Zeilen in de Cycladen

The prevailing wind is northeast during the summer months. In the high season months (July and August), there is the greatest chance of a Meltemi. This is a strong wind (7-8bft) that can easily last continuously for three days. Due to the open location of the area, the waves here can also build up considerably. So always keep a close eye on the weather forecast and make sure you always have fall-back options. Even on the leeward side of an island, the fall winds can often be strong. So make sure you are prepared for this, as wind gusts above 40kts regularly occur. With an experienced crew, however, it is a beautiful sailing area where you probably won’t have to motor much.When sailing in the Cyclades, it is important to think extra carefully about the route in advance. Keep a close eye on if and when a Meltemi is predicted. It is no fun having to sail back against 7bft for the last few days, just to get back to the starting port on time. The most important thing with the prevailing northeast wind, is to keep ‘altitude’ and so not to drift too far south. Should you want advice in advance on determining a possible itinerary, we can always help with that.Most ports in the Cyclades are privatised. This means they are a bit more expensive than ports in the Saronic Gulf, for example, but you also get a better-organised port in return. For most ports, you pay between €5 and €15 and this often includes water and electricity.