Sailing Holidays in Greece

With over 60 beaches, Skiathos is a popular destination in its own right and a great place to begin a sailing holiday. It's one of the Sporades islands off the eastern shores of Greece, and because these are relatively close together, they make the perfect introduction to Greek island-hopping. It's also easy to get to, whether via its own airport or by ferry from the mainland.

The main marina on Kos is only an hour by bus from the island's airport, so you can soon be hopping on a boat to explore local resorts like Marmaris and Kardamena. Part of the Dodecanese islands near Turkey, Kos offers blue skies and warm seas as late as October, making it a prime spot for off-peak yachting vacations. Once you've toured the island, set sail for Rhodes, with its crusader castles, or the tranquil Leros.

A bridge connects the island of Lefkas to the coast of mainland Greece, so you won't have any trouble getting there by land or air. Once you've arrived though, you'll quickly discover that hiring a boat is the best way of exploring its many beautiful beaches. These include Porto Katsiki: one of the top tanning spots in the Mediterranean. If you're a first time skipper, the tranquil "inland sea" south-east of Lefkas is ideal fo getting your sea legs.

Only 30 minutes by taxi from Athens airport, Lavrion is a handy base for exploring the Cyclades islands. Whether it's the mountainous Kythnos or the olive groves of Kea, the quiet and solitude of these destinations contrasts with the heat and bustle of the capital. If you're into self-catering, Lavrion marina's fish market is a great place to pick up fresh seafood.

Within walking distance from Aktion Airport, Preveza makes a convenient gateway to the Ionian Sea. From May to October, the calm conditions in this area are ideal for sailing beginners, and there's a choice of marinas offering services such as snorkelling and diving. The rugged north coast of Ithaca, the wild west coast of Corfu and the sheltered Navagio Beach on Zakynthos are just some of the places you can visit by boat charter.