A Full-Day Yacht Itinerary from Athens
Departing Alimos Marina at first light, this route traces a 50-nautical-mile loop through the Saronic Gulf from the Athens coastline to Hydra and back.
From the port outwards
- 01
08:30 · Cast off — Alimos Marina
Board your yacht at Alimos, where the crew will have coffee, fruit and pastries ready on the aft deck. Clear the marina breakwater and set a south-east heading toward the Saronic islands. Morning seas are typically flat before the Meltemi fills in, so the first hour is the smoothest stretch of the day.
- 02
10:00 · Swim stop — Bisti Bay, Hydra
Drop anchor in three to four metres of turquoise water off Bisti, a pine-shaded cove on Hydra's south-western coast. The bay faces south-west, so it stays sheltered from the prevailing northerly wind until early afternoon. Swim from the swim platform, try the paddleboards, or simply float — there is no road access, so the only company is other yachts.
- 03
12:30 · Waterfront lunch — Hydra Town
Motor around to Hydra's harbour and Med-moor stern-to along the inner quay. Walk thirty metres to Omilos or Techne for grilled octopus and chilled Assyrtiko at a table right on the water. Reserve ahead in July and August, when tables fill by noon. The harbour depth is around four metres, comfortable for most charter yachts.
- 04
15:30 · Culture and a stroll — Perdika, Aegina
A one-hour cruise north-west brings you to the fishing village of Perdika on Aegina's southern tip. Anchor off the small harbour and tender ashore to explore the whitewashed lanes and the view across to Moni island. This stop pairs well with a quick detour to the Temple of Aphaia, a 20-minute taxi ride inland and one of the best-preserved Doric temples in Greece.
- 05
18:30 · Sunset aperitivo — Floisvos Marina, Athens
Head north and re-enter Floisvos Marina as the sun drops over the Attic coastline. The crew will set up cocktails on the foredeck with a direct sightline toward the Acropolis lit against the dusk sky. Disembark at the marina promenade for a nightcap at one of the waterfront restaurants, or stay aboard and let the chef prepare a final course.
About Athens
A yacht departing Marina Alimos in the early morning can anchor off Aegina by mid-morning, with the Temple of Aphaia visible above the treeline and the town waterfront close enough for a tender ride ashore. By afternoon the same vessel can press south toward Poros or swing east to the quiet coves around Angistri. These are not ambitious offshore passages — the Saronic Gulf compresses a full cruising itinerary into distances that suit both a five-hour day charter and a leisurely four-day circuit. For corporate hosts arranging a client lunch with catering and privacy, the short transit means more time on anchor and less time underway. For families with young children, it means calm water and a quick return to port if plans change.
Seasonality in this corner of the Aegean is forgiving. June through September brings steady afternoon sea breezes and long evenings; the Saronic sits in partial shelter from the Meltemi that can make open Cyclades crossings demanding. May and October are quieter — fewer boats at anchor, cooler mornings, and Hydra's harbour almost to yourself. Our fleet of 38 vessels spans compact 14-metre day boats suited to a Cape Sounion sunset run, mid-range motor yachts like the Sunseeker Manhattan 65 for overnight hops, and crewed superyachts — the Riva 130 among them — for extended voyages or larger groups. The right vessel depends on your headcount, your itinerary length and whether you need cabins or just open deck space.
Practical detail matters as much as the destination. Marina Alimos sits roughly 20 kilometres from Athens International Airport and offers full provisioning, a fuel dock and straightforward road access — no ferry transfer, no connecting flight. APA budgets vary: an Aegina day trip burns modest fuel, while a multi-day route through Hydra and Spetses requires a full provisioning fund for food, port fees and additional fuel. We outline those costs vessel by vessel before you confirm, so the financial picture is clear from the start. If the Cyclades are on your list, Marina Lavrio — about 50 kilometres south-east — serves as a departure point toward Kea and the wider island chain, and we plan those crossings with the captain based on current wind patterns and your experience level.