Experience the fascination of two islands on one voyage: from Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant capital, we sail along the spectacular north-west coast to the Aegadian Islands – one of the last insider tips in the Mediterranean – and then across the open sea to southern Sardinia. Turquoise bays, a breathtaking crossing and the wild beauty of Sardinia’s south coast await us. A week full of contrasts: Sicilian temperament, secluded island worlds, a true offshore passage and Sardinian dream beaches.
Enjoy the last summer days of the year with sun, wind and salt water, dive into the incredibly clear water of the Aegadian Islands, experience the vastness of the open sea on the crossing and discover the Caribbean bays on Sardinia’s south coast. We sail together, learn from one another and enjoy the freedom on the water.
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true bluewater yacht – created for living and travelling at 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 genuinely discovering something together as a crew. Galini is at home at sea and usually far away from her home port on 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 be part of all activities – navigating, steering, cooking right through to the tech. Not a cruise, but a living 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 western Mediterranean offers ideal conditions for sailors. The route leads along the Spanish coast to the Balearic Islands. In June, pleasant temperatures prevail and the water temperature already invites swimming. The prevailing wind usually blows from an easterly direction with 3–5 Bft., guaranteeing a pleasant sailing experience.
Our adventure begins on Saturday in Palermo – boarding, getting to know each other and the safety briefing in Sicily’s fascinating capital. From Palermo we sail westwards along the north coast to Castellammare del Golfo, a picturesque fishing harbour at the foot of an Arab-Norman castle. On we go to Trapani, the city between two seas, known for its salt pans and windmills. From here we reach the Aegadian Islands – an archipelago that seems to have fallen out of time. Favignana with its famous Cala Rossa, the tiny island of Levanzo and the wild Marettimo with its sea caves and marine reserve offer days full of swimming, snorkelling and wonder. From Marettimo, the westernmost island, we set off on the big crossing: around 199 nautical miles across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Sardinia – one night and a day at sea with night watches, starry skies and the special feeling of vastness. In Carloforte on the Isola di San Pietro, a surprise awaits us: a Ligurian town in the middle of the Mediterranean, founded by coral fishermen from Genoa who came to Sardinia via Tunisia – still with its own dialect, tuna tradition and Genoese lanes. From here we sail along Sardinia’s south coast via Porto Pino and the dream beaches of Chia to Nora, where Phoenician-Roman ruins lie directly by the sea and partly underwater. In Cagliari, the lively capital of Sardinia on the Gulf of Angels, our voyage ends. Which harbours and bays 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 anyone collecting miles towards their next sailing certificate: as we cross the open sea on this trip, a good number of nautical miles go into the logbook. Of course, we will issue you with 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 that discovers new horizons together. We are not a classic charter company running the same tour 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 boat and enjoy something 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.
Do you want more than just sailing along? We look after the technology on board together, and you can lend a hand yourself if you like. You can turn the holiday trip into a real experience on a long-distance cruising yacht and become part of life at sea.
Our trips combine holiday, adventure, mindfulness and real boatlife. Become part of our crew and experience a special 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 September/October there are pleasant conditions on the west coast of Sicily and on Sardinia. Temperatures are 24–28°C (air) and 23–25°C (water). Along Sicily’s north-west coast and the Aegadian Islands, thermal winds and the Maestrale (NW) blow with typically 2–4 Bft.. The sea between Sicily and Sardinia can become rougher in mistral conditions – which is exactly why we choose the departure time from Marettimo carefully. On Sardinia’s south coast the wind is generally moderate, with thermal breezes in the afternoon. September is considered one of the best sailing times in the western Mediterranean: stable high-pressure systems, little rain and pleasant temperatures without the heat of high summer.
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!
