This voyage is for everyone seeking the great adventure: In two weeks we sail from our home port of Poros across the Mediterranean to Palermo in Sicily. Through the legendary Corinth Canal, the Gulf of Corinth under the imposing Rion-Antirion Bridge, past the historic lagoon city of Messolonghi, via Ithaka and Kefalonia – and then the big crossing: around 270 nautical miles across the open Ionian Sea to Syracuse. From there we continue through the Strait of Messina, past the fire-spouting Stromboli, through the Lipari Islands and along the north coast of Sicily to Palermo. A true mile passage of around 660 nautical miles – bluewater sailing at its finest.
We decide our stops in ports and anchorages together. We are a crew that plans the route according to preferences, wind and weather.
- • Corinth CanalSpectacular passage between rock walls up to 80 metres high, only 24 metres wide
- • Gulf of Corinth60 NM framed by mountains, with the small island of Trizonia as a hidden jewel
- • Rion-Antirion BridgeUnder the modern masterpiece that connects the Peloponnese with the mainland
- • MessolonghiHistoric lagoon town, site of the Greek War of Independence and Lord Byron’s last stop
- • IthakaThe home of Odysseus with the picturesque harbour of Vathy
- • KefaloniaFiskardo, Argostoli and the dramatic landscape of the largest Ionian island
- • Large crossing (~269 NM)The highlight: 2 nights on the open Ionian Sea, night watches, starry sky, dolphins and true blue water feeling
- • Syracuse & OrtigiaAncient world city as a reward after the crossing
- • Strait of MessinaLegendary strait with currents and jet effects
- • StromboliActive volcano, with a lava spectacle when approaching at night
- • Aeolian IslandsLipari and Vulcano, volcanic island world with hot springs and sulphur fields
- • CefalùNorman cathedral and picturesque old town on the north coast of Sicily
- • PalermoDignified finale in Sicily’s vibrant capital
Our adventure begins on Saturday in Poros – our home port. After boarding, getting to know each other and the safety briefing, we set off northwards towards the Corinth Canal. The passage between the steeply rising rock faces is the spectacular start to this voyage. In the Gulf of Corinth we sail westwards – framed by mountains, with a stop at the small island of Trizonia or the charming Galaxidi. Under the imposing Rion-Antirion Bridge we reach Messolonghi, the historic lagoon town on the Gulf of Patras – once the scene of heroic resistance in the Greek War of Independence and the place where Lord Byron spent his last days. From Messolonghi we sail to Ithaka, the home of Odysseus, and on to Kefalonia. Here we take a buffer day: stock up on provisions, check the weather window for the big crossing and enjoy the island. Then the highlight – we set off for the big crossing: around 269 NM across the open Ionian Sea to Syracuse. Two nights at sea, watch system, navigation by the stars, sunrises over the sea and with a bit of luck dolphins as companions. Arriving in Syracuse, we treat ourselves to a well-deserved rest day on the baroque old town island of Ortigia. From Syracuse we head up the east coast of Sicily with Etna as our companion, through the legendary Strait of Messina and on to Stromboli – an unforgettable experience when approaching at night as the lava illuminates the sky. The Aeolian Islands Lipari and Vulcano surprise with their volcanic landscape, before we sail via Cefalù with its Norman cathedral to Palermo – a worthy finale in Sicily’s vibrant capital. 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 everyone collecting miles toward their next sailing licence: since this voyage crosses open sea, plenty of nautical miles will be added to the logbook. Naturally, we will provide you with an official miles confirmation at the end of the trip.
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 genuine boat life, and embrace the adventure the sea holds for us.
Step aboard a well-equipped, lovingly maintained boat and enjoy something special: with us there is nothing 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 boat’s technical aspects together, and you can pitch in yourself if you wish. You can turn a holiday trip into a real experience on a long-distance yacht and become part of life at sea.
Our voyages combine holiday, experience, mindfulness and genuine boat life. Become part of our crew and enjoy a special time on Galini – authentic, communal and full of a spirit of adventure.
This mile-building voyage connects three fascinating cruising areas: the Saronic and Corinthian Gulfs, the Ionian Islands and Sicily. From the sheltered Gulf of Corinth with its calm waters and few anchorages, it goes into the open Ionian Sea – with short distances between the islands and reliable north-westerly winds. The big crossing from Kefalonia to Sicily (~269 NM) crosses the open Ionian Sea and is the navigational centrepiece of the trip. In September conditions are good: the Meltemi subsides, winds are moderate and weather patterns mostly stable. The Aeolian Islands off Sicily’s north coast are volcanic in origin – spectacular, but with limited anchoring options that require good planning. The route has two built-in buffer days – before the big crossing on Kefalonia and after arrival in Syracuse – used as waiting days or pleasure stops depending on the weather. From the home port of Poros you can quickly reach Piraeus by ferry and in about an hour Athens airport. Palermo Falcone-Borsellino airport is only about 30 km from the marina and reachable by shuttle in 35–40 minutes.
In September conditions are pleasant: temperatures are 25–30°C (air) and 24–26°C (water) – summer-warm but not as oppressive as in August. The Meltemi eases markedly in September, prevailing winds in the Ionian Sea are moderate north-westerly at 2–4 Bft. In the Gulf of Corinth a westerly wind dominates, freshening in the afternoon. On the big crossing variable winds are possible – from light calms to fresh north-westerly. The Aeolian Islands are light-winded in summer, influenced by topography and thermals, mainly from NW and W. September is considered one of the best sailing times in the central Mediterranean: stable weather, little rain and pleasant temperatures – ideal for a challenging mile-building voyage.
Our beautiful GALINI is a very fast, large and comfortable yacht. She spent the winter in the Caribbean and will cross 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 dinghy with outboard motor. An abundance 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 standards of 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. Enjoyment of sailing is guaranteed!
✓ Included services
- Shared sailing trip with experienced skipper
- Berth on the yacht
- Sailing instruction
- Mileage confirmation (on request)
+ Additional costs / boat fund
- Boat fund (harbour fees, provisions, diesel, final cleaning etc.): approx. 250 EUR per week/person
- Arrival/Departure
What tasks does the crew have?
Everyone can, if they wish, help with sailing, even take the helm or simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the day. Furthermore, all are 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 quickly emerge, and those who are not so keen on cooking simply step back and do the washing-up. When mooring and unmooring, everyone generally lends a hand according to their abilities and after briefing by the skipper. The boat must be kept clean by the crew members during the trip. The final cleaning, however, is done by the marina staff.
What does ‘boat fund’ actually mean?
All crew members (except the skipper) pay an agreed amount into the boat fund. This fund covers all common 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 provisioned by the crew during the trip.
What does ‘berth charter’ mean?
Berth charter is the best option for anyone wanting to get to know the sailing life. No prior knowledge or own sailing experience is required. Perhaps you have already gained some sailing experience, completed a sailing course and want to deepen it? – Then the skipper will give you the opportunity to try yourself 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 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 with different but very similar cabins. The berths are allocated by the skipper taking the crew’s wishes into account. Entire 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 our GALINI we test innovative products to combine a great sailing experience with the smallest possible ecological footprint. Our small team of experienced skippers looks forward to experiencing real sailing adventures together with you. Our base is on Poros, Greece – from there we explore the most beautiful cruising areas in the world.
