Nautilus Yachting > Flotilla > Greece Flotillas > Saronic Gulf And Corinth Canal Flotilla
Join this unique flotilla in Greece, covering two fantastic sailing areas - the Saronic Gulf and the lesser-travelled Gulf of Corinth.
The Saronic Gulf and Gulf of Corinth Flotilla will operate two one-way flotilla routes, meaning that whichever route you choose, you will get to experience the engineering marvel that is the Corinth Canal! The season starts at the end of April with the Corinth Route, setting sail from the quaint village of Korfos and sailing north through the 4km long Corinth Canal before taking in some fascinating and unspoilt spots in the Gulf of Corinth and ending the week in Kiato.
The Saronic Route sets sail from Kiato and sails south through the Corinth Canal and into the Saronic Gulf. This route perfectly combines ancient history in Epidavros with atmospheric seaside towns such as Poros, as well as some 'get away from it all' tranquillity on the Alkyonides Islands. Choose just one week or combine the two for an unforgettable sailing holiday in Greece.
On the Saronic Gulf and Corinth Canal flotilla, you have the support and guidance of an experienced lead crew. A flotilla sailing holiday is a fantastic option for those wanting more support and guidance than a traditional bareboat yacht charter in Greece. Benefit from the experience and local knowledge of the lead crew to make the most of your time spent sailing in the Saronic Gulf or the Gulf of Corinth.
Moderate winds and distances Find out more...
Discover a unique sailing adventure through the Corinth Canal into the Gulf of Corinth, a stunning region rich in history and natural beauty. From ancient ruins to remote islands and peaceful harbours, this flotilla combines authentic Greek charm with unforgettable sailing.
Please Note: All routes may vary due to weather conditions & other factors.
Fly UK to Athens and transfer to the harbour at Kiato for embarkation.
(22 nm) An atmospheric fishing village and convenient access point for the fabulous ancient site of Delphi.
(20 nm) A gem of a town, with notable traditional architecture with its 'Kapetanospita' and some excellent traditional tavernas, favoured by wealthy Athenians.
(19 nm) This sleepy little island is something of a discovery with turquoise waters and a great little marina.
Your crew will advise on some great choices for free sailing.
The harbour of Corinth is a perfect stop before the transit of the canal.
After transiting the canal, it's time to head to our protected base in the Saronic Gulf, Korfos. Enjoy a farewell meal with the flotilla and crew.
Set sail from Kiato for a week of discovery in the Saronic Gulf. This relaxed route blends ancient history, traditional Greek charm, and peaceful islands, perfect for both new and experienced sailors.
Fly UK to Athens and transfer to the harbour at Korfos for embarkation.
An attractive coastal village which is most well-known for the 2500 year old amphitheatre located close by which is still in use today.
A popular stop in the Saronic Gulf and for good reason! Poros boasts a lively harbour with a long quayside full of bars and tavernas. This seaside town is bursting with character and provides an entertaining evening exploring the narrow streets filled with charming shops selling local products.
An extremely picturesque village on Aegina Island. Here you can enjoy some fabulous views and some of the best food in the region.
(10 nm) Famous for Pistachios, Aegina Town is a gem - plenty of restaurants and some good nightlife too.
Discover the thermal springs of Methana or head to Agistiri, Moni or Aegina Town - you have many possibilities!
Time to head to our base in the Gulf of Corinth, Kiato, and a farewell dinner in this beautiful bay.
Experience the perfect blend of the Saronic Gulf and the edge of the Cyclades on this varied and rewarding sailing adventure from Athens. This route combines iconic landmarks, charming island harbours, and authentic Greek coastal towns, offering a mix of relaxed cruising and memorable stopovers along the way.
Highlights of this route:
The capital of the island, Aegina town, is a bustling resort, famed for its pistachios.
Cape Sounion is our destination, anchoring under the temple of Poseidon.
The closest of the Cycladic Islands is a great spot, well protected in this large natural harbour.
Lavrion is a working town with a thriving fishing industry and a market surrounded by excellent tavernas.
Heading back towards Korfos, Perdika or Poros are possible stops.
Time to head back to Korfos for our farewell dinner.
Experience one of the most diverse and rewarding sailing areas in Greece, where cosmopolitan islands, hidden bays, and ancient history come together. The Hydra Route offers a perfect balance of lively harbours, peaceful anchorages, and iconic destinations, all within easy reach of Athens.
Day 2 (Sunday): Palea Epidavros
A peaceful harbour town steeped in history, with the option to visit the famous ancient theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best-preserved in Greece.
Day 3 (Monday): Poros
A lively and picturesque island with a bustling waterfront, charming streets, and a fantastic selection of cafes, shops, and tavernas.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Ermioni, Hydra or Dokos
Choose between elegant Ermioni, the cosmopolitan island of Hydra with its car-free charm, or the tranquil, unspoilt island of Dokos for a more secluded experience.
Day 5 (Wednesday): Perdika
A charming seaside village on the island of Aegina, known for its colourful waterfront, relaxed atmosphere, and excellent seafood tavernas overlooking the Saronic Gulf.
Day 6 (Thursday): Free Sailing
Your crew will suggest excellent options for the day, including Vathi, Aponissos, or Perdikha, perfect for swimming, relaxing, and exploring at your own pace.
Day 7 (Friday): Korfos
Return to Korfos for your final evening. Enjoy a farewell meal with the flotilla and crew before disembarkation the following morning.
Mooring fees and Corinth Canal fees are not included. Corinth Canal fees depend on the size of the yacht and are approximately €20-€70. One tank of fuel is included, any extra fuel must be paid for.
Flights to Athens are served by a number of airlines - British Airways, Aegean Airlines & Olympic Air all operate flights from Heathrow; EasyJet operates flights from Gatwick and Manchester; Ryanair operates flights from Stansted.
Transfers are not included on this flotilla but can be added at an additional cost. Transfer time from Athens airport to the base in Kiato or Korfos is approximately 75-90 minutes.
The best time to take a sailing holiday in Greece is between April and October, with peak season being June, July, and August.
High Season
The Meltemi winds are strongest in July and August, making a more exhilarating sailing challenge for the more experienced sailors. These months also fall within the UK school summer holidays, the perfect time for a family holiday, with lots of opportunities for the children to make new friends. Why not try one of our family-friendly flotilla holidays?
For easier sailing aim for the end of the summer when the winds are less intense making for more relaxed sailing conditions.
Shoulder Season
April and October benefit from smaller crowds as well as cheaper flights, great yacht availability and reduced costs.
Spring
April - June are the perfect months for those looking for a quieter yacht charter. The winds are milder, the weather is warm and the islands are in full bloom. With the reduced crowds it allows you to enjoy them to the fullest!Autumn Sailing in Greece
Choose the autumn months to avoid the tourist crowds, enjoy the calmer winds and take in the natural beauty of the islands at a leisurely pace.
May & September
The weather is warm but not too hot with average temperatures around 25ºC (77ºF) and the crowds are lower than the peak summer season.
Late May & June
The crowds are still relatively low but the temperatures have started to rise (average 28ºC / 85ºF) and the waters begin to get warm enough for swimming.
July to September
This is when the waters are at their warmest and it is also the peak tourist time due to the school summer holidays. This is a great time for a sociable family holiday - why not try one of our family-friendly flotilla holidays?
October
This is the end of the main sailing season and a good opportunity to take advantage of lower prices and lighter crowds. The weather is on average 21 - 23ºC and the waters are still warm enough to enjoy a spot of swimming.
In general, the best sailing conditions are from April to October when you can enjoy warm waters, clear skies and reliable winds.
The Ionian is great for year-round sailing however the best conditions are late spring to early autumn. The Ionian has hot, dry summers with calmer winds but stronger gusts can occur in the afternoons.
The Meltemi winds provide reliable sailing in the summer months perfect for more experienced sailors looking for a more challenging charter.
Typically the rainy season is from November to March and sailing conditions are not always ideal.
The cost of your yacht charter depends on several factors:
The type and size of the yacht you book will dictate the price. A 1 week charter on a 2 - 3 cabin monohull starts around £900 in low season whereas 1 week on a luxury catamaran with a skipper in high season could be upwards of £10,000. These are the 2 extremes of the scale for a 1 week charter and we offer plenty of choices in between.
1 week is a popular choice amongst our sailors and makes the perfect getaway however, a longer charter will give you more time to explore all the Greek islands have to offer. We have a range of 1 and 2 week flotillas, as well as custom bareboat bookings which can be tailored to your timescale.
Lower-priced yacht charters are available in the off-season of April, May, September and October with prices starting to rise in June before peaking in July and August.
Don't have any sailing experience? No problem! We offer several skippered and crewed options so you can enjoy the yachting lifestyle without the stress. From a simple skippered yacht to fully crewed options, we can arrange a charter to suit your needs.
Flotilla yacht charters are more expensive than a bareboat charter, but for the extra cost, you are getting the assistance of a lead boat with an experienced crew who are ready to help if you need assistance on your voyage. The flotilla lead crew also arrange social activities and lead you on a carefully curated itinerary. Flotillas are great if you enjoy the social aspects of sailing and are perfect for families, especially during school holidays. Children enjoy making new friends, while adults can unwind and connect with like-minded sailors.
If you are experienced and prefer to discover the islands at your own pace then a bareboat charter is the perfect choice for a relaxing holiday in The Med.
For bareboat charters and flotilla holidays in Greece, you will need ICC qualification.
The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates:
If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA).
If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 10 years old and does not have a photo ID, then you need to apply for an ICC or IPC.
If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use these links - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.
A 1 - 2 week charter will give you the optimum time to explore all Greece has to offer, from the beautiful secluded beaches and coves to the rich culture of its historic towns. Fancy exploring at a more relaxed pace? Our knowledgeable team can assist you with a custom charter.
We have various 1 and 2 week sailing itineraries for both bareboat and flotilla sailing holidays in Greece that have been personally tried and tested by our team.
The mooring fees in Greece are very minimal, you will find it is one of the cheaper Mediterranean destinations in terms of mooring costs. On average, a town quay mooring in Greece (based on a 40ft monohull) would be €20/night.
There are fewer "full-service marinas" compared with somewhere like Croatia, but these would usually be between €50-70/night.
There is also the ability to free anchor in a lot of places too, which keeps the cost of your mooring fees down considerably.
Our most popular sailing destination in Greece is the South Ionian due to its easy sailing conditions and endless bays to visit; this collection of islands (Lefkas, Kefalonia, Ithaka, Meganisi, Kalamos & Kastos) is perfect for beginners and families but has a charm that keeps our guests returning year after year.
You can also set sail in the Ionian from well-connected Corfu which has great options for sail-and-stay to combine your holiday with one of the island's highly-rated resorts. When on a yacht charter from Corfu, you can also explore Corfu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as picture-perfect Paxos.
If you have your next bareboat yacht charter or flotilla holiday booked, your thoughts may now be turning to what to pack! Whether you are heading to the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean or jetting off to sail in the warm breezes of the Caribbean, we have a few suggestions for you for useful items to pack for your next sailing holiday.
We took a look at the destinations which are currently top of the list and have been surprised by a few of the entries! Tried and tested favourites for your yacht charters stand alongside a few newcomers, keeping things interesting and allowing a few lesser-known sailing areas to have their place in the limelight.
For those of you who jetted off at the beginning of the summer or for those who wanted to ‘wait and see’, September and October offer fantastic sailing conditions in many areas and a chance to explore without the intense heat and crowds of summer.
Call our knowledgeable sailing specialists for the latest advice and recommendations on the sailing areas most suited to you.
Arrange a call back from one of our specialists (Mon-Fri: 0900-1730).
