Yacht Charter Volos

Yacht Charter Volos

Guide To Sailing In Volos

Mainland Greece's sixth-largest city and a bustling port with links to Asia and Europe, Volos, on the Pagasetic Gulf of the Aegean Sea is a relatively new city with ancient roots.

The area on which Volos sits has been inhabited for more than 3,000 years. Mount Pelion behind the city is said to be the place that gods and humans met in Greek Mythos. Perhaps most famously, Jason is said to have built his trireme Argo to go in search for the Golden Fleece in Iolkos, on which the current port sits.

Over the last seven centuries, Volos has been in the hands of the Ottoman Empire on more than one occasion. A large citadel was built to fend off attacks from the Venetians. It was captured by the Germans in the 1940s and bombed heavily by both sides during World War 2.

In 1955 an earthquake inflicted the most damage to the city, almost flattening it. Only a few mansions and buildings remain from before the earthquake as much of it was rebuilt from scratch. Those after a modern, cosmopolitan vibe won't be disappointed with its nightclubs, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Those in search of something less modern can do as generations of Volos residents have done - head for Mount Pelionon the Pelion Peninsula. This is an almost forgotten part of Greece to both Greeks and tourist companies alike. Those in search of the 'true Greece' will find what they seek here. Placid, laid back, and almost empty, the Pelion Peninsula is a place where time moves more slowly and you can relax and forget yourself like few other parts of the country during vacation season.

Explore Volos By Renting A Yacht

For those on a Volos yacht charter, this is a great jumping-off point to explore the Pagasetic Gulf (also known as the Pagasitikos Gulf) and Greek island chains beyond.

Taking a bareboat charter or captained yacht charter you can rent a sailing yacht or motor yacht from the pedestrianized waterfront in Volos Port. Some will fly into Volos for a Skiathos or Skopelos sailing vacation and can take a ferry from Volos Port onto the islands to begin their sailing vacation.

The Pagasetic Gulf itself is a large, well-protected bay with a narrow entrance - too big to be considered a natural harbor 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 vacation.

Beyond the gulf and just to the east are the Sporades Islands that include the sailing center 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 a variety of marine 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 Chalkidiki Peninsula with its 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 Volos

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.

Once in Volos airport, a shuttle bus to the main bus station costs just $5 and from there you can take a bus or taxi to the marina.

Marinas In Volos

Unlike many yacht charter bases in Greece such as the Ionian Islands or Dodecanese Islands, Volos hasn't a major marina development.

The marina area of Volos consists of two stretches (Marina A and Marina B) on the pedestrianized Volos Waterfront. The pontoons are administered by Volos Port and vessels are moored stern-to along the waterfront. Your yacht charter company representative will generally meet you in a cafe and help you with the formalities of starting your Volos yacht charter.

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

Suggested Sailing Routes From Volos

As a gateway to the Pagasitikos Gulf, Sporades Islands, and Chalkidiki Peninsula, Volos is an ideal departure point for your yacht charter sailing vacation.

7 days - Sporades Islands: Passing (and perhaps pausing on) the Pelion Peninsula, you will cross the strait to SkiathosIsland 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 - Chalkidiki 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 the 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 SporadesIslands 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 Rent A Yacht In Volos

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 an Athens 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 Volos

April to mid-June: There is rainfall and the temperatures build steadily from the mid-teens to the mid 20 degrees 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 the 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.