Since sailing enthusiasts are in constant search today to find a great place for sailing, this is a real struggle to find a beautiful port or even a scenic route without its agglomeration. However, this does not prevent these modern sailors from searching tirelessly, just as old sailors continued to explore the sea for new routes and new lands.
Good advice for a picturesque destination should be a place that is also quite cheap and yet not so popular, which gives you the opportunity to escape the summer crowds. A good place to start, especially if you are a beginner skipper, is the Mediterranean. These old beaches are very well chartered, so sea charts are often very accurate, which gives good directions and also offers a number of conditions (virtually no tides, predictable winds and good weather), which means you will not have too many problems at the helm.
A good example of one such “undiscovered treasure” is the Gulf of Corinth, which, as a rule, is considered by the captain scouts as a simple passage between the Aegean and Ionian seas, and not a stopping point for sailing holidays. Most prefer to travel on it as quickly as possible, and preferably at night.
1 day
We recommend starting from west to east, seeing as this is the general direction of the prevailing winds. The starting point for the bay is the Corinthian Bridge or “Rion Andiron”, as is known locally, and this should be the original location of your sailing trip. Visible at long distances due to its size (2.8 km in length), the bridge is a rich passage for both commercial and leisure transport, so the locals apply several rules and regulations.
Please remember to contact the Rion Traffic Authority on VHF 14 when 5 miles from the bridge, and then again when you go 2 miles. They will give you instructions from the coast guard on which route you should take, since there are only 5 channels reserved for small yacht charters that pass through this area. Note that there are some other tourist attractions in the region, such as the two medieval fortresses on both sides of the canal, to the south and to the north.
When you enter the bay, go to the northern shore of the small but very beautiful harbor of Nafpaktos, which is located in a semicircular bay, which provides good protection from the north and west winds. The name of the harbor is Mezolongi, and it has the perfect horseshoe shape. The entrance to the harbor has two large berths on both sides, where the crew of the yacht charter can visit a large ancient temple, as well as a fortress dating back to Venetian times.
The mooring here is somewhat troublesome, since the project is only 5 m, and there is not much maneuver. However, you will find that there are many other yachts that risk anchoring here because of the beauty of the city. There is another big fortress on the nearby hill, overlooking the harbor, an aquapark where children can enjoy dolphins, just 500 meters from the sea, and further along the coast to the southeast there is even a beach where you can tan.
Day 2
Keeping to the north coast, on the mainland, your sailing route will take you to an island called Nissos Trizonia, off the coast of Glyfada. Here you will find two harbors with a common entrance facing east. This means that here you will be well protected from the north, south and westerly winds, but during the east winds you sweep in the marina. The water is deeper on the outer piers, suitable for those who have more large vessels.
The harbor is also used by small fishing boats, as is another small harbor to the northeast. It is recommended that you visit this harbor on foot, as it is within walking distance of the first. Here you will find a quaint settlement with several beautiful restaurants that offer a view of the canal. The visitor will be glad to know that he can find basic repairs here at reasonable prices if his ship needs them.
On the mainland, the neighboring Ormos-Ai-Saranda bay, to the north-west, is a good place for the pier. In this bay there is a small village Paralia Saranda, a real sailboat, as it offers everything you expect from a holiday in Greece. There are only a few houses in this authentic Greek village, but there are several restaurants that offer traditional food at very low prices due to the fact that the region is often not frequented by summer crowds.
Mooring in the bay is possible, as there is a depth of 7-12 meters, as well as a sandy bottom. The reason you and your group should moor here is that it is free and provides good protection from all winds except the south. But as the prevailing winds blow from the west, you will be safe, and you will also see a very wild part of the Greek coastline, which does not seem to be touched by man.
Day 3
Coming again along the coast, you will meet your next stop, this time the larger city of Galaxidi, which is also located in a beautiful mountain region. The only thing the skipper should remember is that the neighboring mountains can create gusting wind effects, especially later in the day, between 3 and 8 o'clock at night. Although it is not strong, these benefits will impede the approach.
The harbor in Galaxidi is rather small, but it provides a good mooring, and also offers tourists some beautiful views and good conditions. Among them you will find gas, electricity and water, all at very low prices. The disadvantage is that at night you will be disturbed by the noise coming from the neighboring bars, which play loud music until late at night. In addition, sometimes in summer, when the water temperature becomes very hot, pleasure boats will struggle with algae in the water, which can quickly clog the filters if they are not checked regularly. But given the fact that Oracle Delphi is located in the region, and it is also one of the largest ports in this part of the bay, the pier at Galaxidi is somewhat imperative.
Day 4
Your trip now brings you closer to the Corinth Canal, a busy waterway that serves sailors from circumnavigation on the Peloponnese peninsula. You will find that there is a lot of commercial traffic here, and this is also quite expensive, but the advantages are that you save time and you also get a one-on-one experience. A cruising boat between almost vertical rocky cliffs reaching several tens of meters at some points will make it all worthwhile. Just make sure you bring your camera.
Before arriving, contact the authority on VHF 11 and wait for instructions. Once on the canal, moor at the indicated pier and continue to pay and, if necessary, ask for help with the transition. Be careful, because it costs too much and illustrates nothing more than a formal boating in front of your craft.
As you pass the canal, head south to the Saronic Gulf. At this point, many vacationers would prefer to go straight east to large ports such as Piraeus or Athens, but it is worth mentioning that the east coast of the Peloponnesian peninsula has something to offer the tourist associated with water
On the last night, for example, you can moor in the small bay of Korfos, located near the Nishida Islands. This bay is very well protected from the wind due to its position, carved deep into the coastline. The bay provides a good mooring for sailing boats with a depth of 5 to 10 m and a sandy bottom, which provide a good anchor. Since it is only 2.5 hours from the channel, it pays here because there are no fees, but unfortunately there are no amenities.
From here you can go to any of the major ports in Greece or continue exploring the Saronic Gulf in your free time. It is important to remember that there is a lot of undiscovered potential in the Gulf of Corinth, and for those who love swimming and this is an adventure here, it can be a wonderful but beautiful vacation aboard a yacht.
