Discover the emerald-green island world of the Ionian Sea on our relaxed shared sailing trip around Corfu in mid-July. Turquoise anchorages, secluded beaches accessible only by boat, and the special light of the Ionian Islands – this trip is pure Mediterranean bliss. Short daily passages leave plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling and enjoying. From the Caribbean-like waters off Antipaxos to the Blue Lagoon near Sivota and the picturesque harbour towns on Paxos – here you experience the most relaxed side of sailing.
Enjoy long swimming days in crystal-clear water, explore hidden coves and sea caves, let yourself be pampered in Greek tavernas right by the water, and experience the unique atmosphere of the Ionian Islands among olive groves and Venetian architecture. We sail together, learn from each other, and savour the freedom on the water. Ideal for beginners!
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true bluewater yacht – built for living and travelling at sea. We are out with warm-hearted people, discovering the world together and experiencing real boatlife: sun, wind, salt water, small adventures, and the feeling of truly discovering something as a crew. Galini is at home on the sea and most of the time far from her home port in 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's exactly what makes it real. We are also happy to show you the technology on board, and you can be involved in all activities – navigating, steering, cooking, right through to technical tasks. Not a cruise, but lived community, genuine experiences and the magic of the sea.
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 usually blows moderately from the north-west, making sailing pleasant and predictable. The islands and coves are close together, typical daily stages are only 5 to 25 nautical miles long – that leaves plenty of time for swimming, anchoring and enjoying. The landscape is lush green with olive groves, cypresses and pines down to the water. Free anchoring in sheltered coves is possible everywhere, and Greek hospitality in the small harbour towns is legendary. Start and finish is Gouvia Marina on Corfu – only about 15 minutes from Corfu International Airport, which is served by direct flights from many European cities.
Our adventure begins with boarding in the marina on Corfu – getting to know each other, safety briefing and the first jump into the water from the swim 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 coves 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 cruising area extends from the quiet 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 – Venetian charm among 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 accessible by boat, with beaches that can compete with the Caribbean. On the Greek mainland, Sivota with its famous Blue Lagoon and Parga with its colourful harbour promenade beckon. At the end of the week we sail relaxed back to Corfu and into Gouvia Marina. Which coves and islands we exactly call at and how long we stay where is decided – as in real sailing – by the wind, the weather and the crew together.
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 tour every week. Instead, we sail together, experience real boatlife and embrace the adventure that the sea holds for us.
Step aboard a well-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 as much a part of it as relaxed days on deck.
Do you want more than just sailing along? We take care of the technology 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 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 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 dinghy with outboard motor. An outstanding level 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 for 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. Joy of sailing is guaranteed!
Mid-July brings high summer temperatures (air: Ø 30–35°C, water: Ø 25–27°C). The Maistro – the prevailing north-west wind in the Ionian Sea – usually sets in around midday and blows in the afternoon with a pleasant 2–4 Bft., 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 anchor nights under the starry sky. Rain is practically impossible in July – bright sunshine and deep blue water are guaranteed.
Everyone can, if they wish, help with sailing, even steer the boat once, 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 turns preparing breakfast or looking after dinner. Usually, the hobby chefs on board soon emerge, and those less interested in culinary arts simply hold 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 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 kitty. This kitty covers all joint 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 the provided bed linen, final cleaning, gas, marina fee for the first and last night in harbour, etc.). According to old seafaring tradition, the skipper is fed by the crew during the trip.
Berth charter is the best way for anyone who wants to get to know the sailing life. No prior knowledge or sailing experience is necessary. But perhaps you have already gained sailing experience, completed sailing training and want to deepen it? – Then the skipper will give you the opportunity to try things out and help you gain future confidence. The crew can help shape the course of the trip and your wishes will be heard, subject to safety and weather. On such a trip you meet like-minded people, can make new good 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 various but very similar cabins. 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 different products that provide a great sailing experience while being less burdensome on the environment. At the same time, she is on a journey to explore the world. Her base is in Poros, Greece. Most of the time, however, she is on long passages. Our small team of skippers looks forward to sharing a real sailing experience with you!
