In a country with the 11th longest coastline in the world (13,676 kilometers) and approximately 2,500 islands and islets, taking a sailing vacation is a must! Of course, this is not a simple ordinary vacation but an experience of a lifetime. Sailing gives you the opportunity to "carry" your home to any island-beach-place you want, to feel the unique sense of freedom that this unique contact with nature, the wind and the sea offers you.
Many people find the cost of renting a boat to be prohibitive. But once you get the hang of it, it's much more economical and relaxing as you forget about the classic vacation package: car-boat-hotel-transportation. Here it's all in one. That's why I'm giving you some tips to organize this type of vacation in the best possible way.
Tips
1) Η company are the A and Z. Because you will spend a lot of time in… a few square meters, the choice of company should be appropriate. That is, it should consist of pleasant people who will be willing to help with the tasks required on a sailboat (sailing, cleaning, cooking).
2) Selection skipperIf you have two friends with a sailing license, you don't need it. Otherwise, get information from someone who has already sailed with this person and had a good time.
3) Good preparation for route. In consultation with the skipper(s), you choose the best and safest route to see what you want with your group. This helps you not to waste your time traveling unnecessarily and to have already decided on the places where you will spend the night and refuel.
4) Supplies. Because resupply may not always be an easy task, make sure you have everything you need for the days you will be on the boat. Make a shopping list and go with friends to get them. And I don't just mean food, but also essentials, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, etc.
5) Weather. Check the weather forecast and if necessary change the trip program so that you can take advantage of the wind or… apnea. However, if you run out of wind, don't be afraid because the boat has an engine. It may not be the fastest in the world but it will get you there.
6) Before you set sail, do a thorough inspection of the boat with the skipper. Check the water and gasoline tanks, the proper functioning of the anchor, the existence of a first aid kit and lifesaving equipment, the boat's instruments, flares, etc. This way you will have peace of mind and will not face any surprises at sea.
7) Another advantage of sailing is that in addition to being your floating home, it can be your base for many sea adventures. activities such as fishing, windsurfing-kitesurfing-SUP, diving, etc. Ensure that your boat has the corresponding spaces for your equipment.
How much will it cost you:
Here the variation is very large. This is because many factors play a role, such as the age of the boat, its size, the number of cabins, the presence of a skipper, the period of the summer when you will rent it, the choice of port and islands you will travel to, etc. From a research When we did, the price range we found was so wide that it's not worth giving you numbers, although we discovered that prices generally start at 80 euros per person/day. As an indication, however, I will tell you that sailing is very profitable when you have a group of 6-8 people and you want to visit 3-4 islands in a week. If you do this by car-boat-hotel, you want at least double the money.
Where to travel:
*In the Northern Sporades. The Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos are easily accessible due to the short distance between them, while with a few more days you can also visit Erimonisia (Kyra Panagia, Psathoura, Gioura, Piperi, Peristera) where you will discover sea caves, ancient shipwrecks and unique volcanic landscapes.
*In the Argosaronic GulfPoros, Aegina and Hydra can reveal beaches you never imagined.
*In the Dodecanese, with Kos, Nisyros, Symi and Rose to dominate, while you can easily set a route for the coasts of Turkey.
*In the Ionian Sea, where the Paxos, Antipaxos, Kefalonia, Scorpios, Meganisi and Ithaca are the most ideal destinations.
*In the Cyclades, with the endless options but also the big ones distances.
