Pre-charter Information & FAQ's Alimos Marina (Kalamaki), Athens
When you receive the crew list please complete and return it it as soon as possible. If you have booked a crewed charter and have been sent a preference sheet please complete and return this as soon as possible (within 7 days of your charter start date).
If you have booked a skippered or bareboat charter and want to use the pre-charter provisioning/shopping service please complete your order as soon as you can, ideally within 5-7 days of your charter start date. We hope you have a wonderful time exploring the Greek Islands - Happy Sailing!
TRANSFERS & ARRIVAL TO ALIMOS MARINA, ATHENS
El. Venizelos International Airport is 30km from the base and approximately 35 minutes in a taxi. There are always taxis waiting at arrivals at the airport but there are also many private transfer companies operating independantly from Athens airport.
Please check all current proceedures and official advice for travel before your charter including Government travel advice, airport and border proceedures for all of the countries you plan to travel through.
ARRIVALS
For bareboat charters make your way to the Athenian Yachts base (please see map below). As base offices are usually small its a good idea for other crew members to make their way to a nearby cafe and enjoy a cool drink or bite to eat.
For skippered and crewed charters your skipper/crew will meet you at the Athenian Yachts base.
Please let us know the approximate time of your arrival to the marina.
If you are going to be significantly earlier or later than expected please call Island Sailing (see contact information below).
If you will be arriving at the marina after 20.00 please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with you for boarding your yacht.
CONTACT INFORMATION - LOCAL BASE ATHENIAN YACHTS
Athenian Yachts
Opening hours: Base: Saturday 8 AM – 8 PM
Athenian Pier No 2
Alimos Marina (Kalamaki), 17455, Athens
GPS position: 37°54’51.81” N - 23°42’09.87” E
Athenian Yachts Base Manager: Mr. Tolis Efthimiakos: + 30 697 271 1275 or +30 697 271 1274
Island Sailing Support Team Tel: (0044) 7535 301444
Island Sailing UK Head Office Tel: (0044) 020 7139 8644
If you need any help, information or advice that cannot be provided by the base team please contact the Island Sailing Support Team
MANDATORY THINGS TO BRING
Unless you have booked a skipper you must bring the original copy(s) of your sailing qualifications/skipper's licence.
A VISA or MASTERCARD Credit Card for your yacht security deposit (Debit Cards and American Express are NOT accepted). Please make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked. If you do not possess a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card you must inform us BEFORE you travel to Greece as your charter can't commence without the completed credit card security deposit.
At least one mobile phone set up for roaming in Greece and charger – it is very important that you can keep in contact.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Travel light is our advice. Don’t forget your passport(s)/ID.
Please bring your luggage in a soft bag that will fold down without wheels or hard edges. Space on a yacht is limited and cases with hard edges and wheels will often damage the woodwork on the boat. There is a limited amount of space available for luggage storage on the check-in and check-out day only.
Bedding and yacht towels are provided on your yacht. If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day.
All yachts are equipped with sufficient numbers of life jackets, usually of a standard size. If you are not a standard size, or especially for small children it is wise to bring your own life jackets . If you would like to check about this before you come to Greece please get in touch.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Passport (s)/ ID
Flight Tickets
Travel insurance documents (make sure you have coverage for sailing)
The skipper must bring original copies of sailing certificates/licences
Credit Cards/Debit Cards and local currency (euros). You must bring a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card with you for the yacht security deposit
Mobile phone set up for roaming in Greece and charger – it is very important that you can keep in contact in case of emergency as VHF signal is only line of sight
Beach towel (yacht towels are provided for use on the yacht). If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day
Snorkels, mask and flippers if you have them, or you can buy them when you arrive in Greece.
Soft soled shoes with non marking/light coloures soles
Waterproof jacket (especially in early and late summer in case of a shower)
Hat & sunglasses (with cord if you have one)
Insect Repellent
Any essential medication
Your choice of device for playing music on board + lead with a 3.5mm jack plug at each end and a USB connection lead
Two-pin European travel adapter for charging phones etc. (at marinas or even in restaurants)
12 volt adapter / car charger for charging phones, etc. on-board (onboard with a car type cigarette lighter socket)
HOW MUCH IS THE YACHT SECURITY DEPOSIT?
Before your charter begins a security pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit is taken from the Party Leader which will be processed by the owner/operator at base (please see amounts below) by VISA or Mastercard credit card (Debit cards and American Express are NOT accepted) . Make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked. Your charter can't commence without the completed credit card security deposit. On successful completion of post charter inspection the pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit charge will not be completed and the 'hold' will elapse. The time it takes for the ‘hold’ to elapse depends on your card provider.
Details for the Security deposit amounts and non-refundable Yacht Damage Waivers for your yacht charter will be listed on your Booking Statement. Please ask us if you need to check.
WHEN WILL I BE ABLE BOARD MY YACHT?
Your yacht will be ready to board by 17:00 on the first day of your charter. If your flight gets you to the yacht base earlier than this you will be able to enjoy the cafe bars and restaurants at the marina. If the yacht is ready earlier the base team will get you on board sooner.
If you arrive after 20.00 we will let you know where your yacht is berthed and it will be open and ready for you to board. If you have booked a skipper or crew they will be at the marina for your arrival. You will receive your yacht brief and handover the following morning after the base office re-opens at 09.00.
WILL I GET A YACHT HANDOVER BRIEFING?
Yes, you will receive a thorough handover of your yacht upon boarding as well as a chart/sailing area briefing if requested and you can familiarise yourself with the yacht and its equipment before setting sail. The base staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have as well as offering any advice you may need about the sailing area. If you arrive close to or after the base office closes you will receive your yacht handover the following morning.
For those on a Skippered or Crewed yacht charter you will meet your skipper, they will show you around your yacht and chat about where you would like to sail.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY FLIGHTS ARRIVE OR DEPART LATE?
If you arrive after 20.00 we will let you know where your yacht is berthed and it will be open and ready for you to board. If you have booked a skipper or crew they will be at the marina for your arrival. You will receive your yacht brief and handover the following morning after the base office re-opens. If you arrive early before your yacht is ready there are a choice of places to have a drink or some food whilst you wait. If you have a late flight home you can relax at the marina or head to Athens.
WHEN DOES MY CHARTER END & RETURNING TO THE PORT
You will need to return to Alimos marina by 18:00 on the penultimate day of your charter.
Yacht berths are situated on Pier 2. When returning, go stern to and do not use your anchor, there are mooring lines. The base support staff make every effort to help you moor safely, therefore please call them 1 hour prior your arrival back to port to receive your berth guidance.
You will be able to stay on the yacht on your final night and enjoy Athens, one of the most famous cities in the world. Please disembark by 09:00 on the last morning.
HOW TO GET LOCAL WEATHER FORECASTS? You may well have your own favourite websites and Apps to check the weather.
We use Poseidon www.poseidon.hcmr.gr
From the home page choose ‘Sailing Forecast’ from the menu on the left hand bar then ‘Cyclades’ and remember to add 3 hours to covert from UT!
We also check on Meteo www.meteo.gr and choose Cyclades then your closest island.
You can choose ‘English’ for both of these websites
Remember the area has extremely localised conditions which are affected by numerous factors which cannot be foreseen by the forecasters such as land breeze, sea breeze, sea swell, the local landscape, fetch, ferry wash and so on.
You can also find weather information at marinas and yacht clubs.
DO YOU PROVIDE LINEN AND TOWELS?
Yes, bed sheets, linen and pillows are provided on the boat. If you are chartering for two weeks a change of linen for the second week can be provided. Towels are provided for use on the yacht but we recommend bringing your own beach towel. If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day.
WHAT PLUG SOCKETS DOES THE BOAT HAVE?
All plug sockets on the boats are the European 2 pin type however these are only usable when the yacht is plugged in to mains power (230V) which is mainly at base. If your devices or equipment do not have 2 pin European plugs you'll need to bring a travel adaptor with you. During the week there is a 12v socket, similar to a car cigarette lighter, which can be used to charge phones and other electronic devices if you bring a car charger with you.
ARE THERE MASKS AND SNORKELS ON THE YACHT?
Masks, snorkels or flippers are not provided but you may wish to bring your own or they are readily available and reasonably priced near the port and at many places around the islands where you will visit.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO FUEL UP MY YACHT?
Most of our customers spend €10 0 - €50 0 per week on fuel for the yacht depending on the size/type of the yacht and the amount of motoring you do during the charter.
If you have chartered one of the larger yachts or catamarans with generators and air-conditioning, you will use more fuel depending on how much you use the air con!
Mini tankers deliver fuel directly to the yachts. When returning to the base, please refuel your boat and fill up your outboard engine can. The base team will advise you on the procedure for re-fueling.
HOW MUCH ARE THE MOORING FEES?
Mooring fees at Alimos marina for your first and last day are included, this includes power and water. Most harbours are run by the local municipalities/Greek coastguard and are free to moor in. There are a small number of harbours and small marinas who will charge you a mooring fee per night depending on yacht size. If there is bad weather forecast it may occasionally be necessary to use a protected harbour with laid moorings and the fees will depend depending on the size of your boat and more for catamarans.
Some quays where there is water and power available a small fee will be charged if you wish to use it.
Water for the yacht is usually available at a number of the popular ports for a small fee.
WHAT ABOUT SHOPPING & PROVISIONING?
For bareboat and skippered charters we recommend BALASKAS Supermarket (if you order online via the link below you will receive free delivery, or, Balaskas also offer a free transport service directly to their store which is a 5 minute drive from base, ideal for last minute purchases).
We will email a standard shopping 'provisioning list' to you and if you have a specialised product not found in the standard offers please call Balaskas on (+30) 6986690650 and they will be happy to help in any way they can.
You can pre-order online https://balaskas.shop/?ref=island_sailing
Please remember to put Athenian Yachts, Pier 2 and your yacht name if required on your order details.
For crewed charter where you have a hostess/cook they will organise this for you, please make sure you send back your preference sheet no less than 7 days of the charter start date.
Open Monday to Sunday 08:00 AM - 21:00 PM
Alternatively you can use SKLAVENITIS Supermarket (10 mins by foot from Base)
Open Monday to Friday 08:00 AM – 21:00 PM & Saturday 8:00 AM – 18:00 PM
Opening hours may differ during public holidays and are subject to change without notice. There will be many opportunities to provision and shop at many of the ports and harbours you visit around the islands so don't worry about needing to shop for everything for the week at the beginining.
WILL I BE ABLE TO USE MY CREDIT CARD?
Many restaurants, café bars and shops around the islands still often accept cash (euros). There is a cash machine by the marina. However, over the course of the week, you may only visit a small number of towns with cash machines so it is advisable to have enough cash before you leave port.
You will need to bring a VISA or MASTERCARD with you for your yacht security deposit. Please make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked.
WILL THERE BE CASH MACHINES?
There are a number of cash/ATM machines on the larger islands but not on the smaller ones. There is a cash machine by the marina. We would recommend bringing a reasonable amount of local currency (Euros) with you as quite a few traditional Greek tavernas, cafe and small shops on the islands usually only accept euros.
DO I NEED TO WEAR SPECIAL SHOES OR CLOTHES?
It would be advisable to bring a pair of lightweight shoes with non-marking soles for wearing on the boat. It is a good idea to bring a lightweight waterproof jacket in case of the odd day of rain, especially at the start and end of the season.
WHERE CAN I GET INTERNET ACCESS?
The yachts are not equipped with Wi-Fi as standard, however optional wi-fi rouiter is available for a charge payable at base. Virtually every café, bar and restaurant in the marina and around the islands has free Wi-Fi for their customers.
WHAT IS THE MOBILE PHONE SIGNAL LIKE?
Mobile phone reception is usually very good. You must bring a mobile phone and charger with you for use around the islands and keep your phone available and charged at all times. Whilst VHF is used, you will not always be in range. We also monitor an emergency phone 24 hours a day, should you need to contact us as VHF signal only works in line of sight.
DO SKIPPERED & CREWED CHARTERS HAVE FIXED ITINERARIES?
For skippered and crewed charters we don’t have fixed itineraries, we prefer to make recommendations and suggestions and obviously your skipper will make the final calls depending on weather, distance, mooring viability etc. If you have certain places you would lilke to try and visit (or not) during your charter please let Island Sailing knonw in advance and we can pass this information to your skipper.
Your skipper will generally discuss with you what kind of places you would like to visit and tailor things to meet your wishes, you don’t have to set an itinerary before you arrive, although you may have some ideas, usually you can chat with your skipper when you get to the yacht base.
WILL THE SKIPPER SPEAK ENGLISH?
Yes, the skippers are of mixed nationalities, most are Greek and there are also skippers from across Europe but all of them speak very good English.
HOW DO WE FEED OUR SKIPPER?
That’s up to you and your skipper. For skippered charter when you provision for food remember to get enough for your skipper, generally they are happy to have whatever you are having. In the evening you can choose to invite them out with you or cover their evening meal if you prefer to dine alone (30 euro per day is recommended). It works best to agree and pay an amount at the start for your skipper to cover their food for the duration of the charter. All the skippers are extremely professional and personable and provide discreet and unobtrusive assistance throughout your yacht charter. Our customers find that their skipper makes their vacation something really extra special as they become welcome additions on the yachts they sail.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP MY SKIPPER?
It is customary that you tip your skipper. A guideline amount would be around 5-10% of your yacht price, though as this could encompass quite a range we leave it at your discretion and ask that you offer gratuity you think your skipper deserves. We’re sure they’ll add immense value to your charter experience.
IS FISHING GEAR PROVIDED ON THE YACHT? There aren't any fishing gear onboard but there are places around the islands where you can buy fishing gear.
CAN I STORE LUGGAGE AT THE MARINA? Limited space is available on your check-in and check-out days to store luggage.
FACILITIES AT ALIMOS MARINA Alimos marina is a large, busy marina in Athens. There are a number of café bars, tavernas, restaurants, shops, banks, pharmacies and supermarkets in or just outside the marina plus a laundry and various simple toilet and shower facilities. There is an ATM at the marina and also a short stroll outside. Please be aware that ATMs are not always available in the sailing area so please make sure you have enough cash to cover your expenses. Please ask the base team if you would like information about which islands/ports have ATM’s. Alimos is really close to the centre of Athens and well worth a visit to one of the most amazing capitals in the world if you have time!
IS THERE ANY PARKING AT THE MARINA? Parking is available at the marina.
