Have you always wanted to know how a yacht really works? Together with you we are preparing our GALINI in Almerimar for the winter season in the Caribbean! This special trip combines relaxed coastal sailing along the Andalusian coast with a multi-day yard stay in Almerimar. You are not just a guest – you become part of the crew: you can lend a hand yourself, get explanations of all key systems, and be actively involved in the maintenance work.
We sail together from Cartagena via the Cabo de Gata Natural Park to Almerimar, spend several days there in the yard, and then sail on via Motril to Málaga. Along the way there is time for crew life, the wild Andalusian coast and enjoying the golden autumn on the Mediterranean. But the focus is on the technical everyday life: maintenance, repairs, checks and preparations take centre stage. This gives you a unique insight into life and work aboard a long-distance cruising yacht.
Of course you don’t have to spend all day with spanners: if you want, there is time for excursions, town strolls or simply relaxation. The harbour fees in Almerimar are on us, of course.
Galini, our Hanse 575, is a true bluewater vessel – built for living and travelling on the sea. We travel with warm-hearted people, discover the world together and experience real boatlife: sun, wind, salt water, small adventures and that feeling of truly discovering something together as a crew. Galini is at home on the sea and usually far from her home port of Poros. You become part of life on board. Things won’t always go 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 technical systems on board, and you can join in all activities – navigating, steering, cooking right through to engineering. Not a cruise, but lived community, genuine experiences and the magic of the sea.
The Andalusian coast between Cartagena and Málaga in October still offers pleasant conditions with air temperatures around 20–26°C and water temperatures around 20–22°C – the last warm days of the year. The coast is varied: from historic Cartagena via the wild Cabo de Gata Natural Park to the lively Costa del Sol. The harbours along the route are close together, offering maximum flexibility in changeable October weather. The Almerimar Marine Services yard in Puerto Deportivo Almerimar has a 24,000 m² dry dock, two travelifts (60 and 100 tonnes), a covered boat hall and experienced multilingual staff – ideal conditions for all maintenance work. Access to Cartagena is via Murcia-Corvera Airport (RMU, ~38 km) or Alicante (ALC, ~90 km). From the destination harbour of Málaga it is only a few minutes to the large international Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) with connections worldwide.
Our adventure begins in Cartagena – one of the oldest harbour cities in the Mediterranean. After boarding, getting to know each other and the safety briefing, we sail westward along the coast. The first leg takes us past the impressive Cabo de Gata Natural Park – Europe’s only coastal desert with volcanic cliffs, lonely coves and the striking Sirena reef. Via Almería we reach Almerimar, where the yard awaits us. Here we spend several days together on maintenance and engineering: we inspect the rig, sails, engine, electrics, safety equipment, pumps, navigation systems and much more. You learn how to plan maintenance, check spares and identify or fix technical issues. Those who want can get involved in all areas – from an oil change to functional checks of all onboard installations. In between, there is time for excursions to the surroundings, a stroll through the harbour towns or simply relaxation. After completing the work we sail further westward via Motril to Málaga, where the trip ends. On the sailing legs we test all systems under way and enjoy the Andalusian coast in the golden autumn light.
You can of course also join for only part of the time!
The week is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about yacht engineering, maintenance and preparation for long-distance passages. You get practical insights into all systems on board, can lend a hand yourself and ask questions. Our team explains the processes, gives tips and shares experience from many years of bluewater sailing.
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 that does 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 the special: with us nothing is 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.
Our trips combine holiday, experience, mindfulness and real boatlife. Become part of our crew and experience a special time on Galini – authentic, communal and full of wanderlust.
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 one 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 motor. An over-specification of safety and navigation and much more – everything needed to be self-sufficient without having to call at a supply harbour. 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 its class. Enjoyment of sailing is guaranteed!
In October the Andalusian south coast shows itself from its mild side: daytime temperatures a pleasant 20–26°C, rarely below 14°C at night. The sun shines an average of 8 hours per day, and longer rainy spells are rare – short showers can occur but are usually quickly over. The winds are predominantly from westerly to southerly directions at 2–4 Beaufort, providing comfortable conditions for sailing and working on deck. Occasionally the Gota Fría can bring strong winds and rain for a short time – but the dense sequence of harbours along the coast always offers safe alternatives. The water is still 20–22°C – a last dip in the Mediterranean before winter is quite possible.
Everyone can, if they want, help with sailing, sometimes steer the boat or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. In addition, everyone is jointly responsible for the crew’s well-being. That means everyone takes turns preparing breakfast or taking care of dinner. Usually the hobby chefs on board quickly emerge, and those less into cooking simply step back and do the washing up. When berthing and unberthing, everyone normally lends a hand according to their abilities and after instruction by the skipper. The boat is to be kept clean by the crew members during the trip. The final cleaning is however done by the marina staff.
All crew members (except the skipper) pay an agreed amount into the crew kitty. From this kitty all common costs incurred during the trip are paid (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 harbour night, etc.). According to old seafaring tradition, the skipper is fed by the crew during the trip.
Berth charter is the best opportunity for anyone wanting to get to know the sailing life. No previous knowledge or own sailing experience is necessary. But perhaps you have already gained sailing experience, done a sailing course and want to deepen it? – Then the skipper will give you the chance to try yourself out and help you gain future confidence. The crew can help shape the course of the trip 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 usually equipped with different 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 various products that allow a great sailing experience while reducing the environmental impact. At the same time she is on a voyage to explore the world. Her base is on Poros, Greece. But she is usually on a long passage. Our small team of skippers looks forward to sharing a real sailing experience with you!
