This passage is for everyone seeking a true adventure: in two weeks we sail from our home port of Poros across the Mediterranean all the way to Palermo in Sicily. Through the legendary Corinth Canal, across the Gulf of Corinth beneath the imposing Rion-Antirion Bridge, past the historic lagoon city of Messolonghi, via Ithaca and Kefalonia – and then the great crossing: around 270 nautical miles across the open Ionian Sea to Syracuse. From there we continue through the Strait of Messina, past the fire-breathing Stromboli, through the Aeolian Islands and along Sicily's north coast to Palermo. A genuine mile-building passage of around 660 nautical miles – blue-water sailing at its very best.
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true blue-water yacht – built for living and travelling at sea. We sail with warm-hearted people, discover the world together and experience real boatlife: sun, wind, salt water, small adventures and the feeling of truly discovering something together as a crew. Galini is at home on the sea and usually a long way from her home port on Poros. You will be part of life on board. Things won't always go according to plan – sometimes something breaks or the weather changes our course – but that is exactly what makes it real. We are also very happy to show you the technology on board, and you can be involved in everything – navigating, steering, cooking right through to the technical side. Not a cruise, but a lived community, genuine experiences and the magic of the sea.
We decide our stops in harbours and anchorages together. We are a crew that plans the route according to preferences, wind and weather.
This mile-building passage connects three fascinating cruising grounds: the Saronic and Corinthian Gulfs, the Ionian Islands and Sicily. From the sheltered Gulf of Corinth with its calm waters and few anchorages, we head into the open Ionian Sea – with short distances between the islands and a reliable north-westerly breeze. The great crossing from Kefalonia to Sicily (~269 nm) leads across the open Ionian Sea and is the navigational heart of the passage. In September conditions are good: the Meltemi is easing, the winds are moderate and the weather patterns predominantly stable. The Aeolian Islands off Sicily's north coast are of volcanic origin – spectacular, but with limited anchoring opportunities that require careful planning. The route has two built-in buffer days – before the great crossing on Kefalonia and after arrival in Syracuse – which are used either as waiting days or pleasure stops depending on the weather. From the home port of Poros you can quickly reach Piraeus by ferry and Athens airport in about an hour. Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport is only about 30 km from the marina and can be reached by shuttle in 35–40 minutes.
Our adventure begins on Saturday in Poros – our home port. After boarding, getting to know each other and a safety briefing, we set sail north towards the Corinth Canal. The transit between the sheer rock faces is the spectacular opening of this passage. In the Gulf of Corinth we sail westwards – framed by mountains, with a stop on the little island of Trizonia or in charming Galaxidi. Passing beneath the imposing Rion-Antirion Bridge, we reach Messolonghi, the historic lagoon city on the Gulf of Patras – once the stage for heroic resistance in the Greek War of Independence and the place where Lord Byron spent his final days. From Messolonghi we sail to Ithaca, the home of Odysseus, and then on to Kefalonia. Here we have a buffer day: provisioning, checking the weather window for the great crossing and enjoying the island. Then the highlight – we set off on the great crossing: around 269 nautical miles across the open Ionian Sea to Syracuse. Two nights at sea, watch system, navigating by the stars, sunrises over the ocean and, with a bit of luck, dolphins accompanying us. Once in Syracuse, we treat ourselves to a well-earned rest day on the baroque old town island of Ortigia. From Syracuse we sail up Sicily's east coast with Mount Etna as our companion, through the legendary Strait of Messina and on to Stromboli – an unforgettable experience when approaching at night as the lava lights up the sky. The Aeolian Islands of Lipari and Vulcano surprise with their volcanic landscape, before we sail via Cefalù with its Norman cathedral to Palermo – a worthy finale in Sicily's vibrant capital. Exactly which harbours and bays we call at, and how long we stay where, is decided – as in real sailing – by the wind, the weather and the crew together.
For anyone collecting miles towards their next sailing certificate: as we cross open sea on this passage, a good number of nautical miles go into the logbook. Of course, we will issue you with an official mileage confirmation at the end of the trip.
Our Galini is sailing around 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 discovering new horizons together. We are not a classic charter company that runs the same tour every week. Instead, we sail together, experience true boatlife and embrace the adventure that the sea holds in store for us.
Step aboard a beautifully equipped, lovingly maintained boat and enjoy something special: with us nothing is off the peg. Every passage is unique – sometimes spontaneous, sometimes planned, always full of surprises. Unplanned experiences are just as much part of it as relaxed days on deck.
Do you want more than just sailing along with us? We look after the technology on board together, and you can get stuck in yourself if you like. You can turn your holiday passage into a genuine experience on a long-distance cruising yacht and become part of life at sea.
Our passages combine holiday, adventure, mindfulness and real boat life. Become part of our crew and experience a special time on Galini – authentic, communal and full of adventurous spirit.
Our beautiful GALINI is a very fast, large and comfortable yacht. She spent the winter in the Caribbean and crosses 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, air fryer and coffee machine. She has large solar panels, radar, AIS, a watermaker, hydraulic swim platform and a tender with outboard motor. An abundance of safety and navigation equipment and much more – in short, everything needed to travel self-sufficiently 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 Volvo Ocean Racers and is the fastest yacht in her class. The joy of sailing is guaranteed!
In September pleasant conditions prevail: temperatures are 25–30°C (air) and 24–26°C (water) – summer-warm, but no longer as oppressively hot as in August. The Meltemi eases noticeably in September; the prevailing winds in the Ionian Sea are moderate north-westerly at 2–4 Bft. In the Gulf of Corinth a westerly wind dominates, freshening in the afternoon. On the great crossing variable winds are possible – from light calms to a fresh north-westerly. The Aeolian Islands are light-wind in summer, influenced by topography and thermals, predominantly from the NW and W. September is regarded as one of the best sailing seasons in the central Mediterranean: stable weather, little rain and pleasant temperatures – ideal for a demanding mile-building passage.
Anyone can, if they want, help with sailing, take the helm now and then, or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. In addition, everyone is jointly responsible for the crew's well-being. This means that everyone takes their turn preparing breakfast or looking after dinner. Usually the hobby cooks on board quickly emerge, and those who are not so into cooking simply stand back and do the washing up. When berthing and casting off, everyone generally 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 voyage. The final cleaning, however, is carried out by the marina staff.
All crew members (except the skipper) pay an amount agreed together into the kitty. During the voyage, this kitty covers all joint costs incurred (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.). In keeping with old seafaring tradition, the crew also covers the skipper's food during the voyage.
Berth charter is the best opportunity for anyone who wants to get to know sailing life. Prior knowledge or your own sailing experience is not necessary. Perhaps you have already gained sailing experience and completed sailing training and want to deepen it? – Then the skipper will give you the opportunity to try things out for yourself and help you gain future confidence. The crew can help shape the course of the voyage and their 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 mostly different, but very similarly equipped. The berths are allocated by the skipper taking crew wishes into account. Whole cabins can be chartered by individuals, couples or families. Payment is per person and you don't have to worry about anything else.
We want to make sailing more sustainable and environmentally friendly. On GALINI we test various products that provide a great sailing experience while putting less strain on the environment. At the same time, she is on a journey to explore the world. Her base is on Poros, Greece. Most of the time, however, she is on a long voyage. Our small team of skippers looks forward to sharing a real sailing experience with you!
