Sailing itineraries Saronic & Argolic Gulfs

The routes below [1-week: A B C D E F, 2-weeks: G H I J, 3-weeks: K L] are the result of our own travels and the vast amount of suggestions from my visitors. These itineraries are biased towards tranquil and unspoiled ports rather than touristy hubs like Porto Heli.

Saronic specifically

Below a (personal) selection of must-see ports and anchorages (  ) of the Saronic Gulf, excluding the Argolic Gulf and Hydra Gulf.
These itineraries start out of Athens (Alimos / Kalamaki) but can also be used for yacht charters out of Lavrion (Lavrio port).

There are several good 1-week cruises or itineraries in the Saronicand even a visit to the Argolic Gulf is possible in one week.

A 2-week itinerary opens up much more possibilities enabling you to see three [3] times as much:

Athens bareboat sailing (pix)

• 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

Needless to say we ourselves always end up cruising the Argo-saronic gulf for two or three weeks each time.

The following tables give the characteristics of the Saronic + Hydra Gulfs and the Argolic Gulf, and you might also want to compare the other Greek regions with the Argo-Saronic gulf. More stars mean that a statement is more true.

Hydra and Argolic

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 mini port of Lavrion.

  

  Lion's Gate, Athens bareboat (pix)

  The distances from the international airport are the same yet Lavrion is situated near the south tip of Attica enabling you to visit Sounion, Kea and Kythnos. Moreover, Lavrion is slightly closer to Hydra and – not insignificant – you won't be confronted with the rather ugly outskirts of Athens.
  Furthermore, Poros is just a tiny base, and few reliable yacht charter fleets seem to have an office there. Most of the reputable yacht charter firms offer their services out of Athens – Alimos marina.
  Recent numbers say 95% of the yachts are offered out of Athens (Alimos, Kalamaki) and only a few yachts are available for rent out of Lavrion or Poros.
• When visiting Aegina you might want to avoid the marina altogether and focus on Perdika on the south or Ayia Marina – The best port (2023 extended) to visit the temple of Aphaia – 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 sites like Mycenae, Epidauros, Argos and Corinth are well worth visiting.
• Salamis island to the North of Aegina is the biggest island in the Saronic, yet like the North coast of the Saronic Gulf 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. The actual port of Methana has a little free spa near the entrance.
• Extend your sailing holidays in Greece to visit the Acropolis and the nearby Tower of the winds, both in Athens.

• 

  Cape Maleas, Athens sailing (pix)

  To steer clear of the Saronic charter milk run it helps to charter for more than just 1 week. Also beneficial is knowing that the flotilla charter fleets usually sail a mixture of routes A and B.
• Two of my favourites anchorage are Ayios Nikolaos bay on Hydra and of course the anchorage behind Nisos Soupia: see this logbook.
• The port of Nea Epidavros, which is located just a couple of NM North of Palaia Epidavros is a delightful place with citrus orchards, a tiny river, cliffs and several good tavernas.

Read more articles in my yachting guide.