Discover the fascination of Southern Italy and Greece on our special shared sailing trip from Syracuse in Sicily to Corfu in early July. From the ancient world city of Ortigia via the Strait of Messina, the mysterious Costa degli Dei of Calabria to the great crossing of the Ionian Sea, varied sailing stages, real onboard life and Mediterranean adventures await you. The trip is a fascinating mix of coastal sailing along one of Italy’s most pristine coasts and a major offshore passage to Greece.
Immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of the Calabrian coast, experience the legendary passage through the Strait of Messina, discover the pearl of Tropea high on the cliffs, and let yourself be enchanted by the great crossing of the Ionian Sea to Corfu. We sail together, learn from each other, and enjoy the freedom on the water.
Our adventure begins with crew change in Syracuse – time for boarding, getting to know each other and a detailed safety briefing, but also to enjoy the baroque old town island of Ortigia. From Syracuse we first sail up the east coast of Sicily with the mighty Mount Etna as a constant companion on the horizon. Through the legendary Strait of Messina – where once Odysseus navigated between Scylla and Charybdis – we head to Scilla, a picturesque fishing village right on the strait. From here we sail along the Costa degli Dei to Tropea – Calabria’s pearl, whose old town sits spectacularly on a cliff above the sea. We continue up the Calabrian coast to Le Castella with its famous Aragonese castle in the sea. If wind and weather allow, we set off from Crotone for the big crossing: around 140 nautical miles across the open Ionian Sea heading for Corfu. Night watches, starry skies and the special feeling of vastness and freedom make this passage a highlight of the trip. Once in Corfu, we enjoy the last days among green bays, Venetian old town and Greek hospitality, before we reach our destination port in Gouvia Marina. Which harbours and bays we exactly call at and how long we stay where is decided – as in real sailing – by the wind, the weather and the crew together.
For those who want to accumulate miles for their next sailing certificate: Since we cross the open sea on this trip, plenty of nautical miles go into the logbook. Of course we will issue you an official mileage confirmation at the end of the journey.
Our Galini travels the world – and you can be part of it! With us you are not an anonymous guest on a standard route, but part of a real crew that together discovers new horizons. We are not a classic charter company that does the same tour every week. Instead, we sail together, experience real boat life, and embrace the adventure that the sea has in store for us.
Step aboard a well-equipped, lovingly maintained boat and enjoy the special: With us, nothing is off the peg. Every trip is unique – sometimes spontaneous, sometimes planned, always full of surprises. Unplanned experiences are just as much a part of it as relaxed days on deck.
Would you like to do more than just sail along? Together we take care of the technical aspects on board, and you can lend a hand yourself if you like. You can turn it from a holiday trip into a real experience on a long-distance yacht and become part of life at sea.
Our trips combine holiday, experience, mindfulness and real boat life. Become part of our crew and experience a special time on Galini – authentic, communal and full of adventurous spirit.
This trip combines two fascinating worlds: the pristine, rarely sailed coast of Calabria and the popular Ionian Sea around Corfu. The Calabrian Costa degli Dei – the Coast of the Gods – is one of the most spectacular and at the same time least discovered coastal stretches in Italy: dramatic cliffs, turquoise water and authentic harbour towns away from mass tourism. The Strait of Messina with its well-known currents is a navigationally exciting passage. The big crossing from Calabria to Corfu goes across the open Ionian Sea – a true offshore passage. Once in Corfu, one of the most popular sailing areas in Greece welcomes us with moderate Maistro wind and lush green landscape. Travel is straightforward: Catania airport is about an hour from Syracuse, and the marina in Corfu is only 15 minutes from Corfu airport – ideal for arrival and departure.
In early July we have high summer temperatures (air: Ø 28–34°C, water: Ø 24–26°C). Along the Calabrian coast the winds are mostly moderate with thermal breezes in the afternoon. In the Strait of Messina, currents and local jet effects can be expected, making sailing particularly exciting. In the Ionian Sea, from mid-morning the reliable Maistro from the north-west sets in, reaching its peak in the afternoon with 3–5 Bft. and dying down again in the evening – ideal for enjoyable sailing. Rain is extremely rare in early July – clear blue skies and long, warm evenings are almost guaranteed.
Our beautiful GALINI is a very fast, large and comfortable yacht. She spent the winter in the Caribbean and will cross the Atlantic in April/May.
She is a modern Hanse 575 with 4 double cabins and a skipper’s cabin. Each cabin has its own bathroom with electric toilet. Wi-Fi via Starlink (optional), Multi Media, generator 220 V / 7 KW, (230 V in all cabins) washing machine, airfryer and coffee machine. She has large solar panels, radar, AIS, a watermaker, hydraulic swim platform and a tender with outboard motor. An overabundance of safety and navigation equipment and much more, everything you need to be self-sufficient without having to call at a supply port. A yacht that meets the highest standards of safety, design and comfort.
The sailing characteristics are also outstanding! The Hanse was designed by Vovo Ocean Racers and is the fastest yacht in its class. Enjoyment of sailing is guaranteed!
✓ Included services
- Shared charter trip with experienced skipper
- Berth on the yacht
- Sailing instruction
- Mileage confirmation (on request)
+ Additional costs / boat fund
- Boat fund (harbour fees, provisions, diesel, final cleaning etc.): approx. 250 EUR per week/person
- Arrival/Departure
What are the crew’s duties?
Anyone can help with sailing if they wish, even take the helm occasionally, or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. In addition, everyone is jointly responsible for the crew’s catering. This means that each person takes turns preparing breakfast or taking care of dinner. Usually the hobby chefs on board quickly emerge, and those who are not so keen on cooking simply stay out of it and wash up. When mooring and casting off, everyone usually lends a hand according to their abilities and after instruction from the skipper. The boat must be kept clean by the crew members during the trip. However, the marina staff will take care of the final cleaning.
What exactly does boat fund mean?
All crew members (except the skipper) pay a jointly agreed amount into the boat fund. This fund covers all common costs incurred during the trip (e.g. diesel, harbour fees, deposit insurance, transit log, tourist tax, national and nature park fees, service pack for the provided bed linen, final cleaning, gas, marina fee for the first and last night in harbour, etc.). According to old seafaring tradition, the skipper is provided with meals by the crew during the trip.
What does berth charter mean?
Berth charter is the best option for anyone who wants to get to know the sailing life. Previous knowledge or own sailing experience is not necessary. Perhaps you have already gained some sailing experience, done a sailing course and want to deepen it? – Then the skipper will give you the opportunity to try yourself out and help you gain future confidence. The crew can help shape the course of the trip and your wishes will be heard, subject to safety and weather. On such a trip you meet like-minded people, can make new pleasant acquaintances and have an experienced skipper at your side who takes care of all nautical matters. The cabins on the yacht are usually equipped with different but very similar cabins. The berths are allocated by the skipper taking into account the crew’s wishes. Entire cabins can be chartered by individuals, couples or families. You pay per person and you don’t have to worry about anything else.
We want to make sailing more sustainable and environmentally friendly. On our GALINI we test innovative products to combine a great sailing experience with as small an ecological footprint as possible. Our small team of experienced skippers looks forward to experiencing real sailing adventures together with you. Our base is on Poros, Greece – from there we explore the most beautiful cruising areas in the world.
