Athens charter

[Neil]

Thinking of doing a summer charter with Herself (not boaty) and the two kiddlywinks (7&4). Decided on a Flotilla (I have ICC) for the social aspect, as much as backup, especially for our first time. Break Her in gently, was my thought. Direct flights to Athens from Ireland makes sense, rather than a UK charter flight to Preveza. What is the verdict on the usual Athens based itineraries? A couple of days in Athens would be a nice bonus.

 

[Csail]

Only a thought but we got a cracking deal on a 34ft boat because the owner wanted it delivered to Corfu.Think it was £700 for all four of us + flights. (3 adults + 3 yr old) Quite a long treck in a week but a great sail.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Hi Neil,

Sailing around Athens is not the best - so I would recommend you get out to the islands. There are reasonable internal flights from The Capital to the islands, or you could get a coach (about 6 hours from Athens to Lefkas for example).

I personally don't highly recommend Athens as a destination, and would suggest that the coast would be a better place to start your holiday (especially with young children). Perhaps a few days exploring one of the many islands by land before embarking on the Flotilla...

Pete

 

[gardenshed]

The summer charter run from Athens usually means very busy anchorages and highspeed ferries & hydrofoils. It all depends on what you are comparing it with, as paces like Epidavros, Hydra, Poros etc are nice .... but crowded. The sail along the coast to the temple of Posidon is OK but there are far nicer areas to explore.
I really like Athens as a city to visit but for a week of introductory sailing, either start off from Lavrio (convenient for the airport) and head East, or go to the Ionian.
Don't underestimate how uncomfortable you can be in the heat if you don't have a bimini or (when moored) a boom cover/cockpit cover.

 

[jimbaerselman]

With a wife who is not boaty, and younger children, it makes a lot of sense to take first sail in either the Inland Ionian (inside Levkas) or in the Saronic (The Athens area). Outside these areas the frequency of brisk winds and bouncy conditions increases the possiblity of green faces and complaints about tilting boats.

From Ireland, the Athens option is infinitely more flexible. Buying the flights well ahead gives good value, and you can arrange to arrive a couple of days early.

Athens itself is a bore for children, and if you are tied to summer school holidays, the chance of an uncomfortably hot stay are about 50%. Much better to pause on a cooler coastline. But sandy beaches are rare around the Athens coastline, so make sure there's a pool!

Flotilla itineraries around Athens visit some good spots (Poros, and anchorages around; Aegina; Porto Heli and anchorages around there; Epidavros; Korfos) and living on the water, bouncing around in rubber dinghies when not under way, the children will be in a seventh heaven. Eating ashore is the norm, so mum won't be overworked. I don't know which flotillas are doing the Saronic next year, but Sailing Holidays Ltd, Neilson and Sunsail will be there, and they are all very well organised for families.

One option you may wish to look at more closely is the Porto Heli option with Neilson - a week ashore, followed by a week afloat. During the week ashore, kids do their own (sailing or watersports) thing, and adults do theirs (windsurfing, dinghy sailing, even yacht skipper courses). With flights to/from Athens, this may well be your thing, though the transfer is rather long (I think about three hours).

If this latter looks like a possibility, pm me, and I can give a lot more detail.

 

[vyv_cox]

I would support Jim's suggestion of Porto Heli. We have spent several days anchored in this safe, sheltered bay watching dinghies based at the Neilson centre. Looks like a perfect introduction for a non-sailing family. Transfer from Piraeus by Seacat or flying dolphin and you can visit various other places by them, such as Spetsas, Ermioni, Hydra within an hour or so.

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

We did a flotilla with Neilson from Porto Heli some years ago. It's the only place we've not returned to but I think that's more to do with the particular skipper than the area. All he wanted to do was please himself and await arrival of his girlfriend, to the extent he refused to leave Ermione for 3 days after she arrived, citing winds too strong. After 1st day of F7 they wwere not more than F5 and perfectly managable.

Having said all that, the area has easy sailing and some nice small anchorages/harbours. The distances are short so no need for long days. The transfer from Athens was 3 hours including a stop at the Corinth Canal, everybody took the option of returning on the fast cat at a small extra charge which gave time for an excursion in Athens. [Guess where we went? Clue, old building on top of hill].

Depending when you're going, however, I'd recommend the Ionian as previous posters have suggested, but NOT during school holidays, it's far too full of Italians and Germans and generally not enough wind to sail.

 

[Neil]

Lots of food for thought here. We are a little limited by school holidays, though the elder one is still at an age where it's not a big deal. However the social dimension would suggest that similar families might also be restricted to the school hols.

The reason I asked was that I had the feeling than the Athens itineraries might be less attractive, just that the opportunity for direct flights from Ireland is a distinct advantage.

I'm not excluding other sailing areas, such as Croatia, so any alternative suggestions would be welcome.

 

[Mavro]

I was in Hydra for two weeks recently (getting married!) and chartered a boat from Poros from a company called Greek Sails (http://www.greeksails.com/)

I don't have any affiliation but I was impressed with knowledgeable owner who gave me some good advice about rafting stern to in Hydra harbour. One of most nerve wracking manoeuvres I've done so far.

Sitting in Cafe Isalos afterwards and and watching other boats deal with the crowded harbour is one of the best sports on the island.

Anyway the boats were really well looked after and well prepared. So far one of the best charter companies I've come across.

As mentioned you can get to Poros from Pireas quite easily on the Flying Cat or Flying Dolphin passenger ferries. They are really frequent and I think its about an hour to Poros. I think the company is Hellenic Seaways.

We mostly stayed around Hydra so I'm not too sure what sailing is like in the rest of the area.

I've been to the Ionian and loved it but never again in high season. Too busy!

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

Thinking of doing a summer charter with Herself (not boaty) and the two kiddlywinks (7&4). ..........................especially for our first time. Break Her in gently, was my thought.............

IMHO, get a big comfortable boat. As big as you feel you are comfortable with and to be honest they only seem big on Day 1 at the Marina - thereafter its all relative.

My OH is "Not Boaty" and tolerates my rekindled love, but I 'know' that if it was uncomfortable living she would be less amused.

Through misfortune and a last minute change of plans this year we ended up with a 473 for Me (Coastal Skip /ICC but not 'expert'), OH (been sailing for one week before), and Brother in Law (Zero)

I was 'apprehensive' especially when we turned up at the Marina and she was poking her bows out more than 6ft past the others tied up, but in reality, no different after a days sailing.
The Accommodation / Heads / Deck space was 'excessive' but makes for 'Non Boaties' to be far more tolerate of our Whims.

just my two penneth.

 

[Alltnaha]

I would second Greek Sails - again no affiiliation. The yacht we had and all the ones I saw were in excellent condition. We booked as a package incl flights ex Gatwick to Athens with Sunscape yachting who I also would recommend.

Both companies were effcient , pleasant to deal with and nice people.

We ( 2 adults and 2 kids aged 8 and 15 ) went last June to the Saronic , starting from Greek Sails' base at Poros. It was a pleasant and quite quick transfer from Athens via mini coach to Piraeus and then Flying Dolphin to Poros.

GS also do flotillas - so you sort your own travel. We went in the June half term week , and the harbours were quite quiet . Mornings were very little wind , but usually a F4 - 5 got up in the afternoon. Great sailing , and way better than the Ionian where we went the year before. Good food, cheaper than the Ionian too , and less crowded.

What I really would recommend is avoiding the summer. June is hot but evenings aboard are fine.

PM me if you have any questions and I hope you have a good trip - our flotilla sailing hols are amongst the best we have had as a family . Nothing beats the kids' excitement as dolphins play around your bow , nor the swimming etc etc .

John

 

[vyv_cox]

Lavrion is very handy for Athens and is a big charter base. Several companies run flotillas from there, sailing up the relatively sheltered water between Evia and the mainland, then onwards to the Sporades. A really beautiful cruising area but probably not best in August, when the majority of Greeks are on holiday.

 

[Greg2]

We chartered from Athens last year in August. Athens not what you might think it is so we didn't hang around. Some crowded harbours but others not too bad - Aegina, Hydra and Poros busy but bays/lagoons had plenty of room for anchoring. The meltemi means that winds can be strong - sometimes too strong. Overall had a great time and preferred the sailing with a bit of wind as opposed to the Ionian which seems to have less and sometimes none.

 

[tennisgirl1]

A few years ago we did one of the most enjoyable flotillas we have ever done with a yacht from Greek Sails (although at the time it was leased to Setsail).

We started from Poros went north to Aegina town, Methana and Epidavros, then back to Poros and south to Hydra, Spetses, Porto Heli, Ermione and some of mainland Peloponnese.

Last year we have revisited the area in our own boat and think it is a good sailing area. There are quite a few smaller harbours and bays as well as the ones mentioned above and the winds are not too strong.

I agree with JimB that Athens is not really for children - it's exhausting, and Vyv is quite right in suggesting the hydrofoil as a quick way of getting to the islands at the start of a holiday. Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Porto Heli and Ermione are all on the hydrofoil route from Piraeus.

http://yachtvigdis.wordpress.com

 

[Neil]

I'm getting the message that Athens isn't a good bet, especially in August. However, if the Ionian is jam-packed during high season then that's a bit of a downer too. May look to doing the beginning of Sept instead, or look further afield? Herself didn't fancy the Nautilus Stay and Sail deal - far too boaty! Looking for an independent stay for a week. So many options, but it's important to get this first one right (or there might not be a second! Argh!)

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

I'm getting the message that Athens isn't a good bet, especially in August. However, if the Ionian is jam-packed during high season then that's a bit of a downer too. May look to doing the beginning of Sept instead, or look further afield? Herself didn't fancy the Nautilus Stay and Sail deal - far too boaty! Looking for an independent stay for a week. So many options, but it's important to get this first one right (or there might not be a second! Argh!)

Yep - I hear you on that - get it right first time .... or else. I just about winged it after our first - surprisingly Antigua was disappointing for us to be cruising / social on shore.

Has OH been in a Boat? in the typical Cabins? Heads.

One shot. Best make her comfy both at sea, in harbour and down below.

See my post earlier.

 

[Neil]

Yep - I hear you on that - get it right first time .... or else. I just about winged it after our first - surprisingly Antigua was disappointing for us to be cruising / social on shore.

Has OH been in a Boat? in the typical Cabins? Heads.

One shot. Best make her comfy both at sea, in harbour and down below.

See my post earlier.

No, and she is the kind of lady that judges a place on the size, quality and cleanliness of a hotel's bathroom. I've already warned her, that a large suitcase (or two) full of clothes to cover every possible social occasion, probably isn't going to be possible..........I'm up against it, and that's a fact......

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

No, and she is the kind of lady that judges a place on the size, quality and cleanliness of a hotel's bathroom. I've already warned her, that a large suitcase (or two) full of clothes to cover every possible social occasion, probably isn't going to be possible..........I'm up against it, and that's a fact......

Well, my OH Loves swimming Pools, HATES sea water

When we were caught short handed on our last charter, I got the company we booked through (as a Bareboat) to bump us on to their Flotilla for the first 4 days (as you say, safety in Numbers, and some extra hands to 'Catch and Release' at the start and end of the day.)
Without wanting to sound like a roaring Snob, I thought a Flot would be ghastly but no- we had a load of fun.
The only point to make is I have noticed "generally" Flot boats Max out at about 40ft with most companies. Oh and Flot Boats I believe are a little more spartan and tired often.
On one night at an anchorage it was decreed that all the other Flot'ers would come aboard our 473 for a Party.
Mass reaction from the ladies of each Flot crew of:

"Ohhh theny have CUSHIONS!"
"Martin, Martin, They have two Showers. AND you can stand up in them!"
"Dave you can sit up in the Bed !!"

My OH then realised that I had picked her something that was suitable !

(of course the 'Martins' and the 'Daves' all promptly sidled up to me to start tapping me up with "so just how much did this cost...." Turns out, about the same as they had on their 393 etc! )

Whenever I have gone with OH or 'Ladies' the Boat and it Facilities have been as important to get right as the Location- as you say, you have to get it right or else the thought of it being off the Radar in the future is not worth entertaining !.
For you and I, it is probably as much about the sailing / the basic living / the adventuure / the Pottering / the...... well the whole week.

My OH doesn't quite relate to that !

 

[iainhu]

I was in Hydra for two weeks recently (getting married!) and chartered a boat from Poros from a company called Greek Sails (http://www.greeksails.com/)
...
We mostly stayed around Hydra so I'm not too sure what sailing is like in the rest of the area.

I've been to the Ionian and loved it but never again in high season. Too busy!

Hi Marvo, we have also sailed with Greek Sails yacht charters and found them a small friendly company for which nothing seems too much trouble.

You mention about staying around Hydra and not being sure about the surrounding area. Well IMHO you've missed all the best bits! We have always deliberately missed Hydra; yes it's very pretty, but it's also absurdly busy, so if you're in the area, go to Ermioni instead.

But once you push on passed Spetses into the Argolic Gulf you find the area empty. Greek Sails do run a small flotilla in the area once ever other week and there's a Neilson flotilla out of Port Heli, but that's about it. Go into some of the smaller places and you can be the only yacht - yes really!

Go south and it gets better. The flotillas don't go here at all and nor do most bareboats either. There are some beautiful spots and if you make it to Monemvassia the place will take your breath away.

Even in the north of the gulf the Palamidi citadel and Navplion itself are stunning, and if you're willing to get in a taxi or take a bus you can visit Mycenae & Tiryns as well...great names of the ancient world.

We love the area; it's sheltered from the worst of the meltemi and it's quiet...that's why we keep going back to Greek Sails!

They provide quite detailed information on sailing in the Argolic Gulf and further south along the eastern Peloponnese coast for anyone considering or planning a visit to the area.