Greece Charter

[Blake_NZ]

Hi all,

I am planning a 10 day catamaran charter at the of September leading into the beginning of October.
I'm leaning towards the Ionian islands to visit friends that live there. However, I am open to other suggestions eg the Cyclades, provided the Meltemi wouldn't be too much of an issue later in the season.
Just looking for advice, suggestions about weather, itinerary, etc from people with personal experience who have cruised these areas at this time of year.
Thank you

Blake

[Captsteve53]

Dont forget to check if the company has regulations requiring a credit card style skipper license issued by the UK -RYA, as many do,

Some will accept others like the NZ Boat /yacht/offshore/Ocean master but pay to check and carry with you


Cheers Steve

[karabil]

We have just finished 3 months in the Ionion. Pretty, sheltered, masses of good anchorages and free or vey cheap town quays, great infrastructure for cruisers, some fantastic tavernas. Our last week was travelling to the yard near Athens to put the boat on the hard, we have had 4 days of Meltemi, very unpleasant and feel very sorry for the charterers who have spent a fortune for their week, and will have been hiding in a marina for most of it. If you are time limited then stick to the safer option, its still very beautiful.

[jmorrison146]

More exposed, but the Cyclades were very nice. Flew into Mykonos for a couple of resort days then ferried to Paros to pick up a newish Lagoon 400. Sailed to Folegandros, and Ios. Visited Santorini overnight via ferry from Ios. Then on to the nice bay on the south end of Antiparos. Captain Pepino's taverna there was fantastic. Wherever you go, you will enjoy Greece.

[Vladis]

Hello,

If I had only one or two weeks to sail, I would prefer Ionion in July /August because of the winds.

Regard Vladis

ps: karabil - did you see a pm sent when we met in the Ionion?

[chuckr]

if you can move the location - just watch the long term weather and make your decision as close to the charter date as possible.
We are sitting Karistos on the end of Evia Island in the Cyclades and have been for 5 days and it looks like we will continue to sit for 3 more - winds nite before last 46k - winds today 7-3 - are 20 - 30 gusting 40+ -
there is a charter boat sitting with all the other of us - 15 total bats - and we do feel sorry for him and wondering how he is getting the boat back -

and the really good news is we get about 4-5 days of decent weather and another meltimi blows in -

If I were you I would start charting the weather and I mean writing it down and look for trends at least 2-3 weeks before your charter time

good luck

[Blake_NZ]

Thanks everyone for your help/advice.
Have settled on one week out of Lefkas. Would prefer 2, but unfortunately unable to this time around.
Any destination/itinerary/cruising tips welcomed.
Thanks!

[chuckr]

you mean Levkas? in the Northern Ionian? - In a week you can not get far but get Hiekell Greek Waters Pilot and begin to plan a trip -- ONE THING -- most charterers get up late morning and mess around and out about 10-1100 -- and get into the next port at 16-1800 and fight for a spot
We do the opposite - we are out early in early and many times the ports are almost empty but fill in and become overflowing later -- only problem with that is you will probably pick up someone's anchor chain on your way out - but you will learn how to deal with it

[Stakaman]

From lefkas island you can go south to many nice destinations : kefalonia -ithaki- Zakinthos and many smaller island around ..
The most beautiful beaches are around you .
If you have only one week don't wasted going north
North you have the beautiful paxous island and after that Corfu which need more time .
But if you go up north make a stop to prapa mali beach half click south from Karavostasi beach (between Perdika and Parga
Nice underground local people with some nice little (20-30 people )fullmoon beach party's ..
Doesn't matter if there isn't fullmoon , they will be there anyway
Grab some rum and join them .
39 19.452 N
20 17.616 E
Also called Aquila on Navionics charts (named wrong but it will help you find it )

[NornaBiron]

If you are going at the end of September it will be much quieter than at other times, there won't be quite so many boats fighting over the space.