Private Charter Skippered Yacht Sailing in the Cyclades, Greece

Vessel: Zorba
Where: The Cyclades, Greece
Duration: 8 days

Embark: Naxos, Greece - 17 August 2024, 18:00
Disembark: Naxos, Greece - 24 August 2024, 09:00

Explore the Lesser Cyclades under sail with the fully crewed private charter aboard yacht Zorba as you discover traditional Greek island charm away from the crowds.

Sail away from the tourist crowds this summer and explore the stunning Cyclades in Greece with a private charter aboard the yacht Zorba. This sailing holiday in Greece is one of pure relaxation and fun for you and your friends and family. This skippered private yacht charter experience allows you to plan your own itinerary with the privacy of a fantastic yacht for exclusive use.

Dotted south of mainland Greece, sitting sheltered in the Aegean Sea, the Cyclades are made up of around 220 islands, with a mix of both inhabited and uninhabited islands. This skippered sailing holiday concentrates mainly on the Lesser Cyclades. A smaller cluster of islands circulates the island of Naxos, often called the pearl of the Cyclades and gives guests a traditional Greek holiday experience away from the tourist crowds.

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

Your Sailing Area

Exploring the Lesser Cyclades under sail

The skippers of Zorba have topped the Lesser Cyclades (also referred to as the Small Cyclades) as one of their favourite sailing areas in Greece and you’ll quickly see why! From anchoring in beautiful deserted bays with crystal clear water, to discovering ancient ruins and historical sites, you’ll experience the very best of the unique Greek culture. The focus of this trip is to explore the untouched side of the Cyclades, away from the tourist hustle and bustle. Your route will entirely depend on the wind and weather and also the feeling of all the guests onboard.

For the island lover and adventure traveller, this chain of small, secluded islands is quite simply paradise. In the Lesser Cyclades, it’s all about switching off and adapting to island time. The magical combination of sailing, swimming, siestas, a good book and generous taverna meals will make you forget what day of the week it is. The flash boutiques, pumping nightclubs and selfie-stick-wielding crowds of Mykonos and Santorini are a million miles away.

Spend your days with a balance of sailing and exploring; snorkel in bays and caves, discover a WWII plane wreck, wander local villages and enjoy traditional Greek tavernas, of which the skippers know the very best and are on hand to guide you every step of the way.

Greek Island highlights

The sandy shores and crystal clear waters of Iraklia is a great choice for your first stop. Offering a historical walk to the Cave of the Sacred Icon of Agios Giannis – an initial scramble through the entrance leads to a sequence of caves full of stalactites and stalagmites.

The islands of Kufonissi (with its Caribbean-like turquoise water) and Schinoussa offer a truly unique and traditional Greek island experience. The dramatic mountain island of Amorgos is home to a breathtaking monastery carved into the rock, where the monks are waiting for you at the top with delicious psimeni (spiced “baked” raki) and loukoumi (Greek Delight you might say) after your stair climb.

If guests are interested in more sailing miles, Zorba may visit Ios and Folegandros offering one of the most scenic old towns (Choras) in the Cyclades. On the way back to Naxos, Paros (with its quieter sister Antiparos) offers guests a chance to visit and feel the “real Greece” with its relaxed local atmosphere. Near Antiparos, the islands of Despotico and Strongili, known for their unspoilt nature and protected species under the Natura 2000.

Zorba cyclades Greece — Sailing in the Cyclades

Zorba Cyclades anchorage — Waterside Taverna

Zorba anchored Cyclades — Zorba anchored

Life on board

Sailing with Zorba in Greece will leave long-lasting memories and more than likely see you longing to return. A modern Beneteau Cyclades 50.5, Zorba is owned and managed by Aga and Greg, who share a real passion for Greece from the water and on the land. Comfortable and relaxed and offering an abundance of sunshine sailing, Zorba is the perfect yacht to show guests a genuinely authentic sailing holiday in Greece. The skipper and host will take care of everything for your yacht charter and ensure all your group or any extra activities are catered to.

A typical Day

After a relaxed breakfast, spend a few hours sailing before anchoring in crystal clear waters to explore historical ruins ashore, sunbathe 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 your hosts.

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 the skipper 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. The skipper was a sailing instructor, so he likes to share his knowledge and skills with guests. From knot tying to basic navigation, taking the helm and reading the local charts, guests are welcome 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 guest’s expense, but you’ll find a delicious local spread for as little as 15€ per person – including the wine! There is also 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, which is still such a cash-based society.

Meet your Skippers

Zorba’s owners, Aga & Greg, have been sailing yachts in Greece for over 15 years, so they know all the best spots to discover by boat. They will undoubtedly ensure an unforgettable experience and are dedicated to providing guests with the best Greek hospitality.

Aga and Greg appreciate life on the water, far away from tourist crowds. So they prefer to show guests the quieter side of the Saronic Islands anchoring in small harbours or next to deserted islands with only resident goats and birds to entertain. Each day, they ensure an opportunity to swim in beautiful bays – some completely wild, others with just one small taverna, serving fresh fish and seafood, often caught before your very eyes! Interested guests can also offer the possibility of jogging or yoga in the morning, with organic food on board and a healthy lifestyle as their first port of call.

FAQ

Are all meals included?
Breakfast, lunch, snacks and hot drinks are included. Dinner is not included so guests can experience the delicious local cuisine and eat in traditional Taverna's!
Can you cater for dietary needs?
Yes - please specify at time of enquiry.
Are there any added extra's?
Each voyage requires taking board cash for fuel, water and marina fees. Please see each voyage/ticket for details. Evening meals are not included.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
4x double cabins, 1x twin bunk cabin.
Is there a porthole in my cabin?
Yes, all cabins have deck hatches and portholes.
How many toilet/showers does she have?
3
Are bedding and towels included?
All bedding is included but please bring towels (wash and/swim). Micro-fibres are a great lightweight, quick-drying alternative.
Is there a hairdryer on board?
No, please do not bring one. The sea breeze makes a great natural alternative!
Will I be able to wash my clothes?
No, Zorba does not have laundry on board.
Is there air conditioning onboard?
No, but each cabin has electric fans and opening hatches.
Do I need to tip the crew?
Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!
What language is spoken onboard?
Aga and Greg are Polish but fluent in English - English is the common language aboard.
Is there WIFI?
No! It's time to disconnect from the modern conforms and reconnect with nature! 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.
Can I charge my phone?
Yes, all cabins have 220v EU sockets and USB ports.
What is the currency on board?
Euro's.
Are there life jackets provided?
Yes
How do I get on and off the boat?
Zorba is sometimes at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy. She has a dropped transom with steps and swim ladder so getting on/off the boat is fairly easy. When she's docked, there's a simple gangplank.
Are Waterproofs provided?
No
Do I need sailing experience?
No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.
Does the boat have any water toys?
There are fishing lines and some snorkel gear.
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.
Is there an age limit?
Please check with the office for under 5's for normal voyages. There is no limit for private charters but we recommend that children can swim. There is no maximum age limit as long as guests are fit and mobile.

Guest Reviews

" What an absolutely amazing sailing Holiday around the Saronic islands, Greece on Zorba. Greg and Aga created for us both Both extremely experienced and capable. Greg an excellent sailor, Aga a fantastic cook creating beautiful and fresh food for us every day and taking us to lovely tavernas every night. They made us immediately very comfortable onboard. We were a mixed group of all ages and nationalities, but both Greg and Aga did so well getting us all together and finding out our individual needs from diet to activities, resulting in a very unique fun packed fabulous Holiday, We hope to do this again soon THANK YOU "Graham - 2023

" This has to be the best trip I have ever been on. I bought my daughter this holiday as her 21st birthday present as she had always wanted to go Greek Island hopping. We were slightly apprehensive going considering we’d be on board a yacht for 8 days with 8 total strangers. Aga and Greg were incredibly welcoming and we felt very much at home immediately. It really was a trip of a lifetime with memories made that will never be forgotten for both my daughter and I. So don’t look elsewhere as you won’t find anything better!!! Thanks Aga and Greg for a wonderful holiday, I hope to return again very soon 🤞🏼"Susan - 2023

It was the most amazing sailing trip. Aga is a gourmet chef (although she would never say she is), her meals were beyond amazing! She was so kind and accommodating to everyone’s dietary needs on the boat. Aga and Greg are a genuinely kind couple who are always willing to answer your questions and were extremely patient when teaching all us on board the art of sailing. Being a couple from the Canadian prairies- we had no sailing experience, therefore Greg’s knowledge, expertise and patience exceeded our expectations. In addition to this, we learned a lot about the docking etiquette in the various ports, the wine tour they chose was amazing, not to mention the food, wine and atmosphere in the nightly tavernas! We can not wait to bring our family sailing with Aga and Greg. Tanya & Toby - 2023

Our week on board Zorba was simply fantastic. Aga and Greg are the perfect hosts, extremely helpful and nothing is too much trouble. They are both highly competent, and we felt very welcome on board their excellent yacht Zorba. Aga’s cooking is out of this world, healthy, exciting and extremely tasty. The week was tailored to suit our (and our companions) needs and wants, it clearly was not a set agenda and their local knowledge enabled it to be varied to suit. Overall we would rate our week 10 out of 10 and would have no hesitation in recommending them to anybody whether they be experienced or novice sailors.Wayne & Beverly - 2023

We had a wonderful time in Greece, sailing on Zorba with Aga and Greg. We were so looked after and cared for. The scenery was stunning, the itinerary was spot on and we were so well looked after. Greg and Aga were so sensitive to the individual needs and so very caring. We both thoroughly recommend this holiday.Richard & Margaret, 2022