Discover the emerald-green island world of the Ionian Sea on our relaxed sailing trip around Corfu in mid-July. Turquoise anchorages, secluded beaches that can only be reached by boat, and the special light of the Ionian Islands – this trip is pure Mediterranean happiness. Short daily legs leave plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing. From the Caribbean water off Antipaxos, via the Blue Lagoon near Sivota, to the picturesque harbour towns on Paxos – here you experience the most laid-back side of sailing.
Enjoy long swimming days in crystal-clear water, explore hidden bays and sea caves, be pampered in Greek tavernas right on the water and experience the unique atmosphere of the Ionian Islands between olive groves and Venetian architecture. We sail together, learn from one another and enjoy the freedom of the sea. Ideal for beginners!
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true blue-water yacht – made for living and travelling at sea. We travel with warm-hearted people, discover the world together and experience real boatlife: sun, wind, salt water, little adventures and the feeling of truly discovering something together as a crew. Galini is at home at sea and usually far away from her home port of Poros. You will be 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 also love showing you the technology on board, and you can get involved in everything – navigating, steering, cooking right through to the technical stuff. No cruise, but 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.
The Ionian Sea around Corfu is considered one of the most beautiful and relaxed sailing areas in Greece. Unlike the Aegean, there is no strong meltemi here – instead, the reliable Maistro mostly blows moderately from the north-west, making sailing pleasant and predictable. The islands and bays are close together, typical daily legs are only 5 to 25 nautical miles – leaving plenty of time for swimming, anchoring and enjoying. The landscape is lush and green, with olive groves, cypresses and pines stretching down to the water. Anchoring freely in sheltered bays is possible everywhere, and Greek hospitality in the small harbour towns is legendary. Start and finish are at Gouvia Marina on Corfu – around 15 minutes from Corfu International Airport, which is served by direct flights from many European cities.
Our adventure begins with boarding at the marina on Corfu – getting to know each other, safety briefing and the first jump into the water off the bathing platform. This trip is deliberately flexible: instead of a fixed route, we decide together as a crew where the wind takes us. The Ionian Islands are a paradise for exactly this kind of sailing – short distances, countless sheltered bays and the freedom to change plans spontaneously. A short sail in the morning, anchoring in a secluded bay in the afternoon, fresh fish in a taverna by the water in the evening. Our sailing area stretches from the calm south coast of Corfu, via the Blue Lagoon at Sivota on the mainland, to the dream islands of Paxos and Antipaxos. On Paxos, the sheltered harbours of Lakka and Gaios await us – Venetian charm between olive groves. The west coast of Paxos impresses with spectacular sea caves and steep cliffs, which we can explore with the dinghy. Antipaxos is the crown jewel – a tiny island, only reachable by boat, with beaches that can rival the Caribbean. On the Greek mainland, Sivota with its famous Blue Lagoon and Parga with its colourful harbour promenade tempt us. At the end of the week we sail relaxed back to Corfu and Gouvia Marina. Which bays and islands we call at exactly, and how long we stay where, is decided – as in real sailing – by the wind, the weather and the crew together.
For everyone collecting miles for their next sailing licence: because we explore Corfu, Paxos and the Blue Lagoon on this trip, a decent number of nautical miles goes into the logbook. Of course we will give you 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 does the same tour every week. Instead we sail together, experience real boatlife and embrace the adventure the sea holds in store for us.
Step aboard a brilliantly equipped, lovingly cared-for boat and enjoy the difference: nothing off-the-peg here. 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.
Would you like more than just sailing along? We look after the boat's technology together, and you can get hands-on yourself if you want to. You can turn a holiday cruise into a genuine experience aboard an ocean-going yacht and become part of life at sea.
Our trips combine holiday, adventure, mindfulness and genuine life on board. Become part of our crew and experience something special aboard 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 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!
High summer temperatures in mid-July (air: Ø 30–35°C, water: Ø 25–27°C). The Maistro – the prevailing north-west wind in the Ionian Sea – usually gets up around midday and blows with a pleasant force 2–4 in the afternoon, ideal for relaxed sailing. Mornings are often calm – perfect for swimming and a relaxed start to the day. In the evening the wind dies down again, giving us calm nights at anchor under a starry sky. Rain is virtually impossible in July – brilliant sunshine and deep-blue water are 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!
