The Saronic Islands
Saronic Gulf
A stone’s throw from Athens, the islands that make up the Saronic Gulf usually offer easy sailing conditions in the summer. Between Greek culture, tradition and heritage, the main Saronic Islands are: Aegina ideal for family holidays, Agkistri the wild island, the beautiful island of Poros with its relaxing atmosphere and Hydra, a mecca of artistic creation, famous all over the world for its classic beauty and amazing architecture. The coasts of the Peloponnese, its high mountains encasing fertile valleys. The villages of stone houses and their tiled roofs. The sunsets are magnificent when, out of the mist of heat, appear the mountain ranges haloed with a purplish light.
The Saronic Gulf
The small port of Aegina
Aegina
If you arrive in Aegina early in the morning, you will see the local fishermen returning from the sea and taking care of their nets. Visit the holy places, including churches and monasteries and the ancient temple of Aphaia. From temple hill you can also see the Acropolis of Athens and the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion. The island is famous for pistachio products and local seafood. The best beaches for diving: Sarpa Beach and Klima with blue-green waters and Moni Island, where you will find peacocks and Kri Kri goats!
Agkistri
Agkistri se trouve à seulement une heure d’Athènes. Présentant un magnifique décor naturel, Skala, le principal port de l’île, propose des tavernes de fruits de mer et de belles plages. Faites une halte avec votre yacht à Dragonera et à la plage de Chalikiada et plongez dans des eaux turquoise et transparentes avec une vie marine abondante, idéale pour la plongée avec tuba. Sur l’île, vous pouvez également essayer des activités comme l’équitation ou faire du kayak.
Scorpius at skilomango anchorage – Agkistri
Russian Bay – Poros
Poros
The small island of Poros attracts many visitors who are looking for a relaxing and quiet holiday. It is a beautiful green island with picturesque villages and blue waters. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the Clock Tower and stroll through the island’s port and cobbled streets! Love Bay, Askeli and Monastiri are some of the most popular beaches for swimming that are worth exploring! Enjoy good Greek food and traditional desserts in the center of the city and create unforgettable moments with your family and friends!
Hydra
Home to Greece’s most picturesque port, Hydra is a beautiful little paradise that offers visitors a journey back in time. No cars or motor vehicles are used there, just horses and donkeys! Getting to know the historical sites is definitely worth a walk in the port area of the island. Lose yourself in the cobbled streets and let yourself be seduced by the colorful buildings.
The small port of Hydra
Old port – Spetses
Spetses
Considered the most beautiful island in the Saronic Gulf, Spetses is a beautiful destination with lush landscape, traditional architecture and crystal clear waters! The most interesting visit of Spetses is the museum of Bouboulina, the heroine of the Greek revolution from the island. Visit Spetses in September for the celebration of Armata and live a remarkable experience that will bring you closer to the long history of the island!
Itinéraires
There are several good cruises or itineraries of one or two weeks in the Saronic Islands. Our itineraries are the result of our own travel experiences and suggestions from our visitors. Our itineraries favor quiet and preserved ports rather than tourist centers.
To see: Epidaurus and its classical theater, the corsair port cities of Poros, Hydra and Spetsai, the beautiful neoclassical city of Nafplio and the nearby archaeological site of Mycenae, the fortified city of Monemvasia.
Scorpius at anchor – Kythira
The Poros Pass, gateway to the Saronics
Météo et Conditions de navigation
The Meltem is especially felt in summer at the eastern mouths of the Gulf, in the Hydra-Monemvasîa axis. Further west, the thermal effect comes into play tilting the wind to the East and even the SE, in the late afternoon in the bottom of the gulfs. At night, the trend reverses with WNW sector earth breezes. Be careful, the arrival of an anticyclonic bubble and its strong NW winds in the Ionian Sea, can generate violent and catabatic westerly winds at night on the eastern coasts of the Peloponnese. The most exposed ports are Aegina and Hydra. This influence can be felt as far as the western chain of the Cyclades.
