Two weeks to extend the Saronic Gulf into the heart of the Peloponnese: Aegina, Epidaurus, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, then the Argolic Gulf and Nafplio, and the Laconian coast down to the rock of Monemvasia. It is the most sheltered alternative to the Meltemi from Athens, ideal when the Cyclades are blowing too hard. Around 255 miles, with a single long return leg. Details below.
In brief
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Departure base | Alimos (Athens) |
| Access | Flight to Athens (ATH), marina 40 min away |
| Total distance | ~255 NM |
| Sailing time | ~51 h over 14 days |
| Duration | 14 days / 13 nights |
| Level | Intermediate (sheltered legs, one long return leg on D12) |
| Recommended boat | 38-45 ft monohull or 40-45 ft catamaran |
| Best period | May to October, high summer included |
| Winds | Weakened NE Meltemi, 10-20 kt, afternoon sea breeze |
| Indicative budget | ~€1,300 to €2,300 per person for two weeks (see Greece sailing budget) |
Explore the stops
Approximate destination locations for trip planning. Use current nautical charts and local information for navigation.
Alimos · Aegina, Perdika · Palaia Epidavros · Poros · Hydra · Spetses · Nafplio · Leonidio, Plaka · Kyparissi · Gerakas · Monemvasia
Weather month by month
| Month | Meltemi | Air | Sea | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Light | 25-27° | 19-20° | Mild, few boats |
| June | Light to moderate | 29-31° | 22-23° | Ideal |
| July | Moderate (10-20 kt) | 32-34° | 24-25° | Good summer option |
| August | Moderate, local gusts | 32-34° | 25-26° | Harbours packed at weekends |
| September | Light to moderate | 28-30° | 24-25° | Ideal |
| October | Variable | 23-25° | 22-23° | Gentle end of season |
The route over two weeks
| Day | Leg | NM | Mooring | Shelter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Alimos to Aegina | 18 | Perdika | Fair |
| D2 | Aegina to Ancient Epidaurus | 14 | Palaia Epidavros | Very good |
| D3 | Epidaurus to Poros via Methana | 20 | Poros town quay | Very good |
| D4 | Poros to Hydra | 15 | Hydra harbour / Mandraki | Fair |
| D5 | Hydra to Spetses | 16 | Baltiza / old harbour | Good |
| D6 | Spetses to Nafplio | 25 | Nafplio quay | Good |
| D7 | Nafplio, day ashore | 0 | same | n/a |
| D8 | Nafplio to Leonidio | 26 | Plaka harbour | Fair |
| D9 | Leonidio to Kyparissi | 12 | Kyparissi bay | Fair |
| D10 | Kyparissi to Gerakas | 12 | Gerakas inlet | Very good |
| D11 | Gerakas to Monemvasia | 7 | Gefyra harbour | Good |
| D12 | Monemvasia to Spetses | 35 | Baltiza / Zogeria | Good |
| D13 | Spetses to Poros | 25 | Poros quay / Russian Bay | Very good |
| D14 | Poros to Alimos | 29 | Alimos marina | n/a |
| Total | ~255 |
Highlights
Photo: Aegina · Dimitra Peppa / Unsplash
Aegina, the Temple of Aphaia and the pistachio groves, then a night in the small harbour of Perdika facing Moni islet.
Epidaurus, the sheltered anchorage of Palaia Epidavros and its small ancient theatre, a few kilometres from the great UNESCO-listed theatre.
Photo: Hydra · Mauricio Munoz / Unsplash
Poros and Hydra, the narrow Poros channel, then car-free Hydra and its captains' mansions.
Photo: Zogeria, Spetses · Theo Maroulis / Unsplash
Spetses, the old harbour of Baltiza and its wooden caique yards.
Nafplio, first capital of modern Greece, the Palamidi fortress and, ashore, Mycenae half an hour away.
Leonidio and Kyparissi, red limestone cliffs and remote villages, the wildest coast of the route.
Gerakas, a narrow fjord-like inlet with a fishing hamlet at its head.
Photo: Monemvasia · Jonathan Pitcher / Unsplash
Monemvasia, the medieval town hidden on its rock, linked to Gefyra by a causeway.
Technical points and watch-outs
- Hydra: a tiny, packed harbour where crossed anchors are common. Arrive before noon, or spend the night at Mandraki or Molos and reach town by water taxi.
- D12, Monemvasia to Spetses: the long return leg, 35 miles, often upwind when the wind is set in the north-east. Leave early; fall back on Kyparissi or Leonidio if needed.
- Laconian coast (D8 to D11): few harbours, shelters open to the east. In easterly or south-easterly winds Kyparissi and Plaka become uncomfortable; Gerakas remains the best shelter in the area.
- Supplies: water and diesel are scarce between Nafplio and Monemvasia. Fill up in Nafplio, availability to be checked by season.
- Poros channel: ferry and water-taxi traffic, give way to commercial vessels.
- D14: 29 miles back to Alimos; leave early to return the boat within the base's check-in window.
Book and prepare
- Compare the yachts and catamarans available from Athens (Alimos).
- Charter insurance recommended.
- Flights: to Athens (ATH), many direct flights all year round.
- Activities: Temple of Aphaia, Epidaurus theatre, Mycenae, Leonidio gorges, Monemvasia old town.
See also: the guide Sailing the Saronic Gulf from Athens, the 7-day Saronic and Argolic itinerary and How much does a sailing week in Greece cost.
Nautical data: distances estimated on direct routes between harbours, local port authorities. Weather: HNMS. Laconian coast moorings to be checked against the forecast and an up-to-date pilot guide.
Page type: Itinerary (schema.org TouristTrip).
A word from the crew
Logbook. The classic Saronic week stops at Spetses. The second week changes scale: the Peloponnese coast empties, the cliffs rise and Monemvasia appears at the end like a reward.
The mistake to avoid. Underestimating the return. The last 90 miles take three days: do not linger in Monemvasia if a north-easterly is forecast.
Our favourite, and what we skip. Favourite: Gerakas at dawn, and Kyparissi. Skip: Aegina town at weekends, overrun by Athenians; Perdika is enough.
Our verdict. Beauty 4/5. Anchorages 4/5. Ease 4/5. Crowds 3/5. Verdict: the safest two-week loop from Athens, and the richest in heritage.
