Yacht Charter Achillio

Yacht Charter Achillio

On an Achillio yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore the Pagasetic Gulf and nearby Greek islands within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a northern Greece yacht charter, from its cuisine, to beaches, culture and deep human history, an Achillio sailing holiday is going to be an unforgettable experience.

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Yacht Charter Achillio

Yacht Charter Achillio

On an Achillio yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore the Pagasetic Gulf and nearby Greek islands within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a northern Greece yacht charter, from its cuisine, to beaches, culture and deep human history, an Achillio sailing holiday is going to be an unforgettable experience.

Achillio sits just inside the mouth of the Pagasetic Gulf, and other than from strong easterlies is a sheltered port from which you can begin your sailing vacation. It is a small town that other than in Greek mythos (Jason and the Argonauts and the Centaurs were based close to nearby modern day Volos), has little in the way of major ancient ruins.

It is a pretty port town with lots of restaurants and a few hotels overlooking the relatively shallow turquoise water of the gulf. Just a 20 minute transfer from Volos Airport, Achillio is easily accessed for travellers keen to see this relatively untouched part of mainland Greece. With the nearby Sporades islands, this could well be a spot to start a laid back and relaxed sailing trip away from the tourist hordes! As a holiday destination, this is definitely a way to get away from it all.

Book your Achillio yacht charter with Borrow a Boat today!

Explore Achillio By Renting A Yacht

On your Achillio yacht charter, where is there to visit? Just across the gulf is the city of Volos. Emphatically not on the tourist trail, this is an authentic Greek city that was almost flattened in 1955 and completely rebuilt, is one of those places you'll remember largely because you the tourist are a curiosity and not an important source of income!

On your bareboat yacht charter or skippered yacht charter you can rent a sailing yacht or motor boat from Port Achillio. Some will fly into the area for a Sporades island sailing holiday. Others will be happy with pottering around the Pagasetic Gulf under the mythical Mount Pelion.

The Pagasetic Gulf itself is a large, well protected bay with a narrow entrance - too big to be considered a natural harbour but certainly a lot calmer when the Meltemi gets feisty on the Aegean Sea outside. Cruising around the Pagasitikos Gulf you will find quiet fishing villages and anchorages where you may well spend the evening alone or in quiet, picturesque taverns on your boat rental charter holiday.

Beyond the gulf and just to the east are the Sporades Islands that include the sailing centre of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonnisos. The islands are famed for their long, sandy beaches and laid back atmosphere. A national marine park around Alonnisos has has a variety of marina flora and fauna that will often pay you a visit! Beyond, the Northern Sporades are attractive and enjoyable places for an island hopping sailing vacation.

Out to the NE of Volos is the three-fingered Chalkadiki Peninsula with their mountains, beaches and extremely laid back atmosphere. On a longer trip you could head SW to the Cyclades Islands that are both important historically in the history of Greece and major tourist destinations in their own right.

How To Get To Achillio

Nea Anchialos National Airport (VOL)

This is served by a few airlines from around Europe. 300km from Athens, it may pay to fly in with a connecting flight from the Greek capital.

This is a 20 minute transfer from Achillio.

Marinas In Achillio

Unlike many major sailing vacation destinations, Achillio and the Pagasetic Gulf doesn't have a highly developed marina network.

There is a small boat harbour that local yacht rental companies and boat owners use. This has space for around 15 yachts of up to 12 metres. The mole just outside has space for around 10 more yachts, moored stern-to in Aegean Seafashion.

You have a choice between a catamaran luxury yacht charter, monohull sailing yacht charter and motor boat charter on a flotilla charter bareboat charter, crewed yacht charter or skippered yacht charter basis out of Achillio, though you will also find day boats such as RIBs and smaller sailing boat available.

Suggested Sailing Routes From Achillio

As a gateway to the Pagasitikos Gulf, Sporades Islands and Chalkadiki Peninsula, Achillio is an ideal departure point for your sailing vacation on your charter yacht. While the Ionian islands are probably too far away, a longer luxury yacht sailing holiday could allow you to reach most of the other Greek islands. For now, let's look at a suggested sailing itinerary out of Achillio.

7 days - Sporades Islands: Passing (and perhaps pausing on) the Pelion Peninsula, you will cross the strait to Skiathos Island where you can enjoy the sandy beaches and quaint Skiathos Town. The next day can be spent exploring the south coast in the lee of the Meltemi before heading on to Skopelos (where the Mamma Mia movie was filmed) and then to Alonnisos. After enjoying the east coast of the island and the marine nature reserve you can island hop back to the mainland.

7 days - Chalkadiki Peninsula: There are three fingers or legs to this peninsula. Kassandra to the west is full of tourist resorts and can be quite expensive in season but a lot of fun too. Sithonia is a lot quieter with secluded coves, while Athos is a quiet jewel usually only visited by Greek tourists. Out and back you can pause at the Sporades Islands.

14 days - the northern Cyclades: This is a nice journey of island hopping, firstly through the Northern Sporades Islands and then to the southern Sporades island of Skyros, before on the island of Euboea at Karystos with its medieval castles and beautiful beaches. From there you can easily access the northern Cyclades - the islands of Andros, Tinos and Siros are just offshore.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Achillio

The sailing season runs from late April to October with July and August being the busiest months for yacht charter. This is ironic as July and August can be the worst times to sail! Both extremely hot air temperatures and often hazardous Meltemi winds can make for big winds sailing when you honestly just want to hide from the heat.

The sea is cooler - often quite chilly - at the beginning of the sailing season but there is rainfall in Spring. As the days lengthen you will still see green fields and flowers in May and the winds can be quite benign too. Combined with the crowds being smaller, this suggests that May to early June are the sweet spot for a Pagasetic Gulf yacht charter.

Come September and October the seas are still like a warm bath. However there are often water shortages on the islands and everything looks parched.

Sailing Weather In Achillio

April to mid June: There is rainfall and the temperatures build steadily from the mid-teens to the mid 20 degree C range. There are sometimes gentle southerly winds, though these are replaced by ever stronger N-NW Meltemi winds that are rarely hazardous but make for exciting sailing at times.

Late June-August: You'll be unlucky if you see any rain, though it could be welcome in the summer heat! Temperatures are from 30s with recent hot days exceeding 40. The northerly Meltemi winds can be fierce and can hit F7 for a solid few days.

September-October: The seas remain warm and the Meltemi eases. These months can be the best time of year to sailas the temperatures are often in the comfortable low to mid 20s.

FAQs:

What should I consider when hiring a Yacht or Boat?

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.

What are the Marinas in Achillio?

Port Achillio has a small local boat harbour for around 20 yachts, and around 10 can moor against the mole or Town Quay. Electricity and water are free.

When are the best times to hire a boat in Achillio?

The sailing season is quite short in the Pagasetic Gulf - it being the Northern Aegean Sea you will find that the season starts in mid May and ends in mid October. July and August are the busiest months but the NE Meltemi can be fierce at this time of year. Essentially the best time is in June when the weather isn't so hot and windy and the marinas not so crowded.

Do you have to pay a deposit when hiring a Yacht in Achillio ?

You will typically pay 50% up front on booking the yacht hire and the balance on arrival. You will either pay a security deposit with your credit card on departure or can get insurance covering damage in advance. In some cases (such as the recent Covid situation) charter companies may be more flexible but this depends on the individual charter companies themselves.

What happens if my Yacht breaks down?

If you are at sea and in danger, call MAYDAY on VHF Ch16 or ring the coast guard on your phone if you have reception. If you have a mechanical fault and can make it to or are on a mooring you will be able to phone a help line number given by the boat charter company.

What should I think of before I hire a Yacht or Boat in Achillio?

You should consider do you have the experience to handle the yacht charter or boat hire before you book and where do you want to go along with what the weather will be like. Bring warm weather and cool weather clothing if it looks like the weather can be cool as well as warm and remember at sea it can be cool on most evenings.

What Qualifications Do I need to hire a boat or yacht?

If you want to sail without a skipper then you will need relevant qualifications like RYA Day Skipper/International Certificate of Competence (ICC)/ASA 104 Bareboat certificate or the US Sailing Certificate. For small 'day boats' or if you choose to have a skippered on board your yacht charter you typically don't require licences.

Frequently asked questions
What should I consider when hiring a Yacht or Boat?

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.