Sailing in Greece & the islands

General information

Whether you wish to sail for pleasure or practice sailing as a sport, Greece will meet all your sailing expectations. Greece is considered a paradise for sailing and, as it has many gulfs and archipelagos, it offers all kinds of seas and winds. A trip around the Greek islands on a privately owned or chartered pleasure bareboat, is, hands down, a wonderful experience!

Whether you wish to sail for pleasure or practice sailing as a sport, Greece will meet all your sailing expectations. Greece is considered a paradise for sailing and, as it has many gulfs and archipelagos, it offers all kinds of seas and winds. A trip around the Greek islands on a privately owned or chartered pleasure bareboat, is, hands down, a wonderful experience!

Greece has more than 2,000 islands, 169 of which are inhabited, boasting a unique beauty, charm and many virgin bays accessible only by boat.

Some of the best areas for sailing in Greece, where many yacht centers are located, are the islands of Poros, Lefkada, Paros, Skiathos, Corfu and more.

The winds in Greece are divided according to the country’s two sea regions: the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea.

The Aegean Sea winds usually blow during the summer, from May to September. The winds that blow during July and August are known as "Meltemia". “Meltemia” blow mostly during the day, for about 2 to 4 days at a time. These winds don’t follow the same direction in the whole Aegean sea. In the northern Aegean, they come from the NE, in the central Aegean (Cyclades) from the North and in the South Aegean from the NW. The intensity of the winds depends on the area where they blow. One of the strongest “Meltemi” winds blows in the island of Naxos, which, thanks to its ideal wind conditions, is also a popular windsurfing destination. Apart from the summer, strong winds blow in the Aegean sea during the winter with speed of 8-9 Beaufort.

As for the Ionian Sea winds, they usually blow from the NW during the summer and are known as “Maistros” winds and are mostly thermic.

Sailing areas, winds, companies and federation

We propose essential information in order to get an idea about conditions for sailing in Greece: sailing areas, winds, agencies in the islands and information about the Hellenic Yachting Federation.

Famous Sailing Areas

Some of the most famous areas for Greece sailing are the islands of Poros, Lefkada, Paros, Skiathos, Corfu and more. Many yacht charter agencies are settled there. Read more: Top Sailing Destinations in Greece

The winds of Greece

The country's winds can be divided into two sea regions: the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea.

The Aegean Sea Winds usually blow during the summer season, from May to September, but they are particularly known for the months of July and August. Those winds are called "Meltemia" and they are mostly blowing during the day and their average duration is from 2 to 4 days.
The Meltemia do not have the same direction in all the regions of the Greek Seas. In the Northern Aegean, they come from the NE, in the central Aegean (Cyclades) from the North and in the South Aegean from the NW. The intensity of the winds depends on the region. One of the stronger Meltemi can be found in the Island of Naxos, in the Cyclades, which attracts many windsurfers. Strong winds blow on the Aegean Sea also during the winter with a power of 8-9 Beaufort.
The Ionian Sea Winds usually appear during summer season and are called Maistros. They are blowing from the NW.

Greece sailing federations

The Hellenic Yachting Federation is the organisation which supervises all the sailing races in Greece. Many sailing races are organised every year by the 134 sailing clubs operating in the country.

Some sailing companies in Greece