This passage is for everyone seeking a great adventure – and miles for their next sailing certificate: From Kefalonia we dare the big crossing – around 280 nautical miles across the open Ionian Sea to Syracuse in Sicily. Two nights at sea, watch system, starry sky and real bluewater feeling. From Syracuse we continue through the legendary Strait of Messina, past the fire-spitting Stromboli, through the Aeolian Islands and along the northern coast of Sicily to Palermo. A true bluewater passage of around 500 nautical miles – ocean sailing at its finest.
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true bluewater yacht – made for living and travelling on the sea. We travel with warm-hearted people, discover the world together and experience real boatlife: sun, wind, salt water, small adventures and the feeling of really discovering something together as a crew. Galini is at home on the sea and usually far away from her home port on Poros. You will become part of life on board. Not everything will 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 part of all activities – navigating, steering, cooking, right up to the technical side. Not a cruise, but a living community, real experiences and the magic of the sea.
This bluewater passage connects two fascinating cruising areas: the Ionian Islands and Sicily. The big crossing from Kefalonia to Sicily (~280 nm) leads across the open Ionian Sea and is the navigational heart of the passage. In September conditions are good: the Meltemi subsides, winds are moderate and weather patterns mostly stable. The Aeolian Islands off the northern coast of Sicily are of volcanic origin – spectacular, but with limited anchoring possibilities that require good planning. The route has two built-in buffer days – before the big crossing on Kefalonia and after arrival in Syracuse – which are used as waiting days or enjoyment stops depending on the weather. Kefalonia has an international airport for arrival. 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 Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands. After boarding, getting to know each other and safety briefing, we use the first day to settle in: stock up on provisions, check the weather window for the big crossing and enjoy the island. Then the highlight – we cast off for the big crossing: around 280 nautical miles across the open Ionian Sea to Syracuse. Two nights at sea, watch system, navigation by the stars, sunrises over the sea and, with a bit of luck, dolphins as companions. Once in Syracuse, we treat ourselves to a well-deserved rest day on the baroque old town island of Ortigia. From Syracuse we head up the east coast of Sicily with Mount Etna as a companion, through the legendary Strait of Messina and on to Stromboli – when approaching at night an unforgettable experience as the lava lights up the sky. The Aeolian Islands 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. Which harbours and anchorages we actually 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 collecting miles for their next sailing certificate: since we cross open sea on this passage, plenty of nautical miles go into the logbook – including night passages and real offshore experience. Of course we issue an official mileage confirmation at the end of the trip.
Our Galini cruises 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 discovers new horizons together. We are not a classic charter company that runs the same tour every week. Instead, we sail together, experience real boatlife and embrace the adventure that the sea has in store for us.
Come aboard a well-equipped, lovingly maintained boat and enjoy something special: with us there is nothing off the peg. Every passage 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.
Do you want more than just being a crew member? We take care of the technical side on board together, and you can lend a hand yourself if you wish. You can turn a holiday trip into a real experience on a long-distance cruising yacht and become part of life at sea.
Our passages 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.
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 bathing platform and a dinghy with outboard motor. An overabundance 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 demands in 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. Fun sailing is guaranteed!
In September conditions are pleasant: temperatures are 25–30°C (air) and 24–26°C (water) – summery warm but not as oppressively hot as in August. The Meltemi decreases significantly in September, the prevailing winds in the Ionian Sea are moderate from the northwest at 2–4 Bft. On the big crossing, variable winds are possible – from light calms to fresh northwest. The Aeolian Islands have light winds in summer, influenced by topography and thermals, mainly from NW and W. September is considered one of the best sailing times in the central Mediterranean: stable weather conditions, little rain and pleasant temperatures – ideal for a challenging bluewater passage.
Everyone can, if they wish, help with sailing, sometimes take the helm or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. In addition, everyone is jointly responsible for the catering of the crew. That means everyone takes turns preparing breakfast or looking after dinner. Often the hobby chefs on board quickly emerge and those who are less into cooking simply hold back and do the washing up. When berthing and casting off, everyone usually lends a hand according to their abilities and after briefing by the skipper. The boat is to be kept clean by the crew members during the passage. The final cleaning is done by the marina staff.
All crew members (except skipper) pay an agreed amount into the crew kitty. From this kitty, all joint costs incurred during the passage (e.g. diesel, harbour fees, deposit insurance, transit log, tourist tax, national and nature park fees, service pack for provided bed linen, final cleaning, gas, marina fee for the first and last night in harbour etc.) are paid. According to old seafaring tradition, the skipper is provided with meals by the crew during the passage.
Berth charter is the best option for anyone who wants to get to know sailing life. No prior knowledge or own sailing experience is necessary. But perhaps you have already gained sailing experience, completed 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 passage and their wishes will be taken into account, subject to safety and weather. On such a passage you meet like-minded people, can make nice new 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 crew wishes into account. Entire 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 with which you can have a great sailing experience and at the same time reduce the burden on the environment. At the same time, she is on a voyage to explore the world. Her base is on Poros, Greece. But she is usually on a long voyage. Our small team of skippers looks forward to experiencing a real sailing adventure together with you!
