Ever worried about where to go next at your sailing trip or which are the best and safe places to visit?
We have prepared a detailed two week sailing program, with some of the best destinations in Sporades region that we are happy to share with you.
Note that the maps below should be used only as guides. For
navigation please use the maps on board.
So lets get started.
Day 1
Arrival at Volos. The closest airport is situated 26 kilometers from the town of Volos. We have a chauffeur-driven air-conditioned 9-seater vehicle that you can book to transfer you to the port of Volos, to be arranged before arrival. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or bus.
Find your sailing yacht at the central port of Volos. The reception of your yacht takes place after 17.00, and your check-in / familiarization with the yacht lasts about 2 hours. You can also take the time to enjoy a drink, a meal or a stroll along the beautiful seafront of the town.
Alternatively, you can take a 10-minute bus journey or a 30-minute walk to enjoy an afternoon or evening swim at the organised beach of Anavros, where you can also enjoy a meal. We also suggest that you visit the village of Makrinitsa on Mount Pelion, at a height of 550 metres and 20 kilometres (30 minutes by road) away from the town. At Makrinitsa, you will not only discover the impressive traditional architecture of the area, but you will also have a splendid view of the entire Pagasitikos Gulf where you will sail the next day.
Day 2
Tour of the Pagasitikos Gulf.
We suggest that you use the engine and stay close to the coast as far as Gatzea (#2 on map), and then set sail in the direction of the island of Trikeri (#3 on map). All of the beaches are attractive places to stop and swim, and the many seaside villages you will encounter all have little tavernas to enjoy a meal. All have little ports, but only Milina (#4 on map) and Trikeri have port facilities.
You can spend the night at a small fishing village on the island of Trikeri, where there is a safe harbor with traditional tavernas. If the ‘noise’ and lights of the fishing village bother you, you can spend a quiet night in the neighboring bay, called “Pithos”. From there, it is a 15-minute walk to the village.
Day 3
We suggest that you visit the island’s monastery, a 15-minute walk from the harbor. You can then set sail from Trikeri at noon in the direction of the exit of the Pagasitikos Gulf. After about 2 & 1/2 hours, you can enjoy the unspoilt safe beach at Marmara (#5 on map). There is a safe place to anchor in the NE part of the bay, where you can drop anchor and secure the yacht with a line around the rocks. This is a quiet bay, without shops and tavernas, to spend the night.
Day 4
Set sail for the island of Skiathos (#7 on map). The numerous southern beaches of the island are known for their light-golden sands, beach parties and famous visitors from political and cultural circles. Navigation is safe – except at
Troulos (#6 on map). You will need about 2 hours to reach the port of Skiathos. If you arrive before 18.00, you will probably find a mooring place in the busy period, 15 July to 15 September. If not, you will need to drop anchor, taking care not to be too close to the flight path of planes landing at the airport. In the port you will find water, electricity and fuel for the yacht and a large shopping and tourist market. You can enjoy yourself in the numerous restaurants and bars in the town, all night if you wish. We suggest the little island of Tsougria (#8 on map) for swimming or a day trip. However, care is needed near the shore as there are reefs.
Day 5
If you have the ‘energy’ after a late night out, you can depart for the island of Skopelos. Sail in the direction of the port of Klima (#9 on map), which you should reach in about 2 hours. This is a safe harbor with water, electricity and fuel facilities and a small shopping market. Nearby, there is an attractive beach where you can swim, relax or enjoy a meal. You can take the bus for a 30-minute ride to the traditional town of Skopelos, where you will also find the central port of the town. The town is situated on the northern end of the island (#10 on map). The port is safe, but it is difficult to enter and exit when there are strong winds. Alternatively, we suggest that you stay the night in the bay of Panormos (#11 on map). The place to anchor is in the eastern part of the bay, which is quiet and safe but has no facilities. Care should be taken as the seabed is hard: you will need to use the entire length of the anchor chain and to secure the yacht with a line to a stable point on the shore.
Day 6
Depart in the direction of the island of Alonisos, which you should reach in about 3 hours. The port of Alonisos is situated on the SE end of the island (#12 on map). It is a small harbor with few mooring places and a troublesome swell. In the evening, we suggest you visit the old town at the top of the hill, which is 15 minutes away by local bus. You will discover traditional houses, impressive views, a piano bar under the stars, and good food.
Day 7
Sail between the islands of Alonisos and Peristera, stopping in the bay of Vasilika (#13 on map). You can spend a safe night in the northern end of the bay, but there are no facilities. Alternatively, stay in Steni Valla bay (#14 on map). This is a narrow bay with many small cafes and restaurants, many boats and much noise, but you can enjoy yourself, all night if you wish. You can find water at the cafes and a small food market. Great care should be taken when approaching the quay, as the water is less than 2 meters deep and you are in danger of damaging the rudder. You should drop anchor as close as possible to the southern shore and slowly approach the northern side, taking care of the quay and stopping the yacht at least 3 meters from the shore. You will probably need to use the dinghy.
Alternatively, you can find a mooring place in the neighboring bay (#15 on map), securing the yacht with a line from the shore, and visit the restaurants of Steni Valla on foot.
Day 8
Depart in the direction of Kira Panagia – Pelagonisi, which you should reach in about 3 hours. Weather permitting, we suggest that you make a short stop to swim in the pirates’ caves (#16 on map). You reach the island and spend the night in the southern bay (#17 on map). There is a safe anchorage at the NW end of the bay, securing the yacht with a line from the shore. The island has no permanent inhabitants. It has an interesting Byzantine monastery, which is about 1 hour’s walk from the southern bay. The monastery is situated on the eastern side of the island above a small bay (#18 on map). Anchoring in this bay is particularly dangerous. If you do so, the skipper should not leave the yacht.
Day 9
Relax, swim and eat on the yacht. The area is a sanctuary for the Mediterranean seal and fishing is prohibited. The island has another interesting and safe harbor with entry from the northern end of the island (#19 on map). This is a closed cove with shallow muddy water, called “Planet”. In bad weather, entry and exit are difficult.
Day 10
Depart for the island of Skatzoura (see 20 on map), which you should reach in 2 & 1/2 hours. The island is uninhabited. There is safe place to anchor in the NE recess of the bay.
Day 11
Depart for the southern end of the island of Peristera, which you should reach in 2 & 1/2 hours (#21 on map). Peristeri bay is a safe place to anchor and has an attractive beach.
Day 12
Depart for the harbour of Agnontas on Skopelos (#22 on map), which you should reach in 2 & 1/2 hours. This is a short stop for supplies – water, electricity, fuel, etc. It is also possible to visit the town of Skopelos, 30 minutes away by bus. In the afternoon, depart for the northern end of the island of Euvoia, the little “Pontikoniso” (#23 on map), which you should reach in 3 & 1/2 hours. It is safe to anchor in the southern bay of the island, but there are no facilities or inhabitants. There are, however, fishing boats where you can buy fresh fish.
Day 13
Return to the Pagasitikos Gulf, the bay of Achileion (#24 on
map), which you should reach in 4 hours. This is a small fishing village with water, electricity and fuel facilities, restaurants and a small market. Alternatively, you can stop in Pigadi (#25 on map), which has similar facilities.
Day 14
Sail in the Pagasitikos Gulf, with the port of Volos the final destination, arriving late in the evening to enjoy a meal at one of the famous “tsipouradika”.
Day 15
After a good breakfast, you should be ready to check out of
your yacht by about 10.00. If you have time, we suggest that you visit the rock towers of Meteora and their monasteries. As they are 200 kilometers away from Volos, you should inform us in good time if you would like us to organize your trip.
