Where we sail
Three seas, one week at a time.
Choosing your waters
Islands close to Athens, or the green Ionian.
Most of the season Whitecaps sails from her home port of Nea Peramos, near Athens, into the Saronic Gulf and the Cyclades. For part of the summer she moves to Lefkada for the Ionian islands. Below are a few ideas for a week aboard. Stay longer and the combinations multiply.
The weather decides
Every route here is a starting point, not a promise. In July and August the meltemi, a strong north wind, can blow for days in the Cyclades. Each morning Captain Christos reads the forecast and shapes the day around it, so you sail in comfort and anchor in shelter, even if that means a different island than planned.
Greece at a glance
Where the three seas are.
Athens sits on the Saronic Gulf, so the first islands are only a few hours away. The Cyclades lie further out in the Aegean, south-east of Athens. The Ionian is on the other side of the country, off the west coast. Tap an area to see its sample week.
- Home ports: Nea Peramos, near Athens, and Lefkada
- Sailing areas
From Nea Peramos · all season
The Saronic Gulf
The islands just south of Athens: short, easy passages, sheltered water and harbour towns full of character. Ideal for a first week aboard, for families, and for anyone who would rather swim than sail long hours.
What you’ll see
- Aegina
- Pistachio orchards, the Temple of Aphaia on its pine-covered hill, and fish tavernas at Perdika.
- Agistri & Moni
- Pine trees down to clear water, and quiet anchorages for a long swim.
- Poros
- A narrow channel lined with cafés, the clock tower above the town, and Love Bay.
- Hydra
- No cars, only donkeys and footpaths: a stone harbour town loved by artists.
- Spetses
- Captains’ mansions, horse-drawn carriages and the story of Bouboulina, heroine of 1821.
- Epidaurus
- Moor at Palaia Epidavros and visit the great ancient theatre.
A week, for example
- Nea Peramos to Aegina, dinner at Perdika
- Agistri and Moni, then on to Poros
- Poros to Hydra
- Hydra to Spetses
- Quiet coves around Dokos and Ermioni
- Palaia Epidavros and the ancient theatre
- Back to Nea Peramos
From Nea Peramos · all season
The Cyclades
White villages, blue domes and volcanic coastlines. Within a week Whitecaps can reach the big names, from Santorini to Milos, Paros, Antiparos and Naxos, with the smaller islands in between.
What you’ll see
- Kea & Kythnos
- The first islands out of Attica, with sandy bays and the sandbar at Kolona.
- Syros
- Ermoupoli, the elegant neoclassical capital of the Cyclades.
- Paros & Antiparos
- The fishing harbour at Naoussa, and turquoise water around Antiparos and Despotiko.
- Naxos
- The Portara, the great marble gateway of Apollo, standing over the harbour.
- Milos
- The sea caves and arches of Kleftiko, reachable only by boat, and the moon-white rock of Sarakiniko.
- Santorini
- Anchor under the cliffs of the caldera and watch the sun set behind Oia.
A week, for example
- Nea Peramos to Kea
- Kea to Syros, an evening in Ermoupoli
- Syros to Paros, dinner in Naoussa
- Past Antiparos to Santorini: anchor under the caldera for sunset
- Santorini to Milos, by way of Kleftiko’s sea caves
- Milos to Sifnos
- Back towards Athens via Serifos and Kythnos
One example among many: Naxos, Mykonos or a quieter day in Antiparos can replace a stop, depending on the wind.
From Lefkada · usually August
The Ionian
Green islands, calm mornings and a gentle afternoon breeze. For part of the summer, usually August, Whitecaps moves to Lefkada on the west coast. Ask us early if you would like an Ionian week: we group charters to make it happen.
What you’ll see
- Meganisi
- Deep green coves a short hop from Lefkada, perfect for the first night.
- Skorpios
- Swim off the private island once owned by Aristotle Onassis.
- Kalamos & Kastos
- Two quiet islands with tiny harbours and very few visitors.
- Ithaca
- Home of Odysseus: the bay of Vathy and the little harbour of Kioni.
- Kefalonia
- Fiskardo’s Venetian-coloured harbour, and the village of Assos.
- Lefkada’s west coast
- Porto Katsiki and Egremni, among the most beautiful beaches in Greece, on calm days.
A week, for example
- Lefkada to Meganisi
- Kalamos and Kastos
- On to Ithaca, evening in Kioni
- Kefalonia: Fiskardo
- Back across to Vathy, Ithaca
- Skorpios, then Lefkada’s west-coast beaches if the sea is calm
- Back to Lefkada
More than a week
Ten days, two weeks, or longer.
With more time, the map opens up. Combine Hydra and Spetses with the Cyclades in a single loop, spend unhurried days in Milos and the small islands around it, or, in the Ionian, sail further north to Paxos and Antipaxos. Tell us what you love, sailing, swimming, food, history or simply doing nothing, and we will suggest a route.
Destination photos from Wikimedia Commons: Hydra, Kleftiko and Sarakiniko by dronepicr (CC BY 2.0); Poros by Julien Seguinot (CC BY-SA 2.0); Aegina by Jebulon (CC0); Oia by Norbert Nagel (CC BY-SA 3.0); Porto Katsiki by Mikuláš Prokop (CC0); Fiskardo by Christos Vittoratos (public domain); Kioni by 7777777kz (CC BY 3.0).
Your week on the water starts here.
Rates and availability through your yacht charter specialist.