The Cyclades
The quintessential Greek Islands. When one thinks of Greece one imagines, almost immediately, Santorini sunsets, Mykonos’ answer to Ibiza, and those unforgettable blue and white villages. For the avid traveler, these islands are a must. They are a large archipelago, with over 200 islands. This makes sailing possibilities endless, and itineraries can be tailored to every taste. But there are a few things you need to know before booking your sailing trip in the Cyclades.
Astypalaia Hòra from the port.
A small fishing boat on the island of Milos.
From the temple of Apollo to Naxos Hóra.
No two islands are the same. The Cyclades makes this imminently clear, as you go from the volcanic pink and black beaches of Santorini, to the dynamic stratigraphy of Milos. The options are endless. But we recommend Paros as a great start, with its' cosmopolitan centers mixed with traditional Cycladic architecture, high end restaurants, and sandy beaches (Golden beach is one of the nicest around). For upbeat nightlife head to Naoussa. For a more tranquil evening Lefkes village is the way to go. Either way, you’ll see why this is one of the most popular islands in Greece.
For the pro divers, head to Liparo and the pebbled beach of Spathi on the island of Kea. Here there are top diving sights, such as the breathtaking Koundouros reef, the Castriani caverns, a German ocean liner, and the S/S Burdigala built by Ex Kaiser Friedrich in 1897. The holy grail for technical divers. The Brittanic, sister ship of the Titanic discovered by Jacque Cousteau in 1976, is also here. But it lies too deep for the casual diver.
With top chefs and excellent restaurants and taverns, another great stop is Sifnos, for all the gastro-enthusiasts. Sifnos was the home of, what some consider the father of modern Greek cuisine, Nikolaos Tselementes. Every year, at the beginning of September, the island hosts the "Nikolaos Tselementes" Cycladic Gastronomy Festival, a three-day internationally recognized festival.
Before booking your trip to the Cyclades please see our weather disclaimer below. The best time to visit the Cyclades is the shoulder season.
All itineraries are flexible, and subject to weather conditions and mooring availability. Let us know if you have any specific requests!
The weather here is the most turbulent of all the islands, this means that between July and August(and sometimes a week or two into September) the Meltemia(Gusty winds) which come from the north, can seriously limit your trip to the Cyclades, where these winds blow the hardest. They also affect the Sporades and Dodecanese, but to a much lesser degree. When the Meltemi is blowing full force you won’t be able to sail in the Cyclades. Many Cyclades sailing weeks booked in July and August have been altered to an Argo-Saronic sailing tour.
What we recommend is that for trips here, you try to book closer to the shoulder season, and also has the advantage of being generally less busy, avoiding too much traffic and crowded harbours, especially if you choose a popular route, such as stops in Santorini, or Mykonos.
The colourful houses of Oia Santorini.
The deep blue from the island of Sifnos.
