Yacht Charter Porto Cheli

Yacht Charter Porto Cheli

Yacht Charter Porto Cheli

On a Porto Cheli 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 Porto Heli sailing holiday is going to be an unforgettable experience.

On the eastern Peloponnese, Porto Cheli is a former fishing village but became an important tourist resort from the 1970s when Athenians came to build holiday homes. It has developed considerably over the years and now boasts a Nikki Beach luxury resort and spa. As well as the sandy beach in town, it has a number of beautiful beaches closeby, and the sailor will soon find one almost all to themselves thanks to many only being accessible by boat.

Being a bolthole for Athens residents, Porto Heli isn't a plastic holiday destination like Mykonos in the Cyclades! You will find tavernas that open until late but not nightclubs that damage your eardrums. The restaurants are very good, and this is a place to enjoy Greece as the Greeks like to enjoy their break from reality.

Home to a mid-sized marina, Porto Cheli is a great place to begin your charter holiday, heading off to the Argolic Gulf, Saronic Gulf and islands including Spetses Island (just to the west) and Saronic Islands such as Poros or Aegina. Let's make some suggestions as to where you may visit on your Porto Cheli yacht charter.

Explore Porto Cheli 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.

With this in mind, you will see traces of different empires and civilsations all over the island. For those on a yacht charter, the ampitheatre of Epidavros should be a port of call on any sailing vacation . Just across the bay from Porto Cheli, Venetian mansions can be found on Spetses Island and Venetian forts can be found in nearby Nafplion.

Your bareboat charter holiday or super 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, Porto Cheli can enable you to enjoy the best of the Peloponnese - and this, many agree, is the best of mainland Greece.

How To Get To Porto Cheli

Athens Airport

More than 80 airlines fly into Athens Airport from all over the world.

The best way to get from Athens Aiport to Porto Heli is by bus to Piraeus and then by ferry to the port, and then either on foot or by taxi to the marina.

Marinas In Porto Cheli

There is one mid-sized marina in Porto Cheli, with just over 300 berths. Yacht charter companies have charter fleets that offer bareboat charter and skippered yacht charter of luxury yachts, catamaran yachts, motor yachts and monohull sailing yacht to suit a range of budgets from the very small to extremely large.

Porto Heli Marina:

Berth Characteristics:

315 berths

Max Length 60m (196.8 Feet)

Max Draught 4m (13 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 Porto Heli

Though a run to the Cyclades or Ionian is possible on your Porto Cheli yacht charter, most people will want to explore the immediate environs. On your bareboat yacht charter or superyacht charter, let's make a suggestion as to where you may go for your charter holiday.

7 days - Saronic Islands: Your first shakedown cruise will be to Spetses Town on Spetses Island. After enjoying the Venetian villas and picturesque village, set sail again for the almost-uninhabited island of Dokos for a quiet evening away from the crowds. 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 Porto Cheli.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Porto Cheli

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 Porto Cheli

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 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 Porto Cheli?

With 315 berths, Porto Heli Marina can take yachts and superyachts of up to 60m LOA.

When are the best times to hire a boat in Porto Cheli?

May to June are the best times of year to go on a sailing vacation out of the Peloponnese 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 Porto Cheli?

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 Porto Cheli?

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.