Imagine crystal blue waters with so much depth you can drop anchor right off the shoreline, calm flat waters that are almost mirror-like in reflection and Instagram-perfect flamingo floating sceneries. You would be forgiven for thinking I’m talking about the British Virgin Islands or even Croatia but I am in fact daydreaming, of Greece.
Greece is surrounded by thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. Greek culture is steeped in history and mythology that both capture our interests and intrigue the mind. So whether you’re looking to escape it all in one of Greece’s secluded picturesque bays or cruise into a marina and explore the sights, this 7-day cruising guide is sure to set your wanderlust alight.
Before we start it’s worth noting that our routes are based on our own sailboat settings. For the most accurate results don’t forget to adjust your boat settings in the savvy navvy navigation app for bespoke route predictions and arrival times.
Day 1: Alimos to Perdika
Cruising time: 3 hours 20 minutes
It’s day one and we’re super excited and raring to go! Let’s pick up the boat as early as possible and slip lines for Perdika. This sandy-bottomed anchorage is stunning and a lovely place to kick off your first night on holiday. Perdika is a fantastic place to either spend your first night enjoying the view and cooking onboard or, alternatively, Perdika boasts a range of lovely local restaurants for those who would like to venture out. It’s also quite a protected area from the elements so hopefully, this will make your first night onboard hassle and stress-free.
Day 2: Perdika to Vagionia Bay
Cruising time: 1 hour 40 minutes
It’s day two and we’re starting to find our groove with the boat so let's head off to Vagiona Bay! This is a stunningly secluded bay where you can anchor and put a stern line ashore. This is the perfect spot for swimming and snorkelling followed by dinner and drinks on board as the sun goes down over the horizon.
Day 3: Vagionia Bay to Hydra
Cruising time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Today we head to Hydra which is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece. In ancient times the island was known as Hydrea in reference to the natural springs found on the island. This quaint Greek island has an understated and charming atmosphere that has seduced jet setters and sailors alike from both near and far. The island is also unspoilt as there are no cars on the island, and people get around on foot which means are more serene vibe.
If you have time why not take a visit to the many museums on the island, drop in at a tavern or two to taste local food and drink and then perhaps finish the day off basking in the sun on one of Hydra's many beautiful beaches.
Day 4: Hydra (Limin Idhras) to Ermionis South Dock
Cruising time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Dust off your flip flops as it’s time to go and relax at Ermionis, a small port town on the Argolid Peninsula. Ermionis is known as a quiet and relaxing place for enjoying the sun and the water, especially for families. The main activity here is diving, there are a couple of diving centres that offer organised diving trips to stunning reefs and uninhabited islets of the Saronic Gulf.
Day 5: Ydra (Limin Idhras) to Askeli Beach
Cruising time: 3 hours 50 minutes
Today we visit the deep crystal blue waters and golden sands of Askeli Beach. If you’re looking to liven up your trip a bit the area around Askeli features a range of bars, restaurants and shops to keep you entertained for hours! Take your time to look around and perhaps treat yourself to a shoreside local meal.
Day 6: Askeli Beach to Agia North
Cruising time: 4 hours 20 minutes
We’re getting toward the end of our seven-day trip and many people might choose to head back to Alimos Marina on day 6 to ensure a slightly more chilled checkout on the final day. But if like me you like to make the most of your time out on the water then why not head to Agia anchorage for your last night onboard? The marina/anchorage is just two and a half hours from Alimos so you can be sure to set off with plenty of time to arrive the next day whilst also spending your last afternoon swimming, snorkelling and soaking up the Greek sunshine!
This area gives you the option to eat ashore or cook onboard depending on what you're looking for on your last night. The only thing to watch out for is the swell in this area, a good thing to check before deciding to spend your last night here.
Day 7: Agia North to Alimos
Cruising time: 2 hours 27 minutes
It’s the last day and depending on what time you need to return your boat your trip from Agia to Alimos now awaits. I always recommend packing up the night before so on your final morning all you need to do is sail over with a freshly brewed coffee, have a shower and hop into what is likely to be the most clothes you’ve worn in a week, before (sadly) heading home.
After a week of sailing in Greece, one thing is for sure, you will be left wanting to explore even more as you realise you haven’t even scratched the surface of what there is to see. Remember that great saying, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened?”
Well, we prefer to say ‘make it happen again’. The best way to get over one holiday is to book the next one right away. That’s much more motivating!
What is savvy navvy?
The savvy navvy app evolved out of the need to solve a common problem within the boating industry - navigation technology is outdated, cumbersome and difficult to use. In addition, research shows that boaters, on average, use up to four or more apps to plan a trip at sea and take one to two hours each day to update their calculations. For newcomers, this can be incredibly time-consuming and intimidating.
With savvy navvy, the process is greatly simplified. Just like Google Maps, a boater can plan a trip at the click of a button. Where Google Maps uses real-time traffic information, savvy navvy uses real-time weather forecasts and tidal data, in one app, on any device.
Ultimately savvy navvy makes navigation easy.
