Top up on sunshine again before winter arrives! From Palma de Mallorca we sail to the protected Cabrera National Park, the dream islands of Formentera and Ibiza, and along the sun-drenched Costa Blanca to Cartagena. This passage is a relaxed island hop through the Balearics combined with a delightful coastal tour along the Spanish mainland. Short daily legs, numerous refuge harbours and two built-in buffer days make this trip safe and relaxed even in October – because the weather can be changeable in autumn, but the sun still shines here more than elsewhere.
Enjoy the golden autumn in the Mediterranean with pleasant temperatures, quiet bays without summer tourists, and the special atmosphere when the light softens and the colours intensify. We sail together, learn from each other and enjoy the freedom on the water.
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true bluewater yacht – built for living and travelling on the sea. We are on the move with warm-hearted people, discover the world together and experience genuine boat life: sun, wind, saltwater, small adventures and the feeling of really discovering something as a crew. Galini is at home on the sea and is usually far away from her home port in 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 are also very happy to show you the technology on board, and you can join in with all activities – navigating, steering, cooking, right through to the technical side. Not a cruise, but a lived community, real experiences and the magic of the sea.
The Balearic Islands and the Costa Blanca still offer pleasant sailing conditions in October with air temperatures around 20–25°C and sea temperatures of 22–23°C. The Balearics are noticeably quieter in autumn than in summer – fewer boats, free mooring buoys in Cabrera and a particularly relaxed atmosphere on Formentera and Ibiza. The crossings between the islands and to the mainland (60–80 nm each) are easy to plan, but require attention in October: the so-called Gota Fría – heavy cold air outbreaks – can suddenly bring strong winds and rain. That is why two buffer days are included to wait for the right weather window. Along the Costa Blanca (Dénia to Cartagena) there are safe harbours every 10–15 nautical miles – perfect for flexible sailing in changeable weather. Getting to Palma de Mallorca is easy from anywhere thanks to the large international airport. From the destination port of Cartagena you can reach Murcia-Corvera International Airport (RMU) in about 40 minutes or Alicante Airport (ALC) in about 90 minutes – both with good connections to German-speaking countries.
Our adventure begins on Saturday in Palma de Mallorca – boarding, getting to know each other and safety briefing in the capital of the Balearics. From Palma we first sail south to the Cabrera Archipelago – Spain's largest maritime national park. Only 50 boats per day are allowed to enter the protected waters, and overnight mooring buoys must be reserved in advance. From the castle above the natural harbour you have a breathtaking view over the archipelago. Cabrera is also our first buffer day: if the weather is not yet right for the 80-mile leg to Formentera, we enjoy an extra day in the national park. In favourable weather we sail across the open sea to Formentera and Espalmador – wonderfully quiet in October with Caribbean water almost to ourselves. From Ibiza, whose UNESCO old town Dalt Vila unfolds its special charm without summer tourists, we cross to the mainland to Dénia – the UNESCO city of gastronomy, famous for its red prawn and the best paella in Spain. Here lies our second buffer day: a perfect place to wait for the weather for the coastal stretch over a glass of wine and fresh Gamba Roja. Along the Costa Blanca we sail via Calpe with its imposing Peñón de Ifach and Alicante to Cartagena. The short legs along the coast with a harbour every 10–15 nautical miles offer maximum flexibility – just right for the October weather. In Cartagena, one of the most historic harbours in the Mediterranean, our passage ends. Which harbours and bays 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.
For anyone collecting miles towards their next sailing certificate: because we cross open sea on this passage, quite a few nautical miles go into the logbook. Of course we will provide you with an official mileage confirmation at the end of the trip.
Our Galini travels the world – and you can be there! 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 does the same tour every week. Instead, we sail together, experience real boat life and embrace the adventure that the sea holds for us.
Step on board 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 sailing along? We take care of the technical side on board together, and you can get stuck in yourself if you like. 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 was in the Caribbean over winter 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 engine. Top equipment in safety and navigation and much more – everything you need 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 her class. Joy of sailing is guaranteed!
October in the western Mediterranean: The air is still pleasantly warm at 20–25°C, the sea is 22–23°C – swimmable and much warmer than at home. The autumn sun is lower and bathes the coasts in a particularly warm light. In the Balearics, northerly to north-easterly winds predominate at 2–4 Bft., interspersed with calm days. Along the Costa Blanca there are thermal breezes and occasionally Poniente (westerly wind). In October you have to expect a few bad weather spells – the notorious Gota Fría can briefly bring strong south-easterly wind and rain. That is exactly what the two buffer days are for, and the dense sequence of harbours along the coast always offers safe alternatives. But most of the time we can expect bright sunshine and good sailing wind – the golden autumn of the Mediterranean.
Everyone can help with sailing if they wish, also take the helm occasionally or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. In addition, everyone is jointly responsible for the welfare of the crew. This means that each person will take turns preparing breakfast or looking after dinner. Usually the hobby cooks on board quickly stand out and those who are less into the culinary arts simply step back and do the washing up. When mooring and casting off, everyone generally lends a hand according to their abilities and after instruction by the skipper. The boat is to be kept clean by the crew during the passage. However, the marina staff will do the final cleaning.
All crew members (except the skipper) pay a jointly agreed amount into the crew fund. From this fund all common expenses incurred during the passage (e.g. diesel, harbour fees, deposit insurance, transit log, tourist tax, national and nature park fees, service package for the provided bed linen, final cleaning, gas, marina fee for the first and last night in harbour etc.) are covered. According to old seafaring tradition, the skipper will be fed by the crew during the passage.
Cabin charter is the best way for anyone who wants to experience the sailing lifestyle. Previous knowledge or own sailing experience is not necessary. But perhaps you have already gained some sailing experience, done some sailing training and want to deepen it? – Then the skipper will give you the opportunity to try yourself 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 trip you meet like-minded people, can make new nice acquaintances and have an experienced skipper by your side who takes care of all nautical matters. The cabins on the yacht are usually equipped differently but very similarly. The 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 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 give you a great sailing experience while being less harmful to the environment. At the same time, she is on a journey to explore the world. Her base is in Poros, Greece. But she is usually on a long voyage. Our small team of skippers looks forward to sharing a real sailing adventure with you!
