FLOTILLA in GREECE
Flotilla sailing holidays are an ideal mix between sailing your own charter yacht and having the support and advice of the flotilla lead crew to make the most of your sailing holiday.
Our Greek flotillas offer something for everyone, from the calm waters and line of sight sailing in the Ionian to the challenging sails of the Dodecanese.
CORFU FLOTILLA
The perfect mix of quaint, unassuming villages, atmospheric towns, reliable winds and breathtaking scenery makes the Corfu flotilla a 'must' for all sailors.
Explore the beautiful Northern Ionian on our Corfu flotilla. Starting and finishing in Gouvia marina, the classic "South Route" takes a gentle and meandering route between mainland Greece and the famous Paxos island, visiting unspoilt villages, lively towns and world-famous bays. The more adventurous "North Route" offers more challenging sailing conditions exploring the lesser known northern bays and remote Erikousa island.
With a good mix of shorter and longer passages, light to moderate winds, and the lead crew on hand for constant support, the Corfu flotilla is suitable for a wide range of sailors.
We embrace a relaxed flotilla atmosphere where you are free to plot your own course and arrival at each day's destination if you would like to. More experienced skippers enjoy this freedom whilst taking advantage of the social aspect of the flotilla. Less experienced skippers will appreciate the invaluable assistance of the lead crew, giving you the peace of mind to enjoy your holiday.
IONIAN FLOTILLA
Lighter winds and shorter passages make the Ionian ideal for a relaxed flotilla sailing holiday in Greece, popular with families and less experienced crews.
Explore these beautiful Greek islands and experience gentle afternoon breezes, warm seas and friendly harbour-front tavernas. This flotilla is ideal for couples and families with children seeking a relaxed sailing holiday.
The sheltered waters of the Ionian offer an unlimited number of tranquil bays and enchanting fishing harbours. Navigation is straightforward with no tides, currents or other hazards. There are good sailing breezes late morning through the afternoon, but winds rarely exceed Force 5. Anchor in picturesque bays or moor up in bustling fishing harbours.
We don't believe in 'regimented' flotilla sailing. You're free to plot your own course during the day. The flotilla skipper is on hand to give you advice and support - from sorting out a snarled anchor to reserving you a table for dinner on the quayside.
Less experienced skippers will appreciate his help with mooring "stern-to" or "bows-to" on the quayside at the end of an enjoyable afternoon's sail. And if you are an experienced sailor you can choose to leave the flotilla for a few days, joining up for the barbecue evening or other social event.
Weather & Wind
These cruising areas have ideal sailing conditions with steady day breezes. The islands are each very different and allow a good day’s sail between them. On the flotilla routes there are many beautiful anchorages for lunchtime swimming and attractive harbors for overnight mooring.
From May to September the temperatures reach over 27oC on most days. Summers have cloudless blue skies with very little chance of rain. The wind is generally Force 2-5. These areas are protected from the meltemi wind which can blow strongly in the Aegean in July and August, and winds rarely exceed Force 6.
What is Flotilla ?
We have the largest fleet of charter yachts in the Mediterranean and has its headquarters in Athens. Choose from a huge range of yachts in the Our fleet ranging from 36’ to 50’, giving you an unrivaled range of 2, 3, 4 and 5 cabin yachts, all highly specified and equipped for your cruising comfort – check out what’s included in our flotilla-brochure. With so many yachts to choose from there’s sure to be one to suit you. Groups of families and friends can choose matching or different sized yachts.
Flotillas are the sociable way to sail. You have the freedom of skippering your own yacht during the day but with the support of a British lead crew with an experienced skipper and hostess, providing weather forecasts guiding you on the best itinerary, helping you to moor up in the evenings and sorting out any queries you may have.
We aim to ensure a friendly flotilla with a maximum of 10 yachts sailing with each lead crew. This allows you to visit the small harbors and anchorages which make sailing in Greece so special.
People choose flotillas for a variety of reasons. It’s popular with those who appreciate the support of the lead crew but also with those who have sailed many times before who enjoy the sociable side of a flotilla and the local knowledge and reassurance that the lead crew provide – useful if you’re new to the cruising area. During the school holidays flotillas are particularly popular with families who enjoy an active holiday together.
Our Saronic flotilla starts from the heart of Athens and cruises the beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf, an ideal area for flotilla sailing offering reliable winds of moderate strength, short distances and scenic harbors. You’ll visit the picturesque islands of Aegina, Hydra, Spetses and Poros as well as mainland towns such as Epidavros with its famous ancient theater. Our flotilla is based in Kalamaki Marina in Athens. You’ll be met at the airport and taken to your yacht – a 40-minute taxi ride straight to the marina. This is a convenient place to start your holiday, without the need to take a hydrofoil or lengthy land transfer.
Kalamaki is a short taxi ride from the centre of Athens. On your first evening, enjoy dinner in the famous Plaka area of Athens, with a view of the Acropolis, or chill out in one of the restaurants in or near the marina. With daily flights you could plan a few days in Athens before or after your flotilla for a city break to soak up the culture and history of this amazing city, recently given a face lift for the 2004 Olympic Games.
What experience do I need?
To sail a yacht on flotilla you should have skippered a cruising yacht previously, either on flotilla or in the UK.
On the Saronic Flotilla from Athens we can offer sail training for less experienced skippers. If you have crewed on previous sailing holidays or have motor yacht experience, you can improve your yacht handling skills with an instructor for a 3-day flotilla course. If you don’t have any previous sailing experience, take the instructor for the 6-day course.