Discover the fascination of the Greek islands on our special shared sailing voyage from Zakynthos to Poros (Attica, near Athens) in August. From the emerald jewel of the Ionian Sea to the picturesque home port of our Galini in the Saronic Gulf, varied sailing legs, genuine life on board and Mediterranean adventures await you. During this passage you will collect many sea miles, navigate, experience dreamlike bays and enjoy the diversity of Ionian island romance and the historic coast of the Peloponnese.
Dive into the crystal-clear, turquoise water of the Ionian Sea, experience the spectacular transit through the Corinth Canal, enjoy sunsets at sea and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of the Greek islands. We sail together, learn from one another and enjoy the freedom on the water.
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true blue-water yacht – created for living and travelling at sea. We are out with warm-hearted people, discover the world together and experience genuine boatlife: sun, wind, salt water, little adventures and the feeling of really discovering something together as a crew. Galini is at home on the sea and mostly far away from her home port on Poros. You will be part of life on board. Things will not always go according to plan – sometimes something breaks or the weather changes our course – but that is exactly what makes it genuine. We are also very pleased to show you the technical equipment on board, and you can take part in every activity – navigating, steering, cooking, including the technical work. Not a cruise, but a lively community, real 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.
The Greek west coast and the Gulf of Corinth offer perfect conditions in August for an unforgettable sailing trip. From the lively island of Zakynthos the route continues along the Ionian coast of the Peloponnese into the Gulf of Patras, under the imposing Rion-Antirion Bridge and through the 60-nautical-mile Gulf of Corinth – an exciting cruising ground with its own challenges, framed by mountains and steeped in history, from ancient sites to the Oracle at Delphi. The navigational highlight is the spectacular transit through the legendary Corinth Canal – 6.3 kilometres between sheer rock walls into the Saronic Gulf. The legs are varied – from sheltered bays and open-sea passages to the canal transit. Depending on the weather and the crew, extensive swimming stops, snorkelling in remote bays and shore excursions to picturesque harbour towns are possible. Getting there is simple: Zakynthos Airport is only 5 km from the marina and is served by direct flights from many European cities in summer. From the destination port of Poros, a quick ferry takes you to Piraeus and from there it is about an hour to Athens International Airport.
Our adventure begins on Zakynthos, where we set sail after boarding and a thorough safety briefing. The first few miles take us along the impressive west coast of Zakynthos with its dramatic cliffs. From there we continue sailing through the Ionian islands – depending on wind and weather, with stops off green coastlines and in hidden anchorages. Through the Gulf of Patras we pass beneath the imposing Rion-Antirion Bridge and keep sailing through the Gulf of Corinth, framed by the mountains of the Peloponnese and the mainland. The highlight of the passage is the transit of the legendary Corinth Canal – an unforgettable experience between sheer rock walls. Once in the Saronic Gulf, we enjoy the final legs with island hopping and crystal-clear water before reaching our home port of Poros – a beautiful conclusion to a very special voyage.
For anyone collecting miles towards their next sailing certificate: as we sail through the Corinth Canal together on this trip, a good number of sea miles will go into the logbook. Of course, we will issue you with an official mileage certificate 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 conventional charter company that sails the same route every week. Instead, we sail together, experience real boatlife and embrace the adventure that the sea has in store for us.
Step aboard a superbly equipped, lovingly maintained yacht and enjoy what is truly 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 more than just to sail along? Together we look after the technical systems on board, and you can get involved yourself if you wish. You can make it more than a holiday cruise – a genuine experience on a long-distance cruising yacht – and become part of life at sea.
Our trips combine holiday, experience, mindfulness and authentic boatlife. Become part of our crew and enjoy a memorable time on Galini – authentic, communal and full of a spirit 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 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 August we can expect summer temperatures (air: Ø 28–34°C, water: Ø 26°C). In the Ionian Sea the winds usually blow moderately from the north-west at 2–5 Bft., ideal for enjoyable sailing with sporty stretches. In the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf, the meltemi can provide fresh wind. Calms are possible in the mornings, while a reliable thermal sea breeze often builds up during the afternoon. Rain is extremely rare in August – brilliant blue skies are almost guaranteed.
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!
