Our Sporades flotillas have been a huge success from day one, and have proven to be an excellent flotilla route for our keener sailors. The unbeatable combination of gin clear water, great wind and beautiful beaches is proving timeless!
The Sporades Islands lie to the north of Athens, in the Aegean Sea. Amongst other things, they are famous for the regular summer Meltemi winds and as the setting for the 2008 ‘Mamma Mia’ movie. The area is also home to the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal.
This route starts and finishes in the village of Orei on Evia Island. You might visit the Gulf of Volos, before heading east, to the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos, Kyra Panayia, Peristeri and Skantzoura, depending on the direction of the wind. This flotilla route retains our normal balance of larger villages, with their hustle and bustle, and smaller settlements with just one or two tavernas.
With the stunning clarity of the water and the beautiful bays in the more remote islands that lie further east, our favourite feature of this route is spending the occasional night cooking aboard, rather than dining ashore. These nights are spent anchored in uninhabited, sheltered bays, with just the twinkle of starlight above you. The only sound is of water lapping on the beach and the tinkle of bells from wandering goats! This is a most satisfying and relaxing way to enjoy these outer islands.
The regular summer Meltemis (strong wind) mean that this route is best for keener sailors and for those who have a few flotillas under their belt.
From Athens we transfer you 2.5 hours to Arkitsa in the North Evia Gulf, from where the coach will drive onto the ferry for a delightful 45 minute crossing to Evia Island and then on to our base in Orei Town. On occasion when the ferry times are off, the coach will instead drive you from Athens to Orei via the Chalkida bridge, approximtely 3.5 hours. Your yacht and our team await you there, as does a drop of cold refreshment!
You'll then head across to the Gulf of Volos to experience some fantastic fresh seafood, friendly locals and time to get to know your fellow flotilla sailors. You will have a group meal or punch party at one of the stops in the gulf. Two favourites are Achillion and Agia Kiriaki.
Sporades Islands
Orei, Evia Island
Agia Kiriaki
With the stunning clarity of the water and the beautiful bays in the more remote islands that lie further east, a feature of this route is spending the occasional night cooking aboard, rather than dining ashore.
This will not be every night and most of the time you will be tied to a quay, with a taverna in easy reach. However, these nights spent anchored in uninhabited, sheltered bays, with just the twinkle of starlight above you are something quite special. The only sound is of water lapping on the beach and the tinkle of bells from wandering goats! This is a most satisfying and relaxing way to enjoy these outer islands. Those of you who have yet to experience an evening at anchor and dining in the cockpit by candlelight will savour the silence.
Steni Vala
Kyra Panagia Bay
Patitiri
Another advantage of this flotilla is having the flexibility to spend time ashore soaking up the culture, history and wonderful views that the hills have to offer. The beaches on the south side of Skopelos have the finest white sand you will find anywhere! And the village of Loutraki is a treat.
The spectacular Church of St John’s (better known as the church nestled precariously on a rocky outcrop in the Mamma Mia movie), has been an instant hit, especially with the teens. The once abandoned Old Town of Alonissos, high up in the hills, has proved quite an attraction and Kastro (fortified village on Skiathos Island), is an interesting place to spend a couple of hours.
Skiathos Island
Skopelos Island
Loutraki
Patitiri
The wind in the Sporades during our sailing season is generally from the north or north east and is known as the ‘Meltemi’. It can be a lively wind at times and so this route is aimed at our more experienced flotilla sailors. The combination of the stronger winds and the flat seas on the leeward side of the islands offers invigorating sailing for everyone.
After two weeks of exhilarating sailing it is time to head back in to Orei with one final day's sail. The lead crew will arrange a final night dinner where you will be able to enjoy the company of your fellow sailors and new found friends one last time (...until next year of course!)
Orei, Evia Island
Below is an indication of the yachts that will sail on this flotilla. Please call us on 020 8459 8787 to check live availability.
Our Shore to Sail holidays are a combination of a one or two week flotilla sailing holiday with another relaxing week or two ashore.
These holidays will appeal to those who enjoy sailing but have family or friends who are not quite so enthusiastic about sailing - a compromise can now be made!
Most people opt for a week of sailing followed by a week of winding down on shore. However it is entirely up to you to do what you want to do (and when!)
The Iris Hotel has been a popular choice for flotilla sailors for many years. This accommodation option will fit in with any of our flotillas starting and finishing on Lefkas Island. The hotel itself is a small family run hotel located close to Nidri Town. It has a combination of studio rooms for two or three people and apartments that can sleep up to 4.
The Salvator Spa Hotel is perched in the hills above Parga town and is a slightly more luxurious offering. The rooms on offer range from the Deluxe Room for two people, up to the Superior 2 Room Villa for up to 6 people. The hotel itself has an excellent restaurant, pool and spa facilities and all villas come with their own private pool.
Our brand new villa in Sivota on Lefkas is exclusive to Sailing Holidays Ltd. Built with families and groups in mind, the 3 double bedrooms all feature en-suite bathrooms. Built into the hill the ground floor level comprises of the master bedroom, a large kitchen and living space. On the same level you will find a huge outdoor seating area and a private pool.
Wonderful sailing area - the Sporades. I had a fantastic time sailing to and exploring my favourite islands in Greece, and chilling out in remote and peaceful bays. The lead crew were friendly and competent. I was lucky enough to have some good shipmates on a "share a yacht", and made some lovely new friends amongst my own and other crews.
We are by no means seasoned flotilla veterans having completed only four, including this one, but this was by far the best we have experienced. It was our first with you. From receiving your really well put together harbour guide to being pre checked in for our return flight home, your attention to detail was phenomenal. Last year we were on a very new twin helmed 40ft yacht so were in some way a bit apprehensive in meeting 'Kanaris' one of your 2003 361's. There was no need to have worried. Your care and maintanance of not only our yacht but all the yachts on this flotilla was impeccable. We will remember Kanaris with great affection. Lastly, but to us most importantly, I have to mention our lead crew. Patch, Chris and Nina were without doubt the most dedicated, helpful and professional crew we have had so far on a flotilla. They helped make this holiday stand out from any other, they really were that good. When considering our next flotilla holiday there will only be one choice for us and we will look forward to booking with you again in the near future. Thank you Sailing Holidays, Ken, Lindsey, Jake & Ellie
Wonderful fantastic......this was our 7th flotilla and is our favourite area........Dubrovnik was before........everything about the holiday was brilliant........the crew...Will, Jordan and Gina were fantastic......thankyou so much for our holiday......loved it and are sooo sad to be home.... On that note we would like to book again for 1 June 2018..... Is it possible to book that far ahead? A number of yachts from our trip are looking to book for then too Lynne
Beautiful area and 361 was in good shape. Good winds, sometimes strong. No problem going off on our own. We thought the lead crew while attending to anything we asked of them, seemed a bit tired and not up to usual standards. E.g. no information on lunch stops in briefing and had to ask sometimes what time they wanted us in. Didn't ask us to text where we were when on own. Nice crew but maybe season too long for one crew there?
Thought you might like this photo of two of a pod of five dolphins that spent about 20 minutes with us yesterday. We were about 3 miles inside the Gulf of Volos on the last day sailing of our two week Sporades flotilla. Many thanks to Charlie, Michael and Holly for another great flotilla. Thanks also to Izzie, my 11 yr old for taking this great photo!
Sailing a Beneteau 323
Best crew ever. It was lovely to have such a conscientious crew who were good fun but still made sure they were available when needed. Locky, the fast response man, was brilliant. We needed a few repairs to the boat, and genoa adjustment and both Lockie and Charlie attended to them asap.
Charlie is the best skipper we have had in 18 years with Sailing Holidays. He and Lockie have worked out a method of handling berthing for the flotilla that is geared to the capabilities of the flotilla sailors and avoids having to wait to get in. Charlie is a mine of things sailing and Lockie of things mechanical. Totally first class lead crew who really took care of us - much appreciated...Already booked for next year.
Sailing a Beneteau 323
Fab group photo from the beach BBQ...
A great stop
Charlie is the best skipper we have had in 18 years with Sailing Holidays. He and Lockie have worked out a method of handling berthing for the flotilla that is geared to the capabilities of the flotilla sailors and avoids having to wait to get in. Charlie is a mine of things sailing and Lockie of things mechanical. Totally first class lead crew who really took care of us - much appreciated...Already booked for next year.
Sailing a Beneteau 323
This crew rates as one of the best ever! Terrific guys. They looked after us extremely well, were always on hand and cheerful, whatever difficulties anyone encountered.
Loved the unspoiled and uncommercialised environment. Peaceful and charming.
It is the friendly, informal sailing holiday approach which appeals.
