Greece sailing itinerary
Map of the best ports and anchorages
The best anchorages in Greece
(Add an anchorage)Always choose the safest spot with a live ranking of your favorite anchorages in Greece. Try zooming in to avoid seaweed fields, then tick to start your list of favourites.
-
On all the north shore of the bay, including the north side of the channel, anchoring is prohibited.
-
Beautiful little creek with old shipyard still in activity. Often crowded with yachts, especially in… Read more about this listing
-
The bay is well-protected from most winds, making it a reliable spot for anchoring. The seabed is mo… Read more about this listing
-
Nice bay with lots of room. The fisherman have invested the place near the coast with moorings. A lo… Read more about this listing
The best ports and marinas in Greece
(Add a port)Find a berth for the night with a live ranking of your favorite harbors in Greece, keeping an eye on the tide and weather forecast. You can also participate by sharing a missing phone number or VHF channel when possible.
-
Loumis Porto Heli Marina
Nice place with a little church, bars and restaurants.
-
Symi is a gem! Docking involves stern-to with a buoy at the bow, so get ready for a bit of manoeuvri… Read more about this listing
-
Usually the extremity of the pier is available for visitors. Don’t except more than one spot or two … Read more about this listing
-
If you find yourself moored on the west quay, you’ll likely enjoy some peace and quiet away from the… Read more about this listing
Best time to sail in Greece
The best season to sail in Greece is typically late spring to early autumn, from May to September.
May and June are fantastic months, as the weather is warm but not excessively hot, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit (around 24-28°C). The winds are generally stable and this period sees fewer tourists.
July and August can be quite hot, with temperatures soaring into the 90s Fahrenheit (over 32°C) in many regions, especially in southern parts of Greece. These months attract a lot of tourists, popular destinations can be crowded, but it’s also when you can enjoy most festivals and nightlife.
September and October marks a transition back to more pleasant temperatures, ideal for sailing. The summer crowds diminish and the sea remains warmer compared to spring.
21°C
Currency
EURVoltage
220VWater potability
Variable
Arrival Formalities
Clearance
All vessels arriving from outside the Shengen Area must report to Customs immediately upon arrival at the port of entry. EU vessels with only European nationals onboard don’t need to do anything. Non EU vessels and/or non European nationals must report to customs at the port of entry.
E-TEPAI
All vessels, EU or non EU must pay a monthly navigation fee. Fill the form online then head to Elta post office with your code to proceed with the payment.
Transit log
Vessels under a non-EU flag also need a transit log (30€), you can apply online here. You are expected to check-in and out of every port to get your transit log stamped. The transit log must be submitted to customs when leaving the country or when wintering the boat.
Visa & Immigration
Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Other ressources
Noonsite.com maintains an updated worldwide database of formalities for pleasure crafts. Click here for more details.
Greece sailing holidays
Sailing in Greece is an incredible way to explore the country from a different angle, away from the crowded tourist areas. Greece is famous for its colourful seaside villages, but seeing them from the water makes the landscape feel even more dramatic, before anchoring in these small bays that the crowds never seem to reach.
Yacht charter
A charter is renting a boat with a captain, and occasionally a chef or steward, so you don’t need any sailing experience. The captain is familiar with the local waters and can take you to secluded coves that are off the beaten path. Catamarans are often favored for their wide, stable platforms and roomy living areas, making them ideal for families or groups of friends. If you’re not traveling with a large group, you can also opt to join a charter with other guests.
Boat rental
The feeling of independence and the ability to escape the beaten path make a bareboat rental a truly liberating experience. You will have the flexibility to chart your own course, discover secluded bays, and avoid crowded tourist spots. You’ll need to know how to sail, as you’re responsible for navigation and anchoring. This option is ideal for those who value privacy, full control, and a hands-on sailing experience.
Sailing conditions in Greece
The Eastern Mediterranean Basin experiences a variety of local and regional wind patterns. These winds, often unique to specific areas, have significant implications for the weather, navigation, and even the culture of the regions they affect. Here are several local factors that influence the wind system, currents, and weather surrounding Greece:
Atmospheric pressure systems: The Azores High and the Icelandic Low pressure systems, along with their seasonal shifts, greatly influence the region’s climate and winds.
Regional climate factors: The Sahara’s heat, European cold fronts, and regional wind systems collectively contribute to the area’s complex weather phenomena.
Prevailing winds of the Ionian Sea
Maistro
The Maistro is a pleasant northwesterly wind, typically found during the summer months, especially in the afternoons. The Maistro is generally mild, with speeds around 10-20 knots. It usually starts in the late morning and peaks in the afternoon before calming down in the evening.
Sirocco
The Sirocco is a warm, dry wind that originates from the Sahara Desert, bringing with it dusty air. This wind typically appears in the spring and summer months, creating humid conditions and hazy skies.
Lodos (Libeccio)
The Lodos, is a southwesterly wind that brings moisture and unsettled weather, especially in the winter and autumn months. This wind can reach speeds of 15-25 knots, often accompanied by rain and sometimes thunderstorms.
Bora
The Bora is a cold, dry wind that blows from the northeast, originating from the Balkan Peninsula. It’s most common in winter and early spring. The Bora is known for its sudden gusts, which can reach up to 40-50 knots.
Prevailing winds of the Aegean Sea
Meltemi (Etesian)
The Meltemi is the dominant wind of the Aegean, it can persist for days particularly during the summer months. These strong, dry, and gusty winds blow from the north or northeast with average speeds between 15-25 knots, but often reaching 30-40 knots.
Sirocco
The Sirocco is a warm, dry wind that originates from the Sahara Desert, bringing with it dusty air. This wind typically appears in the spring and summer months, creating humid conditions and hazy skies.
Lodos (Libeccio)
The Lodos is a southwesterly wind that brings moisture and unsettled weather, especially in the winter and autumn months. This wind can reach speeds of 15-25 knots, often accompanied by rain and sometimes thunderstorms.
Bora
The Bora is a cold, dry wind that blows from the northeast, originating from the Balkan Peninsula. It’s most common in winter and early spring. The Bora is known for its sudden gusts, which can reach up to 40-50 knots.
A brief maritime history of Greece
Long before democracy took root in Athens, the Minoans thrived on Crete, a maritime civilization that constructed the grand palace at Knossos, famed for its labyrinth and the Minotaur legend. It wasn’t just mythical creatures that walked these lands, but also one of the earliest systems of writing, known as Linear A, an enigma still not fully understood.
Greece’s geography, with its jagged coastline and scattered islands, shaped much of its history. The mountains, isolating regions, fostered independent city-states such as Sparta, famous for its warrior culture, and Corinth, a prosperous trading hub. But it was the Cyclades that became a cradle for early artistic and cultural innovation. Delos, a sacred island said to be the birthplace of Apollo, was a focal point for religious and commercial exchanges long before its later prominence in Greek history.
One fascinating piece of early Greek history is the transition between the Bronze Age and the so-called “Dark Ages,” a period marked by the mysterious collapse of the Mycenaean civilisation around 1200 BCE. Theories about why this happened range from natural disasters to invasions by the enigmatic “Sea Peoples.” Whatever the cause, Greece entered a period of decline, and it wasn’t until centuries later that the vibrant city-states we recognise today started to flourish again.
Even during the earliest periods, the Hellenes were experimenting with forms of governance, long before the idea of democracy took full shape. Leaders, councils, and assemblies, though rudimentary, laid the groundwork for what would become one of Greece’s most defining legacies to the world: the idea that the voice of the people mattered.
Discussion
- This forum is empty.
- Oh, bother! No topics were found here.
- You must be logged in to create new topics.
Do you have a question about sailing in Greece?
A recent news? An event? Anything specific? Join the conversation on Greece Sailing Group!Regions & Islands of Greece
