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Athens to Rhodes 1 week sailing itinerary
(challenging)
 On this weekly tour from Athens (you
may start from
Alimos Marina, Lavrion or
Olympic Marine) depended on your
charter agency's location, you will visit
some of the Cycladic islands, as well as, the
Dodekanese islands.
The itinerary has a
challenging difficulty rate, as
the 50 nm you will need to cover every day
will require 8-10 sailing hours every day.
You will visit five islands in five
sailing days, a total of 250 nm with an
average sailing distance of 50 nm every day.
This tour allows one resting day in the port
of your choice and all the suggested
harbours are safe at all weather. A
positive remark for this itinerary is that
you will most likely sail "downwind" every
day, provided that the usual N - NW meltemi
wind blows. It is highly recommended
that you will start sailing at the very early morning hours
to make sure that you will arrive at your destination Port
before the sunsets.
It is important to understand that the
reverse itinerary (starting from Rhodes and
ending at Athens) is a lot more difficult
and you must sail to totally different Ports
of Call. |
| Day
1 Alimos marina (arrival day) |
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Athens |
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The main marina for charter
boats in Athens
is Alimos marina.
After delivering your vessel and time permitting you can pay a visit to
Athens town,
go for a swim or set sails..
Tip:
If you can finalize the check-in early (before 16:00) you may set sails
and anchor in the small
bay of Cape Sounion, just below the Temple of Poseidon, some
20nm from Alimos Marina. This way you will save 3-4 hours of the
next day's sailing. It is important to arrive there before the
sunset, as the bay is small and it will be very difficult to find it in
the dark. Anchor in the middle of the bay and use your dinghy to
visit the famous Poseidon Temple or the small tavern ashore. |
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| Day
2 Alimos marina - Loutra
(50 nm) |
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Kythnos Island |
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The hot mineral springs of Loutra have been esteemed throughout history.
The ancient Greeks and Romans used them and King Othon, Greece's first
king, built the institute now standing. Near Ak. Kefalos (about 2
hours walk) are the ruins of a medieval citadel and town, though few
buildings remain intact. |
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Day 3 Loutra
- Naoussa (42 nm) |
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Paros Island |
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Naoussa bay is a much indented amoeboid shape of
sun-baked rock enclosing clear blue and turquoise water. Naousa
was a small fishing village that has grown into a large straggling
tourist resort. The tavernas and bars clustered around the edge of
the inner basin provide a pleasant spot to while away an evening.. |
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| Day
4 Naousa
- Katapola (48 nm) |
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Amorgos Island |
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Katapola Bay is a magnificent deep bay with steep cliffs dropping
sheer into the sea. The small village of Katapola is a pleasant
relaxed spot and the harbour quite secure. Few tourists come here,
although recently there has been an influx of backpackers who have not
helped the foreigner's image in Amorgos. The Chora above (the
island's capital) is a typically Cycladic town attractive to all
visitors..
Tip: If the "meltemi" blows that
day N - NW, it is better to sail through Naxos channel, turn the cape
south of Naxos and head to Amorgos through the
Little Cyclades (Koufonisia). |
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| Day
5 Katapola - Kamari (56 nm) |
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Kos Island |
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Situated on the S end of Kos island, this bay and the small harbour
offer good shelter from the meltemi. Kamari is no longer a
tranquil spot, being plagued with water bikes and water-ski boats which
apart from making an irritating noise appear to be driven largely by
irritating people
Tip: Again, if the meltemi blows
NW, you may sail West for 2nm, turn around Amorgos' southern point and
head to Kos following the route south of Amorgos. It is very
important, as soon as you leave the cape behind, to keep a good distance
from the Island.
Amorgos' high cliffs create tremendous gusts of wind, which
will tear your sails in pieces within seconds. |
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| Day
6 Kamari - Mandraki (54 nm) |
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Rhodes Island |
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Rhodes city - you either love it or hate it.
After the sleepy peace of many of the other
islands in this trip, Rhodes town fairly hums
and bustles as only the most important tourist
town in Greece can. But it is not
overpowering and once you are accustomed to the
fact that you are back in a busy city the place
does grow on you. |
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