Sporades (Special!)
Sail through this beautiful, still fairly undiscovered, area of the Aegean Sea. Average daily distance 15-30NM. Suitable for sailors who have sailed in Greece before.
Sail through this beautiful, still fairly undiscovered, area of the Aegean Sea. Average daily distance 15-30NM. Suitable for sailors who have sailed in Greece before.
Portokali is the only Dutch company that organizes flotillas here and that says a lot about the area. It is still relatively unknown among tourists, even though it is a truly beautiful sailing area! Almost always a good sailing wind, not too hard and not too soft, combined with island hopping from one beautiful destination to the next.
Are you curious about what a flotilla sailing holiday with Portokali could look like? Then read the example route below for a nice impression of the atmosphere. Please note that this is only an example route, purely to give an idea. We never have the routes of our flotillas fixed, so that we can optimally adapt to the wind and the wishes of the group. Every flotilla trip with Portokali is different and it is certainly possible to join the same flotilla several times and still discover different places. After all, there is so much beauty… You can never see it all in one go!
Please note, next summer we will start this route from Volos instead of Skiathos. We made this choice because Volos is easier to reach (it is on the mainland) and because the range of rental yachts is a lot more extensive. The route below assumes a departure from Skiathos, but still gives a good idea of the sailing area.
Skiathos – Alonisos (20 nautical miles)
On Sunday after the briefing we leave for the south side of Skiathos. Here is a beautiful bay where we cool off in the water and take the time to get to know our yacht and its sailing characteristics. Because why would you do that in a warm harbor, when you can also do it in a beautiful, quiet bay? Early in the afternoon we pick up anchor and sail to Alonisos.
Alonisos – Kira Panagia (20 nautical miles)
After a night in the port of Alonisos, it is decided to spend the next night in a bay. On the island of Kyria Panagia we go to Panormitis bay. This is, in a word, beautiful. This bay is so remote that there is no longer even telephone reception. Speaking of rest… With the idea of being alone in the world, we fall asleep on deck under the stars.
The example route continues under the booking module…
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Kira Panagia – Steni Vala (10 nautical miles) Feeling wistful, we leave our private bay and head back to civilization.
At least, by Greek standards.
We sail back to the island of Alonisos but this time we go to Steni Vala – a small fishing port.
So here we eat delicious fresh fish in the evening.
But not before taking a dip from the long pebble beach on the other side of the village, less than a 5-minute walk from our yacht. Steni Vala – Skyros (35 nautical miles) A nice sail today!
35 nautical miles, so we leave on time, right after the briefing.
Fortunately, the wind is good, so we can sail the whole stretch in just under 6 hours.
Skyros is an island much like a Cyclades island: white houses, a Chora (center) at the highest point and a very well organized harbor.
Skyros – Skantzoura (24 nautical miles) On Thursday we sail up again a bit to the island of Skantzoura.
This is an uninhabited island where there is no harbor.
We choose a beautiful bay on the south side where we drop our anchor in the clear blue water.
For the real fanatics, there is an abandoned monastery in the middle of the island which can be climbed to. Skantzoura – Agnondas (19 nautical miles) Once again, after a night in a bay, we choose to spend the next night on an inhabited island of Greece.
On the south side of Skopelos to be exact.
We sail to a small harbor where a delicious restaurant can be found.
This is truly enjoying Greek cuisine.
Adnondas – Koukounaris (15 nautical miles) Having already eaten so much and deliciously the previous evening, we decide to find another bay tonight – on the island of Skiathos – and cook on board.
Koukounaris is known as the bay with the most beautiful beach on Skiathos.
And some say even of all northern Greece… An elongated sandy beach several hundred meters long, with almost white sand and incredibly blue waters. Koukounaris – Orei (21 nautical miles) The next morning we raise our anchor and leave for the island of Evia.
This is a very large island and is narrowly connected to the mainland in several places.
We end up in a harbor on the north side of the island.
This is a whole other world with a nicely kept harbor, nice village and again beautiful beaches.
Highly recommended to admire the sunset from here.
Orei – Palaia Trikeri (14 nautical miles) Then it’s Monday and we begin the second week of our sailing adventure.
We do this by cruising up with the prevailing winds and arriving at one of the most beautiful destinations Greece has to offer.
And believe me, that’s saying a lot.
Palaia Trikeri is located on an idyllic, small island in a kind of inland sea behind a very large headland of the mainland.
Because of this, the sea is almost always calm and flat and therefore the view is fantastic. Palaia Trikeri – Platania (16 nautical miles) Today we sail behind the headland that we were overlooking last night.
Higher shore blowing we call it.
Totally flat water and still good sailing wind, ideal conditions.
The rest of the flotilla agrees, so soon a race ensues.
Ending at a fishing village in a beautiful bay.
We moor at the dock, and eat at a restaurant less than 10 meters behind our yacht.
Platania – Skopelos Town (24 nautical miles) Today we sail via a world-famous spot.
Namely, the little church from the movie Mama Mia.
In calm weather, you can anchor here and climb up to the little church.
Skopelos is a large town with nice, bustling promenade and numerous restaurants and stores.
Good change for the small fishing villages and deserted bays. Skopelos Town – Loutraki (12 nautical miles) Because we have a relatively short distance ahead of us today, this is a perfect day to explore the land as well.
In Loutraki, a steep hike up to the Glossa can be made.
The view from this authentic village is phenomenal.
Don’t feel like hiking but want to experience this village and view?
There are also buses that will gladly take you up and get you back.
Loutraki – Skiathos (6 nautical miles) This is already the last day of sailing.
Feeling as if we have made a trip around the world, we return to our base.
A short sail, so plenty of time to enjoy and relax.
Those who still want to sail can enjoy the sailing and those who prefer to float around in a bay for a few more hours can certainly do so.
There are plenty of bays here.
Great sailing and, above all, the freedom to do what you want.
Isn’t that the perfect last day of your vacation?
In the evening we have one last dinner with the group, and then the next morning it is unfortunately time to leave the yacht.
On to the next trip!
Unique three-week itinerary. More wind, longer distances between islands, rewarding the most beautiful places. Average daily distance 20-35NM. Suitable for experienced sailors.
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