Athens & the Saronic Gulf

The Saronic Gulf is where most Greek sailing careers begin. Alimos Marina, twenty minutes south of central Athens, is the largest charter base in Greece, and the islands of Aegina, Poros, and Hydra lie within progressively easy day-sails to the south and west. The gulf is sheltered from the meltemi that dominates the open Aegean, making it a reliable summer sailing ground when the Cyclades are gusting 30 knots. Aegina, the nearest island, is an hour's ferry ride from Piraeus but better approached under sail from Alimos — a reach of around 17 nautical miles. The town harbour is workmanlike, the Temple of Aphaia on the hill behind is worth the walk, and the pistachio orchards that cover the island's interior produce Greece's most prized variety. Poros, further south, sits in a narrow channel opposite the Peloponnese mainland, creating a naturally sheltered anchorage that feels more like a river than a sea passage. Hydra is the jewel. No cars, no airport, no high-rises — just a crescent harbour lined with 18th-century stone mansions and a network of donkey paths climbing the hillside behind. The harbour is small, stern-to mooring fills early in summer, and the holding outside is mixed. Most charterers aim to arrive before 1400 in July and August. The wind pattern in the Saronic is a mild north-easterly, typically 8-12 knots in the morning, occasionally building to 15 in the afternoon. It lacks the force and consistency of the meltemi, which makes for relaxed sailing but can leave becalmed stretches on light days. The occasional southerly — a short-lived weather system rather than the prevailing pattern — brings warmer, hazier conditions. From a practical standpoint, the Saronic is unmatched for convenience. Athens airport is well-connected internationally, the transfer to Alimos is short, and provisioning at the marina or in nearby Glyfada covers every need. Restaurants on Hydra and Poros are reliable and reasonably priced by Greek island standards. The area suits first-time charterers, families, and anyone who wants to combine sailing with easy access to Athens — the Acropolis is a metro ride from the marina.