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The Greek islands with their uniquely
distinct characteristics and appearance are of vital
significance and have played a major role to the country's
civilization and tradition. The Greek territory consists of
6,000 islands and islets and only 227 of those are inhabited
and are spread out in the Aegean and Ionian Sea which is an
extraordinary marvel on the whole European Continent!
The country has a total of 16,000 kilometers of coastline
and 7,500 of this is consumed by the Greek Archipelago. The
coastline's landscape varies with beaches that stretch along
several kilometers then has naturally sheltered bays and
pebbly beaches alternating with golden stretches of sand and
dunes then steep rocks and coastal caves and black sand and
coastal wetlands and on and on and finally is the clean and
transparent waters which have made Greece and its islands
renowned all over the world.
In 2006 Greece was awarded
on 404 of her beaches and 5 of her marinas with the "Blue
Flag" award under the Blue Flags of Europe program which
places the country in a top ranking position among all
European countries. Blue Flag is an international exclusive
voluntary eco-label for beaches and marinas that works
towards sustainable development through strict criteria
dealing with water quality, environmental education and
information, environmental management, and safety and other
services.
Favorite pastime activities at the Greek
islands are all water sports like swimming, scuba diving,
snorkeling, water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. The Greek
islands are the cradle of some of the most ancient and
famous European civilizations like the Cycladic civilization
and the Minoan so they are full of unique archaeological
sites along with a dazzling architectural legacy and
intriguing local traditions. The ideal climate, the high
percentage of sunshine, the safety of the Greek waters, the
short distance between islands ports and coasts, the
remarkable beauty, the amazing fact that 58 percent of the
country's lodging facilities and 62 percent of hotel beds
are found in the islands (according to 2003 data) have make
the Greek islands so popular both domestically
internationally! The early '60's mark the start of
professional development of sea tourism at the Greek islands
initially at a slow pace geared towards domestic consumption
which gradually started moving faster in order to
accommodate foreign visitors as well and the recent years
has accelerated to lighting speed.
SARONIC GULF ISLANDS
The Greek islands of the Saronic Gulf are close to one
another, usually within a two or three hours sail, situated
in the Saronic Gulf southwest of Athens and are among the
most beautiful of the Greek islands.
Long stretches of
sandy beaches, fragrant pine forest, and rocky capes against
a backdrop of brilliant sunshine and crystal blue water
provide an infinite variety of scenic beauty.
Most
of our yachts berth at the Saronic marinas Athens, Calamaki,
Glyfada and Lavrion which is very close to Athens so
departure and arrival to/from Lavrion will save you a few
hours and will put you closer to the Cyclades islands in the
central Aegean Sea.
If you charter a yacht from any of the above marinas, with a
one week you can visit all the Saronic islands:
- Aegina,
- Hydra,
- Spetses, and
- Poros as well as the
- Argolikus islands including the
- coast of Peloponnesus.
IONIAN ISLANDS
The Ionian Islands are constituted of seven islands (Greek name Eptanisa
meaning seven islands) and are:
- Corfu,
- Paxi,
- Lefkada,
- Cephalonia,
- Ithaki,
- Zakynthos.
- Kythera
These beautiful islands are the western borders of Greece with Europe
and were the apple of discord between the European conquerors that
wanted to occupy them through the centuries.
Each one of the seven Ionian Islands has its own unique natural wonders
and impressive monuments, scenic villages and towns that show the
wonders of the past.
They are located in the Ionian Sea on the Italian side of Greece, with
the exception of Kythera which is south of the Eastern Peloponnesus.
Because they were occupied by the Venetians and the Italians instead of
the Turks, the islands have a different architecture and character than
the islands in the Aegean Sea.
They are connected by ferry boat to the town of Patras in the
Peloponnesus. Corfu, Kefallonia, Zakynthos and Kythera have airports.
With one week yacht charter originating from Corfu, Lefkada
or Kefallinia (Cephalonia) island, you can visit all the Ionian Islands
and Kythera.
CYCLADES ISLANDS
The Cyclades are the most popular of the Greek islands and the ones you
see in pictures, with geometric white houses, and azure seas. They are
all between 4 to 10 hours from Piraeus by ferry and half that time with
Flying Dolphin hydrofoils. Some islands have airports and Mykonos island
and Santorini island even have international flights. They are also
islands with a long history archaeological treasures, traditions, great
food and nightlife!
Santorini island:
Who wants to go to Santorini?
Every body!
 Santorini is one of the best known of the Cyclades. It differs from the
other islands in the group because of its geological morphology which is
the result of action by a volcano now dormant.
The landscape on the western side of the island, where towering cliffs
crowned by tiny white houses plunge straight into the depths of the sea.
The steep coastline of the west is countered by the vast beaches of the
east side, some of them sandy and others with pebbles.
Santorini which is officially known as Thira, is regarded as the most
spectacular of all the Greek islands. Is no wonder that its submerged
caldera (crater) alone is enough to justify the spotlight.
Not to mention its postcard images of whitewashed churches and
bougainvillea clad houses set against blue sea and sky.
The spectacular
caldera of Santorini is a remnant of what was probably the biggest
volcanic eruption in recorded history. The island's violent volcanic
history is visible everywhere you look. The black sand beaches, the
earthquake damaged dwellings and cliffs of lava dipping into the sea.
Volcanic activity has been low key for the past few decades. Minor
tremors occur frequently.
With a 2 week yacht charter you can visit the Cyclades
islands or Cyclades and Saronic islands.
SPORADES ISLANDS:
The Greek islands Sporades are located North and East of Evia and East
and South East of the Pilion peninsula and they look like its extension.
They are very close to the mainland because they are located at the
Northern Sporades complex which consists of eleven islands and only four
of them are inhabited:
- Skiathos,
- Skopelos,
- Alonissos and
- Skyros.
All of them are rich with green pine forests and white sandy beaches.
You can reach them from the port of Agios Constantinos and the city of
Volos. There are frequent ferries and hydrofoils connecting these
islands to the mainland and to each other. There are flights to Skiathos
as well as a weekly ferry from Thessalonica on its way to Crete and
back.
With 1 week yacht charter originating from Skiathos, Porto
Koufo or Porto Karra, you can visit Evia island which is the second
largest in Greece after Crete and the Halkidiki area (Athos mountain,
where the the unique monasteries are located), that is so beautiful
pristine and unspoiled and the Sporades islands.
DODECANESE ISLANDS:
Dodekanese Islands is a group of islands in the Aegean Sea. The main
islands of the Dodecanese group are:
- Karpathos,
- Patmos,
- Kasos,
- Astipalaia,
- Lipsoi,
- Lerosisland,
- Kalimnos,
- Nisiros,
- Tilos,
- Khalki,
- Simi,
- Rhodes island,
- Cos island,
- Kastellorizon and
- Astipalaia.
With a one week yacht charter originating from Rhodes
or Cos island you can visit all Dodecanese Islands including the Turkish
Coast. For a visit to the Turkish coast, an additional fee of USD $500
to the Turkish Authorities will be added.
We hope that you found helpful the above information in planning your
sailing itineraries to these magnificent Greek islands and we are
looking forward to serve you providing the best yacht fitting your
budget, taste and sailing needs.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Cordially,
The Staff and Management of Yachting-Greece
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Yachting Greece
