You can rely on Capt. Belen to show you the best of Athens and the Saronic Gulf. Combine spirited sailing with ancient Greek history, mythology, legendary Greek hospitality, and gastronomy, and you have the formula for a memorable flotilla vacation.
As many American Sailing members will confirm, flotillas organized by Whitecaps Sailing and Med Sailing Adventures are the best! That is why we have so many return participants…
You can also earn your 103 and 104 certifications during this flotilla. Please contact us if you are interested in obtaining your 114 certification.
The Saronic Gulf is located in the Aegean Sea and is known for its calm waters, making it an ideal location for sailing. The area is home to several islands, including Aegina, Poros, Hydra, and Spetses, each with its own unique charm and attractions. Explore secluded beaches and coves that are only accessible by boat, and enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or diving in crystal-clear waters.
We will be sailing mainly monohulls in the 40′ to 54′ range as well as catamarans up to 45′.
Apart from the flotilla fee, each person will contribute to his or her yacht’s kitty or purse to cover provisioning, mooring or docking fees, and final refueling fees. This amounts to about $200.00 per person per week. Provisioning will include daily breakfast and lunch as well as two dinners on board.
Airfare to Athens, transfers, and hotels before or after the cruise are extra,
If we have enough interested participants, we will organize a guided land tour of the ancient sites in Athens.
Capt, Belen Castro Martin lives in Greece and, together with Capt. Jean and “Admiral” Mila, will be leading the flotilla. Belen is an American Sailing Instructor certified to teach 101, 103 & 104. Belen is not only and experienced sailor but she is also an archeologist and specialist in ancient Greek history.
Capt. Jean and “Admiral” Mila have been organizing sailing flotillas with American Sailing since 2009 and have introduced many sailors and non-sailors to fascinating destinations in the Mediterranean and Seychelles. They know the sailing waters and show participants places that many tourists do not know. They put a very heavy emphasis on safety while ensuring that all participants go home with fun and unforgettable vacation memories.
Jean, a native of Belgium, lives with Mila, his Peruvian-born wife, in Florida. He holds a USCG 100T Master’s license and is qualified to teach ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 114, and 118. Together they run Whitecaps Sailing, an ASA sailing school in Punta Gorda, Florida.
Our departure location is Alimos Marina, Athens. As usual, after a lazy morning, Admiral Mila will be leading the provisioning raiding party, while the skippers, with the help of Capt. Belen, will get checked in on their yachts.
When we are finally released, we will set sail for nearby Aegina, where we will spend the night and have dinner at a local taverna.
Off we go to Cape Sounion to visit the temple of Poseidon. After all, as sailors, we must pay our respect to Old Poseidon and make sure that he blesses us with calm seas during that week. The sunset from the temple is breathtaking. We will be at anchor there for the night and dinghy to shore to one of the local tavernas for dinner. Capt. Belen told us that being at anchor in the dark and looking at the illuminated temple of Poseidon up the hill is a magical experience.
From Cape Sounion to Poros is about 28NM. Let’s hope Poseidon’s blessings work…
We will spend the night in Poros where, of course, we will enjoy the local specialties in one of the port’s tavernas. Poros is a very touristic and lively vacation destination, and you will have no problems finding entertainment there.
This will be a short sail when we aim for the peninsula of Methana.
This volcanic peninsula has thermal spas where, after a hike to the volcanic crater, we can rest our old bones in healing mineral waters. Even if you are not a scientist, you will guess the origin of the name methane gas.
We will spend the night in the nearby typical fishing village of Vathy. Belen describes it as gorgeous and not to be missed. This is a tiny village with limited docking access. In case we do not find enough space, we will spend the night at the dock in Methana.
Not to be missed will be the old city of Epidavros where a visit to the temple of Asklepius and its famous theater, the largest well preserved one in Greece. Asklepios was the God of Medicine and the medical professionals among our sailors will not want to miss this land tour.
We have to make our way back towards Athens but we will spend the night on Moni Island, near Aegina, where peacocks and deer roam freely. They are not afraid of humans and will make for great photo opportunities. Dinner on board.
This is the last day of our trip, and we must return to our base but not without some more sailing, swimming, and snorkeling before we arrive back at the base around 17:00.
You can check in at a local hotel or spend the last night on the yacht and disembark by 9:00 am Saturday morning.
*Itineraries are subject to change due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control.
