If you are in the mood for bright blue waters, white walls, and delicious food, then heading to Greece is in your near future.
Greece is known for its friendly and welcoming people, stunning weather, and more history and beauty than you can shake a stick at. Breathtaking is one word that is often associated with Greece, and it’s not hard to see why.
The Greek cuisine is reason enough to head to Greece: fresh juicy olives, the best olive oil in the world, and the pita and gyros.
But after a morning of exploring – the best thing to do is check out the Catamaran Charters in Greece. There are plenty of reasons that you should be sailing in Greece – so let’s dive in!
Why is Greece so popular for sailing?
It makes complete sense that a location where people worshipped the gods of the sea and wild would have one of the best sailing infrastructures in the world. Sailing has become part of the lifestyle there, and quays and harbors surround you.
People have been sailing in the Greek waters since 1,800 BC, and sailing tourism has been around since the 1960s.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find somewhere that loves sailing as much as Greece.
When is the best time to sail in Greece?
The best times to sail in Greece are between March and November. To make the most of the warm waters and plenty of sunshine, most people head out in the high season between June and September.
What do you need to know about sailing in Greece’s high season?
If you want to avoid the crowds, then choose the moths on either side of the high season. But if you want to be surrounded by plenty of other people enjoying the same sights you are, then you can be exceptionally social in the high season.
Non-sailing tourists will typically head to Santorini, Rhodes, Kos and Mykonos. If you’ve rented a boat, then you can spend a few days in each location.
You’ll find plenty at the Saronic Gulf, Lefkas and Corfu for those who love to sail.
Of course, they will be wonderful to spend time in, no matter which waters you choose. However, it is wise to keep in mind that evening; these stunning waters can test sailors, and the Meltemi winds can prove a challenge.
Why should you sail in the peak season?
One of the biggest perks of the high season is that the places you really want to see will be open – the thermae, museums, taverns, and archaeological sites.
In the peak season, since everything is open, it will be brimming with other sailors and travellers, and there is a lot of social time to be had.
Why should you consider earlier in the year?
If you love to see Greece in its most lush and alive this, then heading there before the peak time of June is a good idea.
The rains in Greece earlier in the year mean that all of the lush greenery and flowers are around, and you will be in that picture-perfect postcard Greece that we all know.
If you aren’t a fan of very dry weather and prefer something a little fresher than before, June is a great time to go. After June, when the heat starts to turn up a notch, the islands slowly turn slightly more barren.
Just ahead of peak season, Greece offers a fresh, warm and inviting place – with fewer people. But you need to keep in mind that not all of the main tourist attractions might be open until later in the year.
When it comes to sailing ahead of peak season, one of the biggest advantages is that you might notice a reduction in the cost of chartering and having more of the water for yourself.
You are more likely to be able to get a charter at any time of day since there are fewer people.
There are, of course, some downsides to visiting outside of the peak season, and that is the water isn’t that warm temperature that is usually found in peak season. Instead, the water is fine to swim in – but not as warm as later. The close you go to June, the more likely you’ll enjoy waters of around 23/74 degrees.
Why should you consider later in the year?
Just like going before the start of June and the peak season, going after the height of the summer offers some benefits.
As you head towards the end of August, there is a rapid decline in the number of tourists, which means, again, it becomes easier to charter a boat and get a seat at your desired restaurant.
The drop in tourists means that the most popular sailing areas like the Ionian Sea are easier to enjoy without being surrounded by other boats. If you aren’t keen on the Meltemi winds of early in the year, there are Maestro winds instead. These are steadier and more enjoyable for many people.
If you want to swim, this is a perfect time. You’ll be greeted with incredibly warm waters between 28/30 and 83/87 degrees. Ideal for swimming, snorkeling and exploration. Even more so since there are fewer people around.
For people looking to get the most from their sailing time, June and September are the most popular months to enjoy the seas at your leisure.