Sailing the Saronic Gulf - boating along the islands between Athens and the Peloponnese

Saronic Gulf - Yachting along Greek Coast | YACHTICO.com

Boats for rent in: Saronic Gulf

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Saronic Gulf

The Saronic Gulf and the Argolic cruising grounds are simple and suitable for beginners and less experienced crews.

  • Favorable sailing conditions
  • Easy navigation
  • Adequate infrastructure
  • Sailing Season: April to October
  • Mediterranean climate.

The Saronic Gulf is part of the Aegean sea and is located between the Greek regions of Attica and the Peloponnese. The sea area includes the Saronic Islands (Saron): Salamis, Aegina, Agistri, Poros and Methana. Further south, there are the islands of Hydra, Spetses and Dokos that lie at the edge of the Argolic Gulf. Through the narrow Corinth Canal, the Saronic Gulf is connected to the Gulf of Corinth. Compared to other Greek districts the Saronic Gulf has a good infrastructure for sailors. There is a particularly good variety of ports and marinas on the east coast between Athens and Cape Sounions. An ideal starting point for yacht charter is the Greek capital of Athens. Piraeus, the historic port of Athens, is one of the main ports in the Mediterranean. From here, ferries run regularly to the larger islands and there are ferry connections to different countries. At Athens and Piraeus there is permanent shipping traffic. Further south there is Alimos (Kalamaki) with 1,000 moorings and a wide range of charter yachts. This marina is a good starting point for exploring the Greek coast, the Gulf and the Saronic islands. You can also start Yachtcharter Greece trips here to Cyclades in the south east.

The Peloponnesian coast is a great sailing location and there are many varied routes around the peninsula. The natural scenery is diverse and provides an impressive backdrop. There are rugged mountains, green valleys, cliffs and long white beaches. On the rocky coastline of the Peloponnese there are numerous bays and anchorages. The sea on the Saronic and Argolic coast is well protected from the Greek mainland and the high mountains of the Peloponnese give shelter from strong winds. The winds blow mainly from north to east with a strength of 3 to 4 Bft. In spring and autumn, the wind is weaker and comes from the south. In July the Meltimi blows and reaches full strength in September. In the Saronic Gulf it is weaker and less severe than the winds in the Cyclades or the Dodecanese. On the Peloponnesian coast, the Meltemi is rather weak and comes from the northeast or the southeast. 

The Saronic Gulf is a simple sailing area that is easy to access. Overall, the sailing conditions are favorable and predictable. There are no significant currents and tides have little influence. One of the few navigational challenges is the passage between the island of Poros and the mainland of Galatas. Between Peloponnese and Athens, the waters are protected by law and allow for relaxed sailing. The distances between the islands are small so you can sail comfortably from one to another. The Saronic and the Argolic Gulf are particularly suitable for beginners and less experienced sailing crews..

A sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind - Webb Chiles

How to get there - Airports in Saronic Gulf

  • Athens International Airport to Kalamaki harbor: 33,9 km, 44 minutes
  • Kos Airport to Chalki harbor: 25,9 km, 52 minutes
  • Porto Kheli Airport to Epidavros: 59,9 km, 1 hour and 19 minutes
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Climate & Weather in Saronic Gulf

There is a Mediterranean climate in the Saronic Gulf. There are long, hot and dry summers. The sailing season begins in April and lasts until October and the weather is stable as of May. In the summer months, the average daily temperatures range between 24 and 31 °C. Water temperatures fluctuate between 13 °C in January and 24 °C in August.