Experience the full diversity of the Ionian Islands on our special shared sailing trip from Corfu to Zakynthos in late July. From the green splendour of Corfu via the hidden coves of Paxos, the legendary home of Odysseus on Ithaca, the picturesque Fiskardo on Kefalonia, to the world-famous beaches of Zakynthos – this voyage strings together the pearls of the Ionian Sea like a necklace. Short daily legs leave plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling, and relaxing, and the variety of the islands makes every day a new adventure.
Enjoy turquoise waters in secluded anchorages, stroll through Venetian harbour towns, jump from the bathing platform into crystal-clear sea, and be spoiled by Greek hospitality. We sail together, learn from each other, and savour the freedom on the water.
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true bluewater yacht – built for living and travelling at sea. We sail with warm-hearted people, discover the world together, and experience genuine boat life: sun, wind, saltwater, little adventures, and the feeling of truly discovering something together as a crew. Galini is at home at sea and mostly far from her home port of Poros. You'll be part of life on board. Not everything will always go to plan – sometimes something breaks or the weather changes our course – but that's what makes it real. We're also happy to show you the onboard technology, and you can join in all activities – navigating, steering, cooking, right through to technical tasks. No cruise, but lived community, real experiences, and the magic of the sea.
The Ionian Islands from Corfu to Zakynthos are among the most popular sailing areas in the entire Mediterranean – and for good reason. The islands lie sheltered off the Greek west coast, distances are short, and the water between the islands is predominantly calm. Each island has its own distinct character: from the lush green vegetation of Corfu and Lefkada via mythical Ithaca to dramatic Zakynthos. Free anchoring in sheltered bays is possible everywhere, and a Greek taverna right by the water is never far away. Travelling to Corfu is straightforward thanks to the international airport right next to the marina. Departure from Zakynthos is also easy: Zakynthos airport lies just 5 km from the marina and is served by direct flights from many European cities.
Our adventure begins with crew change at Gouvia Marina on Corfu – boarding, getting to know each other, and safety briefing. From Corfu we first sail south to the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos – a paradise of olive groves, sheltered natural harbours, and water that shimmers in all shades of blue and turquoise. From there our route continues south into the central Ionian island group. The small islands of Meganisi and Kalamos surprise with unspoilt bays and fjords where pine trees reach down to the crystal-clear water. Ithaca – the home of Odysseus – welcomes us with the picturesque harbour town of Kioni and the deep bay of Vathy. A highlight of any Ionian voyage is Fiskardo on Kefalonia – the pearl of Ionian harbours, the only village that survived the 1953 earthquake and still enchants with its colourful shutters and Venetian houses. The final leg takes us to Zakynthos with its world-famous Navagio Bay, the Blue Caves in the north, and the lively harbour town. Exactly which harbours and bays we call at and how long we stay is decided – as in real sailing – by wind, 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 boat life, and embrace the adventure the sea has in store for us.
Step aboard a well-equipped, lovingly maintained boat and enjoy something special: with us nothing is off the shelf. 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 being a passenger? We take care of the onboard technology together, and you can lend a hand yourself if you wish. You can turn it from a holiday trip into a genuine 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 adventure 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), multimedia, generator 220V / 7kW (230V 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. An exceptional array 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 requirements 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. Enjoyment of sailing is guaranteed!
Late July brings high summer temperatures (air: Ø 30–35°C, water: Ø 25–27°C). The Maistro – the prevailing northwesterly wind in the Ionian Sea – blows reliably in the afternoon at 2–4 Beaufort, ideal for relaxed sailing southwards. Mornings are often calm, perfect for swimming stops and a leisurely start to the day. The waters between the Ionian Islands are predominantly sheltered due to their offshore location, making this area particularly pleasant and attractive even for less experienced sailors. Rain is practically non-existent in late July.
Everyone can, if they wish, help with sailing, take the helm at times, or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. In addition, everyone is jointly responsible for the crew's meals. This means that each person takes turns preparing breakfast or looking after dinner. Often the hobby chefs on board quickly emerge, and those not so into 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 is to be kept clean by the crew during the trip. The final cleaning, however, is done by the marina staff.
All crew members (except the skipper) pay a jointly agreed amount into the crew fund. From this fund, all common costs incurred during the trip (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 fees for the first and last night in harbour, etc.) are covered. The skipper, following old maritime tradition, is fed by the crew during the trip.
Berth charter is the best way for anyone wanting to get to know the sailing life. No prior knowledge or sailing experience is required. Perhaps you already have sailing experience, have completed 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 trip and your 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 usually fitted with different but very similar cabins. The berths are allocated by the skipper taking into account crew wishes. 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 reducing environmental impact. At the same time, she is on a journey to explore the world. Her base is in Poros, Greece. But mostly she is on a great voyage. Our small team of skippers looks forward to a real sailing experience together with you!
