Blue Waters, Green Lands in the Northern Aegean
Sporades Sailing Region
The Sporades island group, the most northerly boat charter region in the Aegean Sea, is a captivating blend of castles, lively villages, forested hills, and sandy beaches, all surrounded by some of the clearest waters in the region. The summer Meltemi winds create perfect sailing conditions, allowing you to cover distances with ease while enjoying a variety of anchorages—from bustling coastal settlements to secluded coves. Its proximity to the Greek mainland also means you can easily include some of the mainland's top spots in a two-week sailing itinerary, ensuring you get the most out of your holiday in this special part of Greece.
Top Spots to Visit on Your Sporades Boat Charter
The Sporades is a large region with several bases from which to start your sailing adventure. The most popular starting point is the island of Skiathos, easily accessible by plane or ferry from the Greek mainland. Skiathos Town is an attractive destination in itself, a popular spot well-equipped to cater to visitors. The southern, more sheltered side of the island is where most of the population resides. Be sure to visit Moni Evangelistria, a historic Greek Orthodox monastery perched on the island’s highest point.
Sailing Among the Northern Sporades Islands
Just to the west of Skiathos lies the hilly island of Skopelos. While the northern end of Skopelos isn't particularly appealing for yacht charters, the southern and southeastern parts of the island offer several sheltered bays, including the main settlement of Skopelos Town. Like many Greek islands, Skopelos has a rich history, and in mythology, it is associated with Dionysus, the God of Wine. Skopelos is also conveniently located on the way to one of the region’s main attractions: the National Marine Park of Alonissos.
Alonissos is home to some of the best anchorages in the area, particularly around Patitiri and Steni Vala on the southern coast. The nearby island of Peristera offers additional opportunities for exploration within a relatively small sailing area.
Skyros and Beyond
The large island of Skyros lies a bit further afield from Alonissos, so plan accordingly if you wish to include it in your itinerary. On the way, you’ll encounter the uninhabited island of Skantzoura, which offers adequate shelter for a stopover. From Skantzoura to Linaria, the main port town on Skyros, is around 30 nautical miles downwind when the Meltemi blows. Linaria is a great base for exploring the western side of Skyros.
If time doesn’t permit a visit to Skyros, don’t worry—there’s plenty to see closer to Skiathos. Kyra Panagia, a large yet uninhabited island, is part of the National Marine Park. It offers several good anchorages with sandy beaches, including a nearly enclosed harbor at the northern end of the island.
West and North to Mainland Greece
If you’re looking for a change of pace, or if time allows, consider sailing to the Greek mainland. The nearby coastal region has much to offer, including the picturesque Pagasetic Gulf and the charming city of Volos, regarded as one of Greece's finest. Sail along the western shore of the Magnesia Peninsula, the legendary departure point for Jason and the Argonauts as they set off in search of the Golden Fleece. Explore the untouched Trikeri Island, home to just a few hundred residents, where transport is by foot, donkey, or boat. You can also cross over to the village of Orei and explore the northern end of Evia Island.
Northern Greece and Chalkidiki
To complete your Sporades sailing experience, consider venturing into northern Greece. On a two-week charter, with the right crew and a willingness to face the Meltemi, you could reach the Chalkidiki region. This area offers beautiful anchorages, particularly around Porto Koufo, nestled between the three peninsulas that stretch out into the Aegean Sea.
If time permits, a visit to Thessaloniki is a must. Stop at one of the popular tavernas for a glass of ouzo and some souvlaki, perhaps while enjoying the sounds of a bouzouki player. Take a stroll along the waterfront and watch the sun set on a remarkable sailing journey.
The Meltemi winds can be fresh during the summer, providing exciting sailing conditions. Let us help you make the most of every day on your sailing itinerary, ensuring a fantastic experience in this diverse and beautiful region of Greece.
Our client reviews about charter sailing in Greece
Rating: 5 / 5Boat had plenty of space for the 7 of us. The sleeping cabins were well appointed and clean as were the communal areas.
The skipper Socarates took us to pristine beaches and bays that were not overrun with other boats. Loved being able to sail during the day and then visit the local towns at night. The skipper always gave us recommendations and asked what we would like to do each day. Crew were totally there to make our trip comfortable and to experience the beautiful Greek islands
The booking experience with Sail Connection was good would recommend to friends wanting to charter a boat. Anna, Australia, Oct 2nd, 2024
Rating: 5 / 5Boat was fantastic - was it's first charter so perfect condition. We sailed around Ithica and Kefalonia - both islands were beautiful. Sail connections was easy to deal with. Kurt, Australia, Jul 12th, 2024
Rating: 5 / 5(The boat was) perfect for our family of four. Only slight negative is that the helm position has a fairly large blind spot and there is no shade.
Favourite spot ... Sarakiniko Beach, Ithaka. This beautiful spot offered good anchorage, a local taverna and easy access over the hill to Vathy.
(Your service was) excellent. Dimitri in particular was very accommodating and nothing seemed to be a problem.
Stephen, Australia, Jul 8th, 2024
Rating: 5 / 5The Lagoon 46 was the best catamaran we have chartered. There was plenty of deck and seating space and all the bedrooms/ensuites were a good size.
Preveza was a great starting point and we enjoyed travelling south to Ithaki and north to Paxi. Kalamos was a highlight we tied up to a pier next to a taverna for the night and it was a lovely spot.
We had very good service from Robert and Sue at Yachting Holidays and dealing with an NZ company gave us peace of mind. The service from Fyly in Greece was also excellent. We really appreciated being able to board the boat early and our skipper was also very friendly and easy to get along with.
Our skipper Adrian Dimitru was keen to get away on Saturday afternoon so we headed south and got a day ahead which was great. .he cruise was excellent and Adrian got us to some of his favourite spots so we were very lucky.
Ithaki not to be missed. Craig, New Zealand, Oct 18th, 2023
Rating: 5 / 5Dear Sue, we would like to thank you and Robert for all the work you put in to make our charter run so smoothly from your end. We absolutely loved the Greek Islands, they were everything we had ever imagined. Jill and Pip, New Zealand , Oct 9th, 2019
Good breezes that provided just the right level of challenge. Not super crowded - no troubles berthing / mooring / eating / etc. Fairly chilled - at least compared to Croatia. Patmos was very good. John, Australia, Aug 17th, 2019
Had a great time. The wind was terrific - good fun, but nothing too hairy - exactly what we were looking for to take it up a notch or two from Croatia last year. And the Dodecanese were really good - nice ports, not too crowded (esp compared to Croatia) - just felt a bit more out of the way. DYC were fine - a little bit more on the 'smell of an oily rag' end of things compared to the very efficient German-run scene at Trogir, but it all worked and no real issues. Excellent recommendation Robert - boat and destination - you nailed it!
John, Australia, Jul 31st, 2019
The Lucky Clover was fantastic. We travelled around the Saronic Islands which were beautiful. A new adventure every day. One day we hired scooters and explored the islands. Great service thank you. 10 out of 10, a trip of a lifetime! Deborah, New Zealand, Aug 1st, 2017
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