The Saronic Islands – Argolic Gulf – Peloponnese
Yacht Charter & Sailing Vacations

Where to go • When to go • What you should know • How to book

Where History Meets Serenity

Whether you’re drawn to the rich history of ancient ruins or simply yearning for lazy days on pristine beaches, sailing through the enchanting waters of the Saronic Islands, through the Argolic Gulf,  and along the rugged coastline of the Peloponnese in Greece promises to be a seamless blend of relaxation and exploration.

What is a sailing vacation, yacht charter, etc..? Learn more here ›

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THE SARONIC ISLANDS, ARGOLIC GULF, & THE PELOPONNESE YACHT CHARTER SUMMARY

We’ve been there!

We’ve been here—several times and its certainly one we’d easily go back to time and time again.  With close proximity to Athens, once you set sail, you leave the city hustle and bustle behind and embark on a historic journey through crystal-clear waters with charming islands, historical treasures, and secluded coves.  Each village has its own culture and charm: from the pistachio (fistiki) in Aegina to the donkey filled isle of Hydra to the secluded beauty of Dokos to the architectural marvel of the Epidaurus Theater.

Sailing Requirements

Lefkas Bareboat charter requirements:

✔ Sailing Resume

✖ Certification

✔  License

Learn more at Yacht Charter Resources ›

Sailing Skill Level

Knowledge – Skills – Experience:

✔ Intermediate

This charter area is relatively easy with mostly calm winds and line of sight navigation.  What makes it an intermediate skill level area is the required mediterranean mooring; of note- the popular islands like Hydra and Poros can have very busy harbors during the high season, requiring good boat handling skills for docking and maneuvering in crowded spaces (and an ability to uncross crossed anchor lines).


Sailing Skill Levels ›

When to go?

The Saronic Islands, Argolic Gulf, and Peloponnese are best sailed during late spring to early fall.

During these months, you’ll enjoy warm temperatures, calm seas, and abundant sunshine, creating ideal conditions for sailing, swimming, and exploring the islands. While June to August offers the liveliest atmosphere and warmest waters, consider sailing in May or September for a more tranquil experience with fewer crowds.

Climate

The Saronic Islands, Argolic Gulf, and Peloponnese enjoy a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. June-August is considered peak tourist season with average daytime temperatures of 77°F .  Water temperatures range from 70°F (21°C) to 80° (27°) in the summer and go all the way down to 55°F (13°C) in the winter — maybe just a quick dip!

How to get there?

The Saronic Islands, Argolic Gulf, and Peloponnese are easy to get to.  Fly into Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) (ATH) and grab a taxi or transfer to the various (and numerous) bases located on the coast about 20-30 min away from the Athens city center.

Culture

The Greek culture in the Saronic Islands, Argolic Gulf, and Peloponnese  is a blend of traditional Mediterranean influences, island life, and unique regional characteristics.  The Saronic Islands exhibit distinct architectural styles such as the neoclassical architecture in Hydra and Poros.  Ancient artifacts surround you at each and every turn.  Explore the Temple of Aphaia, a well-preserved Doric temple dating back to the 5th century BC or the theater of Epidaurus,  or the Methoni Castle, which stands at the edge of the sea.  Greek festivals full of music, art, and cuisine are popular during the summer months and offer a glimpse into local tradition (one of our favorites is the Fistiki festival in Aegina held in September).

Must See & Do

  • Explore Hydra’s charming Streets: Wander through the car-free streets of Hydra, an island known for its picturesque architecture, vibrant arts scene, and crystal-clear waters.
  • Visit Ancient Epidaurus: Discover the renowned ancient theater of Epidaurus, known for its exceptional acoustics, and explore the archaeological site that transports you back in time.
  • Sail to Spetses: Sail to Spetses, where you can explore the island’s pine-covered landscapes, elegant mansions, and enjoy its relaxed atmosphere.
  • Discover Monemvasia: Wander the narrow streets of Monemvasia, a medieval fortress town perched on a rock-island, and soak in its historical ambiance. Ioannis Antzoussis. They offer a glimpse into the island’s spiritual heritage and stunning views.
  • Explore Aegina’s Temples: Explore the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina, a stunning ancient Greek temple that offers impressive views of the surrounding landscape.
  • Hit up the beaches: Family-friendly beaches can be found on islands like Poros, Aegina, and even in coastal towns along the Peloponnese coastline.

The Saronic Islands, Argolic Gulf, and Peloponnese Bareboat Charter Sample Itineraries

Where to go on a Saronic Islands, Argolic Gulf, and Peloponnese sailing vacation?

Scroll below for a sample itinerary or use the interactive map to explore.

Sample Itinerary:

We have been to this area several times. These locations on this itinerary stand out – especially a night under the stars on Dokos Island

Athens – Poros – Hydra – Nafplion (or spetses) – Dokos – Epidavros – Athens

Of note: get to Hydra early around 10am if you can. Otherwise, there will not be any space in the small marina. The reward for early arrival is a gorgeous day exploring Hydra. Walk and take a swim at the bay to the west. The Theater at Epidavros is not to be missed. It is a 40-minute cab ride from the marina. Nafplion is a long way up the bay and can be substituted with Spetses. To enjoy this area properly you really need 2 weeks.

The Saronic Islands, Argolic Gulf, and Peloponnese Related Blog Posts

A SARONIC ISLANDS – ARGOLIC GULF – PELOPONNESE YACHT CHARTER SOUNDS AMAZING!
I’D LIKE TO…

BOOK A GREECE
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NauticEd are yacht charter agents for all Greek destinations.  We don’t charge you a fee and can more than likely save you money on all your sailing vacations. We search the world’s databases for over 8,000 yachts in 55 destinations. We give expert advice on where and when to go – likely, we’ve been there. Make an inquiry and book your sailing vacations through NauticEd Sailing Vacations.

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Additional Notes

Sailing Skill Levels

Local Knowledge + Education: as Sailing Vacation Experts, NauticEd’s team has chartered and sailed in almost all these locations – providing you with the “local knowledge” you need when planning a sailing vacation. And, as the leader in sailing education, NauticEd assigns different skill levels based on the knowledge-theory and practical/experience needed for chartering in different sailing locations.

Recommended Knowledge-Theory Courses for chartering: Bareboat Charter Master Bundle (six bareboat and near coastal courses), Catamaran Sailing Confidence (if chartering a Cat), Yacht Charter Crew Course (for your crew).

Skill Levels notably emphasize the overall practical experience and competency that is required to sail in certain areas. Of course, the “devil’s in the details” on specifics, and we recommend you contact us when planning a sailing vacation. We’ll save you money on your vacation – which is great – but being prepared to have safe fun experiences that will last a lifetime is priceless!

• Intermediate = Near Coastal <5nm within sight of land, some navigation hazards (always be aware), and generally mild weather conditions. Good seapersonship (i.e., “seamanship”) skills, knowledge, and experience apply.

• Intermediate +Plus = Near Coastal <15nm, within sight of land in clear atmospheric conditions, moderate navigation hazards, and/or challenging weather. Good seapersonship skills, knowledge, and experience apply.

• Advanced = Near Coastal <20nm, within sight of land in clear atmospheric conditions, many navigation hazards, and/or potentially difficult weather. Expert seapersonship skills, knowledge, and experience apply.

*Atmospheric conditions: from the deck of a sailboat, your “visible horizon” is about 12nm on a clear day (considering typical freeboard + your height). Visibility is decreased by haze, fog, rain, smoke, and similar atmospheric considerations. Navigating by line of sight is obviously greater if your destination has features such as mountains, lighthouses, tall buildings, etc…

*Navigational hazards may include features such as rocks, shoals, rough inlets or anchorages, challenging tides and currents, lee shores, commercial traffic, etc…

*Weather: examples of challenging or difficult weather include thunder/lightning storms, areas prone to high winds, or even seasonal risks such as excessive heat.

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Author

  • Grant Headifen

    My vision for NauticEd is to provide the highest quality sailing and boating education available - and deliver competence wherever sailors live and go.

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Last updated on December 9th, 2024
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