Greece and its islands are known throughout the world as a classic yacht charter destination. Sailing the crystal blue seas among mountainous islands with white buildings shining in the sun is an experience you will never forget.

You’ll return with magical memories and captivating photographs of your voyage.

For many people sailing in Greece is the fulfilment of a dream. It’s certainly one of the best ways to explore the country.

Unfortunately every year there are a few people whose holiday is unforgettable for the wrong reason – the reality did not match up to their dream and they were disappointed. In the majority of these cases you’ll find the problem was that they had unrealistic expectations of the sailing area, type of yacht, or time of year that they chose to visit.

There are many different ways to sail in Greece. It’s important to choose carefully to ensure that you pick the best yacht charter for your needs. This is especially true if you are not an experienced sailor.

You should research the various island groups and typical weather and sea conditions in the month you plan to sail. You also need to consider what type of yacht will suit you and your budget, and whether you would prefer to simply be a guest on board or if you are looking for a more ‘hands on’ experience.

The Yacht Charter Greece website has lots of ideas for diverse types of yacht charter in Greece and we welcome comments and advice from all.

Greece has hundreds of islands and several main sailing areas, each full of history and with a distinctive culture. The best known Greek sailing areas are the Ionian, Saronic, Sporades, Dodecanese, and of course the famous Cyclades. These differ in appearance, accessibility, and weather.

It’s essential to make an informed choice if you want to have the experience you desire, especially as for many people this may be a once in a lifetime adventure.

Using the links and articles on Yacht Charter Greece will help you to find absolutely the best yacht charter holiday for you.  

Enjoy your sailing!

Technorati Tags: sailing in Greece, yacht charter greece

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.

Technorati Tags: ionian bareboat, ionian flotilla, ionian islands, ionian sailing, ionian sailing holidays, ionian yacht charter, sailing greece, sailing greek islands, sailing ionian sea, yacht charter greece

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.