
If you haven’t sailed in Greece before the Ionian is a good place to start. I’d recommend taking a look at an interesting article Sailing the Ionian Sea, for a personal view of a sailing holiday in this lovely part of the world.
The Aegean has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters but the weather has changed a little in recent years. Here’s a seasonal guide to what to expect.
Spring Sailing
Spring is a delightful time of year in Greece. March usually heralds the start of fine, dry weather and brings a breathtaking array of cultivated and wild spring flowers. In recent years the weather has been unpredictable in early spring but by May temperatures are pleasantly warm.
Ports and harbours are quiet and pleasant with no mad jostle for berths at the end of the day. The winds are less fierce than later in the year and it’s a good time to visit the Cyclades before the meltemi begins to blow.
The warm Greek hospitality is even warmer than normal as taverna and shop owners welcome the new season’s tourists into their freshly painted premises. Yachts are in prime condition too after their winter maintenance and before the many people on board have taken their toll.
Prices are often at their best during the early months so it is an ideal time for those seeking a bargain.
The sea will still be a little cool and only those who are fairly hardy choose to swim before late spring.
Summer Sailing
This is the perfect time for those who love the sun! Between June and August the temperature steadily increases and you are virtually guaranteed sunshine every day. There will be little or no rain, the sea is warm and the skies are blue. Those who enjoy lively places will find more on offer during the peak summer months.
For many northern Europeans escaping from a cold climate, summer sunshine is what sailing in Greece is all about. There is certainly nothing to match the pleasure of anchoring for lunch and swimming in a bay from your yacht.
The heat brings its own problems. Temperatures can get as high as 40°C (104°F) or over and at night it can feel extremely hot and sticky in a yacht cabin. Few yachts have air-conditioning (our new yacht, Phoebe is one that does) and a/c will only work when the yacht is attached to shore-power.
July and August bring the crowds. Getting a berth in the more popular harbours can be difficult unless you cut short your sailing and head in early. Finding a place to moor in a congested harbour is one of the more stressful aspects of sailing in the generally laid-back atmosphere of Greece.
During the summer the famous meltemi wind blows down through the Aegean. This strong northerly wind makes for uncomfortable seas in the Cyclades and it’s not uncommon for yachts to be stormbound for several days in that area. Sailing upwind back to base can be a challenge.
The other areas of Greece are less affected by the meltemi. It is unusual for storms to prevent sailing for more than a day in the Saronic, Ionian, Sporades, or Dodecanese.
Autumn Sailing
Autumn is my personal favourite time of year. The sea is pleasantly warm in early autumn and often remains so until late October. Those who dislike extreme heat will find autumn temperatures perfect for comfort both day and night.
The summer crowds of tourists and sailors have disappeared and there are bargains to be had both in yacht charter and the shops. It is no longer as busy in port, allowing for a leisurely and late entry at the end of the day – more time for sailing! This is one of the most popular times of the year for our clients to sail and the school is normally busy.
Although September can sometimes be as warm as August, it is usually balmy with a little light rain. The main rainy season begins around mid-October bringing cool wet weather, alternating with days of sunshine. The Ionian has more rainfall than the more eastern and southerly areas.
The meltemi begins to subside but autumnal gales are a possibility. They do not normally last for more than a day.
With no meltemi it’s possible to plan a trip to the Cyclades. Some people find these islands too barren after the summer, although others love the brown rock and brilliant white houses. The more northerly sailing areas are greener throughout the year.
Winter Sailing
You can sail in Greece all year round. We run several courses over the winter months for groups or couples and normally they are delighted by the weather they find.
We don’t promise continuous sunshine and take care to provide both wet weather clothing and warm bedding on board. Most rain falls between November and February but there are many sunny days in winter. A heavy overnight rain is often followed by brilliant sunshine next day.
Many of the islands are very seasonal and you will find the majority of shops, tavernas, and hotels closed in some ports. Facilities such as electricity and water can be hard to locate.
Those tavernas that open year-round will give you special treatment as winter visitors.