Whats Included: Fully Equipped yacht with full domestic and safety inventory, yacht operating costs (fuel, water & gas), provisions for breakfast and lunch (group catering), the services of our charter skipper, bed linen & towels + beach towels.
Sporades islands Cabin cruise
Set sail from Volos in a 4 cabin sailing yacht with like-minded people and explore the beautiful islands of Skiathos, Skopelos & Alonissos, amongst others. Enjoy a swim and lunch in a choice of tranquil bays and evenings exploring the area before dining in a pretty harbour-side taverna. A maximum of 6 like-minded guests have the opportunity to share a fantastic island hopping Sporades islands cabin cruise. You can get involved in the sailing or relax and enjoy the scenery, the choice is yours, although helping out with mooring and preparing meals is part of the experience.
Discover the Greek islands by sea
There is nothing better after a day of great sailing, swimming and snorkelling than to relax on deck and enjoy a sunset and cocktail with your fellow sailors, before disembarking to explore the new island or harbour or fishing village you have just arrived at. We aim to arrive into port in the afternoon as the towns and villages we visit are well worth exploring, with each having their own character and fascinating history with lots to see. If you are a foodie, this is a great part of Greece, especially for fish and shell food, and with each island having their own local delicacies to try.
The Traditional Greece (Off the Beaten Track) Route aims to visit mostly tranquil locations where you can appreciate the natural beauty of Greece as well as some smaller ports and more traditional coastal villages, where you can sample the local cuisine, learn about the traditional Greek way of life and swim in isolated bays or anchor under the stars.
The Sporades Highlights Route includes a visit to the lively port of Skiathos as well as the main ports of each of the other two main islands in the archipelago: Skopelos and Alonissos, as well as visiting some famous beaches and fishing villages. On a two week cruise, you get to fully explore the magic of the Sporades islands. Our departure dates are flexible and subject to confirmation, requiring a minimum of just 4 people to set sail on these captivating journeys.
Whether you decide to explore the traditional Greece route or the Sporades Highlights route, you’ll embark on an unforgettable cabin cruise experience. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty, rich culture, and tantalizing local delicacies of these enchanting islands in the Sporades. With each passing week, you’ll uncover the unique charm and hidden gems of this magnificent region, creating memories to last a lifetime. Don’t miss your chance to savor the beauty and culture of the Sporades on this remarkable cruise adventure.
All itineraries are at the mercy of the weather conditions and the skipper has full responsibility to make any necessary changes to the route, with the safety and comfort of boat and passengers as the main priority.
Week 1 Route
Embarkation dates from Volos:
Week 2 Route
Embarkation dates from Volos:
A minimum of 4 guests are needed to confirm a cruise. First cabin (2 people) can be optioned for free (without down payment) until 2nd cabin is confirmed. Routes may be adjusted according to weather conditions.
Highlights
Comfortable and spacious sailing yachts
Our comfortable and well appointed Beneteau Oceanis 440 sailing yacht is ideal for your Sporades islands cabin cruise. She has 4 double cabins (οne for the skipper), lots of deck space and even a BBQ to use on land. There are a total of 2 heads (WC/showers) on board, so these may need to be shared if the boat is full. A maximum of six guests can be comfortably accommodated on board, together with an experienced, professional skipper to look after you.
Meals
Your yacht will be provisioned with a generous welcome pack including tea, coffee and fruit juices, fresh fruit, plus everything needed for breakfast and a light lunch. Your skipper will organise breakfast on the first morning and, thereafter, provisioning the yacht and catering on board will be a collaborative effort between the guests on board. The norm is to have breakfast before leaving harbour and a snack or light lunch at anchor in a bay, whilst in the evening, most guests choose to dine ashore and discover the culinary delights on offer. It is traditional for the group to cover the costs of the skipper’s evening meals ashore, but in most cases, he will take you to the best tavernas where there are also better prices. You should normally expect to pay around €20-€25 per person for an evening meal ashore with local wine or beer included.
Cruise Programme
Boats depart between May and October from Volos harbour
Routes may be adjusted according to the prevailing weather conditions. Embarkation is from 3pm every Saturday and disembarkation is after breakfast the following Saturday.
Day 1: Saturday
Embark 16:00 – 17.00 and begin your adventure from Volos by setting sail to the charming village of Pigadi (2.5 hrs), where you’ll experience the authentic Greek way of life. Enjoy the serene ambiance and perhaps try some local delicacies at one of the small quayside tavernas.
Day 2: Sunday
After breakfast and a wake up swim at the small village beach, sail across the gulf to the coastal fishing village of Aghia Kyriaki (1 hr). Here you can have some delicious, freshly caught seafood at one of the two quayside fish restaurants, or hike up the hill to the old village of Trikeri. In the afternoon, set sail again. Your next destination is the secluded bay of Chondri Ammos (2 hrs), a tranquil beach where you can relax, swim, and enjoy the sunset with cocktails. Dinner on board prepared by the group and an evening at anchor under the stars.
Day 3: Monday
After breakfast, set sail to the island of Skopelos (4 hours) and explore the enchanting village of Neo Klima on the western coast. Swim at the local beach or wander through its charming streets, and don’t forget to sample the local cuisine. (If time and weather allow, we’ll include a swim-stop at the small island of Tsougria near Skiathos). An alternative option is to spend a second night under the stars at the charming bay of Panormos, which is surrounded on 3 sides by pine forest.
Day 4: Tuesday
After breakfast, sail along the southern coast of Skopelos with a swim stop at the famous Staphylos beach (2 hrs). Lunch on board. An afternoon sail on towards the island of Alonissos (2 hrs) where you will discover the charm of the small bay at Steni Vala. Dinner at one of the local tavernas.
*Optional route: If the group agrees, it is possible to sail north to the island of Kyra Panagia in the National Marine Park of the Northern Sporades (4 hours). You could spend the night in the southern bay of Agios Petros, or if time allows, the more isolated northern bay of Planitis. The only residents are goats and perhaps a monk or two on the hilltop monastery. You may catch a sighting of the rare Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) which breeds on these islands and is protected here. There is an additional fee of €35 for the boat, and €6.00 pp to overnight in the park, and this would need to be shared by the passengers.
Day 5: Wednesday
Set sail westwards once more towards the island of Skopelos (2 hrs) and the main town of Chora on the north side of the island. Skopelos is famous for its hundreds of little churches and chapels, small pebbled backstreets, gift shops and of course the famous “Skopelitiki” cheese pie. After a light lunch on board, you are free to spend the rest of the day exploring the town. Dinner at a taverna.
Day 6: Thursday
A full day sailing today as your journey comes full circle, returning to the Pagasetic Gulf (6 hrs). Depending on the weather, you can sail along the north of Skopelos, past the famous “Mamma Mia” church which Meryl Streep sprinted up, or back around the south of the island to avoid northerly winds. A swimstop and lunch on board at one of Skiathos’ golden sandy beaches (Megali Ammos or Koukounaries) and then onwards to the gulf in the afternoon. Dinner at a quayside taverna at the little island of “Paleo Trikeri” where you can sample their famous crayfish pasta.
Day 7: Friday
Slowly cruise back to Volos (2 hrs), stopping for one final swim and lunch on board at Donkey Island (the donkey has long gone). Savour the memories of your traditional Greek adventure. Return to Volos between 16:00-17:00. Dinner at one of the local “ouzeries” where you can try the famous local tsiporo drink and seafood “mezes”.
Day 8: Saturday
Disembark 09:00 after breakfast.
After your sailing cruise it is a very rewarding choice to rent a car for the day and explore the charming Mount Pelion with its picturesque villages, (with Makrinitsa and Portaria being among the closest and most beloved) and the unique beaches on the other side, such as Milopotamos, Fakistra, Limiona & Labinou. It is a very rewarding choice for experiencing the authentic beauty and culture of this enchanting region.
Day 1: Saturday
Embark 16:00 – 17:00 in Volos and set sail at once for the small island of Paleo Trikeri (2 hours), where you can have dinner at one of the local seaside tavernas and try the famous “crayfish pasta” dish.
Day 2: Sunday
Set sail after breakfast. Enjoy lunch on board and a swim stop and at the little island beach of Tsougria before arriving in the lively port of Skiathos (3-4 hrs) in the afternoon. Explore the vibrant island and its unique charm. Dinner ashore.
Day 3: Monday
After breakfast, set sail for the island of Alonissos. Swim-stop and lunch in the secluded bay of Panormos (1 hr) on the west coast of Skopelos. Overnight and dinner in Patitiri (main town) (2 hrs). It’s worth taking a taxi up to the mountain hill top bar with its sublime view over the whole of the Sporades archipelago.
Day 4: Tuesday
Set sail after breakfast towards the the small uninhabited island of Peristera (2 hrs), where you will drop anchor, enjoy a peaceful lunch on board and a swim in the tranquil bay or perhaps a refreshing snorkel around the Peristera shipwreck.* A short sail across the strait in the afternoon to the charming small village of Steni Valla, where you can have dinner at one of the local tavernas.
*Accredited scuba divers may be interested in exploring the dive site of Greece’s first underwater museum: the shipwreck of a classical Greek trading vessel with its many preserved amphora. This would need to be arranged in advance at extra cost per diver.
Day 5: Wednesday
After breakfast, set sail westwards once more towards the island of Skopelos and the main town of Chora on the north side of the island (2-3 hrs). Skopelos is famous for its hundreds of little churches and chapels, small pebbled backstreets, gift shops and of course the famous “Skopelitiki” cheese pie. After a light lunch on board, you are free to spend the rest of the day exploring the town. Dinner at a taverna.
Day 6: Thursday
A full day sailing today as your journey comes full circle, returning to the Pagasetic Gulf (6 hrs). Depending on the weather, you can sail along the north of Skopelos, past the famous “Mamma Mia” church which Meryl Streep sprinted up hundreds of steps, or back around the south of the island to avoid northerly winds. A swimstop and lunch on board at one of Skiathos’ golden sandy beaches (Megali Ammos or Koukounaries) and then onwards to the gulf in the afternoon. Dinner at a quayside taverna at the little fishing port of Aghia Kyriaki, where you can eat some of the best freshly caught local seafood.
Day 7: Friday
Set sail after breakfast with a swim stop and lunch on board at Donkey Island or Trachilli beach. Catch the afternoon breeze to be back in Volos by 16:00-17:00. Dinner at one of the local “tsipouradiko” restaurants where you can sample the local ouzo drink and seafood “mezes”.
Day 8: Saturday
Disembark 09:00 after breakfast.
After your sailing cruise it is a very rewarding choice to rent a car for the day and explore the charming Mount Pelion with its picturesque villages, (with Makrinitsa and Portaria being among the closest and most beloved) and the unique beaches on the other side, such as Milopotamos, Fakistra, Limiona & Labinou. It is a very rewarding choice for experiencing the authentic beauty and culture of this enchanting region.
s/y Xanemo, Beneteau Oceanis 440 Jubilee edition. This classic limited edition sailing yacht with solid wooden interior, has powerful sails and a powerful turbo engine, and is fully equipped with everything needed for safe and comfortable sailing holidays.
There are 2 forward cabins (one is reserved for the skipper) which share a bathroom/shower, and two slightly larger double stern cabins with a shared bathroom/shower, making it ideal for up to 6 guests + skipper. The galley saloon area is spacious and comfortable with a wide dining table, a navigation corner and a fully equipped galley.
s/y Chilli Pepper is an Oceanis 45 sailing yacht with 4 double cabins and 2 heads (One forward cabin is reserved for the skipper, so up to 6 guests can be accommodated in 3 double cabins). The two stern cabins are slightly larger than the forward cabins. The boat is newly refitted and has fans & USB ports in the cabins and saloon, cockpit cushions, a cockpit table with icebox, music player with deck speakers, electric flush toilets, solar panels, underwater lighting all for your comfort.
New in 2023: completely new inventory including dinghy, plotter, teak cockpit, galley surface, interior upholstery, galley equipment, linen, blankets and towels, fans in cabins, underwater lights, electric toilets.
Prices are per person per week based on 2 people sharing a cabin with departures from Volos every Saturday.
| Departure Dates | Cabin Type | Price per person (EUR) | Single Supplement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May & June | Forward Cabins | €850 | €425 | |
| Stern Cabins (slightly larger) | €900 | €450 | ||
| July, August, September | Forward Cabins | €1000 | €500 | |
| Stern Cabins (slightly larger) | €1100 | €550 | ||
| October | Forward Cabins | €850 | €425 | |
| Stern Cabins (slightly larger) | €900 | €450 |
A minimum of 4 guests are required to confirm a cruise.
Whats Included: Fully Equipped yacht with full domestic and safety inventory, yacht operating costs (fuel, water & gas), provisions for breakfast and lunch (group catering), the services of our charter skipper, bed linen & towels + beach towels.
Note: All itineraries are proposed routes only and are subject to changes caused by the weather, although the skipper will do his/her best to make sure that all passengers are able to make onward connections and transfers in time. No refunds can be offered for changes to the route due to the weather.
