A sailing holiday is a great way to explore multiple destinations during one holiday and the Greek coastline is the perfect place to start as a beginner. Not only is this a beautiful part of the world but with so many different coasts and islands to explore you are never far away from your next destination in Greece. You may feel a little nervous when planning your first sailing holiday but even as a beginner you can choose different types of holidays to suit yours and your family’s needs.
What types of sailing holidays can you take?
There are a few different types of sailing holiday you can take depending what your plans are. You can get as involved as you wish, learning to sail on yacht charter holidays and getting hands on or letting others take the lead and watching from afar. Here are two of the most popular types of sailing holidays you can choose from.
Flotilla sailing holidays
A flotilla is a group of between ten and twelve yachts which are guided by a lead yacht. This lead yacht contains an experienced skipper and a full crew. These flotillas usually have up to fifty people travelling in total. This if course depends on how many boats there are and what their sizes. The holiday has a set itinerary which begins with a full tour of the boat, an initial in depth briefing as well as daily briefings too. During these daily briefings you will be given details of the route and weather conditions. It is a great holiday to choose to give you confidence to sail on your own whilst knowing there is someone there to help if needed.
A Yacht Charter holiday
A yacht charter gives you complete freedom on your sailing holiday. Depending on your skills or qualifications you may want to sail yourself, hire a skipper, or even a full crew. Many choose a yacht charter holiday because of the freedom you get to set your own itinerary and change this if you want on route. Another great thing about a yacht charter is that you can stop in the middle of nowhere the ocean and enjoy your very own slice of paradise. Swimming and snorkelling or just relaxing on the waves. If you want some time to yourself without other boats nearby or meeting up with other sailors.
How to prepare for a sailing holiday?
To prepare for a sailing holiday you should plan in advance to make sure you have everything you need and are ready for the journey at sea. Firstly, you should pack light and well. There is limited space on a yacht so you will want to keep luggage to a minimum. You should also keep your clothes and other items separate using packing cubes, preferably waterproof ones. This is also the case for important documents and passports. Keeping them sealed in a waterproof bag will ensure protection against water damage. Don’t forget about toiletries and sun cream. It can get really hot and it is easy to forget about the sun’s rays due to the cooling breeze. AA first aid kit s also a good idea as you will have limited opportunities to pick up things you may need during your journey. Lastly, make sure you have something to entertain yourself like a good book during your down time.
Where to?
Once you decide on the type of holiday you want to take then you need to decide on the destinations. The Ionian, Saronic and Sporades in the Greek Islands are all popular choices for both flotilla and yacht charter holidays. There are many different places to stop and the sailing between islands are short and relatively easy. There are many different places to choose from in Greece, here are some great suggestions for your sailing holiday exploring the Greek coastline.
Shipwreck Bay in Zákynthos
Also known as Smugglers Cove or Navagio Beach, this beach can only be accessed by boat, which gives you a massive advantage when taking a sailing holiday. It all started when a smugglers boat carrying illegal cigarettes the boat was shipwrecked in 1980 after hitting rocks in a storm. Now it is a popular tourist destination for exploring, sunbathing and amazing photographs too. The best thing is, as you are sailing you can visit during early morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the tours and crowds. Make sure you get here before the cruises and tour boats to enjoy the destination even more.
A first aid kit s also a good idea as you will have limited opportunities to pick up things you may need during your journey. Lastly, make sure you have something to entertain yourself like a good book during your down time.
Beaches in Naxos and Paros
Both beautiful islands have tiny coves and beaches to explore. Whichever type of setting you are looking for you will find it here. Paros beaches are busier than those of Naxos including the popular and lively Punda Beach, Santa Maria and Golden Beach. If you are looking for something a little lower key in Paros try Farangas or Lolandonis. Naxos offers you quieter coves and bays to give you more peace and relaxed atmosphere. Most popular beaches in Naxos include St George Beach, Agios Prokopios, Kastraki, Pyrgaki, and Aliki. In either of these places you will find the perfect beach for you, and whilst on a sailing holiday, you can enjoy trying out a few different ones.
Corfu
This island is surrounded by clear turquoise waters, which are just perfect for swimming and snorkelling. There are many pretty coves and sandy beaches to explore and relax on. If you plan to stop at Corfu town there are many historic sites to see. From Venetian fortress to the Grand Palace of St. Michael and St. George. Corfu has plenty of photo worthy buildings, streets and sights to visit. There is plenty of history to see here including interesting museums and architecture to explore. It is also a great place to try out local cuisine with plenty of choice for the whole family.
Mykonos
If you are looking for some fun times and exciting nightlife, Mykonos known as the party island, is the place to visit. Mykonos town is popular for its bars and clubs and glamourous and parties. It is also a great island for shopping especially Hora, with its boutiques and souvenir shops catered for tourists. As well as partying and shopping there are beautiful beaches and coves perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling too. Paradise and Kalafáti beaches are favourites with visitors. Mykonos is the place to stop off if you want some time spent in crowds and to experience the party atmosphere of a popular Greek Island.
Will you be taking a beginner sailing holiday in Greece?
Now you know how to plan and prepare for a beginner sailing holiday and the types of holiday you can take. All you need to do is choose where you want to go! As you can see there are so many different places to explore and enjoy and options to suit all different traveller needs. Even if you are new to sailing you can still enjoy an amazing sailing holiday in Greece with as little or as much sailing yourself as you choose. So, where will you start on your sailing holiday exploring the Greek coastline?