A Guide to Sailing in the Sporades Islands, Greece

Explore the coast of Greece in style with the Culture Trip’s Sailing Trips.

Densely-forested Skiathos attracts the greatest number of visitors – for good reason. It’s teeming with golden sandy beaches, like bustling Koukounaries and Agia Paraskevi, but also numerous secret coves, easily reached by yacht or motorboat.

Less-developed Alonissos still retains an air of wildness. Hike its well-marked trails through pine and cedar forests and gather wild herbs to season your next on-board meal. In the national marine park you’re unlikely to spot its shyest resident, the endangered Mediterranean monk seal, but you may see striped dolphins and Eleonora’s falcons.

On Skyros, pay a visit to the archaeological museum, where you can admire an example of a traditional island home, replete with intricate hand-carved Skyrian furniture.

Skyros’s Linaria Marina may appear minuscule but it is one of the Aegean’s best-organised public marinas. Run by university students, the Blue Flag marina (VHF channel 9; +30 6972 002020) can host a maximum of 50 vessels up to 50m (164ft) and offers mooring lines, water, electricity, toilets, showers, free wifi and a laundry. Laid-back Linaria has a handful of tavernas, cafe-bars and boutiques. Head up to Kavos Lounge Cafe – with tiered terraces set into a sea-facing cliff – for breakfast or sundowner cocktails.

On Skopelos’s southwestern coast, drop anchor at Limnonari Beach, take lines ashore and dip into brilliant blue-green waters. Sheltered from all winds but southerlies, it’s a wonderful spot to overnight.

Delicate olive oil, pine-scented honey, pungent herbs, plump fruit and vegetables, wild goat, fish and seafood dominate this fertile region’s wholesome recipes.

On Skyros, head to taverna Istories tou Barba, set above Molos beach with views of the whitewashed main town, for crisply fried fish. Traditional taverna Agios Petros is known for its succulent lamb cutlets.

On Skiathos, dine al fresco at the Windmill restaurant, perched high above the main town with views of the Aegean and nearby islands. Tables are set around a late-19th-century windmill and the menu features novel takes on classic Greek and Mediterranean dishes. Wind down with an exotic cocktail or two at hip GinFish, at the old port.

You have some options in Skopelos. Though, Skiathos has a considerable number of charter yachts available, so it makes sense to start your journey from there.

Note that to skipper a sailing yacht in Greece, you are required to present a sailing licence, certificate from a recognised sailing association or an International Certificate of Competence.

Skiathos and Skopelos have multiple supermarkets and minimarkets in close proximity to their ports, whereas there are fewer on Skyros and Alonissos. At all ports, seek out farmer’s markets or grocers to stock up on fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and island herbs. Butchers are your best bet for quality meat.

Join local sailors competing in the Northern Sporades Sailing Race, organised by the Volos Offshore Sailing Club and held over Greece’s annual Holy Spirit long weekend in June. Dates change in accordance with the moveable holiday.

The week-long Aegean Regatta and Evia Island Regatta, occasionally call in on Skyros, too.

The Sporades’ sailing season runs from April to October, with warm, sunny days and temperatures ranging from 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F). Novice sailors should consider scheduling a trip for April, May, September or October, when light winds of between Force 3 and 5 steadily blow through. In summer, winds can reach Force 7.

Skiathos has good connections, with direct flights to its international airport from London, Paris, Munich, and a number of other European cities, mainly from June through to October. Alternatively, fly into Athens and take one of the numerous domestic flights to Skiathos. A taxi transfer between the airport and port takes a mere five minutes.

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