Saronic/Argolic Flotilla experience sought

B

BlackwaterLad

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Feb 2010
Messages
73
Location
Essex
Visit site
We are considering a flotilla holiday in the Saronic/Argolic area of Greece and I would be interested in hearing about other people experiences there.

A few specific topics that we have thought of

•We expect to spend most nights in small harbours so presumably no swimming – not popular with the younger crew members

•Wind and crowds
We have previously been able to sail until about 6pm (Gulf of Fethiye) but we have heard tales of some flotillas where there is no wind until 2pm and then you have to be moored by 4pm to get a space.

•Seafarer
I like the look of the route offered by Seafarer but have found one very poor review of them on here. News of any recent experiences with them would be appreciated

•We think we could save money and increase flexibility by arranging our own transfers to Poros. We are assuming that booking and using the ferries is pretty straight forward but we have no Greek language skills. Are we being ambitious?

Thanks for any thoughts.
 
Never done a flotilla holiday so I can't comment on that aspect of your questions. WInds in the Saronic and Argolic in July and August tend to be dominated by the effects of the Meltimi, which blows from the north. We spent late August and September last year in the area and the winds were mainly form the north and seemed to blow most of the time, although usually from the direction we wanted to go.....

As to getting to Poros, if you fly into Athens airport there is a bus (number X96, euro 5 per person, follow the airport signs to the bus stop) from there (every 20 minutes or so) to the ferry port at Piraeus. You can then catch the fast or slightly slower ferry to Poros; buy your tickets from the booths in the port when you arrrive. You won't need to book them and there are frequent sailings. This site http://www.poros.com.gr/transportation/?lang=en has a link to the ferry company timetables.

The area is very busy during the season, which is why we tend to head to the Pelloponese during July and August. However, most flotilla leaders aim to get to the overnight stop and 'reserve' spaces for their boats, often irritating single cruisers like us! To defeat their tactics, as will often move early and arrive before them so as to be sure of getting a space...... :rolleyes:

The blog has more detail on where we went and what we did - see the link below.

Hope that helps a little.
 
Did the Sailing Holidays Saronic 4 years ago in September.

Superb location. Wind usually kicked in around noon up to 3/4ish, couple of 5s thrown in for a laugh. Harbours often have a beach nearby, or are so clean you can swim off the boat. Usually there is a good beach closeby you can stop off at.

Most harbours had loads of room when we were there but anyway finding you a spot is a problem for the lead crew not you, thats at least half the point of a flotilla.

A couple of times the crew did request we try and be in by 4 or 5 to help them out a bit, but more so they could get the party started I thought, not about mooring.

SH my first choice if (when) we go again.
 
ridgy said:
Did the Sailing Holidays Saronic 4 years ago in September.

Superb location. Wind usually kicked in around noon up to 3/4ish, couple of 5s thrown in for a laugh. Harbours often have a beach nearby, or are so clean you can swim off the boat. Usually there is a good beach closeby you can stop off at.

Most harbours had loads of room when we were there but anyway finding you a spot is a problem for the lead crew not you, thats at least half the point of a flotilla.

A couple of times the crew did request we try and be in by 4 or 5 to help them out a bit, but more so they could get the party started I thought, not about mooring.

SH my first choice if (when) we go again.
Click to expand...

Did two trips involving that area with SH this year. Had some problems on the 2nd such that our skipper extracted a substantial (but not major %age) refund after we got back. Nevertheless it puts one off going with them again. (Hence the refund rather than discount on a future trip!)

I don't swim, so do not register the beaches, but I'm sure somewhere could be found to swim in most places. But it might not be directly off the boat, so if swimmers are really too young to go off on their own that could limit the opportunities and informality compared with diving off the yacht.

Although the lead crew have the job of finding parking spaces this can be limiting. In that area Hydra, for instance, is even more notorious than Fiscardo is in the Ionian. On our trip we were far too late to berth there (at a weekend, too) and had to continue to Poros. On at least one trip in previous years (probably in my list at Yachting holiday trips; 1974 to present) we did not try to take the yacht(s) into Hydra but went there on the hydrofoil (which is quite exciting) from Poros instead.

Mike.
 
You don't say what time of year you're thinking of coming here. Some ports get busy in August and you may need to get in reasonably early but other months you should be able to sail later. The Saronic is not yet flooded with flotillas like the Ionian so there is usually room to moor even if you don't finish sailing until late afternoon.

The boats Seafarer uses are owned by Greek Sails and are kept in good condition. The quality of any flotilla depends a lot on the lead crew. I believe they had some problems with a crew last year or the one before and had to replace them but mostly they are pretty good. Greek Sails is a small business, owned and run for many years by a local Greek-English family who live here and provide work all year round, so if you want to help the local economy you'd be doing more by using them than Sailing Holidays who've only been in the area a couple of years and who move all their boats back to the Ionian in the winter.

Swimming - you'll anchor for a swim most days and in the evening you can usually swim near to where you moor or there will be a beach within walking distance.

I'm not sure how much you will save arranging your own transport. It's quite possible to get an airport bus to Piraeus and then a ferry or hydrofoil. www.openseas.gr gives ferry times and prices but timetables are usually only available a few weeks before. Ferries to Poros & many other islands have been reduced due to the crisis so be sure to book if you are arriving at a weekend.
 
BlackwaterLad said:
We are considering a flotilla holiday in the Saronic/Argolic area of Greece and I would be interested in hearing about other people experiences there.

A few specific topics that we have thought of

•We expect to spend most nights in small harbours so presumably no swimming – not popular with the younger crew members

•Wind and crowds
We have previously been able to sail until about 6pm (Gulf of Fethiye) but we have heard tales of some flotillas where there is no wind until 2pm and then you have to be moored by 4pm to get a space.

•Seafarer
I like the look of the route offered by Seafarer but have found one very poor review of them on here. News of any recent experiences with them would be appreciated

•We think we could save money and increase flexibility by arranging our own transfers to Poros. We are assuming that booking and using the ferries is pretty straight forward but we have no Greek language skills. Are we being ambitious?

Thanks for any thoughts.
Click to expand...

I will say that Greek sails in Poros are a pretty good. There are always stops each day for swimming and little trouble getting into places, except Hydra which can be difficult if left to late in the day.

The high speed ferry and dolphin take about an hour and cost E 23.50 each one way.I think ?

If there are more than two of you it may be cheaper to do a one way car hire from Pops car.Based near Athens airport to Galatas. from Euro 75 . plus 15 euro petrol. It is an easy drive takes 2.1/2 hours on the new road, and a good chance to look at some places you may want to visit by boat, Epidhavros , Korfus etc.

Wind is a little fickle but when you get to the Peloponnise there is a good force f3-4 most afternoons kicking in at 4 pm There is an occasional f6-7 once a week as well for a bit of fun. Thats why there are fewer flotillas here than in the 1onion .
Go for it
 
We ran a rally out of Poros last May/June with about ten of us bareboat chartering Greek Sails boats through Seafarer. Most of the yachts were newish and in good condition, just a couple of problems with joker valves needing replacing.Transfers, checking in and out were all handled very well by Greek Sails.
Poros can be a super town , Spetses was also tremendous if you can squeeze into the inner harbour. It also had a superb daytime stop at the NW end of the island - good holding and perfect sandy beach. Hydra was interesting to look at but the harbour very full and troublesome. Porto Heli (not Ermione) by comparison felt a tad run down but did have both quayside and anchoring space. Going further West Navplion was well worth the longer beat to get there; we anchored inj a lovely sheltered bay at Khaidari and took the taxi into Navplion itself.
The winds were variable in direction and several times blew pretty strongly (over 30 knots steady).
Great area we thought; we will return another year.
 
Last edited:
Worked as a charter skipper around there. Really nice sailing area once away from Athens.

Anchoring is nice, can recommend Porto Heli, Dhokos and the bays NW of Poros. For a swimming stop, frog island is worth a visit.
Hydra, fantastic restaurant hidden away behind the front with a terrace overlooking the harbour plus the fun of watching people attempt to leave.
Ermioni is worth a visit.
Leonhidion. Least said. Could do with comfier seats in its gaol cells.
 
BlackwaterLad said:
We are considering a flotilla holiday in the Saronic/Argolic area of Greece and I would be interested in hearing about other people experiences there.
Click to expand...
It's a good choice, and a very interesting comparison with Fethiye area. Melody has described it well. You'll see a port by port description on my web site at http://jimbsail.info/mediterranean/greece/athens , and also a delightful little map with notes through the GoCaty Map link at the bottom of the page.

You will probably find that the convenience of booking a package outweighs any saving you make by doing your own travel - and the whole package will be protected by ATOL if anything goes wrong. Whereas if you DIY with travel, you take the risk if planes are delayed etc.

Having said that, I do DIY travel . . . but that's because I'll arrive three or four days earlier in Athens, with a long-ahead booking through BA (very good value at a convenient time) to re-visit favourite Athens spots. And I have the time to do this . . .
 
Thanks

Thanks everyone. Lots of really useful stuff.

We are pretty much sold on the area now and have contacted Greek Sails.

“Pop’s Car Rental” sounds like it will be a real experience :)

Thanks again.
 
BlackwaterLad said:
Thanks everyone. Lots of really useful stuff.

We are pretty much sold on the area now and have contacted Greek Sails.

“Pop’s Car Rental” sounds like it will be a real experience :)

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Yes Pops cars .They pick you up from the airport it a 10 min ride to their base, on the same road that you will use to get to Poros. All the cars are new or 1 year old and of all sizes and styles .
 
Last edited:
st599 said:
Tip for Hydra - leave in reverse order to what you arrived.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUs...nt-Hydra_Town_Hydra_Saronic_Gulf_Islands.html
Click to expand...

MY tip for Hydra - spend the night in Dhokos or a nearby anchorage then go to Hydra Town around midday when many yachts are leaving. You'll probably find you can moor fairly easily. Have lunch, walk around and take photos, then get the hell out and go somewhere else before the next evenings craziness begins. You'll save yourself stress, shouting, and fouled anchors :)

There are two anchorages we use - Mandraki and Molos, E and W of the main town. If you anchor in either you can arrange for a water-taxi to pick you up if you MUST go back for the night-life. Mandraki is also walkable (take a torch) and at some times of year has its own water bus. Molos is more protected, and hardly anyone goes there so its nice if you want somewhere peaceful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top