Greece 2026 — Saronic Gulf

The Saronic Gulf is one of the best cruising grounds in the Mediterranean for a mixed crew. It combines short, manageable passages with spectacular destinations, excellent facilities, and reliable shelter. Distances between anchorages rarely exceed 25nm, meaning we can always be at anchor or on a quay well before conditions deteriorate in the afternoon. For a crew that mixes experienced sailors with beginners, this is as good as it gets.

July weather — the Meltemi is everything. The dominant meteorological feature of this trip will be the Meltemi, the seasonal NW wind that defines Aegean sailing in summer. In the Saronic Gulf it typically arrives from the NW at 10–15kt during late morning, building to 15–25kt through the afternoon, then dying at or shortly after sunset. The rhythm is consistent and manageable once you adapt to it. Our core strategy is simple: depart early (07:00–09:00 depending on the day), sail the morning window, and be anchored or moored by 14:00 before the Meltemi builds to its afternoon peak. We do not fight the Meltemi — we work with it.

Ermioni is the most underrated stop on this route. Almost no charter yachts go there — they all rush to Hydra or Porto Heli. Ermioni is a working Greek town with excellent tavernas, a beautiful pine headland to walk, and a calm bay with good holding. The locals treat you like a regular visitor rather than a tourist. One full night there (Day 4) is a genuine highlight of the trip.

Bistiou Bay for the last night is a considered choice, not just a convenient one. It is well sheltered from the prevailing NW Meltemi, has a sand bottom with good holding in 5–6m, and is typically quiet even in peak July. It gives the crew a proper final night at anchor — stars, dinner on the boat, no ferry wash, no crowds — before the return passage. There is a Plan B (Poros Town, 3nm away) if conditions make Bistiou unsuitable.

Return passage Day 7: this is the day that requires discipline. The passage home is 30nm from Bistiou to Alimos, heading N/NW — directly into the prevailing Meltemi direction. Departure at 07:00 sharp uses the morning calm window. By midday the Meltemi will be on the nose. Expect motor-sailing from 10:00 onward, and pure engine for the last 10nm if needed. The hard deadline is 17:00 at Pier 6 Alimos — the base manager will be waiting for handover. Brief the crew the night before: early start, no slow breakfast, everything packed before bed.

Navigation hazards are minimal on this route. The two to keep firmly in mind are the Aghios Cosmas reef to starboard when exiting Alimos heading south, and the Mermingia rocks (4–4.5nm SE of Alimos) on both departure toward Aegina and on the return. Both are chartplotted — keep the chartplotter on at all times and trust it. The Poros Strait deserves respect: 200m wide at its narrowest, active ferry traffic, some tidal current. Go slow, watch, and brief the crew before entry. It is spectacular — but attentive.