Sailing the Saronic Gulf

Season : April to NovemberLevel : BeginnerWind : Softened meltemi, thermal breezes

The Saronic is our answer to the question “where do you take beginners in Greece?”. Less than an hour from Athens, this protected gulf lines up 10-to-25-mile hops between car-free islands (Hydra), pine-fringed coves (Poros, Dokos) and villages that smell of pistachio (Aegina).

The meltemi arrives here softened: when the Cyclades take force 7, the Saronic often stays at force 4. It is also an excellent last-minute plan B when the weather kills a Cycladic plan.

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Route

The itineraries — Saronic Gulf

Weekend

Option 1 — Alimos › Aegina › Perdika, round trip

Three easy days around Aegina: the Aphaia temple, pistachio ice cream and an evening anchorage off the hamlet of Perdika. Perfect for getting to know the boat.

Day	Leg	Distance	Highlights
Day 1	Alimos › Aegina	17 nm	Easy crossing, arrive for lunch, temple visit in the late afternoon.
Day 2	Aegina › Perdika › Moni	8 nm	Swim in the Moni channel, night at anchor or on the Perdika quay.
Day 3	Perdika › Alimos	19 nm	A downwind run home on the afternoon thermal breeze.

7 days

Option 2 — The grand tour: Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses

The classic Saronic loop, around 120 miles: four islands with very different characters, no leg over 25 miles, and two nights at anchor for good measure.

Day	Leg	Distance	Highlights
Days 1–2	Alimos › Aegina › Poros	32 nm	Poros and its Venetian channel, night on the town quay.
Days 3–4	Poros › Hydra › Spetses	34 nm	Reach Hydra before 2 pm — the harbour is tiny. Spetses the next day.
Days 5–7	Spetses › Dokos › Perdika › Alimos	54 nm	A wild night in Skintos Bay on Dokos, then home in two stages.

When to go

When to go — Saronic Gulf

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Advice from sailors

Guides & articles — Saronic Gulf

GuideSaronic Gulf

Sailing the Saronic Gulf from Athens: The Complete Charter Guide

Thirty minutes from Athens, four islands and a softened Meltemi: Greece's most accessible charter destination.

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ItinerarySaronic Gulf

7-Day Saronic Gulf Itinerary: Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses

Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses: the ideal first Greek charter loop, thirty minutes from Athens.

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ItinerarySaronic Gulf

7-Day Saronic and Argolic Itinerary: Aegina, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Hydra, Spetses

Epidaurus, Nafplio, Hydra, Spetses: the cultural variant of the Saronic, between sailing and ancient Greece.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you berth in Hydra in high season?

It is sporty: the harbour fills by 2 pm and ferries create constant surge. Our solution: arrive early or anchor at Mandraki, a 15-minute walk from town, and leave the harbour to the water-taxis.

Is the Saronic interesting for an experienced sailor?

Yes, off-season: in October the southerly blows transform the gulf, and the empty anchorages of Hydra and Dokos rival any Cycladic island. In summer, a seasoned sailor will find the legs short.

Which boat for the Saronic with a family?

A 40 ft catamaran if the budget allows: stability at anchor, swim platform and space for kids. Otherwise a 3-cabin 37–40 ft monohull does the job perfectly over these distances.