Sailing Charters In Greece

Cruise sailing is a popular pastime for the affluent class in Greece.  Fortunately, as cruise sailing became affordable and accessible, it also became one of the most popular activities in Greece.  The peak season for cruises sailing in Greece is between early April and November, with the busiest months being July, August, and September when the weather is dry and the sun is high.  The Greek coastlines consist of tiny islands, both with historical and natural beauty.  People who are fascinated with the Greek culture are just happy to retrace the navigation routes of the ancients.  For those who love the sea and history, charter sailing in Greece is an unforgettable tourist option.

There are many ports and islands that you can go to when sailing in Greece.  The most crowded sailing areas in Greece are Corfu, Lefkas, and Saronic.  Corfu is the most popular of the Ionian Islands in Greece; even when it is crowded, you can still see the natural beauty and greenery of the island.  In Corfu, you’ll find a small and picturesque town with narrow cobbled streets, tall houses, arcades, and a modest town hall.  Lefkas is also an island near Corfu, but it is connected to the mainland by a floating bridge and a long causeway.  The eastern coast of Lefkas has some of the best resorts in Greece, all with a nice view of the mainland.  The Saronic Gulf is faced by Salamis Island, which is near Athens.  The Saronic Gulf is a great starting point for all charter sailing in Greece.  From these popular sailing islands, you can also go to other Greek islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, Rhodes, Lesvos, and Kos.

There are more sailing options during the peak season.  A lot more shops are open too along with museums, taverns, and public baths.  However, that is certainly not the case during the off-peak season, and you might be disappointed to find closed shops if you happen to come at the wrong time.  The waves of the Aegean Sea are also higher and stronger during the off-peak season.  However, the waves are still manageable to sail through, as long as you are not greeted by the “Meltemi” winds.  Charter sailing in Greece is at least 10% more expensive during the peak season.  If you want to have a quieter and more affordable experience, you can go to these islands during the off-peak season.

Cruises Sailing In Greece From April To June

April to June is the first phase of the peak season.  These months are great options for you if you want to have cheaper trips before most of the rates rise by July.  These months are springtime in Greece, so you will see many blooming flowers and green and lush landscapes.  Some islands such as the Cyclades and Dodecanese will look very green during these months before the landscapes dry up during July.  These months are great if you want to complete your sailing in Greece while still early in the spring.
The prices of the cruise cabins go up starting in June before peaking in July and August.  If you want to avoid high cruise rates, there are a lot of discount options as long as you are booked before May.  There are also fewer yachts that operate during this time of the year.

Tourists should remember that the sea temperature during April could drop down to 17 degrees Celsius.  It is not safe for anyone to swim in these waters at these temperatures, although some adventurers will risk getting a hard chill.  Cold water temperatures will prevail until June before it warms up during the first weeks of July.

Charter Sailing In Greece After September

The last weeks of September and beginning of November are considered the tail end of the peak season.  Even if you miss the bulk of the charter sailing in Greece, you can still take trips and have adventures done during these months.  The number of tourists will drop sharply by the third week of September.  By this time, you can get rates for half the price.  The popular charter sailing destinations such as the Ionian Sea and around Athens will have less tourists and charter trips.  The wind strength during this time is still steady, and the water temperature is still ideal for swimming and snorkeling.  However, tourists may experience lack of fresh water during this tail end of the peak season especially in years where the season is extremely dry.  The islands are also beautiful even during this month, as they welcome the coming of autumn and winter.

Sailing Greece:  What To Expect

If you are new to sailing, you will be impressed with the collection of islands that belong to Greece.  One reason why these islands hold a certain mystery compared to other islands in the world is that there are always myths from old Greek lore about these islands.  People always have fascinating stories to tell about these islands.  If you are a student of history, you can easily understand what made the Greek civilization great, as you look at the culture behind these small islands.