The million dollar question and something we get asked a lot! When is the best time to sail in Greece?
Sailing in Greece follows the European seasons in pattern and wind strength. Our sailing season runs from April to October and each month brings with it something different.
Whether you like the heat, prefer your dips to be refreshing, are limited to school holidays or simply fancy a short break we have various options for you.
April
April is the coolest time of year to enjoy sailing in Greece. The bays are quiet as the Ionian slowly wakes up after a long winter. A great time of year to enjoy a short break or to hone your sailing skills before the season starts.
If you are lucky you can also enjoy the wonder of Greek Easter. It is an experience that varies from island to island and should be experienced at least once!
May and June
May and June are less hot but certainly no less beautiful. In fact the sea is at it’s bluest and very inviting after a day of sunbathing on the bow.
Take advantage of the May bank holidays and pop over to Greece for a long weekend with a difference. Explore Corfu from the comfort of your yacht and have the best of both worlds…nature and a city break all in one! If you prefer the cooler weather but a restricted to school holidays the May week is for you.
June is quickly becoming the most popular month to travel to Greece. The lovely gentle breeze is starting to make an appearance and the sailing is sublime.
July and August
The North-West prevailing wind that heralds summer typically arrives at the end of June.
Yachts travel to the gentle Ionian waters for the summer, as it is famed for it’s excellent sailing conditions. It is fairly sheltered, which means the ‘sea state’ (how big the waves are) is fairly reliable.
Typically, the wind will arrive in the early afternoon after a perfectly calm morning full of watersports and those refreshing dips.
The result is what we lovingly call ‘Champagne sailing’ – very calm seas with the perfect sailing breeze.
Although July and August is the hottest time of year in Greece, when you are on the water you are creating your own breeze and a dip in the sea is only ever a few steps away.
September
The sea is at it’s warmest for the year and the heat of the summer is slowly dropping. The wind is picking up and it is time to get those sails up once again.
Take advantage of quieter bays and spend all day floating on your paddleboard or snorkelling the pristine shorelines.
Top tip: September is the most popular time to set sail on our catamaran Aurous so if you are set on this beautiful month enquire as soon as possible!
October
With the Mediterranean climate changing, October is now becoming a popular time to travel to the islands. Direct flights are still available and the sun is still shining. The lower price reflects the couple of rainy of days that is possible however some of the best days on the water can often be found in October.
Lovely sunny days but cooler night time temperatures simply means the best nights sleep and a snuggle on deck under a blanket looking at the stars.
We sail all the way to the end of the month meaning the half term week is an option for teachers and parents alike.
PS. I holidayed in the South Ionian in October 2023…read about it here!
Your Captain will discuss the weather with you on your arrival. Our top tip is not to always believe your default weather app on your phone…trust that the Captain has looked at specialist local weather forecasts!
They will keep a close eye on the weather for the week as safety is our primary concern.
There may be days where the Captain considers it necessary to be port bound if the forecast is looking adverse. If this happens, don’t worry there are lots of things to see and do on the islands…you might even discover something you wouldn’t have seen by yacht!
We will always err on the side of caution, however the chances of bad weather for more than a day a week in the Ionian are very low.
Email Helen to enquire about sailing availability and discuss when the best time to sail in Greece is for you.
Written by Helen Eltringham
Top Travel Tip
If holidays are precious and treasured, then sailing holidays are the jewel in your crown.
Don’t spend one more holiday on a quayside looking at the yacht in the background. Instead, be the people having the time of their lives on that yacht!
– Helen
