Yachtcharter Cyclades

The Cyclades are one of the most popular vacation destinations in Greece. Accordingly, one should not expect to find solitude here. However, they also form the typical scenery that we associate with and seek in Greece: the white, angular houses with colorful shutters and a radiant blue sky in the background, sandy beaches with turquoise blue water.

Here, one can find a mix of bustle and relaxation relaxation, and those interested in culture and history will see much on the Cyclades, such as the former spiritual center of Delos as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and on Syros, churches with special icons and wood carvings. Beautiful beaches are found on each of the islands. Partyseekers will find what they're looking for in Mykonos, where internationally known DJs also perform. Paros offers the same infrastructure as Mykonos, but without tourist crowds, and has a beautiful, unspoiled inland area.

The area is more suitable for experienced crews. For them, the Meltemi, which can quickly reach higher wind speeds, provides sporting conditions.

Climate: Mediterranean with temperatures between 24 and 28 degrees
Winds: Meltemi
Sailing season: June to September

Yacht charter Cyclades

To Cyclades you can start from various bases, for example from the mainland from Athens or Lavrion. Both bases are within easy reach of Eleftherios Airport. From here you are quickly on your way to the northern Cyclades.

Alternatively, you can leave directly from the islands of Mykonos, Paros or Syros. Mykonos has its own airport, which is also served from Germany, and there are regular ferry connections to the other two islands. Paros is a good starting point for a cruise to the more southern islands.

Despite the short distances between the islands, the area of the Cyclades is more suitable for more experienced sailors. The Meltemi blows stronger here than in the Saronic Gulf or in the northern Agaeis, strong winds and gusts between the islands have to be expected. In July and August the Meltemi is at its strongest.

Yacht charter cruises in Cyclades

Weekly trip from Athens: Athens - Sounion (22 nm) - Mericha/Kythnos (23 nm) - Loutra/Kythnos (20 nm) - Finikas/Syros (20 nm) - Kea (35 nm) - Athens (36 nm)

Weekly cruise from Lavrion: Lavrion - Kea (17 nm) - Finikas/Syros (32 nm) - Mykonos and Delos (25 nm) - Paroikia/Paros (23 nm) - Merichas/Kythnos (46 nm) - Lavrion (23 nm)

Two weeks from Athens: Athens - Sounion (22 nm) - Kea (15 nm) - Mericha/Kythnos (19 nm) - Serifos (31 nm) - Kamares/Sifnos (9 nm) - Milos (24 nm) - Polyaigos (4 nm) - Paroikia/Paros (33 nm) - Naoussa/Paros (10 nm) - Ermoupolis/Syros (24 nm) - Loutra/Kythnos (27 nm) - Athens (48 nm).

Two weeks from Lavrion: Lavrion - Loutra/Kythnos (39 nm) - Finikas/Syros (19 nm) - Naoussa/Paros (24 nm) - Naxos (9 nm) - Amorgos (41 nm) - Iraklia (17 nm) - Kamares/Sifnos (44 nm) - Serifos (9 nm) - Mericha/Kythnos (31 nm) - Kea (19 nm) - Lavrion (17 nm)

From Lavrion the island of Kea is the closest. Here the sheltered bay of Vouraki is suitable for mooring or you can moor in the port of Korissia in the northeast of the island. Here you can find a supermarket and small stores as well as several restaurants and taverns. There is water and electricity at the quay. From the port you can walk to the grinning lion, a statue that dates back to the 6th century BC. By rental car you can reach the main village of Ioulis in the center of the island, from where you have a beautiful view over island. There are beautiful sandy beaches around the island, some of them can be reached with a short hike or conveniently from the sea.

The island of Kythnos is also suitable as a first destination. Here the landscape is more barren and hilly. A popular anchorage is the double bay Kolona/Fikidia. Both bays are separated by a narrow strip of sand that leads to a small island. You can also call at the nearby port of Mericha and the small village of Loutra. In the latter there are some thermal springs, which gave the island its second name "Thermia".

The grinning lion of Kea. ©Sebastian Schulz/AdobeStock

On Syros, you can moor and anchor in the southeast in a well-protected bay in Finikas Marina. A cab will take you to the main town of Emopouli. Walk through the town past classicist villas, expressions of the island's former wealth. On the island there are also many churches with special wood carvings and icons to see.

Mykonos offers the typical image of longing that we have of the Cyclades: Snow-white houses with colored doors and shutters in narrow streets and best of all with bright blue sky above. The island is a port of call for cruise ships and the most popular tourist destination in the Cyclades, so don't look for solitude here. In terms of going out and nightlife, the island has a lot to offer. From here you should make a side trip to the island of Delos, which was once the spiritual center of the Cyclades and whose ruins site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With the islands of Sifnos and Paros you roughly reach the limit for a week cruise. On Sifnos you can anchor for a bathing day in the lonely bay of Fikiada, the sheltered bay of Vathy or the romantic bay of Faros. The nearest islands are only a few nautical miles away from Sifnos.
On Paros you can dock in the port of Naoussa and enjoy traditional cuisine and local wine in the restaurants of the fishing village. Afterwards, you can take a walk through the old town or combine your visit to the island with a hike in the interior. From Paros you can also take a trip to the smaller island of Antiparos and visit the stalactite caves there. The largest island of the Cyclades, Naxos, is also not far away.

The fishing village of Naoussa on the island of Paros with its Venetian fortress in the foreground. Ievgen Skrypko/AdobeStock

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