Reconmendations for Saronic islands, Greece

[WingingIt]

Hi all! We are chartering a Lagoon 440 from Athens in 4wks as a test before purchasing one. Those that have been to the Saronic area, can you give me a good route to sail? Best places to visit?

Thanks,

Andrea

[Capt Phil]

Depending on the time you have, you should try to hit both the Cyclades and Sporades island chains as well as Rhodes. The Melteme winds should be sproadic but still blowing enough to give you a good feel broad reaching across in moderate sea conditions. It's been a number of years since we cruised the islands but you're going at a good time of year... enjoy! Phil

[WingingIt]

Hi,


We only have a week. How far can we get sailing a 3-4hrs approx a day?

[Capt Phil]

If you only have a total of 30 hours, you might not get outside of a couple of different islands. Have you thought of hiring a skipper to show you around? Even though I had years of commercial experience and was licensed in Canada and the US, we hired a paid Captain who knew the area inside out and we saw spots we never would have found on our own, he spoke the language and was great company. We spent nearly 6 weeks aboard an Alba 55 mono and fell in love with the islands, the food and Greek people. One highlight I recall was sitting in the cockpit having coffee one morning alone and a beautiful young greek girl came by on a windsurfer with a totally transparent sail absolutely 'starkers'... thought I was having a dream but when the skipper came up from below, he said that she does that every morning which was the reason he anchored there! Ahh, Greece! Phil

[stacy]

We second the skipper idea. Hiring a skipper was the best decision we made when we chartered in Greece for all of the reasons mentioned above. In addition he was invaluable for dealing with the med mooring situations in all of the towns we visited.