Classic Yacht Sailing & Island Hopping from Santorini

YOUR SAILING AREA

GREECE to Malta

Begin your luxury sailing adventure in the heart of iconic Greece, on the island of Santorini. It is well known across the globe for its beautiful sunsets and white-washed, blue-roofed houses. This little island is the perfect starting point for joining classic yacht Rhea.

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, Rhea will explore the islands of Folegandros and Nisos before making a slighter, longer sailing passage to Malta. Each island certainly has its personality and although all of them showcase the very best of Greek hospitality, they cater for all ages and interests.

Our first stop is likely to be the island of Folegandros, a firm favourite with hikers. Explore verdant countryside dotted with chapels and ruins and numerous beaches—some only accessible by boat, so you’ll likely have it all to yourselves! Nisos is a tiny volcanic island off the main tourist route, with sandy beaches, colourful villages, hiking trails and castle ruins.

You’ll finish in the tiny walled city of La Valletta, the capital of the island of Malta. This World Heritage city is known for its Baroque character and architecture. It is full of ancient palaces, museums, winding streets, and grand churches.

All voyages for Rhea

Rhea

Guest berths: 26 Rig: Bermudan Ketch

Elegant yacht Rhea offers guests a sailing holiday experience with luxury at the heart of everything she does. She spends her winters sunshine sailing in the Caribbean before moving to the Mediterranean in the Spring.

Like her sister Chronos, Rhea was built and designed in Bodrum, Turkey but is registered in Holland. Luxury yacht Rhea was purpose built as a charter vessel in 2016 and finished in 2017 as a two-masted, 54m staysail ketch.

Rhea was designed by Klaus Röder, who based his designs on the lines of a classic yacht while keeping up with the modern-day ketch, built for performance sailing and guest comfort. Klaas Huizinga conceptualised and designed the classic rig of a Bermuda Ketch with a large boom.

The outline on the deck is of teak and mahogany, with plenty of space to sunbathe, read a book and enjoy the views. All the sails are electronically retractable, so there is no need to learn the ropes here! The crew are, however, more than happy for guests to get involved with the operation and sailing of Rhea as much as they would like!

An admiralty ladder provides the perfect place to jump off into crystal clear waters, have a swim or snorkel and climb back aboard with ease. Rhea also offers her guests options for water skiing, wakeboarding, tube riding, a banana boat, two kayaks, two stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling equipment, and even a sail dinghy (QubaRS).

The deckhouse offers its own small bar, while below decks offers still more space to relax with another dining area and her on-deck dining area. Her private cabins, offering both double and single beds, all have air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.

The professional crew consists of the Skipper, first mate, mechanic, bosun, cook and four stewards, so you will most certainly be looked after during your time aboard Rhea.

Read more about what to expect from life on board here

Deck plan

LIFE ON BOARD

Our sailing holidays on board Rhea are ones of luxury, style and comfort while exploring sunshine destinations and unforgettable locations. A purpose-built charter vessel, Rhea was designed with the elegant sailing lines of a traditional classic boat but has been paired with all the comforts and luxuries of a modern yacht. 

Authentic Sailing Fun

Sailing with Rhea is certainly one of comfort and relaxation. Think of a boutique, intimate classic sailing experience where nothing is too much trouble. Her dedicated and professional crew are highly trained and well-versed in a smooth sailing operation. 

She has an impressive sail area and her rig is electronically operated with retractable sails so there is no need to “learn the ropes” here! That being said, there are still traditional pin and tails if guests want to have a taste of authentic sailing. 

Although there is less focus on the “hands-on” sailing of Rhea, the Captain and crew offer interesting sailing talks and information briefs for guests during the voyage. Learn about the history of the boat, and its sailing terms and even take a tour of the engine room if you fancy! Understanding these elegant classic vessels and feeling their power with the wind is truly an unforgettable experience.

Sleeping and Relaxation

Every space on Rhea is considered with the guests at the forefront of all design. From the spacious saloon, and private ensuite cabins clad in tropical wood to the sweeping open decks with plenty of sun lounging spaces – the boat is certainly oozing 5* luxury.

The generously proportioned cabins all have plenty of luggage storage, full-size domestic showers and air conditioning units. Versatile beds mean that cabins can be made from a comfy double to a sharing twin and even a three-bed family cabin as needed. All bedding, towels and a robe per person are included in the ticket price. Each cabin is named by the winds of the sea and this matches the allocated swim towel set for guests, so if you leave it drying on deck, a member of the crew will deliver it back to your cabin when dry. 

Daily cabin service is also part of the offering. A member of the crew will make your bed and freshen up your bathroom every day and if you want a towel change or full cabin clean, just leave the relevant sign on the cabin door! 

Eating and Entertainment

Although the day is punctuated by meal times, you certainly don’t feel like you’re running on a schedule. The relaxed nature of both the boat and the crew gives a perfect balance. 

Depending on the voyage location, the daily routine can change and is flexible depending on the wishes of the group. Perhaps sit back and relax as the crew set the sails to another remote anchorage to enjoy a freshly cooked lunch and the onboard water toys! Or spend the morning swimming in a secluded bay or exploring an ancient port city before setting the sails to a new location. 

Start the day with a rich buffet-style breakfast, on to a light 2-course lunch at noon, coffee, tea and cake in the afternoon. Finish the day with a freshly cooked 3-course dinner aboard and on the final night of the voyage, enjoy an authentic Captain’s dinner. For every voyage on Rhea, guests enjoy a meal ashore at their own expense to immerse themselves in the local culture and cuisine. Guests tend to go off in their groups but sometimes the crew can join in if guests are unsure of the best spots!

Depending on the mood of the group, the crew can arrange some light-hearted entertainment too – from local musicians over dinner to a friendly on-board music quiz (which is always amusing with international guests!) or even a wine-tasting session (at an extra cost).

Water-toys

For those water lovers with a sense of adventure, Rhea has a multitude of water-sport activities and equipment available for guests. Stand-up paddle boards and adult-size snorkelling equipment is free for guests to use. Water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, QubaRS dinghy sailing, banana boat and tube riding are all chargeable once on board.

Rhea offers this at a moderate price and suggests an average of 10% of the voyage price to serve as a guide for consumption. The onboard currency is EUROS and guests can open an on-board account which can be paid at the end of the voyage.

Things to note

Sailing vs Shore time

Do I need to take part in night watches?

Kit List

We recommend travelling light with lots of lightweight, easy-drying layers. Below is a list of recommended items; these are not mandatory, and those who have sailed before may have their preferences! We recommend you bring a foldable bag or suitcase since hard cases are difficult to store in the cabins.

• Flight tickets
• Identification cards: Personal ID card and/or passport, driver’s license recommended
• Money: Cash, credit card
• Personal medicines
• Telephone card, mobile phone
• Sun protection gel, after-sun/sunburn lotion, sunhat or equivalent
• Glasses, sunglasses
• Your favourite book/games

CLOTHING

• Swimwear
• T-shirts, polo shirts, blouses and dress-shirts (also long-sleeved)
• Long trousers for the journey and excursions to the shore, one or two long trousers and shorts for the dinners and the visit to the restaurant,
• Trousers and shorts are also recommended for ladies due to the rather steep stairs and the transfer to land by boat
• A light pullover or a fleece for the evenings.
• Wind-/rain jacket and cap
• Bring a pair of flip-flops or sandals for visits to the beach
• For trips to the shore, we recommend you wear sturdy shoes

Bed linens, bath and beach towels, life jackets, diving goggles and fins are all provided on board.
Dress on board is casual during the day (T-shirt and shorts) and sporty-casual in the evening and at the Captain’s Dinner. Swimwear is not permitted during meals or below deck. Please observe the local customs for shore excursions. It is generally a little cooler and windier on the water than on land.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Full Board (breakfast, lunch, dinner and filter coffee and tea)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet), wash and swim towels per person
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• All other alcohol and soft drinks
• Waterproofs
• *One meal is eaten ashore at the guest’s own expense
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel Insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses
• Water toys

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.

This voyage will be more than 12 miles offshore.

*Please note passengers sailing on Chronos, Rhea or Kariós do not require personal accident cover, only health insurance. 

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals* on board are included in the price (breakfast, lunch, dinner and filter coffee and tea) *One meal per week is eaten ashore at the customers own expense.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Meat eaters and vegetarians only please.

• Are there any added extras?

  One meal is eaten ashore at the guests expense. Alcohol and soft drinks are not included but can be purchased on board. Water-sports are not included.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  Rhea has 3 Standard Double Cabins Ensuite (11 m²) and 10 Deluxe Double Cabins Ensuite (12-13 m²) all sleeping 2 people.

• Is there a porthole in my cabin?

  Yes, all cabins have portholes.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  All cabins have their own ensuite.

• Are bedding and towels included?

  All bedding, a hand towel, bath towel, swim towel is included per person.

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  Yes, there is a hair dryer in each cabin.

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  No, Rhea does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating/air conditioning onboard?

  Yes.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew! There will be an honesty box available at the end of your voyage (as a general guide, a 5-10% tip based on your ticket price)

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English is the common deck language but there will be international guests and crew.

• Is there WIFI on board?

  When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G. Please make sure you have international roaming set up on your data plan. There is chargeable access to Starlink on all voyages. You can buy vouchers once on board if required.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes, there are 2pin EU sockets throughout the boat so please bring an adaptor if needed.

• What is the currency on board?

  Euro's.

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes.

• How do I get on and off the boat?

  Rhea is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy. There is an admiralty ladder and there will always be a crew member to steady.

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not!

• 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.

• What water-sports can I do once aboard?

  Rhea has a multitude of water-sport activities and equipment available for guests. Stand-up paddle-boards and adult-size snorkelling equipment is free for guests to use. Water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, QubaRS dinghy sailing, banana boat and tube riding are all chargeable* once on board. * Free on Deluxe Plus voyages only

• Is there an age limit?

  Yes. Minimum age of 5, and as long as the child can swim.

Travel Planning

From: Thera, Santorini

To: Valetta, Malta

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

GETTING THERE

Thera, (also called Fira or Thira), Santorini

BY AIR

Thera is just a 10-minute bus ride from Santorini Airport, which runs hourly. Alternatively, a taxi takes only about 6 minutes. For each of these, you will need to walk the rest of the way to the harbour.

TUI, Jet2, easyJet, and British Airways offer direct flights to Santorini Airport from Manchester, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, London Luton, and Birmingham.