Yacht Charter Kalamata

Yacht Charter Kalamata

On a Kalamata yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore the Argolic Gulf and Saronic Gulf of the Peloponnese within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a Peloponnese yacht charter, from its legendary cuisine, to beaches, culture and deep human history, a Kalamata sailing holiday is going to be an unforgettable experience.

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Yacht Charter Kalamata

Yacht Charter Kalamata

On a Kalamata yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore the Argolic Gulf and Saronic Gulf of the Peloponnese within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a Peloponnese yacht charter, from its legendary cuisine, to beaches, culture and deep human history, a Kalamata sailing holiday is going to be an unforgettable experience.

Famed for its olives and Greek cuisine, Kalamata has been fought over for millennia. There are records of tussles and wars over the area going back at least to the 7th Century BC, and for those into ancient Greek architecture you won't go wrong by visiting sites like Messinia with its ampitheatre and other ruins on the site.

As with nearby Nafplion, Kalamata has its share of Venetian architecture, and the town was one of the first to declare independence - two days before Athens - at the end of the War of Independence in 1821. Modern tragedy has affected the town though - the 1986 earthquake killed thousands and decimated the municipality, thankfully leaving some of its oldest buildings. A rash of rebuilding work has been done - not all of it pretty - as Kalamata transformed into a tourist town with its own international airport, the only one on the Peloponnese.

The Town Beach is among the best on the peninsula, and for those seeking a good beach you will be spoiled for choice. Other than Messinia one of the biggest draws to Kalamata is the Greek cuisine - this is among the best in Greece bar none. Central is the unique tasting Kalamata olive oil and world famous black olives that grow in groves for miles around the town. Expect simple Greek salads, meats and other fayre that though apparently easy to make are incredibly hard to make astounding as so many restaurants in the town seem to achieve.

With your sailing vacation base at Kalamata Marina, what else can you enjoy on a Kalamata yacht charter with Borrow a Boat? Read on to find out!

Explore Kalamata By Renting A Yacht

The Peloponnese is effectively an island if you count the Corinth Canal across the ithsmus that links it to the mainland. Ruled over by Sparta for many years, it was the location for battles between the Athenians and Spartans, and over the centuries the Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans have ruled over it.

During your sailing trip will see traces of different empires and civilsations all over the peninsula. For those on a yacht charter, the amphitheatres of Epidavros and Messinia are well worth a pause on your sailing vacation.

One Greek town to visit that has ruins, forts and a good buzz is Nafplion on the Argolic Gulf. With its three forts on a big hillside and alleys full of delights, you could want to spend more than a day exploring Nafplion on its own!

Your bareboat charter holiday or luxury yacht sailing holiday can take you to the different ancient ruins but can also take you island hopping. Spetses Island is a short sail from Porto Cheli but over a couple of easy days sailing you can get to the Saronic Islands of Poros and Aegina with their distinct subcultures and ecology.

As well as the excellent sailing to be found on the Aegean Sea, you will find many a secluded cove in which to drop anchor, perhaps eating the fish you have caught with your lines as you cruise along the coast and islands. Thanks to its excellent location, Kalamata can enable you to enjoy the best of the Peloponnese - and this, many agree, is the best sailing area of mainland Greece.

How To Get To Kalamata

Kalamata International Airport

The only international airport on the Peloponnese, Kalamata International Airport has airlines flying in from much of Europe during the summer months. This is only a 20 minute shuttle ride from Kalamata Marina.

Marinas In Kalamata

There is one mid-sized marina in Kalamata, with 250 berths. Yacht charter company and many boat owner offer bareboat charter, flotilla and luxury yacht charters of luxury yachts, catamarans, motor yacht and monohull sailing yacht charters to suit a range of budgets from the very small to extremely large.

Kalamata Marina:

Berth Characteristics:

250 berths

Max Length 25m (82 Feet)

Max Draught 3m (10 Feet)

List of additional services: Water, Shore Power, Fuel, Laundry, Waste water collection, Garbage/recycling, Bar, Restaurant, Weather forecasting and Shipyard

Suggested Sailing Routes From Kalamata

Skippered yacht charters or gulet charters in the Greek islands of the Cyclades, Dodecanese or Ionian Sea are in reach from Kalamata. On a more modest bareboat charter sailing trip you don't need to get further than the eastern Peloponnese and Saronic Gulf to have an enjoyable sailing holiday.

7 days - Eastern Peloponnese and Saronic Gulf: Your first shakedown cruise will be to Spetses on Spetses Island. After enjoying the Venetian villas and picturesque village, set sail again for Nafplion on the Argolic Gulf with its astounding architecture and great nightlife. The Saronic island of Poros will be your next port of call, followed by Epidavros where you can see the ancient ampitheatre. Aegina will be your next destination, and then a longer leg to the Greek island of Idra before returning to your charter base in Kalamata at the end of your sailing trip.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Kalamata

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 Peloponnese 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 Kalamata

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, thoough 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 sail as 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 Kalamata?

With 250 berths, Kalamata Marina can take yachts and superyachts of up to 25m LOA.

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

May to June are the best times of year to go on a sailing vacation out of the Peloponnese sailing area thanks to the comfortable heat and gentler sailing conditions. Most islands have water supplies too. July and August are fiercely hot and the Meltemi winds can be fierce, but even so are the most popular months for a boat rental in Greece.

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

You will typically pay 50% up front on booking the yacht rental 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 Kalamata?

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.