Island Hopping in the Saronic Gulf's top destinations

On top of this, this stretch of coastline boasts being a lot more sheltered from the Meltimi winds when they blow. In short, for first time sailors, it's the perfect place to start a Greek island holiday on the water.

There are five beautiful islands that are definitely worth charting a course for when sailing the Saronic Gulf all of which are perfect to island hop since they are within easy sailing distance of one another.

Aegina - A Popular Sailing Stopover

Aegina is a popular sailing stopover for many yachts that choose to sail the Saronic Gulf.

The atmosphere of the island is thriving because it's such a great place to drop anchor or moor up in a chosen marina or fishing harbour, so much so a vibrant sailing community has established itself on Aegina. The cafes and bars found around the island's main marina are always full of avid sailors and lovers of life on the water.

Aegina's Old Town is also worth a visit with its charming side streets, but further afield the Temple of Aphaia offers some of the best panoramic views of the surrounding areas and coastlines.

Aegina is famous for its fistiki (pistachio nuts) which are thought to be some of the best on the planet and why many people stock up with these nutty treats when visiting the island.

Hydra - Relaxation at its Best

Hydra is a wonderful small island that boasts a lot to offer when it comes to a relaxing atmosphere and wonderful selection of historic monasteries and buildings.

The fact there are no cars on Hydra is a real bonus making it the perfect island to enjoy relaxing walks in idyllic locations.

The island also holds a lot of art exhibitions that are well worth visiting during a stopover. There are plenty of safe anchorages and a good choice of places to moor up around this small and fascinating island.

Poros - Old Town Charm

For decades, Poros has attracted sailors to its shores which has led to a good selection of top sailing schools being set up.

There's also a first class marina in Poros which is another reason why it's always been such a popular sailing destination in the Saronic Gulf.

There's a lot to see on Poros with its delightful Old Town and fascinating Archeological Museum. A lot of yachts and boats choose to drop anchor in the bay so they can spend a night before heading off to their next island destination.

Spetses - Superb Atmosphere and Nightlife

Spetses is yet another of the Greek islands that's steeped in history.

Although only small, Spetses is a very beautiful island thanks to the fact it’s covered in pine trees and boasts a beautiful coastline.

The great thing about making it a landfall is that it's within easy reach of Athens with sailing craft of every sort finding their way there in the height of the season. As such, the Ayia Marina as well as the Old Harbour are always full of super yachts, sailing craft and luxury motor cruisers.

During the day, there's a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere in Spetses, but it's in the evenings that things really come to life with the island enjoying a vibrant and bustling nightlife that draws in the crowds.

Epidaurus - Summer Festivals and so Much More

Although Epidaurus is a peninsula and not an island per se...

... it would be a mistake not to visit this extraordinary town when sailing the Saronic Gulf, more especially thanks to the wonderful festival that takes place in what can only be described as a wonderfully authentic setting.

The town boasts a nice marina and although only small, it is possible to moor up for the night so you get to go to the theatre. With this said, it's best to make a booking early because it's an extremely popular venue among sailors and other people alike.

Saronic islands comfortness

Lastly, If you are planning your first sailing holiday in Greek waters, the Saronic Gulf has a lot to offer in that it is more sheltered from the Meltimi winds when they decide to blow which makes sailing so much more comfortable.

There’s a lot to see and visit which makes charting a course an interesting project in its own right. A sailing holiday in this region of the Med is a sheer delight and will see you booking your next adventure before you even reach home.