Sailing in Greece; Exploring the Cyclades

Vessel: Zorba
Where: Naxos, Greece
Duration: 8 days

Embark: Naxos - 13 August 2022, 17:00
Disembark: Naxos - 20 August 2022, 09:00

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Set the sails in Greek sunshine as Zorba shows you the very best of the lesser Cyclades Islands from the island of Naxos.

Join modern yacht Zorba in her home country of Greece as you get ready to enjoy an authentic Greek sailing holiday around the truly beautiful archipelago of the Cyclades. Hop aboard Zorba in the heart of the Cyclades on the island of Naxos.

Dotted South off mainland Greece, the Cyclades are made up of around 220 islands, with a mix of both inhabited and uninhabited. This sailing holiday concentrates mostly on the Lesser Cyclades. A smaller cluster of islands circulating the island of Naxos and often referred to as the pearl of the Cyclades.

Fully Crewed Sailing Yacht
Island Hopping & Historical Exploration
Great for Families & Groups
Shoreside Taverna’s
Suitable for Beginners
Whole boat Yacht Charter available

Your Sailing Area

Exploring the Lesser Cyclades under sail

Aga and Greg, the skippers of Zorba have topped the Lesser Cyclades (also referred to as the Small Cyclades) as one of their favourite sailing areas 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 Aga and Greg know the very best!

Greek Island highlights

The sandy shores and crystal clear waters of Iraklia offer a great 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 up for 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 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 say will see guests 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.

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.

MEET YOUR SKIPPERS

Zorba’s owners and skippers Aga & Greg have been sailing yachts in Greece for over 15 years so they certainly know all the best spots to discover under sail. They will certainly make sure you have an unforgettable experience and are both dedicated to ensuring guests experience the very best of Greek hospitality.

Aga and Greg appreciate life on the water far away from tourist crowds – so 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 make sure there is opportunity to swim in beautiful bays – some of them completely wild, others with just the one small taverna, serving fresh fish and seafood, often caught before your very eyes! For guests that are interested, they can also offer the possibility of jogging or yoga in the morning, with organic food on board and a healthy lifestyle their first port of call.

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