Discover the Saronics
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.
About the Saronic Gulf & Islands
The Saronic Gulf is a special 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 includes the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs and the eastern side of the Peloponnese home to the major islands of Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses as well as the Peloponnese mainland with its own array of beautiful villages, harbours and bays.
Spetses
Popular with high-society Athenians, Spetses brims with natural beauty and history. This pine clad island is the most secluded of the Saronic group of islands and contains lots of secluded coves and bays with crystal clear water and plenty of waterfront cafes and restaurants where you can sip cocktails and watch the sun go down. Visitors love the relaxing and elegant atmosphere.
Hydra
Over the years Hydra has attracted artists, musicians and travellers from all walks of life, Leonard Cohen and Sophia Loren among others have fallen in love with the Island. Whilst the town has a great choice of stylish bars and restaurants in the harbour there are no wheeled vehicles on the island and donkeys remain the primary means of heavy transportation! This is a nice metaphor for Hydra where chic meets tradition.
Aegina
Despite being only 12 miles from Athens, Aegina remains an island unspoilt by mass tourism. A visit to Aegina is a chance to experience the Greek way of life; enjoy a coffee at one of the beach front cafes, swim in the crystal clear sea from one of the sandy beaches, then round off the day with a late dinner and an ouzo at one of the many fantastic authentic tavernas.
Poros
Poros is a small, volcanic little island of great beauty, popular for visiting charter yachts. Poros town has a lively waterfront with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants as well as some clubs right on the quayside for those wanting to see the sunrise. It is a vibrant and lively destination that attracts many young visitors who can enjoy it’s stunning beaches and lounge style nightlife.
Peloponnese
Peloponnese is a large peninsula with astounding natural beauty and ancient historical significance. The region hosts the most important archaeological sites of Greece, including Olympia, Epidaurus, and Mycenae and is where you can experience Greece in its full splendour and charm with sun-baked temples, glorious beaches and welcoming tavernas set over stunning bays. Moor in historic ports, relax on some of the best sand beaches in Greece and enjoy some of the finest cuisine in the Mediterranean.
The Saronic Gulf as well as the Argolic Gulf and eastern coast of the Peloponnese is a very well protected cruising area with generally light and consistent winds making it ideal for fun and relaxing sailing. 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 if there are some isolated katabatic winds off the high mountains of the Peloponnese these only last for a few hours before dying down.
The weather in the Saronic islands
The Saronic sailing area of Greece is blessed with a truly lovely climate. During the summer months the weather is consistently warm both day and night. Fantastic summer sailing holiday weather can be enjoyed from May until October when you can expect long, sunny days with very little chance of rain. Seasonal winds keep air fresh and are perfect for sailing. During April, October and November whilst milder it’s usually pleasant and often lovely and warm, with plenty of sunshine and more likelihood of some rain.
A typical day
After a relaxing breakfast onboard or ashore spend the morning meandering around the emerald waters to a secluded bay for a lunch time stop. Go for a swim, paddle board or snorkel or relax in the sun with a good book . Typically wind builds by early afternoon and drops again at sunset so you can have a great sail to your evening destination with calm evenings and peaceful waters. Spend a relaxing night, by a pretty quayside or small port or enjoy the chic cafe bars and fabulous restaurants in one of the cosmopolitan towns.