Sailing & Exploring the Saronic Islands in Greece
- Vessel: Zorba
- Where: Saronic Islands, Greece
- Duration: 8 days
- Embark: Salamina - 16 September 2023, 17:00
- Disembark: Salamina - 23 September 2023, 09:00
Discover the beautiful Saronic Islands with a skippered sailing holiday in Greece with yacht Zorba.
Join modern yacht Zorba and her skippers Aga and Greg as they take guests on an authentic Greek sailing holiday to explore the Saronic Islands. The Saronic Islands sit South from Athens off mainland Greece and are well known for their rich history, ancient ruins, individual personality, sandy beaches and beautiful clear blue waters.
This skippered sailing holiday focusses on a mixture of both the inhabited and uninhabited islands that make up the Saronic’s with a few mainland harbours thrown into the mix too. With warm waters, an abundance of sunshine, true Greek hospitality with plenty of tavernas; a sailing holiday in Greece with Zorba will certainly leave you longing to return.
- Fully crewed sailing yacht
- Island hopping & historical exploration
- Great for families & groups
- Eat on board and shoreside Taverna’s
- Suitable for beginners
- Whole boat yacht charter available
- Sail area & highlights
- Gallery
- Life on board
- Sample menu
- Travel planning
- The boat
- FAQs
- What's included
- Boat schedule
Your Sailing Area
Saronic Islands, Greece
With easy access from the mainland airport of Athens, Zorba will set the sails and head straight for the Saronic Islands as you spend the next week under sail discovering all that the islands have to offer. Your route will entirely depend on the wind and weather and also the feeling of all the guests onboard. Aga will help guests to plan their connection from the airport to the island of Salamina where you will meet the boat. Full details of this will be given upon booking – all you have to do is get to the airport!
As well as a plethora of uninhabited islands that make for great remote escapes off the beaten track and away from the tourist hustle and bustle; the islands also consist of the inhabited main islands of Salamis, Aegina, Agistri and Poros. The island of Hydra is sometimes added to the Saronic’s list and as long as the winds permit, is one of Aga and Greg’s favourite places to take guests.
From afternoon anchorages on remote islands perfectly lined with crystal coves for swimming and snorkelling to the very best, tried and tested tavernas on the main islands, there won’t be time to see it all and you’ll be longing to return before you’ve even stepped foot off the boat. There really is something for everyone sailing with Zorba, from relaxing on the sun deck to learning the ropes under the guidance of Greg, the experience really is yours to make.
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Greek Island Highlights
Each island certainly has its own personality and although all of them showcase the very best of Greek hospitality, they cater for all ages and interests. The UNESCO heritage site of the ancient theatre in Epidavros is a bucket list visit for many and one that we highly recommend. Whilst on this coast, the sunken city of Epidavros is also worth a snorkel. Onto the island of Aegina and the architectural wonders of the ancient city of Temple of Aphaia impressively built on the hill – also known as pistachio island. The Saronic showpiece has to be Hydra with its ancient port carefully lined with well-preserved stone houses rising from a chic, history-charged harbour. Known as the jewel of the Saronic’s Hydra has no car traffic so donkeys are the best way to get around!
The Temple of Poseidon sits on the southerly point of mainland Greece and is definitely worth the sail over as it sits towering over the anchorage with the impressive view. The small fishing village of Perdika is where you can find the nicest people in the world and our secret harbour (with one family-run taverna and no shop) that can fit only 7 boats is often voted guests favourite harbour of the trip.
Zorba
Guest berths: 10 Rig: Sloop
Zorba lives up to her name as she takes guests on unforgettable, authentically Greek sailing holidays!
Built in 2007, Zorba is a modern and comfortable Beneteau Cyclades 50.5. She has five private cabins for guests, made up with four doubles and one twin bunk cabin; all share 3 bathrooms with showers. With a generous saloon and a well-equipped galley, Zorba was built with charter and guest comfort at the forefront of her design. A further skippers cabin with a separate entrance means guests have full and free use of the communal spaces. With a dropped transom and outdoor seating area at the stern, Zorba gives guests the perfect access to that crystal clear Mediterranean water!
A sailing holiday in Greece with Zorba is accessible to all ages and abilities. Her simple rig makes her an easy sail with winch systems and modern navigation equipment. That being said, she’s a great boat to sail whether you’re an experienced sailor looking for some sunshine or a novice wanting to try something new. Her owners and skippers absolutely love what they do and that’s very evident for guests to see and even better to experience first hand. They are well tuned to all abilities and ages, from family charters with young children to groups of friends or voyages for couples and solo travellers. They tailor every trip to suit their guests needs so if you simply want to sit back, enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine and enjoy the cuisine of the local tavernas – that’s fine too!
A sailing holiday on Zorba is certainly one that will leave you with long-lasting memories. Read more about what to expect from Life on Board Zorba here.
Among all the standard safety equipment required for charter, Zorba has a dinghy with a Tohatsu outboard engine, gas cooker and gas stove, refrigerator, ample storage space, 3 independent tanks of water (1000 litres each) a 400 litre fuel tank and portable air conditioning.
Each year the technical inspection of the boat is made by Lloyd’s register. In case of emergency the boat is equipped with: satellite device EPIRB – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (second as a back up), various pyrotechnics, marine DSC radio plus handheld VHF, electronic active radar reflector, life raft (second as a back up) and personal life jackets.
Deck plan

Life on board
Sailing with Zorba in Greece is one that will leave long-lasting memories and will more than likely see you longing to return. A modern Beneteau Cyclades 50.5, Zorba is owned, managed and skippered by couple Aga and Greg who share a real passion for Greece both from the water and on the land. Comfortable, relaxed and offering an abundance of sunshine sailing, Zorba is the perfect yacht to show guests a truly authentic sailing holiday in Greece.
A typical Day
After a relaxed breakfast, spend a few hours sailing before anchoring up in crystal clear waters to explore historical ruins ashore, sun-bathe or snorkel away the afternoon. Hoist the sails again to find a new spot for the night before enjoying dinner ashore in a traditional Greek Taverna, specially hand-picked by Aga and Greg.
Getting involved
Your sailing holiday in Greece is truly as you make it. Zorba is a fun and simple boat to sail and can be sailed by Greg alone if guests prefer a more relaxing experience. That being said, the larger Saronic Gulf gives some great winds for sailing for those wanting to learn the ropes in a safe and supported environment. Greg used to be a sailing instructor so he loves to share his knowledge and skill with guests. From knot tying, to basic navigation, take the helm and reading the local charts, guests are welcomed to get involved as much or as little as they’d like.
The price also reflects the half board nature of this holiday as explained in Zorba’s life on board section. Breakfast and lunch are included but you will dine out in traditional tavernas for your evening meals. This is at the cost of the guest, but you’ll find a delicious local spread for as little as 15€ per person – and that even includes the wine! There is also a board cash of €250pp payable upon arrival that covers fuel, marina fees and water per person. This is reflected in the ticket price advertised and is based purely on the economics of Greece still being such a cash based society.
Meet your Skippers
What’s included
- Half board (breakfast, lunch and snacks)
- All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet)
- Full crew plus tuition
- All tender trips to and fro the boat
- Lifejacket
- Fishing lines
What’s not included
- Evening meals
- Towels
- Waterproofs
- €250 cash per person on arrival for fuel, water and marina fees
- Any flights
- Transit hotels
- Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
- Travel insurance
- Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
- Crew tips
- Personal expenses
Travel insurance notes
As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.
Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.
FAQ
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Are all meals included?
Yes
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Are there any added extra's?
No
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Can you cater for dietary needs?
Yes - please specify at time of enquiry
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What language is spoken onboard?
English/Polish
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What are the sleeping arrangements?
4x double cabins, 1x twin bunk cabin
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How many toilet/showers does she have?
3
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Do I need to tip the crew?
Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!
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Is there WIFI?
No
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Are there life jackets provided?
Yes
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Are Waterproofs provided?
No
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Do I need sailing experience?
No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.
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Will I be sea sick?
Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.
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Is bedding included?
All bedding is included but please bring towels.
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Is offshore sailing insurance required for Zorba's voyages?
No - but you will still need coastal sailing insurance in addition to your usual travel insurance.
Gallery
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From: Salamina
To: Salamina
To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.
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BY AIR:
Flights go direct to Athens International airport from London Stansted with Ryanair, and London Gatwick with Wizz Air, British Airways and easyJet.
Zorba’s crew, Greg & Aga can then assist you in arranging an airport/hotel transfer to take you to Salamina Marina – this could be as little as 15€ per person payable on the day. Further details will be provided on booking.
STAY IN ATHENS:
Try Athens Starlight Hotel, Attalos Hotel or Emporikon Athens Hotel.