SeaTV · Greece · Charter Hub
Athens & the Mainland — Sailing Guide
Five main charter marinas around Athens, the busiest sailing-departure region in Greece. Alimos and Zea face the Saronic; Lavrion and Olympic open the Cyclades; Agios Kosmas (Navigare) sits between. Where every Greek sailing week begins.
Athens is the capital of Greece, a 3,000-year-old city of ~3.7 million people, and — for sailors — the centre of Greek yacht chartering. Five main marinas around the Attica peninsula host the country’s largest charter fleets. On Fridays and Saturdays, the docks are buzzing with activity: suitcases rolling in, supermarket carts being filled, repairs being completed, fuel tanks topped off. This is where Greek sailing weeks begin and end.
For sailors, the question isn’t whether to start in Athens — for most, that decision is made for them by the charter company — but which Athens marina best fits the planned route. Saronic-bound? Pick Alimos or Zea. Cyclades-bound? Pick Lavrion or Olympic. Want to combine the boat with city sightseeing? Zea is closest. Need a 200-tonne travel lift? Olympic is your answer.
This is the SeaTV regional hub for Athens and the surrounding mainland. Every marina, route, and onward sailing area links to a dedicated SeaTV page with full mooring detail, hazards, and shore information.
⚠ Reality check before sailing from Athens:
→ Traffic Separation Scheme west of Athens — big-ship lanes, cross at right angles
→ Coast crowded with shipping — Piraeus is one of Europe’s busiest ports
→ Saturday turnaround chaos at Alimos and Lavrion in season
→ Cape AY Kosmas reef south of Alimos · YBY East cardinal tower marker
→ Pasalimani underwater reef 400 m offshore south of Olympic Marina
⚓ Quick Facts for the Athens-Bound Sailor
Main charter marinas
5 (Alimos, Zea, Lavrion, Olympic, Agios Kosmas)
Charter days
Friday–Saturday (turnover)
Airport access
20–50 min by taxi (€30–60)
Best Saronic base
Alimos · Zea
Best Cyclades base
Lavrion · Olympic Marina
VHF channels
Vary by marina (71/09/16)
The Five Athens Charter Marinas at a Glance
Each of the five main marinas has a different character, location, and best-fit profile. Pick by your planned cruising direction first; secondary considerations follow.
Alimos · 37°54.75’N · 23°42.22’E · VHF 71
Alimos Marina
Position: SW of Athens, 20 min city, 40 min airport.
Capacity: 1,100 berths · Max draft 6.5 m · Max LOA 40 m.
Character: Greece’s largest charter base — most charter companies operate from here. Saronic-facing.
Best for: Saronic charters, broadest charter-fleet selection, classic first-time Greek sailing week.
Zea · 37°56.23’N · 23°38.90’E · VHF 09
Zea Marina, Piraeus
Position: Heart of Piraeus, 1 km city centre, 47 km airport.
Capacity: 670 berths · Max draft 8 m · Max LOA 150 m (superyachts).
Character: Ancient Themistoclean naval harbour (~500 BC), modern superyacht facility, urban Piraeus location.
Best for: Larger vessels, Athens sightseeing focus, history-conscious crews, metro to Acropolis (25 min).
Lavrion · 37°42.72’N · 24°03.45’E · VHF 16/12
Lavrion Marina
Position: SE of Athens, 60 km city, 20 min airport (closest!), 12 NM to Cyclades.
Capacity: ~200 berths (planned 400) · Multiple charter concessions.
Character: Working ferry hub for the Cyclades · charter-friendly · changing fast with new tavernas and cafés.
Best for: Cyclades charters, lower prices, fast airport transfers, ferry-port atmosphere.
Olympic Marina · 37°42.72’N · 24°03.78’E
Olympic Marina
Position: 2.4 km south of Lavrion · same airport access.
Capacity: 680 berths + 700 dry-stack + 300 covered · Max draft 10 m · Max LOA 40 m.
Character: Technical marina — 3 travel lifts (45t/65t/200t), 24h security, full repair unit, best weather shelter on the Athens coast.
Best for: Major yacht work, winter storage, larger vessels, weather-protected base for Cyclades or Sounion.
Agios Kosmas (Navigare) · West coast Attica
Agios Kosmas Marina (Navigare)
Position: Just south of Alimos · also Saronic-facing.
Character: Smaller charter base operated primarily by the Navigare brand · quieter than Alimos.
Best for: Crews chartering with Navigare or affiliated companies · Saronic departures with less Alimos-style chaos.
Historic Mikrolimani / Mounikhia Marina
Mikrolimani · Piraeus · Historic Harbour
Mounikhias / Mikrolimani Marina, Piraeus
The smallest of the three ancient Athenian military harbours (Mounikhia/Mikrolimani · Zea · Kantharos), now a working small-craft harbour with restaurants and a fishing fleet.
Use: Limited charter operations · more interesting as a cultural/visit destination than as a charter base.
Two Sailing Worlds from Athens
Athens is unique among Greek charter regions because two completely different sailing areas open from its marinas — and the choice between them shapes everything from charter-base selection to crew preparation.
Saronic Gulf · Short Legs · Sheltered
South to the Saronic Gulf
A semi-enclosed gulf with islands at every distance. Aegina, Agistri, Methana, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, Ermioni, Porto Cheli, Epidavros — short legs, mild Meltemi (4–5 Bf typical), sheltered water.
Best charter base: Alimos (largest fleet) or Zea (urban access).
Crew profile: First-time Greek charters, families, mixed-experience crews.
Full route: 6-Day Saronic Route · regional overview: Saronic Gulf & Eastern Peloponnese
Cyclades · Long Legs · Open Aegean
East to the Cyclades
The classic Greek-island archipelago — Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, Ios, Santorini, Milos, Sifnos. Real Meltemi (5–8 Bf), longer legs, dramatic landscapes, but more demanding sailing.
Best charter base: Lavrion or Olympic Marina (closest to Cyclades, easiest airport access).
Crew profile: Experienced sailors, repeat-Greek charters, crews wanting real Aegean conditions.
Full route: 8-Day Cyclades Route · regional overview: Cyclades Islands
Other onward sailing areas
Cape Sounion (Temple of Poseidon): A short southbound hop from Lavrion or Olympic — 6–9 km by sea. Iconic temple on the headland of Attica’s southernmost point. Sunset stop.
Gulf of Evia: Less-known cruising area to the north — useful if escaping the Meltemi. Gulf of Evia is partially sheltered, calmer than the open Aegean.
Sporades Islands: Long passage north (~120 NM) but opens the Skiathos / Skopelos / Alonissos area. Best for 2-week charters or repositioning legs.
Charter Logistics in Athens
Athens charter weeks follow a predictable rhythm: Saturday check-in · Saturday check-out. Both fall on the same day for most companies, creating a tight turnover window.
Friday — Pre-Charter
If your flight arrives Friday, stay overnight in Athens — Plaka, Glyfada, or near the marina. Friday is fine for sightseeing; Saturday morning will be devoted to the boat.
Saturday morning — Provisioning
Stock the boat before check-in if possible. Major supermarkets (AB Vassilopoulos, Sklavenitis) are walking distance or short taxi from each marina. Aim to do the bulk of the week’s stocking on Saturday morning, top-up later.
Saturday afternoon — Check-in
Check-in typically opens at 16:00–17:00. Don’t trust the advertised time blindly — afternoons are pressured, boats may be late if the previous charter overran or the technical department is finishing fixes. Build a 1–2 hour buffer into your planning.
Inventory inspection
Greek charters use their boats hard. Inspect carefully before signing: anchor and chain, engine oil/water/belts, safety gear (life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers), dinghy and outboard, navigation electronics, sails. Note any pre-existing damage on the inventory sheet.
Athens Beyond the Marina
Most charter crews spend at least one day in central Athens before or after sailing. The essentials within walking or short-taxi distance of each other:
The Acropolis & the Parthenon: The 5th-century BC temple complex on the limestone hill above central Athens — Doric architecture, Athena’s sanctuary, the building Pericles built. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and crowds.
Acropolis Museum: Modern museum housing the Parthenon Marbles in situ, with views back to the original site. Highly recommended for context.
Plaka district: Old town beneath the Acropolis. Pedestrianised, full of tavernas and small shops, atmospheric in the evening.
Mount Lycabettus: The highest point in central Athens. Funicular to the top, panoramic view across the city to the Saronic.
From the marinas: Alimos and Zea are 20–25 min from the Acropolis by metro/taxi. Lavrion and Olympic are 60+ min — plan an overnight in central Athens if visiting from there.
✈ Airport Logistics by Marina
Lavrion Marina: 20 min · ~25 km · €30–40 taxi (closest!)
Olympic Marina: 20 min · ~25 km · €30–40 taxi (closest!)
Alimos Marina: 40 min · €40–50 taxi · OR metro+bus combo
Agios Kosmas: 40 min · similar to Alimos
Zea Marina: 50 min · 47 km · €50–60 taxi · OR metro Line 3 → Line 1
⚠ Athens Hazard Summary — All Reefs & Tight Spots
A consolidated list of every notable navigation hazard around the Athens charter region. Plot all of these on the chartplotter before the week begins:
Athens crossing: Traffic Separation Scheme — big-ship lanes, cross at right angles
Alimos approach: Reef SW of Cape AY Kosmas, 1 NM south of marina, YBY East cardinal tower marker · hard to spot at night against shore lights
Piraeus / Zea: Heavy commercial traffic — ferries, cruise ships, cargo · monitor VHF Ch. 16 throughout
Lavrion approach: Heavy ferry traffic (Cyclades hub) · approach straightforward but density is the issue
Lavrion mooring: Laid mooring chains throughout — watch when dropping own anchor (5–15 m depths)
Olympic Marina south: Underwater reef extending 400 m offshore south of Pasalimani Bay — stay 500 m offshore on south exit
Olympic from south: Marina invisible until reaching Akra Fonias
When to Sail from Athens
May–June: Best window for both Saronic and Cyclades. Stable weather, fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, Meltemi just starting.
July–August: Peak season — hot, crowded, with peak Meltemi. Saronic still manageable; Cyclades demands real sailing experience.
September–October: Strong shoulder season. Meltemi easing, water still warm, fewer crowds. SeaTV’s frequent recommendation.
November–April: Off-season. Most charter companies operate reduced fleets; storms possible; some marinas reduce services. Possible for shake-downs but not for a holiday week.
SeaTV’s Top Tips for Athens Charters
Pick the marina by destination, not convenience. Saronic-bound? Alimos or Zea. Cyclades-bound? Lavrion or Olympic. Don’t waste a day rounding Cape Sounion if you started at Alimos for a Cyclades trip.
Inspect anchor and chain at check-in. Greek charters use their boats hard. The state of the anchor and chain is the single biggest factor in any week. Check the windlass, the chain, the anchor itself, the second anchor (if any).
Refuel on return, not departure. Charter boats return with empty tanks; refuel on the way back to save the manoeuvre on a busy Saturday morning. Mini-tankers can also come to your berth — call ahead.
Plot the Athens hazards before departure. The Cape AY Kosmas cardinal, the Pasalimani reef, the Traffic Separation Scheme — three hazards within 30 NM of each other. Get them on the chartplotter before the boat leaves the dock.
Build an Athens day into the trip. Either before charter or after return. The Acropolis is 20–60 min from any marina; missing it because of timing pressure is a poor outcome.
Match VHF to marina. Different Athens marinas use different VHF channels for coordination — Alimos Ch. 71, Zea Ch. 09, Lavrion Ch. 16. Check before approach; don’t assume.
Stop at Cape Sounion. The Temple of Poseidon at sunset is a great first or last day from Lavrion or Olympic. Even a short anchor-and-look is worth it.
Licensing & Charter Requirements
Skipper qualification: ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or recognised national equivalent — RYA Day Skipper Practical, ASA 104, etc.
Co-skipper: Named co-skipper aged 18+ required by most charter companies.
VHF SRC: Short Range Certificate increasingly required.
Insurance translations: Carry a Greek translation of the boat insurance — useful at port authorities.
Emergency & Service Numbers — Athens Region
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Distress (VHF Ch. 16): Universal
Coastguard Working (VHF Ch. 12): Per region
Alimos Marina (VHF Ch. 71): Marina coordination
Zea Marina (VHF Ch. 09): Marina coordination
Lavrion Marina: +30 22920 22089 · Port Police +30 22920 25249
Lavrion Repair: +30 22920 24229
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Videos
Each Athens marina has its own SeaTV Visual Pilot video — drone passes over the basins, approach footage, the manoeuvre into the berth, surrounding shore. The full Athens charter region covered visually. Free for members.
Complete Athens Index — All SeaTV Pages
Athens Charter Marinas
→ Alimos Marina · Greece’s largest charter base
→ Zea Marina, Piraeus · superyacht-friendly · ancient harbour
→ Lavrion Marina · Cyclades gateway · airport-closest
→ Olympic Marina · technical / 200t lift / 24h security
→ Mounikhias / Mikrolimani Marina, Piraeus · historic ancient harbour
Itineraries from Athens
→ 6-Day Sailing Route Around the Saronic Gulf
→ 8-Day Sailing Route in the Cyclades
Onward Cruising Regions
Pick your charter base, then your route
Saronic from Alimos or Zea. Cyclades from Lavrion or Olympic. Then sail.
→ Alimos · Lavrion · Saronic Route · Cyclades Route
“Athens is where the Greek sailing week begins. Five marinas, two cruising worlds — pick by where you’re heading, plot the hazards, refuel on return, and you’ve got a clean start.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Athens & the Mainland Edition
