Wondering which Saronic islands to visit around Athens in your next sailing holidays in Greece? We have the answer! This is a Saronic sailing guide that has everything you need to know for 1-week or 2-week itineraries from Athens.
Let's dive right in!
Sailing Saronic Gulf within 7 daysOnce you arrive at Kalamaki Marina and check-in for your charter, you’ll want to ensure your yacht is well stocked for your trip.
Luckily, Kalamaki Marina is well situated and is close to many stores where you can find all your provisioning needs.
There is a large supermarket nearby, less than a 5 min walk from the marina, which does door-to-door deliveries for yachts.
You can order at the market, then head back to the boat and wait for your items to arrive. Additionally, there is a smaller supermarket within the marina, as well as some small kiosks for snacks and drinks when you arrive.
If you’d like to spend some time in Alimos, you can shop around, sampling the rich fruits and vegetables at local markets.
Greece is well known for its delicious tomatoes and melons.
Yacht4Less recommends stocking up on produce so you can cook delicious meals right onboard. If desired, Yacht4Less can also arrange for provisions to be delivered to the boat to save you some time and allow for a more leisurely first day.
Now, you’re off! Sailing from Athens to Aegina should take around two hours.
Yacht4Less recommends the Aegina Marina, where you will find one of the longest stretches of sandy beach on Aegina island.
With beautiful, crystal-clear, shallow waters, you can spend the day wading around in the water or strolling along the shore.
All over the island you will find beaches for swimming and sunbathing.
If you’re ready to come ashore, you can explore Aegina town, the biggest community on the island.
While there are many charming villages, each with their own unique vibe, Aegina town has the most activities year-round. Tour the Agios Nektarios, a church, and monastery, built for a Greek saint who performed miracles.
For food - try Avli in the Aegina town. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, you can enjoy deliciously fresh food, after all - “Avli” does mean garden!
On to Poros, where you can take advantage of some great water sports!
Many enjoy wakeboarding, waterskiing, or even parasailing - flying high above the boats for the best view of the Saronic Gulf. You could also take a scooter around the islands, cruising over the hilly landscape.
On Day Three, head to Dokos for some tranquility amidst untamed nature.
With about 50 inhabitants, you can surely find peace on this hidden gem. Small and mountainous, this is the perfect spot for those who like to hike and explore.
Yacht4Less recommends climbing the castle ruins on the hill of Kastro.
For a more aquatic adventure, swim in the waters surrounding the island where, at a depth of about 98 ft, the oldest cargo shipwreck ever discovered was found.
Supposedly all the treasures were sent to the Spetses Museum, but you might get lucky!
Often considered, “the best-kept secret” of Greece, Yacht4Less loves Porto Heli.
With a protected harbor for easy mooring, it’s well set-up for yachts.
This stop is a great time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, as you’ll find both small intimate coves and stretches of sandy beaches, where you can lay out and enjoy some privacy, or you can wander to search for shells.
At Porto Heli, you can also immerse yourself in Greek culture and visit Halieis, a major archeological site.
Investigate what was once a deeply important city center during the 6-4th centuries B.C. Also, situated in Argolida, Porto Heli is a prime spot to try the bountiful fruits of the land.
Renown for its rich agriculture, try the wine, cheese, fish, olives, honey - you won’t regret it.
Across the straits, you’ll find the island of Spetses, which is steeped in tradition, and will be your next stop!
Once called “Piteoussa” (covered with pines), on the island of Spetses, you can revel in more sunny beaches, but this time with deep green foliage as your backdrop.
Waking up to a different island, enjoying new scenery every day, you might not want to leave! If you’re interested in snorkeling, you will enjoy a kaleidoscope of colors underwater with gorgeous pink and mauve patterns on cave walls.
Sailors, visiting Spetses in September, might get to catch the annual Armata event right from your yacht. In honor of the Spetses Naval history, they reenact their victory during the Greek revolution.
Sailing on to Hydra, you venture into one of the Saronic’s more jet-set locales, which means you’ll have to head ashore to admire the town’s architecture, featuring magnificent stone structures, and winding cobbled streets, laces with brightly colored bougainvilleas.
Interestingly, cars are not allowed on Hydra. To get around this fantastic island, you’ll need to rent a donkey!
Yacht4Less recommends To Piato, a traditional Greek restaurant, situated on the port. Enjoy the freshest selection of seafood, meats, and salads, for a very reasonable price.
You’ll spend Day 6 on Moni, an uninhabited island, which is just a short sail to Aegina.
For nature-lovers, this is a can’t-miss stop. With gorgeous crystal waters, you can enjoy a secluded cove beach on the island.
The ocean floor is quite rocky, so for those with sensitive feet, Yacht4Less recommends water shoes.
On land, you’ll find a number of different species such as the Chamois Cretan goat-antelope, deer and peacocks. They roam free on the island and are very friendly.
Back in the water, on the Perdika side of the island, you can do some seal watching, as well.
On your last day, you should stop at Salamina on your way back to Kalamaki.
Considered a “gateway” to Athens, Salamina is just a hop, skip, and a jump back to base. Not much of a tourist destination, your last stop will be relaxed and casual.
Enjoy southern beaches, best with a limited time-frame, like Selenia, Saterli and Kaki Vigla.
You could also explore the Cave of Euripides, where the famous Greek playwright wrote his tragedies. You can also stop for one last authentic Greek meal at an iconic tavern, Bakothanassis!
⚓ Day 1. Athens (Kalamaki Marina) (check - in)
⚓ Day 2. Athens - Aegina (Agia Marina) 14NM - Poros 16 NM
⚓ Day 3. Poros - Tselevinia 7 NM - Dokos 11 NM
⚓ Day 4. Dokos - Porto Cheli 12 NM - Spetses (Zogeria) 3NM
⚓ Day 5. Spetses - Tolo 20 NM - Nafplio 5NM
⚓ Day 6. Naflplio - Astros 10NM - Leonidion 16NM
⚓ Day 7. Leonidion - Fokianos 9NM- Kyparissi 7NM
⚓ Day 8. Kyparissi - Monemvasia 20NM
⚓ Day 9. Monemvasia - Gerakas 10NM
⚓ Day 10. Gerakas - Dokos 35NM - Ermioni 4NM
⚓ Day 11. Ermioni - Soupia 9NM- Hydra 4NM
⚓ Day 12. Hydra - Russian bay 14NM- Methana 6NM
⚓ Day 13. Methana - Agkistri 7NM- Athens (Kalamaki Marina) 22NM
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