History was made here and you discover a wide variety of interesting ancient websites while leisurely cruising from island to island. Significant volcanic landscapes dotted by hilltop towns with the typical Cycladic white-washed houses and windmills, crystal-clear waters, authentic cuisine and environment make a luxury yacht charter here so distinct and pleasurable.
Why is the Aegean Sea such an in-demand charter destination?
The Saronic Gulf is the link in between the Ionian and the Aegean Sea. It is a part of the Aegean Sea and lies at the eastern side of the Corinthian Gulf, which is a 100 km long stretch of water. It consists of the eastern entryway and exit point of the Corinth Canal, the city and port of Athens and the primary islands Aegina, Salamis, Poros in addition to many smaller sized ones. There are some incredible ancient websites like Delphi, Corinth, Mycenae and hundreds more. An extremely convenient beginning point for an Aegean private yacht charter is Athens with its big airport and the huge marina of Kalamaki that offers a multitude of charter boats. It is situated due south of Athens. From there you can straight head to the Saronic Gulf with its fascinating coastline and islands. The ideal yacht charter base for the Cyclades is Lavrion, about 37 km south-west from Athens airport.
The Cyclades consist of the islands of Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Eschati, iOS, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos, and Thira or Santorini plus many more smaller sized ones. It just is a large sailing ground with endless highlights to find. Distances in between the islands are much bigger than in some of the other Mediterranean archipelagos, so it is well matched for the knowledgeable sailor.
The charm of the islands is legendary. There is the volcanic island of Milos.
The largest airports are Santorini and Mykonos, which use numerous charter flights in summer season from most European bigger cities. Paros, Naxos, Syros and Milos likewise have airports with domestic flights. The ferryboat links in between the islands amongst each other and with the mainland are brilliant, so it ´ s no problem to get to anywhere.
As everywhere around Greece, you will find beautiful authentic pubs with terrific local food and fresh fish, lovely ports and blue/white painted towns as well as romantic thatch-roofed windmills. The background are impressive tranquil landscapes, including volcanic rocky shorelines. There are nearly no tides but the in some cases happening Meltemi winds need great cruising abilities.
Some relevant information for Aegean sailboat charter:
Place: Mediterranean Sea east of the Peloponnese; south of Athens; north of Crete
Main Charter Bases: Kalamaki (simply outside Athens); Lavrion (37 km south-east of Athens); Paros
Main airports: Athens, Mykonos, Santorini
Nation code: +30
Environment: Mild, Mediterranean
Which main charter locations are there in the Saronic Gulf and the Cyclades?
The Saronic Gulf is mainly really safeguarded as there is very little chance of the Meltemi blowing and it is therefore a good cruising ground for family cruising holidays.
One of the traditional cruising paths in the Saronic Gulf leads from Athens along the coast to Cap Sounion. The Methana peninsula is an ancient volcano about 6 NM north-west of Poros Island.
Salamis, the largest island in the Saronic Gulf with a rocky coastline of 104 km, is located just 2 km off the coast of Piraeus, Athens. It ´ s popular for its vital part in lots of sea fights and uses some extremely nice fine sandy beaches. Check out the vibrant port of Paloukia in the North-East of the island or Peristeria in the South - a town with a yacht harbour and clean beaches. Then there is the big bay of the primary town, Salamina.
You can take the charter private yacht to Aegina, the so-called ´ pistachio island ´ due to its big growing of the crop. It is an extinct volcano with rugged shoreline and includes the ports of Perdika and Aegina Town with great taverns and memento shops.
Hydra, which is geographically not part of the Saronic Gulf however one of the Saronic Islands, is a beautiful place popular with artists. Moor up in the protected port of its primary town Hydra or the quiet unaffected port of Ermioni with a beautiful steep hilly backdrop.
When sailing to Spetses, you can anchor in the bay or moor up directly in the main town on the north-eastern suggestion of the island.
Travelling the Cyclades Kea is among the very first islands you experience. It is a typical Cycladic island with a lovely old town and situated 12 NM south-east of Cape Sounion.
Kythnos, simply to the South, has a really indented shoreline fantastic for anchoring or mooring in the gorgeous bays or ports, for instance Stefanos bay on the east side or secured Loutra port in the North East. Try the local cheese, which is a famous specialized. The main marina to utilize on a yacht rental is Merikha on the west side.
Seriphos has a terrific entry into a long bay surrounded by high-rising hills. The port at the end is Livadhi. Go up to the Chora, where you have a definitely amazing view.
Sifnos lies a 9 NM cruising trip south of Serifos. Kamares on the north-west side is a well-protected port at the end of a large bay.
When on a boat charter in the Cyclades, you should pass by the island of Milos. It is an old volcano that forms a big caldera surrounded by pumice cliffs. The port of Adhamas in the north part of the crater is among the best-protected harbours in the Mediterranean.
Finally Santorini: Getting in the humongous caldera from the North-West and approaching the steep cliffs is a highlight for every sailor.
From Santorini you can steer the cruising private yacht through iOS to Amorgos, a bare rocky island that has maintained quite of its authentic character and doesn ´ t have that much tourist.
Naxos is the biggest of the Cyclades Archipelago. Only about 4 NM west of Naxos lies Paros, and adjacent to it, Antiparos. There are numerous safeguarded bays and inlets. The channel between Paros and Antiparos is good for anchoring in addition to the safeguarded bays of the primary town, Parikia, and the popular fishing port of Naoussa.
At the coast off the ancient website of Delos private yachts are only enabled to anchor till 3 pm, which is when the exhibit premises close. Fourni Bay a little to the South, or the southern bay of neighbour islet Reneia are options to set anchor overnight.
A main attraction of every Aegean luxury yacht charter is Mykonos. There suffice bays on the south side to look for shelter from the northern Meltemi.
Syros, Tinos and Andros are 3 more of the bigger Cycladic islands and there are numerous smaller ones on top of that, offering the yacht charterer with limitless choices for cruising paths.
What are the prevailing weather systems for a private yacht charter around the Aegean Islands?
The northerly Meltemi wind can reach force 7, in some cases 8, in July and August. It can occur rather unexpectedly in addition to blow for 5 days on end, so in that case excellent cruising abilities are required. It might not occur at all, though, and there have actually been summertimes without Meltemi totally. Best suited for household cruising holidays is the well-protected Saronic Gulf.
Summary of the weather conditions for sailing a private yacht charter in the Aegean with the example of Santorini:
Months with greatest average temperature: July/August, 26 °
. Months with most affordable average temperature level: January/February, 12 °
. Month with highest typical precipitation: December, 167 mm.
Months with least expensive average rainfall: July/August, 0 mm.
Month with the greatest everyday sunlight hours: July, 14 hours.
Month with the lowest day-to-day sunshine hours: December, 6 hours.
Average wind speed in summertime: 3 - 7 Bft.
Month with highest average water temperature level: August, 25 °
. Month with lowest average water temperature level: January, 16 °.
Main season: May - October.
Just how much is Aegean luxury yacht rental and what are the different charter types?
You can rent a 12 m sailboat, for instance, from about 1,400 EUR a week. Costs rise according to size, design and devices of the private yacht. Due to the strong winds, there aren ´ t really any flotilla charters. You can do bareboat or skippered charter, and choose in between catamaran charter and sailboat or motor yacht hire. You could opt for a day charter or opt for high-end boat hire that includes a lot of additionals and a crew according to your particular needs.
What else is there to do besides sailing on a boat hire in the Cyclades and the Saronic Gulf?
On a private yacht hire in the Saronic Gulf, see Epidaurus on the Peloponnese, a big ancient sanctuary and centre of recovery embeded in the forest. Its ruins include a theatre with fantastic acoustics, where a whisper on the stage is heard anywhere on the 54 tiers of seats, an arena and far more. Likewise have a look at the museum showing what exactly occurred at the sanctuary in antiquity.
If you lease a yacht in Lavrion, decrease to Cape Sounion which lies only about 10 km due south. It is a temple for Poseidon in a lovely setting on a high cliff neglecting the sea.
Spetses Classic Luxury yacht Regatta start of July produces some interesting racing with some lovely sailing private yachts, Aegean traditional schooners and lateens.
Kea main town, Ioulis, is extremely attractive. It sits high on a plateau like many Greek island towns - they used to be developed like that for protection from pirates. Kea is really popular with scuba divers as the water has fantastic visibility and abundant wildlife and there are great possibilities for cavern and wreck diving - one of the sibling ships of the Titanic, the HMHS Britannic, sank there in 1916, among others.
With 360, the island has the highest amount of churches in all of the Cyclades. Or visit the wonderfully architected capital of the island, Apollonia.
Milos uses amazing volcanic landscapes including its substantial caldera along with the hot springs. For some sightseeing head to the remains of the middle ages castle of Palaiokastro at the acme.
Must the Meltemi blow a little too strong for sailing, take some time and go to the fantastic historical site and museum at Santorini. View the sundown over the crater from one of the many bars and dining establishments. There is a cable cars and truck taking you up to the town or you can ride a donkey up the serpentine path.
Amorgos was the backdrop for Luc Besson ´ s movie The Huge Blue and when you employ a motor- or cruising luxury yacht in the Aegean Sea, you can go there yourself and soak up the remarkable colour of the sea and the sky. Go up to the charming Chora of Amorgos sitting on top of the hill next to scattered windmills and a Venetian castle with a stunning view. Other beautiful towns are Tholaria and Langada and the imposing abbey of Panagia Hozoviotissa in the cliff side north-east of Chora is also well worth visiting,.
You might explore some of the many ruins on Naxos or employ some windsurfing/kitesurfing devices at one of the numerous schools there.
Take a quick break in-between sailing trips on your private yacht charter and check out the buzzing and world-famous night life in Mykonos. For celebration, go to the Scandinavian Bar in the centre or the big Cavo Paradiso Club at Paradise Bay to the south. The next day relax at one of the beautiful beaches, roam through the wonderful charming town with its cool shops and purchase some artwork or keepsakes.
Delos was the centre of the cult of Apollo and, as such, a holy island. Remarkable games were held there and a rich sanctuary with splendid architecture was developed. You can go to the large ritualistic premises and the remains of sensational temples and statues as well as the archaeological museum. So wear ´ t lose out on the chance to walk these historically important mosaic floors when you ´ re doing a bareboat luxury yacht charter in the Aegean Sea.
Take a look at one of the most lovely churches in Greece - Panagia Ekatontapilyiani in Parikia on Paros, constructed around the 7/8th century by among the designers of the Hagia Sofia. Or check out the close-by ´ Butterfly Valley ´, a park with tens of countless butterflies. Check out the picturesque old port of Naoussa on the north coast with its white-washed homes and squares that are illuminated during the night and produce a wonderful atmosphere to sit outdoors and have supper in among the restaurants prior to continuing the cruising or motor luxury yacht charter the next day.
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