Argo-Saronic Sailing Itineraries
Updated: September 2026Argo-Saronic sailing itineraries offer short distances, sheltered waters and an easy mix of islands and mainland stops, making them ideal for relaxed cruising.
Most charter boats are rented from Saturday afternoon to Friday evening / Saturday morning, so the itineraries below follow that schedule. Marina Alimos in Athens is the most common charter base for exploring the Argo-Saronic Gulf, and all suggested itineraries start and finish there.
This page presents a 1-week sailing itinerary covering the region’s main highlights and a 2-week sailing itinerary that explores almost the entire cruising area. Many alternative stops and route variations are possible, so be sure to consult the dedicated destination pages and the detailed daily descriptions below the maps.
All distance and passage-time calculations assume an average cruising speed of 6.5 knots. Distances have been rounded to the nearest nautical mile and passage times to the nearest five minutes.
1–Week Itinerary
- Total distance: 136 NM — Average daily distance: 19.4 NM
- Total sailing time: 21:00 — Average daily sailing time: 3:00
| DAY | ROUTE | DISTANCE (NM) | TIME (h:mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alimos (Athens) → Megalochori (Agistri) | 21 | 3:15 |
| 2 | Megalochori → Aponisos → Russian Dockyard (Poros) → Poros Town | 17 | 2:35 |
| 3 | Poros Town → Gali (Tselevinia) → Dokos | 18 | 2:45 |
| 4 | Dokos → Hinitsa → Spetses Town | 14 | 2:10 |
| 5 | Spetses Town → Agios Emilianos (Ermionida) → Molos (Hydra) | 14 | 2:10 |
| 6 | Molos → Klima (Aegina) → Aegina Town | 28 | 4:20 |
| 7 | Aegina Town → Moni → Alimos (Athens) | 24 | 3:40 |
- Day 1: Since most charters begin in the afternoon, head straight to Agistri. Spend the night in one of the island’s two villages, either Megalochori or Skala.
- Day 2: Sail towards Aponisos, Dragonera or one of the west Agistri coves and enjoy their turquoise waters. In westerly winds, Megali Bali on the island’s eastern shore is usually the better option. Continue towards Poros and stop for a swim at Russian Dockyard Bay. Spend the night in Poros Town. If no berths are available on the waterfront, anchor outside the harbour or at Megalo Neorio or Kiani Akti.
- Day 3: Continue south into the Argolic Gulf and stop for a swim at Tselevinia. The anchorage at Gali islet is the most popular choice, though the one at Skyli islet is equally suitable. Spend the night either at anchor in Dokos or docked in Ermioni.
- Day 4: Head west towards Hinitsa or the Porto Heli coves for a swim in their crystal-clear waters. Afterwards, continue to the magnificent town of Spetses.
- Day 5: Stop for a swim at Agios Emilianos, Metochi or Kounoupi before continuing east towards Hydra. Avoid trying to berth in Hydra’s often chaotic harbour and instead anchor in Molos or Mandraki. From there, visit Hydra Town by sea taxi.
- Day 6: Sail north towards Aegina. Stop at Klima for a swim, optionally continue to Aeginitissa for lunch, and spend the night in Aegina Town. Alternatively, explore the island’s east coast by swimming at Henrietta’s Cove and spending the night at Agia Marina. If you choose this option, keep in mind that Moni, suggested for the following day, lies on the opposite side of the island.
- Day 7: On your final day, visit Moni islet. Arrive early to secure a good anchoring spot, as it can become very crowded during the day. If time permits, stop for a swim at Nisida before returning to Alimos.
2–Week Itinerary
The following itinerary follows the most popular cruising route in the Argo-Saronic Gulf. If you do not mind slightly longer passages, consider extending your cruise into the western Argolic Gulf to visit Romvi Islet and Nafplio. You may also wish to include Sounio as either your first or last stop before returning to Athens.
- Total distance: 184 NM — Average daily distance: 13 NM
- Total sailing time: 28:20 — Average daily sailing time: 2:00
| DAY | ROUTE | DISTANCE (NM) | TIME (h:mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alimos (Athens) → Megalochori (Agistri) | 21 | 3:15 |
| 2 | Megalochori → West Coves → Aponisos → Skala | 8 | 1:15 |
| 3 | Skala → Russian Dockyard (Poros) → Poros Town | 14 | 2:10 |
| 4 | Poros Town → Gali (Tselevinia) → Dokos | 18 | 2:45 |
| 5 | Dokos → Hinitsa (Ermionida) → Porto Heli | 14 | 2:10 |
| 6 | Porto Heli → Porto Heli Coves → Spetses Town | 6 | 0:55 |
| 7 | Spetses Town → Agioi Anargyroi → Zogeria → Spetses Town | 14 | 2:10 |
| 8 | Spetses Town → Agios Emilianos (Ermionida) → Kounoupi → Ermioni | 12 | 1:50 |
| 9 | Ermioni → Agios Nikolaos (Hydra) → Molos | 15 | 2:20 |
| 10 | Molos → Karol’s Bay (Poros) | 17 | 2:35 |
| 11 | Karol’s Bay → Henrietta’s Cove (Aegina) → Agia Marina | 12 | 1:50 |
| 12 | Agia Marina → Klima → Moni | 9 | 1:25 |
| 13 | Moni → Metopi → Aegina Town | 5 | 0:45 |
| 14 | Aegina Town → Nisida → Alimos (Athens) | 19 | 2:55 |
- Day 1: Since most charters begin in the afternoon, head straight to Agistri. Spend the night in Megalochori.
- Day 2: Explore Agistri’s west coast by swimming in its beautiful coves. Continue to Aponisos and spend the night in Skala after sailing around the island. If westerly winds are blowing, Megali Bali on the eastern side of the island is a better option.
- Day 3: Sail towards Poros and stop for a swim at Russian Dockyard Bay. Spend the night in Poros Town. If no berths are available on the waterfront, anchor outside the harbour or stay at Megalo Neorio or Kiani Akti.
- Day 4: Continue south into the Argolic Gulf and stop for a swim at Tselevinia. The anchorage at Gali islet is the most popular choice, although the one at Skyli islet is equally suitable. Spend the night at anchor in Dokos.
- Day 5: Head west towards Ermionida and enjoy a swim at Hinitsa. Afterwards, continue to Porto Heli and spend the night there.
- Day 6: Explore the coves around Porto Heli before continuing to Spetses. Spend the night in Spetses Town and enjoy an evening walk through one of the most elegant towns in Greece.
- Day 7: Dedicate a full day to Spetses. Visit Agioi Anargyroi and Zogeria, two of the island’s most beautiful swimming spots, before returning to Spetses Town for a second night.
- Day 8: Leave Spetses and stop for a swim at Agios Emilianos (or Metochi) and Kounoupi. Continue north and spend the night in Ermioni.
- Day 9: Sail east towards Hydra and stop at Agios Nikolaos Bay or Mpisti for a swim. Continue to Molos or Mandraki and spend the night at anchor. From there, you can visit Hydra Town by sea taxi.
- Day 10: Continue north towards Poros and spend the day in the beautiful waters of Karol’s Bay or Vagionia. Spend the night on anchor.
- Day 11: Sail north to Aegina and stop for a swim at Henrietta’s Cove on the island’s east coast. Continue to Agia Marina and spend the night there. Don’t miss the nearby Temple of Aphaia.
- Day 12: Head towards Klima for a swim and then continue to Moni. Arrive early if possible, as the anchorage often becomes crowded during the day. Spend the night on anchor.
- Day 13: Leave Moni and stop at Metopi, a small uninhabited islet with crystal-clear waters. Continue to Aegina Town and spend the final evening of your cruise there.
- Day 14: On your way back to Athens, stop for a final swim at Nisida. Afterwards, return to Alimos and complete your cruise through the Argo-Saronic Gulf.