Bareboat, Skippered or Flotilla – Ask for a Quotation
Elite Sailing’s yacht charters in Greece offer you individual attention and a great sailing holiday at a sensible price. Why not ask us to get you a quotation? Just let us know the number in your party, whether you want bareboat, skippered or flotilla, dates, areas of interest, size of yacht preferred, and any other specific requirements. We will check availability and prices with our associates and come back with offers that we are sure you will find very competitive – and definitely cheaper than the big operators.
What qualifications do you need for bareboat? Well, according to Greek law, two people in your party need to have some sailing qualifications. An RYA Day Skipper practical course certificate or an ICC will be sufficient for the skipper. A second person should have at least ‘Start Yachting’ but preferably RYA Competent Crew. If you feel you need some guidance and tuition at the start of the charter, we can arrange a skipper for the first day or two.
Saronic Gulf
These boats are normally berthed at Alimos Marina near Athens so flights are straightforward and transfers are fast. The Saronic Gulf offers excellent cruising in relatively sheltered waters with plentiful island destinations – including Angistri, Aegina, Methana, Poros, Salamina, Spetses and Hydra and also mainland harbours. The Argolic Gulf in the south of the Peloponnese is close by and further to the southeast lie the Cyclades. The Saronic and Argolic gulfs experience generally more wind than in the Ionian – especially in the late summer when the Meltemi can blow quite hard even into the Saronic Gulf, making for sometimes exciting sailing. Conditions in the Cyclades are often more demanding and itineraries need to take careful account of the NE Meltemi winds that can blow up to F7 or more. Many yachts in this area are based at Alimos Marina near Athens. We have contacts with a number of smaller companies that offer personal and friendly service and with their contacts throughout the islands you can be assured of good technical support. You can choose between newer yachts that are naturally more expensive – or older boats that are well presented and maintained but cost a lot less.
Corfu (North Ionian)
These boats are based at Gouvia Marina in Corfu. Flights to Corfu are plentiful and the airport transfer is only 20 minutes. The beautiful islands of the Ionian Sea lie off the western shores of the mainland of Greece. They enjoy lush green vegetation due to ample winter rains and very settled summer weather. Sailing conditions are enjoyable and ideal for relatively inexperienced crews. The winds are generally lighter than elsewhere around Greece – typically NW 2 to 5 in the summer months with sea breezes the dominant feature from about mid-day until early evening. In the shelter of the islands this produces flat, pleasant sailing conditions. Outside the islands or locally between them the sea can be more lively. There is slightly more wind in the north around Corfu than in the south around Cephalonia.
The islands and the adjacent mainlaind offer a great variety of anchorages for short swimming stops or overnight, and plenty of choice of of small ports and fishing harbours to visit. The scenery is beautiful and the waters clear and blue. In a typical week’s charter you might sail from Gouvia Marina and visit mainland harbours such as Mourtia (Sivota) and Parga, the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, and of course the many bays and harbours of Corfu and its offlying Diapondia islands. It is easy to prepare a pleasant itinerary with a nice mix of sailing and relaxation covering up to 100 Miles in the week. In two weeks you can make a programme taking in Levkas, Ithaka, Cephalonia and the other islands of the southern Ionian.
Sporades islands (Northern Aegean)
These islands include Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnissos, and Kira Panagia. They lie just off the Aegean coast of the mainland just north of Evia. This area and the nearby Pelion peninsula offer beautiful cruising grounds which are less crowded than the Saronic Gulf or the Ionian and away from the main port of Skiathos you can experience the old Greece away from mass tourism. This is also ‘Mama Mia’ territory and if you have seen the film you have a good idea of just how lovely the area is. There is generally more wind than in the Ionian, and if the Meltemi is blowing the islands form a good screen as you cruise along the southern side. The main port is Volos on the mainland and you can pick up yachts from Volos, from Milina (a small harbour 40km south of Volos and from Skiathos.
2018 Flotillas – Volos and Sporades
Cruise 1. 16 – 23 June
Start and Finish Location: Volos, Greece
Start time: 1700 on Saturday 16 June
Finish time: 0900 on Saturday 23 June
Cruising Area/Itinerary: Gulf of Volos and Sporades Islands, North-Western Aegean. See the description above. Nominal itinerary: Volos – Kottes (Gulf of Volos) – Skiathos (town or anchorage) – Skopelos Town – Alonnisos – Ayios Kiriaki – Volos.
Skippered Yachts and Cabin Prices:
(includes yacht operating expenses – fuel, harbour fees and water – and skipper):
Cyclades 43.3 (3 double cabins, saloon berth and 3 wc).
Cyclades 43.4 (3 double cabins, 1 twin bunks cabin, saloon berth and 2 wc)
Cabin Prices (Euros):
Double cabin €900 (€450 pp if 2 sharing)
Twin bunk cabin €500 (€250 pp if 2 sharing)
Saloon berth €300
Additional skippered yachts may be added according to demand.
Bareboat Yachts and Prices (Euros):
There is a wide range of yachts available for exclusive bareboat charter for you and your party. You will skipper the boat yourself (minimum qualifications: day skipper practical and the ICC) or we can arrange to provide a skipper at cost. We will arrange the charter for you and you can join the flotilla at no extra cost. Examples of yachts and prices in Euros:
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. 3 double cabins, saloon, 1 wc. From €1410
Beneteau Oceanis 39. 3 double cabins, saloon berth, 2 wc. From €1800
Bavaria 46. 4 double cabins, 2 wc. From €2400
Bareboat prices are for the whole yacht. You will be responsible for the operating costs (about 200 Euros) and will have to give a security deposit of €1500 or €2000 Euros. This is normally given by credit card and returned at the end of the charter if there is no damage or loss. Deposit insurance is available – ask the office.
Request a quotation (state your requirements: size/No of berths/cabins/WCs)
We’ll come back with options and the best prices available
Flights
Easyjet Gatwick to Thessaloniki. Daily inc Sat. From £250
Easyjet Gatwick to Volos. Tue and Sat. From £250
Easyjet Gatwick – Athens. Daily. From £300
BA.com – Gatwick – Thessaloniki. Daily except Wed, Thu. From £275
Bus Transfers from Airport to Yacht
From Thessaloniki (2.5 hours) Euros 30 pp each way
From Volos Airport (40 mins) Euros 15 pp each way
Book transfers with the Elite Sailing Office
Living Expenses
Most evening meals are taken in a taverna. Allow 15 – 20 euros pp inc some local wine. For breakfasts, lunches aboard allow 10 euros pp share of provisions. Shopping in Volos is very convenient.
Booking
Email or call the office. We will agree a provisional reservation for a berth, cabin or yacht and hold it for 7 days. You can then book flights and then confirm the booking by completing a form and payment. For berths and cabins we request full payment on confirmed booking. For yachts we ask 50% deposit and the balance 8 weeks before the trip. Following booking confirmation we will finalise arrangements and provide detailed joining and travel arrangements.
Reception
We will meet you on arrival at Volos, take you to your yacht and assist you with provisioning. The flotilla skipper will brief everyone on safety and communications, weather forecast and plans for the first 24 hours. There may be an option to sail that evening but its more likely that we will spend a pleasant evening in Volos and leave early on the Sunday morning.