Greece Holiday Sailing

Greece holiday sailing has become extremely popular in recent years.  There are a number of different options open to those to experience a Greece holiday sailing holiday, and these include organizing a bareboat yacht charter or flotilla sailing Greece holiday.

Sailing Greece holidays are the perfect way to relax and explore the open seas.  Greece is an ideal yachting area with the Greek islands making up almost 20% of the total area.  There are more than 15,000 kilometers of coastline, and the climate here consists of mild, moist winters and dry hot summers.

What To Expect With Sailing Greece Holidays

The first couple of days on your sailing holiday will be to ease you into things, and it is quite normal to travel only 10 to 15 miles.  The lead crew will be with you to ensure everything is going smoothly and offer assistance when required.

In the evening, you will be moored and can enjoy the nightlife on shore.  Most Greece holiday sailing companies will arrange evening entertainment on shore, and this can often include a beach party. 

After the initial couple of days sailing, the lead crew will be able to ascertain your level of experience and will decide if you are competent enough to sail on your own.  If this is the case, you will be able to wander a little bit further.  If you are sailing on your own for a couple of days, you will be required to inform the skipper of the flotilla of your planned route and itinerary.

The skipper of your flotilla is responsible for your safety for the duration of your sailing Greece holiday, and they will conduct daily briefings that will include information about the day’s route, the weather to expect, anchorage times, etc.

What You Should Be Aware Of

If you book a flotilla sailing Greece holiday, then you need to be aware of the fact that a typical flotilla will consist of around nine to twelve different yachts with catering for up to 30 people.  These people will all have different sailing experience. 

The sailing holiday season in Greece starts in March when the temperatures rise.  July and August are the best time of year to use sailing boats in Greece, as the weather at this time is very stable and this is the high season. 

Provisions and costs are something that you need to be aware of when booking a Greece holiday sailing experience.  If you choose a bareboat package, you are responsible for the purchase of your own groceries, fuel, water, and the harbor fees.  Your GPS and linen should be included in your charter fees along with your cooking gas and dinghy for rowing ashore once anchored.

If you choose a crewed charter, the captain and crew will normally pay for their own meals, but a tip is customary at the end of your sailing holiday.

If you plan on sailing unsupervised for your Greece holiday sailing experience, you will need to know the Greek chart terms for navigation.  You can find a detailed list of these at http://www.sailingissues.com/sailing-greece.html.  Some of the popular terms include Akrotirion, which means headland.  Ormos is bay, and Nisos is island. 

What Kind Of Features Should You Look For In A Greece Holiday Sailing Package?

When booking a sailing Greece holiday, you should check that your package includes your flights, local transfers from the airport, and your yacht for the duration of your holiday. 

If you are booking a flotilla sailing holiday in Greece, you need to ensure that your flotilla will be supported by a lead yacht with a crew that has local knowledge, are fully experienced, and are able to provide assistance if needed.

Where Are The Best Yacht Charter Bases?

The best bases for yacht charters are located in Athens, Samos, Lefkas, Lavrion, Corfu, and Kos.  It is also a good idea to check out places like Rhodes and Mykonos.

Choosing One Way Charters

If you want to explore the Greek Islands, the best way to do this is to choose a one-way charter.  This is where you sail from one charter base to another.  In doing this, you get to see much more.  It is always advisable to start at a larger base such as Athens, as the companies here are much more helpful.

Where To Sail On A Greece Holiday Sailing

There are five main areas to sail in and these are Dodecanese, Cyclades, Saronic, Argolic, Northern Sporades, and Ionian.  These areas offer an abundance of ancient history and shelter in natural harbors.

What Type Of Sailing Boat Holiday Should I Choose?

You can choose from bareboat, flotilla, crewed, or gullet charters.  If you want total privacy and independence for your Greece holiday sailing, then a bareboat charter is probably best.  You won’t have a captain or crew and will be doing all the sailing yourself.  If your sailing skills are a little rusty, you can hire an instructor for the first day.
If you require guidance for your Greece holiday sailing, then a flotilla is the choice to make.  You still get your privacy, but you also get peace of mind.  You will be sailing with a fleet of yachts towards each port.  You skipper your own yacht under the watchful eye of the flotilla leader, so help is always at hand if needed.

If you don’t want to be in a flotilla and a regular bareboat charter is too much for you, then you can choose an assisted bareboat charter or a crewed charter. 

The last choice available is the gullet cruise, and this is the most luxurious choice of charters available.  These are yachts that are equipped with both motors and sails.  These gullets can accommodate up to 14 people.

As you can see, there is a lot to know about enjoying and booking a Greece holiday sailing experience.  You can find all the information you need at http://www.sailingissues.com/sailing-greece.html.  There is also excellent information at www.sailingholidays.com, www.yachtsun.com, and www.sailgreece.net.