Photo: Mauricio Muñoz ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Islands an hour from Athens.
The Saronic Gulf starts right outside Athens’ Alimos marina, and three hours of sailing put you at anchor off Aegina. Our loop runs Aegina — Poros — Hydra — Spetses — Ermioni: car-free islands, captains’ neoclassical mansions and coves where the pines reach the water. Winds are lighter than in the Cyclades, which makes the passages relaxed and good for learning.
- Hydra: a harbour with not a single car
- The Temple of Aphaia on Aegina above the sea
- The narrow channel between Poros and the Peloponnese
- Swimming off the island of Dokos
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Handover
Alimos marina and boat handover
We meet at Alimos marina at 17:00, take over the yacht and shop at the supermarket next door. Briefing and dinner in Glyfada in the evening.
Overnight: Yacht, Alimos marina - DAY 2 · 17 nautical miles
Alimos to Aegina
We leave in the morning on a south-westerly course and after 17 miles enter Aegina harbour. Afternoon visit to the 5th-century BC Temple of Aphaia; pistachio ice cream on the waterfront afterwards.
Overnight: Yacht, Aegina harbour - DAY 3 · 20 nautical miles
Aegina to Poros
We sail past Methana, a volcanic peninsula with sulphur springs, and enter the Poros channel, only 200 metres wide. We moor on the quay opposite Galatas.
Overnight: Yacht, Poros - DAY 4 · 13 nautical miles
Poros to Hydra
Thirteen miles to Hydra, whose tiny harbour means arriving early or anchoring in Mandraki bay. No cars on the island — donkeys carry the loads and the whole town gathers on the waterfront in the evening.
Overnight: Yacht, Hydra or Mandraki bay - DAY 5 · 18 nautical miles
Hydra to Spetses
An 18-mile leg west past Dokos. Spetses greets us with captains’ mansions and horse-drawn carriages; we swim at Agia Paraskevi on the south shore and stay in the old harbour.
Overnight: Yacht, Spetses old harbour - DAY 6 · 10 nautical miles
Spetses to Ermioni
A short hop to the mainland: Ermioni is a fishing town on a narrow spit with a harbour on each side. A day to practise anchoring with a stern line ashore.
Overnight: Yacht, Ermioni - DAY 7 · 40 nautical miles
Ermioni to Alimos via Aegina
A long day: 40 miles north-east with lunch at anchor off Perdika on Aegina. We reach Alimos by evening, refuel and have dinner in town.
Overnight: Yacht, Alimos marina - DAY 8 · Check-out
Boat return in Athens
Boat back by 09:00. Those with a late flight have time for the Acropolis.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Berth in a double cabin on a 40–50 ft sailing yacht
Professional skipper for the whole week
Yacht insurance and the boat’s security deposit
Bed linen, towels, dinghy with outboard
Final cleaning of the yacht
Ivan’s support: preparation, watches, daily debriefs
Transfer between Athens airport and Alimos marina
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Kitty: provisioning, marina fees, fuel, water — usually €250–350 per person
Dinners in tavernas ashore
Greek cruising tax (TEPAI)
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
No experience needed. Ivan gives participants a bit of homework — basic terminology and on-board safety — so everyone can get involved from the first day on the water.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- A soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Shoes with clean, non-slip soles
- Sun and wind protection, and a light rain layer
- Personal essentials suited to your experience at sea
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.