Sail the Saronic

The Saronic Gulf is a popular sailing area with it's close proximity to Athens you don’t have to venture far to find beautiful islands and coastal villages and ports that make up a most wonderful cruising ground. The Saronic sailing area broadly consists of the Saronic Gulf and Argolic Gulf and scattered between the prefecture of Attica and the eastern side of the Peloponnese includes the major islands Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses as well as the Peloponnese mainland with its own array of beautiful villages, harbours and bays.

The Saronic

The Saronic Gulf, Argolic Gulf and eastern Peloponnese forms part of the Aegean Sea with a wide variety of landscapes, sandy and pebbled beaches and beautiful coastlines. Aegina, steeped in ancient history and Greek culture, relaxing Epidhavros with its famous theatre, the traditional villages, beautiful monasteries, impressive gorges and the lovely beaches dot this landscape. Sheltered anchorages and safe waters with small distances between destinations make this area an ideal cruising ground for many sailors.

Both the major islands such as Aegina, Aghistri, Poros, Hydra and Spetses and the mainland towns and villages including Epidavros, Methana, Ermioni, Porto-Heli, Nafplio and Monemvassia combines beautiful islands and the magnificent eastern coast of the Peloponnese where you can explore many cosmopolitan towns, ancient temples, small peaceful fishing villages and unspoiled anchorages.

Alimos Marina, Athens Yacht Charter Base

The Yacht charter base at Alimos marina, Kalamaki near Athens is a great location to start and end your yacht charter in the Saronic.  Marina Alimos is the largest marina in Greece with all the facilities you would expect from a modern marina complex. Situated just under 10 miles from the centre of Athens the marina is easily accessed by taxi or by a regular bus service as well as a direct connection by tramway. The marina is a 40 minute taxi ride away from Athens International Airport and a 15 minute taxi ride from the main ferry port at Piraeus which links Athens to all of the major islands of the Aegean Sea.

Marina Alimos is ideal as a starting point for sailing to either the ArgoSaronic Gulf (Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and other islands and mainland destinations of the eastern Peloponnese).

What's it like to sail in the Saronic?

The Saronic Gulf and Argolic Gulf and eastern coast of the Peloponnese is a very well protected cruising area with generally light and consistent winds, averaging Force 3-4 making it ideal for relaxed sailing. In the Argolic Gulf, the wind is mostly Force 3-5 in the summer. During the summer months between June and September some of the area is affected by the meltemi wind but in spring and autumn the winds are normally weaker over the whole area. In the evenings there can be katabatic winds off the high mountains of the Peloponnese although these are usually isolated and only last for a few hours before dying down.

Finding your way around the Saronic

Navigation in the Saronic is fairly simple and is predominantly by sight with almost no tide or currents and very few hazards. The mid summer heat haze can reduce visibility, especially the closer you are to Athens to between 1-3 miles.  

Onboard you will find a guide/pilotage of the sailing area. Your yacht has all the charts to the sailing area and navigation aids, including chartplotters and autopilot. We can suggest route plans and itineraries and let you know about of all our favourite spots.

Check Prices, Availability & How to Book in: Saronic/Athens

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