SeaTV · Saronic Gulf & Eastern Peloponnese · 6-Day Route
Sailing Route Around the Saronic Gulf — A Perfect Week
Six days from Athens to the heart of the Saronic — Aegina to Perdika, Ermioni and breakfast at Dokos, Hydra at sunrise, the channel to Poros, and Moni’s peacocks on the way home.
The Saronic Gulf is the perfect first-week-of-sailing destination from Athens — easy access from Alimos Marina, a tight cluster of varied islands within short legs, and the kind of mix that keeps a crew engaged: lively ports, sophisticated towns, quiet anchorages, ancient temples, and iconic Peloponnesian backdrops.
For sailors, this is the SeaTV recommended 6-day Saronic itinerary — designed for short hops, varied scenery, and a manageable crew rhythm. The route covers Aegina, Perdika, Ermioni, Hydra, Poros, Agistri, and the Moni wildlife islet, with breakfast and lunch stops at Skindos Dokos and Nisos Gali along the way. Each night-stop has a dedicated SeaTV docking page — the route ties them together.
⚠ Reality check before departure:
→ Traffic Separation Scheme west of Athens — big-ship lanes. Be vigilant; give way.
→ Hydra Port arrival before noon — afterwards no slot, fall back to Mandraki Bay.
→ Poros channel shallows — keep close to the Poros side, watch ferry traffic.
→ Approach Aegina with reef awareness — natural reefs from Agistri/Metopi.
Route at a Glance
Day 1: Alimos Marina (Athens) → Agia Marina (lunch) → Aegina anchorages → Perdika (overnight) · ~20 NM
Day 2: Perdika → south past Poros → bay-stop for lunch → Ermioni (overnight)
Day 3: Ermioni → Skindos Dokos (breakfast) → Hydra (overnight) · ~8 NM to Hydra
Day 4: Hydra → Nisos Gali (anchor) → Poros channel → Poros (overnight) · ~6 + 5 NM
Day 5: Poros → past Methana → Agistri (Skilomango West) → Aegina Port (overnight)
Day 6: Aegina → Moni Bay (final swim) → Alimos Marina (return)
Day 1 — Alimos Marina → Perdika · ~20 NM
Departure from Alimos Marina — Athens’ main charter base — or any of the other Athens marinas (Glyfada, Kalamaki). Sailing west across the gulf, you’ll cross the Traffic Separation Scheme for big ships. Be vigilant. Give way. Cross at right angles.
Lunch Stop · Agia Marina · East Coast Aegina
Calm-weather lunch at Agia Marina
In calm weather, anchor for lunch in Agia Marina bay (east coast).
⚠ Don’t get too close to shore — rocks in the inner part of the bay; the platform depth is shallow.
Northerly forecast? Anchor in one of the southern Aegina bays instead — see Best Anchorages of Aegina for the wind-direction options.
Overnight · Perdika · 4 NM South
Overnight at Perdika — 37°41’27″N · 23°27’11″E
Method: Mediterranean-style stern-to in the classic Greek fishing village.
Best for: First night of the charter — easy approach, small village, good tavernas, quiet evening.
⚠ Watch: Care needed to avoid rocks in the inner part of the central pier (west side).
Full Perdika details on the Aegina anchorages page.
Day 2 — Perdika → Ermioni · Sailing South
From Perdika, sail south, passing Poros Island on the east side. Choose a magnificent bay along the way for a mid-morning lunch and a swim — anchor in 5–7 m on sand in any of the natural coves between Poros and the Peloponnese coast.
After refreshments, sail west to Marina Ermioni — a calm Peloponnese village opposite Hydra.
Overnight · Marina Ermioni · 37°23.20’N · 23°14.92’E
Overnight at Ermioni
Method: The most protected docks are within the bay. Pick by wind direction (N/NW → Southern Quay, S/E → East Town Quay).
⚠ Keep clear of the ferry dock.
Backup: If no space, anchor in the bay (4–6 m, mud and weed).
Full Ermioni details on the Ermioni page.
Day 3 — Ermioni → Hydra · Breakfast at Dokos · ~8 NM
A short sailing day with a memorable breakfast stop. Leave Ermioni early and sail across to the small island of Dokos, the lesser-known neighbour of Hydra.
Breakfast Stop · Skindos Dokos · 37°20’27″N · 23°20’19″E
Skindos Bay, Dokos Island
Use: Anchor for a swim and breakfast in the clear-water bay of Skindos on Dokos.
Best for: Quiet morning swim before the Hydra docking pressure begins.
After breakfast, continue another ~8 NM to Hydra — the most photographed harbour in the Saronic, and the most demanding to dock in.
Overnight · Hydra · 37°21.03’N · 23°27.95’E
Hydra Port — Arrive Before Noon
Critical timing: Mooring is problematic — arrive early, before noon. Med-mooring stern-to the northern or southern platform.
If full: Anchor in Mandraki Bay, one mile west of Hydra (open to the north). Take the seasonal water-taxi shuttle or walk.
Alternative day-end: Bypass Hydra entirely and sail to Spetses or Porto Cheli if you’ve decided Hydra is too crowded.
Full Hydra details — including the survival rules for the Med-mooring raft — on the Hydra page.
Day 4 — Hydra → Poros · Nisos Gali Anchor · ~6 + 5 NM
Leave Hydra and sail ~6 NM to Nisos Gali — a quiet anchorage with sand bottom and crystal-clear water. Perfect mid-morning swim before pushing on to Poros.
Day-Anchor · Nisos Gali · 37°26.070’N · 23°31.251’E
Anchorage at Nisos Gali
Bottom: Sand · clear water.
Best for: Lunch, swim, snorkel — between the Hydra docking pressure and the Poros channel manoeuvre. Plenty of similar anchorages in the area; pick by wind on the day.
Continue north for about 5 NM and enter the narrow Poros channel between the island and the Peloponnese mainland.
⚠ Poros channel hazards:
→ Beware shallow areas — keep close to the Poros side
→ Watch for ferries cruising at speed through the channel
→ Channel narrows to ~200 m — straightforward but no margin for error
Overnight · Poros
Mooring at Poros
In strong northerly: Moor to the long town quay.
Calm weather: Moor along the north dock, or at the floating dock. Plenty of space allows you to release a lot of chain and anchor safely. Most docks have electricity and water.
Bay alternative: Russian Bay (37°31’6″N · 23°26’1″E) — clear water, great holding, lunch-stop or a swim.
More options: Magnificent anchorages around the northern part of Poros.
Full Poros details on the Poros page.
Day 5 — Poros → Aegina via Agistri
Leave Poros from the east side. Sail north, past Methana on the Peloponnese side, then head east across to Agistri Island.
Lunch · Skilomango West, Agistri · 37°40’44″N · 23°19’32″E
Skilomango West Bay
Use: A lovely bay for some peaceful midday time. Anchor in 10–15 m on sand with a long line ashore.
Best for: Pre-lunch swim, calm-water break before the Aegina Port pressure. Pine-forested coast, good shelter from N winds.
After Skilomango, continue across to Aegina Port for the night.
Overnight · Aegina Port · 37°44’38.7″N · 23°25’38.8″E
Stern-to the Town Quay at Aegina
⚠ Approach hazard: NW–SE reef across the entrance with a red buoy at the SE end. Plot it carefully.
Max draft 2.4 m, max LOA 40 m. Aigina Marina is not for visiting yachts.
Arrive before 14:00 in season, or expect no slot.
Full Aegina Port details on the Aegina Port page.
Day 6 — Moni Bay → Return to Athens
A relaxed final day. Moni Bay is the last stop of the week — a fitting finale: protected wildlife park, peacocks and deer roaming the pine forest ashore, crystal-clear water for the final swim.
Final Day-Anchor · Moni Bay · 37°41’44″N · 23°26’14″E
Last Swim at Moni
Anchor: 8–10 m on sand on the north side. Drop NW for cleanest sand.
Ashore: Walk the pine forest, see the peacocks and deer.
⚠ Avoid Thursday — flotillas converging back to Athens.
Full Moni details on the Best Anchorages of Aegina page.
After Moni, the final passage back to Alimos Marina — back across the Traffic Separation Scheme (vigilance again), and into the charter base.
Route Variations
If Hydra is too crowded: Replace Day 3 with a longer hop to Spetses Island (Baltiza Old Harbour, the love-cave at Anargiri) or to Porto Cheli for all-around shelter.
For more cultural depth: Add a day for Nea & Palaia Epidavros — gateway to the ancient theatre. Slot it between Day 5 (Poros) and Day 6.
For the volcanic curious: Replace the Methana fly-by on Day 5 with an overnight at Methana — sulphur hot springs, dormant volcano hike.
Tighter 4-day version: Skip Ermioni and Hydra. Go Athens → Aegina/Perdika → Poros → Agistri → Athens. Less varied but easier on the crew.
Best Time to Sail · Wind Patterns
Best months: May–June and September–October. Spring and autumn give the best balance of stable weather, fewer charter crowds, and comfortable temperatures.
July–August: Hot, crowded, with higher Meltemi probability. Hydra and Aegina Port fill earlier; book ahead at marinas.
Meltemi character: The Saronic version is gentler than the Cyclades — the gulf is partially sheltered, waves are lower, and you generally get gentle 4–5 Bf sailing rather than the relentless 6–7 of the open Aegean. The exception is around Poros, where waves can build.
Heat haze: Common on the Athens-to-Aegina leg, reducing visibility. Eyeball navigation, use the chartplotter rigorously, watch for fishing markers and rocks.
Pro Tips for the Saronic Week
Time the Hydra arrival. Day 3 is the most pressured day of the route. Leave Ermioni at first light, breakfast at Dokos, arrive Hydra by 11:00. Otherwise it’s Mandraki Bay and a water-taxi.
Plan the Poros channel transit. Day 4 includes the 200 m channel. Check the ferry timetable; pass before or after a scheduled ferry; stay close to the Poros side. Eyeball the channel; don’t rely on visual identification of the southern entrance.
Check anchor gear before departure. The Saronic uses anchors heavily — most overnights are stern-to with anchor laid. The state of your charter boat’s anchor and chain is the single biggest factor in the week. Inspect before leaving Alimos.
Book Hydra and Aegina Port slots ahead. Both are notoriously crowded in season. Phone the marina or harbour-master before committing — even a few hours’ notice helps.
Eat at Perdika. Of all the route nights, Perdika has the most authentic Greek-village dinner experience. Don’t rush through it.
Don’t miss the temple at Aegina. If Day 1’s lunch stop is at Agia Marina, walk up to the Temple of Aphaia (1.7 km uphill) — one of the best-preserved Doric temples in Greece, contemporary with the Parthenon.
✅ Pre-Departure Safety Checklist
▢ Anchor and chain inspected at charter check-in
▢ Spare anchor available on the stern (essential for Hydra)
▢ Traffic Separation Scheme plotted on chartplotter
▢ Reefs from Agistri/Metopi marked (Aegina approach)
▢ Aegina Port reef & red buoy plotted (entrance hazard)
▢ Poros channel shallows plotted
▢ Forecast checked before each departure (especially before Hydra)
▢ Hydra arrival timed before noon
▢ ICC/RYA Day Skipper certificate to hand
▢ VHF on Ch. 16 / Ch. 12 throughout
Emergency & Service Numbers — Saronic
European Emergency: 112
Coastguard Distress (VHF Ch. 16): Universal
Coastguard Working (VHF Ch. 12): Per region
Aegina Fuel (mini-tanker): +30 22970 22708
Poros Fuel (mini-tanker): +30 6934 887 522
Methana Ferry Quay (VHF Ch. 02): Confirm before arrival
Olympia Radio (VHF Ch. 03/86): Greek HF/VHF maritime service
Watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot Video
A full visual walk-through of the 6-day Saronic route — drone passes over each anchorage and town, approach footage past the Poros lighthouse and through the channel, the breakfast stop at Dokos, Mandraki Bay as the Hydra alternative, and Moni Bay’s peacocks for the final morning. Free for members.
All Saronic Docking & Anchorage Pages
Each night-stop on this route has a dedicated SeaTV docking page with full mooring detail, coordinates, hazards, and shore information. Open whichever you need before that day’s leg:
Aegina Cluster
→ Best Anchorages of Aegina (incl. Agia Marina, Klima, Kipos, Perdika, Moni)
Region Hub & Other Greek Cruising Areas
Ready to book your Saronic week?
Open the docking page for Day 1 and start planning your Aegina arrival.
→ Aegina Anchorages · Hydra · Poros · Saronic overview
“Six days, six bays, and breakfast at Dokos. The Saronic is the perfect first week — short legs, varied scenery, and you’re back in Athens before the crew gets restless.”
— SeaTV Visual Pilot · Saronic & Eastern Peloponnese Edition
