Sailing itineraries Saronic and Argolic Gulfs

• The beautiful ports of the Argolic are well in reach;
• The possibility of onshore excursions;
• Less time spent near the concrete outskirts of Athens;
• A better chance to avoid the Saronic charter milk run.

The Argolic and Saronic Gulfs

Characteristics	Saronic and Hydra Gulfs	Argolic Gulf
Easy access by plane or ferry
Unspoiled by tourism
Beautiful ports
Amenities and tavernas
Ancient Greek sites
Mediaeval sites
Secluded anchorages
Spectacular scenery
Easy sailing conditions
Fertile and lush vegetation
Wildlife

The sailing itineraries

1 week   Athens-Athens						1 week   Athens-Athens
	Day	Port		NM			Day	Port		NM
	1	Alimos/Kalamaki					1	Alimos/Kalamaki
	2	Methana		25			2	Epidauros		31
	3	Hydra		16			3	Methana		18
	4	Spetses		16			4	Poros		7
	5	Poros		32			5	Sounion		30
	6	Aegina		17			6	Aegina		24
	7	Alimos/Kalamaki		13			7	Alimos/Kalamaki		13
				123						123

1 week   Athens-Athens						1 week   Lavrion-Lavrion
	Day	Port		NM			Day	Port		NM
	1	Alimos/Kalamaki					1	Lavrion port
	2	Poros		30			2	Kea		14
	3	Spetses		32			3	Hydra		45
	4	Leonidio		17			4	Spetses		17
	5	Kiparisi		13			5	Poros		32
	6	Hydra		32			6	Methana		7
	7	Alimos/Kalamaki		36			7	Lavrion port		37
				160						138

1 week   Athens-Athens						1 week   Lavrion-Lavrion
	Day	Port		NM			Day	Port		NM
	1	Alimos/Kalamaki					1	Lavrion port
	2	Hydra		36			2	Hydra		32
	3	Navplio		42			3	Kiparisi		35
	4	Drepano		11			4	Leonidio		13
	5	Spetses		21			5	Spetses		17
	6	Poros		32			6	Poros		32
	7	Alimos/Kalamaki		30			7	Lavrion port		34
				172						163

2 weeks   Athens-Athens						2 weeks   Athens-Athens
	Day	Port		NM			Day	Port		NM
	1	Alimos/Kalamaki					1	Alimos/Kalamaki
	2	Methana		25			2	Aegina		13
	3	Poros		7			3	Hydra		25
	4	Hydra		13			4	''		--
	5	Kiparissi		35			5	Spetses		16
	6	Leonidio		13			6	Kiparisi		20
	7	Astros		18			7	Gerakas		16
	8	Navplio		10			8	Monemvassia		7
	9	''		--			9	''		--
	10	Drepano		11			10	Ermioni		43
	11	Spetses		21			11	Poros		22
	12	Poros		32			12	Methana		7
	13	Aegina		17			13	Epidavros		18
	14	Alimos/Kalamaki		13			14	Alimos/Kalamaki		31
				215						218

2 weeks   Athens-Athens						2 weeks   Lavrion-Lavrion
	Day	Port		NM			Day	Port		NM
	1	Alimos/Kalamaki					1	Lavrion port
	2	Aegina		13			2	Kea		14
	3	Hydra		25			3	Kythnos		20
	4	Monemvassia		45			4	Hydra		45
	5	''		--			5	''		--
	6	Kiparisi		21			6	Kiparisi		35
	7	Leonidio		14			7	Leonidio		14
	8	Astros		18			8	Spetses		17
	9	Navplio		10			9	''		--
	10	''		--			10	Poros		32
	11	Drepano		11			11	Methana		7
	12	Spetses		21			12	Aegina		13
	13	Poros		32			13	Sounion		23
	14	Alimos/Kalamaki		30			14	Lavrion port		5
				240						225

3 weeks   Athens-Athens						3 weeks   Lavrion-Lavrion
	Day	Port		NM			Day	Port		NM
	1	Alimos/Kalamaki					1	Lavrion port
	2	Methana		25			2	Kea		14
	3	Poros		7			3	Kythnos		24
	4	Spetses		30			4	Kythnos		13
	5	Monemvasia		36			5	Hydra		45
	6	''		--			6	''		--
	7	Elafonisos		37			7	Leonidio		33
	8	Plitra		16			8	Gerakas		30
	9	Kithera		33			9	Monemvasia		7
	10	''		--			10	''		--
	11	Gerakas		37			11	Kiparissi		21
	12	Kiparisi		16			12	Astros		32
	13	Leonidio		14			13	Navplio		10
	14	Astros		18			14	''		--
	15	Navplio		10			15	Tolo		5
	16	''		--			16	Drepano		6
	17	Tolo		5			17	Spetses		21
	18	Drepano		6			18	Poros		32
	19	Hydra		35			19	Methana		7
	20	Aegina		25			20	Sounion		31
	21	Alimos/Kalamaki		13			21	Lavrion port		5
				363						336

Unsorted tips

• There are no obvious one-way routes possible since Lavrion and Athens are the only two charter bases in the region. And instead of choosing the Athens base, you should consider the port of Lavrion. The distances from the international airport are the same yet Lavrion is situated at the south tip of Attica enabling you to visit Sounion, Kea and Kythnos. Moreover, Lavrion is closer to Hydra and last but not least you won't be confronted with the rather ugly outskirts of Athens. Furthermore, Poros is just a tiny base, and few reliable yacht charter agencies have an office there, since most of the reputable yacht charter firms offer their services out of nearby Athens - Alimos/Kalamaki.
• When visiting Aegina you might want to avoid the marina altogether and focus on Perdika on the south or Ay Marina on the east of the island.
• In the 2 or 3-weeks itineraries it is possible to have one or more rest days/stopovers/onshore excursions. Var­ious inland cities like Mycenae, Argos and Corinth are well worth visiting.
• Salamis island and the north coast of the Saronic Gulf are not very interesting.
• Vathi port on the east side of the Methana peninsula is a peaceful little spot worth the detour: it is surrounded by basalt slopes, which clearly reveals its volcanic origin.
• Extend your sailing holidays in Greece to visit the Acropolis and the nearby Tower of the winds, both in Athens.
• To steer clear of the Saronic charter milk run it helps to charter for more than just 1 week. Also helpful is knowing that this flotilla charter fleet usually sails (a variation on) route A, possibly leaving out Spetses and including Palaia Epidauros. Another trick is not to charter from Saturday to Saturday but for instance from Friday to Friday - you will then be one day ahead of the crowd.
• Two of my favourites are Ayios Nikolaos bay on Hydra and of course the anchorage behind Nisos Soupia: see this logbook.
• Another one is Nea Epidavros, which is located just 3 nm north of Palaia Epidavros and is a delightful place with citrus orchards, a tiny river, cliffs and several good tavernas.

Imray Tetra chart G14 Saronic and Argolic gulfs Great to plan your holiday with: covers the whole Saronic (Aegina, Methana, Poros, sounion) and the best part of the Argolic (Spetses, Navplion, Astros and Leonidio). Plans Marina Alimos, O. Falirou, Limin Porou (N. Poros), Steno Spetson (N. Spetsai), Limin Aiginis (N. Aigina). Scale 1:189,000
Greek Waters Pilot - Amazon.co.uk Greek Waters Pilot - Amazon.com The brand new 10th edition - 2008 - of this classic and indispensable pilot, which completely covers Greece, the Aegean Sea and the Cyclades in great detail. Hundreds of maps and sketches covering ports and anchorages. Weather patterns, currents, animal life etc. As well as in-depth cultural and historic background information.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you want to know more about sailing Greece and reliable yacht charters in this area...

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16 June 2010
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