SeaTV · Greece · Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades — 20 Islands Around Delos
A volcanic ring of islands in the southern Aegean, encircling the ancient sacred island of Delos. Twenty+ islands, 15–25 NM apart, dominated by the Meltemi — the most exciting and demanding sailing region in Greece. From the white caldera at Santorini to the quiet Lesser Cyclades, this is the ultimate Cyclades sailor’s guide.
The Cyclades form a circle of islands in the southern Aegean Sea, ringed around the ancient sacred island of Delos — once the religious heart of the ancient Greek world, with extensive ruins and temples that still stand. Adjacent to Delos is Mykonos, the most famous of the modern Cyclades. The chain stretches from Andros and Tinos in the north to Santorini in the south, with 20+ islands and many quiet bays and anchorages within easy sailing reach of each other.
No mainland protects these islands. They are exposed to the northerly Meltemi wind, which dominates the Cyclades sailing season. The Meltemi is what makes the Cyclades both rewarding and demanding — exciting sailing for experienced crews, but potentially “too exciting” for less enthusiastic members. Reading the wind, choosing shelter, and timing the long crossings is the heart of the Cyclades game.
⚠ Cyclades sailing reality:
→ Meltemi NE dominates July–September · 20–35 knots common · multi-day pulses
→ Funneling between islands can amplify wind locally
→ Downdraft on lee sides of islands — strong gusts in the “shelter”
→ Reservation required at most marinas in season
→ Long crossings (e.g. Milos → Ios is 47 NM) — plan around the Meltemi forecast
⚓ Cyclades at a Glance
Location
Southern Aegean · ring around Delos
Number of islands
20+ within easy sailing reach
Distances
Most islands 15–25 NM apart
Defining wind
Meltemi (NE) · July–September
Cultural anchor
Delos archaeological site (centre)
Volcanic core
Santorini (1450 BC eruption) · Milos
The Meltemi — What You Need to Know
The Meltemi is the defining feature of Cyclades sailing. It’s a strong, dry, persistent NE wind that sets up a pressure pattern between high pressure over the Balkans and a thermal low over Turkey. The wind funnels south through the Aegean — and the Cyclades, with no mainland protection, take it in full force.
Pattern 1 · Seasonal Timing
When the Meltemi Blows
Peak season: July and August — strong Meltemi dominates.
Shoulder: Late June and September — Meltemi present but less intense.
Spring & autumn: Lighter, more variable winds. Better for relaxed sailing, but more chance of stormy lows.
Pattern 2 · Pulse Duration
How Long Each Meltemi Episode Lasts
The Meltemi can blow for a single day, or for several days at a stretch. Multi-day pulses of 3–7 days at 25–35 knots are common in peak season. Plan your route flexibility around this — if a heavy pulse is forecast, you may need to wait it out at a sheltered marina rather than push the long crossings.
Pattern 3 · Funneling
Wind Acceleration Between Islands
The Meltemi funnels between the islands — narrow channels accelerate the wind significantly above the open-sea reading. The channel between Sifnos and Serifos, between Naxos and Paros, and approaches to Santorini’s caldera all see localised acceleration. Plan for this — your forecast wind speed is a baseline, not a ceiling.
Pattern 4 · Lee-Side Downdrafts
Strong Gusts in the “Shelter”
The downdraft on the lee side of an island can also increase wind strength locally — including in bays you may have anchored in for shelter. Don’t assume the lee side is calm just because you’re behind the island. Anchor with full scope and stay alert in suspected lee anchorages, particularly when high terrain is to windward.
The Four Cyclades Sub-Groups
For sailing planning, the Cyclades fall into four practical sub-groups by geography and itinerary logic. SeaTV has dedicated pages for each main island and marina — links in each section below.
1. Western Cyclades
Sifnos · Serifos · Milos · Kimolos
Quieter, west of the main Athens-to-Cyclades flow. Sifnos for the cliff-top Kastro and pottery tradition · Serifos for the dramatic Chora and quiet anchorages · Milos for the volcanic landscape and exceptional snorkelling.
2. Central Cyclades — The Paros Hub
Paros · Naxos · Antiparos
The heart of the chain. Paros sits in the centre — three working marinas covering NW, N, and E coasts, plus three quiet bay anchorages. The natural base for an 8-day Cyclades charter, with the rest of the islands within a day’s sail in any direction. Naxos (the largest Cyclades island) and Antiparos (with its famous cave) are both close.
→ Paros Island Anchorages — overview
→ Paroikia Marina, Paros (NW coast · main ferry port)
→ Naoussa Marina, Paros (north end)
→ Piso Livadi, Paros (eastern village)
3. Southern Cyclades — The Volcanic Group
Ios · Santorini · Folegandros
The southern volcanic chain. Ios for the white-cubed Chora and Magganari’s transparent water · Santorini (Thira) for the flooded caldera, the Akrotiri archaeology, and the Oia sunset · Folegandros for quiet Agkali Bay (Meltemi shelter).
4. Lesser Cyclades — The Quiet Sub-Loop
Iraklia · Schinoussa · Koufonisia · Donousa
The small-island chain south of Naxos. Quieter than the bigger islands, with an easy 5–10 NM sub-loop linking Iraklia, Schinoussa, and Koufonisia. The Koufonisia marina is the primary Meltemi shelter for the whole Lesser Cyclades.
→ Iraklia Island (plane wreck snorkel)
Suggested Cyclades Routes
SeaTV has built two complete Cyclades routes — both starting and finishing at Paros. Pick the one that matches your time and your appetite for long crossings.
7-Day Route · Aggressive · 200+ NM
7-Day Cyclades Charter Loop
Stops: Paros → Sifnos → Milos → Ios → Santorini → Koufonisia → Iraklia → Paros.
Character: The classic charter loop · longest day 47 NM (Milos→Ios) · Folegandros bail-out option.
8-Day Route · Slower · More Variety
8-Day Cyclades Sailing Route
Stops: Paros (Paroikia + Naoussa + Piso Livadi) → Ios → Santorini → Koufonisi → Schinoussa → Iraklia.
Character: A more relaxed pace · explores all three Paros marinas · the slow alternative.
Cultural Highlights of the Cyclades
Delos — The Sacred Centre
The mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis · the religious heart of the ancient Greek world for centuries · extensive ruins and temples preserved on a small island in the centre of the Cyclades ring. Adjacent to Mykonos.
Santorini — The Eruption That Reshaped the Aegean
The volcanic eruption of Thira around 1450 BC was one of the largest in human history — collapsing the seafloor into a flooded caldera, burying the Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri (the “Greek Pompeii”), and associated with the decline of Minoan civilization on Crete. The caldera you sail into today is the geological signature of that event.
Paros — Marble for the Ancient World
The Marathi marble quarries on Paros produced Parian marble — the prestige sculpting material of the ancient Mediterranean. The Venus de Milo, found on Milos but carved in this Parian stone, is the most famous example. The 4th-century Byzantine Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani in Parikia is one of the oldest surviving Christian churches in Greece.
Mykonos — Modern Cyclades Hub
Adjacent to Delos, Mykonos became the modern face of the Cyclades — known for nightlife, beach culture, and contemporary tourism. Not central to the SeaTV-covered routes (which favour quieter islands), but the closest jumping-off point for visiting Delos.
Cycladic Cuisine
Each island has its own traditional dishes and produce: Sifnos for chickpea soup and ceramics · Milos for capers and cheese · Santorini for the volcanic Assyrtiko wine · Koufonisia for fava (yellow split-pea purée). Worth tasting through.
Master Wind Strategy by Direction
Strong Meltemi (NE) — primary scenario:
- Best shelters: Koufinisi Marina · Vathi Bay (Sifnos) · Kamares (Sifnos west coast) · Akrotiri (Santorini south) · Agios Ioannis (north Paros)
- Avoid: Naoussa NW & S piers (backwash) · Ios harbour (Meltemi blows straight in) · Pollonia (Milos)
South winds:
- Best shelters: Mersini (Schinoussa southern bays) · Naoussa Bay (Paros north) · Plastria (north Paros)
Calm weather:
- All anchorages workable · Paralia Pori (Koufonisia) · Black Beach (Santorini) · Alyki (Paros) · Tris Klises (Ios) all open up
Pro Tips for Sailing the Cyclades
Always check the Meltemi forecast. The Meltemi is the single most important factor in Cyclades sailing planning. Heavy multi-day pulses (25–35 knots) shape your week — adjust the route to wind, not the other way around.
Time-shift the season if possible. June and September give you the same islands, much less crowding, and gentler Meltemi. July–August is the peak — busy, hot, and high-wind.
Reserve in advance. Most marinas need advance booking in season — Akrotiri Santorini buoys (+30 6973 838 900), Koufinisi Marina (22 yachts), Kamares Sifnos. Book before the forecast even confirms the wind.
Use Paros as your base. Paros’s central position makes it the natural starting point for either route — three marinas give you flexibility, and the rest of the Cyclades is within a day’s sail in any direction.
Prepare for Mediterranean mooring. Stern-to or bow-to with anchor + lines is the dominant Cyclades style. Make sure your anchor-set technique is rehearsed before Day 1, and inspect anchor + scope before departure.
Don’t skip the Lesser Cyclades. Iraklia, Schinoussa, and Koufonisia offer the quietest, most authentic Cyclades experience — and the Koufinisi Marina is your primary Meltemi shelter for the eastern routes.
Plan a rest day mid-week. The combination of Meltemi sailing, Mediterranean mooring, and ferry-port surges adds up. A dedicated rest day at Ios, Sifnos, or Koufonisia recovers the crew for the second half.
Top up at Paroikia or Adamantas. Most complete sailor services in the western/central Cyclades. Top up water, fuel, electricity, and provisions at the start of legs that take you into smaller-island territory.
Complete SeaTV Cyclades Index
Western Cyclades
→ Sifnos Island · 5 anchorages, cliff-top Kastro
→ Kamares Port (Sifnos) · main Sifnos port detail
→ Serifos Island · 4 anchorages, dramatic Chora
→ Milos Island · 6 anchorages, volcanic landscape, Venus de Milo cultural anchor
→ Adamantas Harbour (Milos) · main Milos port · weather VHF Ch. 10
Central Cyclades — Paros Hub
Southern Cyclades — Volcanic Group
→ Ios Island · halfway Paros↔Santorini · 4 anchorages
→ Santorini (Thira) · 6 anchorages · caldera + Akrotiri buoy field
Lesser Cyclades — Quiet Sub-Loop
→ Iraklia Island · plane wreck snorkel
→ Koufinisi Marina · primary Lesser Cyclades Meltemi shelter
Cyclades Routes
→ 7-Day Cyclades Charter Loop · aggressive · 200+ NM
→ 8-Day Cyclades Sailing Route · slower alternative
✅ Cyclades Sailor’s Master Checklist
▢ Multi-day Meltemi forecast reviewed
▢ Marinas reserved in advance (Akrotiri, Koufinisi, Kamares)
▢ Key approach hazards plotted (Vlikadha rocks, Tsigouri islet, Paroikia reefs)
▢ Mediterranean mooring technique rehearsed
▢ Anchor + scope inspected · heavy fenders ready
▢ Crew briefed on Meltemi reality (gusts, surge, lee-side downdrafts)
▢ Bail-out plans identified for long crossings
▢ VHF on Ch. 16 throughout
Master Emergency & Service Numbers — Cyclades
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Distress (VHF Ch. 16): Universal
Coastguard Working (VHF Ch. 12): Per region
Akrotiri Santorini buoy: +30 6973 838 900
Ios fuel service: +30 22860 92009 · mobile +30 6974 501 155 · 2 hrs advance
Platis Gialos Sifnos: +30 22840 33617
Adamantas Milos weather forecast: 08:00 daily · VHF Ch. 10
Paros Port Authority (Paroikia): Port Police on site · VHF Ch. 12 / 16
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
SeaTV Visual Pilot Library — Cyclades
SeaTV has 17 dedicated visual pilot videos covering the Cyclades — drone passes, approach hazards, mooring layouts, and shore highlights for every island and marina linked above. Free for members.
Wider Context — Greece Beyond the Cyclades
→ Greece — overview of all 6 cruising regions
→ Saronic Gulf & Eastern Peloponnese · west of the Cyclades · gentler waters
→ Sporades Islands · north of the Cyclades · Marine Park
→ Athens & Mainland · the typical charter starting point
→ Dodecanese Islands · east of the Cyclades
→ Ionian Islands · west of the Greek mainland · the calmer alternative
Sailing the Cyclades?
Volcanic ring around Delos · 20+ islands · Meltemi-defined sailing · the most demanding and rewarding cruising in Greece.
“The Cyclades reward the sailor who reads the Meltemi first. Twenty islands ringed around the sacred centre of Delos, 15–25 NM apart, dominated by a wind that funnels between the islands and downdrafts on the lee sides. From Sifnos’s cliff-top Kastro to the volcanic caldera at Santorini to the quiet sub-loop of the Lesser Cyclades — this is the most exciting and the most demanding cruising ground in Greece. Plan around the wind, reserve ahead, and the chain opens up.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Cyclades Edition
