Cyclades

whisper

New member
Joined
31 Aug 2002
Messages
5,163
Location
Stratford upon Avon & S.Devon
Visit site
Sorry if duplication annoys any one - this is on Scuttlebut as well, BUT
Can anyone suggest which islands in the Cyclades we should visit and which we should avoid - 7 day charter early next month.
Thanks.
John
 

Melody

Active member
Joined
18 Feb 2002
Messages
1,386
Location
Greece
www.aegeansailingschool.com
It depends where you collect your boat from, but generally here is what I think:

SUGGESTIONS OF PLACES TO VISIT
Ermoupolis on SYROS - don't be put off by 1st impressions when you come in, its a lovely town.
NAXOS - most beautiful island in Cyclades in my opinion. Good facilities for yachts. Hire a car for a day to see the island - its worth it. (I know a lot of people who'd say PAROS is the nicest so you should probably go there too, but for me its Naxos)
I like Loutra on KYTHNOS - quiet and unspoilt and sheltered
IOS is okay off-season - avoid in midsummer
SERIFOS/SIFNOS accessible from most places and have some lovely bays
If you have a small boat, visit the 'string of pearls' islands south of

PLACES TO AVOID
MYKONOS - dreadful place in my opinion, but everyone wants to go there. Its very expensive, very false, the 'marina' is a dump and a long walk from the harbour. Also very easy to get stormbound there as it is one of the windiest channels in Greece. Won't be as bad in April as in the summer, and you can get a trip to Delos from it, but given only 7 days it wouldn't be on my list.

SANTORINI - is staggering and impressive and amazing. Its also a s**t place to take a yacht - the marina on the south has a very rocky entrance, & the bay is too deep to anchor. You have to tie onto a big floating buoy - can be difficult if you are short-handed but okay with 3 or 4 on board.

ANDROS - nothing wrong with the island - it is very mountainous and grand, but again its easy to get stormbound around there.
 

Melody

Active member
Joined
18 Feb 2002
Messages
1,386
Location
Greece
www.aegeansailingschool.com
... realised I didn't finish a sentence.

There are a string of islands south of Naxos which are beautiful and unspoilt. However, if your yacht draws more than 2m you may not be able to get into some of the places. Also, in April, not many tavernas etc will be open.

Spring is lovely in the Cyclades - it is green at that time of year, unlike summer, and the wild flowers are unbelievable.

Enjoy.
 

HenryB

New member
Joined
17 Jul 2001
Messages
360
Location
Cornwall.
www.ballgate.com
John,
I go along with what Melody has said. Suggest that you start your week with a long trip to your furthest destination, then you will have plenty of time to get back should the winds pick up (they normally blow from the north).
Have a good trip - I'll be down in Porto Heli at about the same time, getting my boat ready for the season.
 
Top