This trip is for everyone who wants to discover Greece from the water: In one week we sail from our home port of Poros through the legendary Corinth Canal, the Gulf of Corinth beneath the imposing Rio-Antirrio Bridge, past the historic lagoon town of Messolonghi, across Ithaca and on to Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands. Relaxed daily stages and historically rich places – pleasure sailing with around 170 nautical miles in the wake of Odysseus.
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true bluewater yacht – built for living and travelling on the sea. We travel with warm-hearted people, discover the world together and experience real liveaboard life: 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 is usually far away from her home port in Poros. You will become part of life on board. Things won't always go to plan – sometimes something breaks or the weather changes our course – but that's what makes it authentic. We are also very happy to show you the onboard technology, and you can be involved in all activities – navigating, steering, cooking right through to technical work. Not a cruise, but a lived community, real experiences and the magic of the sea.
This passage connects two fascinating sailing areas: the Saronic and Corinthian Gulfs as well as the Ionian Islands. 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 northwesterly wind. In September conditions are good: the Meltemi eases, winds are moderate and weather patterns are mostly stable. From the home port of Poros you can quickly reach Piraeus by ferry and in about an hour Athens airport. Kefalonia has an international airport for departure.
Our adventure begins on Saturday in Poros – our home port. After boarding, getting to know each other and a safety briefing, we cast off heading north to the Corinth Canal. The passage between the steeply rising rock walls is the spectacular start to this trip. In the Gulf of Corinth we sail westwards – framed by mountains, with a stop at the small island of Trizonia or charming Galaxidi. Passing beneath the imposing Rio-Antirrio Bridge we reach Messolonghi, the historic lagoon town on the Gulf of Patras – once the scene of heroic resistance in the Greek War of Independence and where Lord Byron spent his last days. From Messolonghi we sail to Ithaca, the homeland of Odysseus, with the picturesque harbour of Vathy – and on to Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands. Here there is time for Fiskardo or Argostoli and the dramatic landscape of the island, before the trip ends on Saturday. Which harbours and bays we call at and how long we stay is decided – as in real sailing – by the wind, weather and crew together.
For those collecting miles for their next sailing certificate: This trip will also add a good number of nautical miles to the logbook. Of course, we will issue you with an official mileage confirmation at the end of the voyage.
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 discovering new horizons together. We are not a classic charter company that runs the same itinerary every week. Instead, we sail together, experience the real liveaboard life, and embrace the adventure that the sea has in store for us.
Step aboard a beautifully equipped, lovingly maintained boat and enjoy something special: With us there is nothing off the peg. Every trip 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 a shared sailing trip? We look after the onboard technology together, and you can lend a hand yourself if you wish. You can turn it from a holiday trip into a real experience on an ocean-going 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 adventure.
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 bathing platform and a tender with outboard motor. An over-equipment of safety and navigation equipment and much more, everything needed 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. Sailing joy 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 significantly in September, the prevailing winds in the Ionian Sea blow moderately from the northwest at 2–4 Bft. In the Gulf of Corinth a westerly wind prevails, freshening in the afternoon. September is considered one of the best sailing times in the central Mediterranean: stable weather patterns, little rain and pleasant temperatures – ideal for an enjoyable week of discovery.
Everyone can help with sailing if they wish, maybe steer the boat or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. Additionally, everyone is responsible for the crew's well-being. This means that everyone takes turns preparing breakfast or looking after dinner. Usually the hobby cooks on board quickly emerge, and those not so keen on cooking simply step back and do the washing up. When mooring and casting off, everyone usually lends a hand according to their abilities and after instruction from the skipper. The boat is to be kept clean by the crew members during the trip. However, the final cleaning is done by the marina staff.
All crew members (except the skipper) pay a jointly agreed amount into the crew fund. From this fund, all communal costs incurred during the trip (e.g. diesel, harbour fees, deposit insurance, transit log, visitor's tax, national and nature park fees, service pack for provided bed linen, final cleaning, gas, marina fee for the first and last harbour night, etc.) are covered. According to old seafaring tradition, the skipper is fed by the crew during the passage.
Berth charter is the best way for anyone wanting to get to know the sailing life. Prior knowledge or own sailing experience is not necessary. But perhaps you already have some sailing experience, have done 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 trip and their wishes will be taken into account, 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. Berths are allocated by the skipper taking crew wishes into account. Whole cabins can be chartered by individuals, couples or families. You pay per person and have nothing else to worry about.
We want to make sailing more sustainable and environmentally friendly. On GALINI we test various products that provide a great sailing experience while reducing environmental impact. At the same time, she is on a journey to explore the world. Her base is in Poros, Greece. But usually she is on a long voyage. Our small team of skippers looks forward to a real sailing experience together with you!
