SARONIC SAILING
calm waters, gentle bike routes
Go to Our Yachts for detailed information about the yachts used in a Sail & Cycle cruise
Family friendly sailing cycling in Aegina, Corinth, Epidavros, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, Nafplio.
The greatest feature of the Saronic region is that the ports are not located in the high seas which means the waters are calm. This makes the cruise ideal for first time seafarers who may not have yet developed “sea legs,” or families with youngsters. Most daily bike rides offer a short version and a long version with additional mileage. Route mileage is are adjusted for families.
The Peloponnese mainland has many antiquities to explore, including two World Heritage Sites: the 3rd century Epidavros Theatre and Ancient Mycenae. Both lie within easy biking distance from the port. Hydra is a car-free, bike-free island — switch gears and go for a hike. The region is famous for its Nemean wine which you will try at a session led by a wine expert. You will also plunge into a Greek cooking class to learn the best recipes from our grandmother’s era with local chef Katerina. Enjoy Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece, is the prettiest city in the Peloponnese.
The Saronic Sailing Cruise can also be done in reverse by a vehicle transfer to Nafplio as the first overnight stop and the final overnight in Aegina.
Before or after your Saronic Sailing cruise we recommend you take the Athens Add-on tour. You will immerse yourself in the culture of Athens and Attica region with exciting activities: Historic Central Athens bike tour (90% traffic free), Acropolis & Acropolis Museum with professional guide, Temple of Poseidon coastal cycling, Attica wine tasting, Temple of Artemis.
If you have limited time in Athens, consider taking one or two bike rides in the Attica region — see Athens Day Tours.
Details
| Dates | choose your dates |
| Duration | 7 nights, 8 days |
| Charter Terms | Groups only, up to 16 guests including children 12 and older |
| Charter Cost | depends on inclusions & season |
| Add-ons |
yes, Athens – see Add-On tab |
| Arrival City | Athens |
| Arrival transfer | yes, from Athens Airport in designated hours on Day 1 |
| Tour Start Point | Alimos Marina |
| Tour End Point | Nafplio, with transfer to Athens Airport |
| Minimum Age |
12, family cruises |
| Minimum Pax |
8 |
| Maximum Pax |
16 |
| Total Mileage | 198 km, 123 miles for standard route. Less miles, 144 km, 90 miles |
| Highest Elevation |
350 meters, 1150 feet |
| Rating | Moderate See Rating System |
Itinerary
The cruise starts Day 1 at Alimos marina, a 20 minute drive from central Athens and 40 minutes from Athens Airport. The cruise ends in Nafplio with a vehicle transfer to Athens Airport lasting 90-120 minutes. The cruise can also be done in reverse by a vehicle transfer to Nafplio as the first overnight stop and the final overnight in Aegina.
Bike mileage listed for each day is for that day’s basic route. Additional mileage or less miles is also possible for most rides.
Saturday Day 1: Aegina
Boarding the yacht at the Alimos marina from 10:00 -11:00. After a tour of the boat we sail to Aegina island. Aegina is famous for its pistachios. There’s biking along the flat coast or a more challenging inland loop to Ancient Aphaia. Visit the local Cool Soap workshop. 1.50 hours sailing 39 km 24 miles short route 20 km 12 miles
Sunday Day 2: Corinth
On the way to Corinth a pit stop at Kanakia on Salamina island to swim. A true highlight of the day is sailing through the Corinth Canal, 6.40 kilometers long (4 miles), 21 meters wide (70 feet). The Canal was completed in 1893, effectively turning the Peloponnese peninsula into an island. Cycle to the Roman ruins at Ancient Corinth and ascend the Akrokorinthos fortress with magnificent views of two gulfs. 3 hours sailing 34 km 21 miles. short route 25.40 km 15.70 miles
Monday Day 3: Epidavros
Sail to Epidavros harbor, then bike to and from Epidavros Theatre for a tour with a professional guide. The third century BC theatre seats 13,000. With its impeccable acoustics, one can hear a whisper on stage from the highest tier. 2 hours sailing 30 km 18.60 miles
Tuesday Day 4: Poros
The boat sails from Epidavros to Poros island. Riders have the option to bike the entire distance or get dropped off at Methana port and bike a shorter distance. In either event, all riders rendezvous with the boat on Poros island where you participate in a Greek cooking class! 1 hour sailing 40 km 25 miles short route 22.40 km 14 miles.
Wednesday Day 5: Hydra
Hydra is a car-free and bike-free island. Swimming in a secluded cove and 2 hour hike up to the Prophet Ilias Monastery. Hydra is an artists colony with many high quality, original works of art, jewelry and clothes. The island is a weekend getaway for upscale Athenians. A well known Athenian art foundation has created a cutting edge art exhibition center in an abandoned abattoir. 1.50 hours sailing
Thursday Day 6: Spetses
Adorable Spetses is car-free and has horse drawn carriages for lovely sight seeing. Cycle the entire island and at the half-way point, there’s a hole in the earth about the size of a pot hole cover that you slide through and end up in a for real pirate’s sea cave. Little Spetses will enchant you with its 19th century ship captain homes. 1 hour sailing 24 km 15 miles
Friday Day 7: Nafplio
Nafplio lies within easy biking distance of the World Heritage Site of Mycenae which you tour with a professional guide. Mycenae is where King Agamemnon ruled who launched the Trojan War. The site has deep drama — the king’s wife and her lover murdered him, and then in retaliation their son Orestes and daughter Elektra killed their mother. After Mycenae, we’ll need a glass of Nemean wine! 2.50 hours sailing 43 km, 26 miles
Saturday Day 8: departures
Vehicle transfer in the morning from Nafplio to Athens Airport, 90-120 minutes.
Pre or Post Cruise Athens Add-on
Athens Add-On, 4 Nights
Day 1: Athens – Historic Central Athens & Acropolis & Acropolis Museum
Start the morning with a three hour Athens Bike Tour that is 90% traffic free stopping at 25 points of interest, including famous sites like the changing of the guard at Parliament and unheralded sites like the Pynx where democracy was born and Socrates’ prison. Bike tour is 11 km, 6.8 miles. After lunch in an outdoor taverna at Plaka visit the incomparable Acropolis with a professional archaeology guide and the Acropolis Museum holding the monument’s treasures.
Day 2: Athens – Temple of Poseidon
We take an excursion to the magnificent Temple of Poseidon in Sounion at the southern tip of Attica Peninsula. Lord Byron carved his name in the marble but the graffiti cannot mar the temple’s geometric precision nor its stupendous views. Bring your swimsuit for a dip in the sea before returning to the city. Includes lunch at a seaside taverna. Option to bike from the Acropolis to Sounion, 60 km, 37 miles or vehicle transfer to Vari and bike from there, 42 km, 26 miles
Day 3: Athens – Attica Wineries
The roads are primarily rural in this agricultural region full of grape vineyards, fig farms and pistachio orchards. The tour visits five wineries including an organic winery which won Greece’s first award for its bio-climatic system. At these wineries you have the opportunity to taste several varieties of local wine, such as, Savatiano, Attica’s indigenous wine, a white grape that withstands the summer temperatures with an aroma of citrus fruit and flowers. 45 km, 28 miles A special detour is made to the Temple of Artemis in Vravrona (a/k/a Brauron). This was an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of hunting, Artemis, that was a female-only place of worship
Day 4: Athens –Athens Food Tour
Take a walking tour that immerses you into Greek food, wine, local products, spirits. All things that stimulate the palate. Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest diets on the planet. The gastronomic guide takes you to places you would never know as a foreigner. 4 ½ hours 10:00 – 14:00
NOTE: You may substitute the walking Food Tour for a cycling tour on Aegina Island or Marathon.
Day 5: depart
COST
1430 euros per person for 4 persons based on double occupancy
1690 euros per person for 2 persons based on double occupancy
440 euros for single supplement
INCLUSIONS
Accommodations: 4 nights in hotel within walking distance of Acropolis with daily breakfast
Athens Bike Tour: 3 hours, hybrid bike, helmet, water bottle, front handlebar bag for cellphone, wallet, camera
Acropolis & Acropolis Museum: 3 hour private tour with professional guide, includes entry fees to Acropolis and Acropolis Museum
Temple of Poseidon: full day excursion, road bike, biking guide, vehicle support, entry fees to Temple of Poseidon, helmet, water bottle, front handlebar bag,
Attica Wineries: full day excursion, road bike, biking guide, vehicle support, wine tasting at 3-4 wineries, entry fees to Temple of Artemis
Athens Food Tour: 4½ hour walking tour, over 25 tastings at 11 food spots
Meals:
* Breakfasts are included at the Athens hotel
* Four lunches
* No dinners
EXCLUSIONS
* All dinners
* Airport transfer on departure, requires minimum 4 persons, maximum 8 persons. See Extras tab
* Travel Insurance. See Extras tab
CHARTER COST
Sail & Cycle cruises are offered to groups only up to 16 guests including children of 12 years old and up. The yacht’s weekly rate depends on inclusion choices and season. Please inquire. Below are available inclusions.
CHARTER INCLUSIONS
7 Cabins: (A) 4 double cabins 3 x 4 square meters with upper twin berth. (B) 1 master cabin 5 x 4 square meters with double bed and 2 upper twin berths, (C) 2 double cabin 2 x 4 square meters with two twins. All cabins have ensuite WC with shower-sink-toilet, hot water showers, air conditioning with individual controls, linens and towels
Cruise Leader / Bike Guide: Leader handles all logistics and leads the bike rides
Airport Transfers: On arrival from Athens Airport to Alimos marina. On departure from Nafplio to Athens Airport
Bikes: Specialized road bike or hybrid bike. Electric bike and carbon bikes available as an upgrade on request. E-bike for 400 euros. Carbon bike for 560 euros. Regular pedals or toe clips on request. You are welcome to bring your own clip-in pedals and shoes. See Our Bikes and Our Gear
Bike gear: water bottles, helmet, handlebar pouch, odometer, lock, rear rack on request, helmet. For hygienic purposes we encourage you to bring your own helmet
Meals: APA system applies, see details here. Snacks and beverages during the cruise
Fishing rods & gear: the catch of the day can be cooked on the outdoor Bar-B-Q
Snorkeling gear
Sea kayaks two-man kayaks on request at additional rates
Cue sheets: plus distance/elevation profiles. Routes are provided on RideWithGPS App to download to your phone
Maps: road maps in English and Greek
Trip packet: useful information, such as, recommended tavernas, points of interest, phone numbers for region’s bike shops
CycleGreece jersey: short sleeved, rear pockets, locally made
Entry Fees: entry fees to all archaeology sites and museums
Port taxes
CRUISE EXCLUSIONS
- Airfare to/from Greece
- Diesel
- All meals except snacks — see Meals tab
- Vehicle support for bike rides — see Extras tab
- Travel Insurance – see Extras tab
- Gratuities, tips
- VAT
TAKE NOTE
Travel Insurance is required as a condition for participation in a CycleGreece tour
For multi-day private charters seven nights or longer, guests have the option to choose the APA system which stands for “Advance Provisioning Allowance.” APA refers to expenses beyond the base charter cost, usually about 30% of the cruise cost, which includes extras, such as, diesel, meals and an on board chef.
Each yacht has a fully equipped galley to enable your party to be well-fed throughout the cruise. Meals are served al fresco on deck and/or the salon.
The APA system allows the chef to work with your group to satisfy your daily eating preferences. Once menus are established, the chef purchases the food supplies and prepares the meals Guests do not have the option to prepare their own meals on board.
Breakfast typically consist of omelets, Greek yogurt, fresh muffins, jams, fresh fruits, sweet delicacies, coffee and juices. Lunches tend to be sandwiches, pasta dishes, seafood appetizers, Greek specialties, soft drinks and mineral water. Dinner is a wholesome, hearty affair with the chef serving meat dishes or fresh fish, salads, Greek “mezes,” Greek wine, and after dinner treats at the chef’s discretion. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available upon request.
The rate for three meals on board (non-APA) prepared by the yacht’s chef is 150 euros per person per day, half board is 100 euros per person per day., if ordered and paid in advance. Prices include beverages during meals, such as wine and beer, plus mineral water and soft drinks. The chef arranges menus with your party, buys the food, prepares the meals and attends to the serving of the food.
Complimentary snacks and soft drinks are Included in the basic charter rate during the cruise.
Yacht Specs
These specs for the yacht Apollon are indicative specs for yachts on Sail & Cycle cruises.
DESCRIPTION
Description
Twin masted motorsailer
Total refit: 2015
Overall Length: 23 meters
Beam: 6.00m
Draft: 2.25m
Teak-mahogany wood construction
Displacement: 74 tons
SAILS
Fully Batten Mainsail
Fully batten Misensail
Furling Genoa
Furling Staysail
Total sails area: 292 m2
ENGINE ROOM
2 Engines: IVECO 250HP each
Generators: (2) 16 KW, 220 AC – 24 DC
Bowthruster hydralic 60 hp.
Disalinator 250 lts per hour
TANKS
Diesel capacity: 4 tons
Water capacity: 4000 lts
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Sleeps 16 guests for overnight cruises
Six double bed cabins with third berth, 3 x 4 square meters
One master cabin with double bed and two berths, 5 x 4 square meters
Ensuite WC, hot water showers
Fully Air Conditioned individual controls
GALLEY
Fully equipped galley 18 sq. meters
Microwave Oven
Six burners oven with grill
CoffeeMaker 220V
Build in refrigerators (4)
Freezer (1)
Icemaker 24V – 220V
SALON
Salon area 30 sq. meters
Two tables sits 16 guests
Color TV 36”
DVD stereo throughout
Internet service
DECK EQUIPMENT
2 hydralic anchor winches astern
hydraulic master anchor winch bow side
Swimming ladder
Hydraulic gangway (5 m. long)
Deck Showers
BRIDGE ELECTRONICS
Radar 96 Miles range
Chart plotter
Autopilot
Depth finder
VHF (2) –SSB (1) –GPS (3) –NAVTEX (1)
Speedometer – Weather station
Wind Speed-Direction Indicator
Barometer-Clock-Thermometer
Intercome (3 stations).
PA system
SPEED
Top Speed 12 knots
Cruising speed 9 knots
EXTERIOR ACCOMMODATIONS
Rear Deck sitting area with one table (sits 10)
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Life rafts – life jackets
Dinghy 4.50 m. with 20hp outboard
EPIRB Satelite broadcaster system
SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Sea kayaks (single – double)
Windsurfing boards
Hybrid bikes
Fishing rods and gear
Kites
Snorkeling equipment
DECK FIRE EQUIPMENT
Fire pumps and hoses stations (2)
Emergency fire diesel pump
REGISTRY
Greek registry
Fully insured (Lloyds)
Electric Bike
Carbon Road Bike
- Upgrade to a Specialized Tarmac Sport, carbon fiber frame and fork. Cost is 560 euros for an 8 day tour. See Our Bikes and Our Gear for more info
Travel Insurance
- For travel insurance for U.S citizens, we are official agents of Travel Guard. Contact us to receive a policy quote. Cost of coverage depends on various factors including your state of residence, your age, your days of travel. Travel insurance is not provided for flights booked using frequent flyer mileage. Some policies require booking within 15 days of paying your trip deposit, such as, cancel for any reason or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.
Athens Hotel
- If you stay in Athens pre or post cruise, we can recommend a hotel and book your room. We patronize a range of Athenian hotels in different neighborhoods and different budgets.
Vehicle support during rides
- Contact us for cost and details
Sail & Cycle tours require a deposit of 30% of the cruise cost at the time of signing the charter contract with the balance due 60 days prior to the boat’s departure date. Full payment is required if booking within the 60 day period.
To make payment, we must first set up your online account. Once your itinerary and cost are finalized, go to the Book Now link which takes you to the secure Aegea Booking page to input your credit card information via PayPal. You may pay with a major credit card or Visa or Mastercard debit card or a PayPal account if you have one. You have the option to pay in euros other currencies. We pay all bank service fees although your credit card company may charge you a foreign transaction fee.
Alternatively, if you are reluctant to pay online, we can take your credit card information by phone. Please contact us to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for us to call you. We can also give you our bank account details if you opt to pay by bank wire transfer which usually has lower fees than those charged by a credit card company .
In making payment you must agree to the company Booking Agreement — Sail & Cycle. . Before the tour you will sign a Waiver. See more terms at Our Yachts, Terms & Pricing.
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