Saronic gulf sailing vacations
The Saronic Gulf lies to the north of Poros and includes some beautiful harbours and the world-famous theatre above Paleo Epidauros, a world heritage site.
This Gulf forms our northern sailing area and lies between the north eastern shoulder of the Peloponnese and Attic Coast on which Athens lies.
You can skim across this stretch of water on your way to and from Poros, presuming you travel as most do by the Flying Dolphin hydrofoil
or Flying Cat catamaran service from Piraeus that connects Poros, Hydra, Ermioni and Spetsai.
The Saronic Gulf extends in the west from the famous Corinth canal, a sheer-sided channel carved through the rock of the isthmus
that links the Peloponnese to the rest of the Greek mainland, to the western Aegean and Cyclades islands lying to the east.
The Meltemi is the predominant wind across the entire area and blows from the north east, although nearer to Poros and towards the head of the Gulf,
the wind can veer around towards the south east as it turns and flows up into the Saronic Gulf itself.
A great benefit of the Saronic sailing area is that the Athenian coast protects the waters from the full extent of the Meltemi,
reducing the reach and so allowing flatter waters even when the Meltemi is blowing.
This shelter makes the Saronic a good family sailing ground where you can enjoy a good breeze while being protected
from the effects of stronger winds that not all of the family might be so enthusiastic about.
The gulf includes the islands of Aegina, Salamis and Poros along with smaller islands of Patroklou and Vleves.
The port of Piraeus, Athens port lies on the northeastern edge of the gulf.
The Saronic Gulf islands are the closest to Athens and can be reached in an hour or less by highspeed in the case of Aegina and Agistri
and are great for daytrips and overnights even in the winter.
These islands can be visited by the OneDay Saronic Cruise which boasts a 364-day-a-year schedule since even in bad weather the Saronic Gulf is sheltered from the wind.
Saronic islands are also worth spending more time on and the island of Hydra has a jet-set reputation that rivals Mykonos.
Find out more about this Greek sailing vacation here: www.saronicgulftravel.gr