3 Islands Odyssey

Aegina is a popular weekend getaway island for Athenians because it is so close to the mainland.  On our traditional wooden sailing yachts, Aegina is a two hour excursion from Athens.  If you join the sailing tour in September, you are likely to join the celebrations at the annual Aegina Pistachio Festival.  Pistachio trees dominate the terrain and visitors always leave with a souvenir bag of red and green nuts.

Aegina’s premier ancient site is the 5th century BC  Temple of Aphaia located thirteen kilometers from the port at an elevation of 160 meters (525 feet).   Of the Temples 34 pillars, 24 remain standing, making it one of the best preserved temples in Greece.

Within thirty minutes sailing from Aegina are two more delightful islands.   Tiny Moni island is uninhabited by humans but when you swim ashore you can have a delightful close-up encounter with the deer and peacocks that live there along with other little critters.   Agistri island is only 14 square kilometers making it the smallest inhabited island in the Argo Saronic region.  Besides ten beaches, Agistri has many secluded coves where the yacht docks for guests to swim and snorkel.

i has many secluded coves where the yacht docks for guests to swim and snorkel.

CRUISE ITINERARY

• 08:00   Transfer from central Athens by vehicle to the yacht’s home port, Alimos Marina, 20 minutes drive.   see map on right
• Boarding upon arrival and mandatory safety lesson.
• 09:00  Departure.   Sailing to Agistri takes two hours.
• Sail to Agistri island to a secluded cove for one hour of uncrowded swimming and snorkeling.
• Sail to Moni island and swim ashore to be with the island’s deer and peacocks.
• At Moni, guests are served lunch, a buffet lunch of Greek fare on board the yacht and may eat either outdoors in the front or rear decks or inside in the salon
• Sail to Aegina.  The yacht docks for two hours during which there are organized activities for a leisure group and an active group.
• Leisure:  visit the Temple of Aphaia and then Cool Soap workshop where Marina shows you how organic olive oil soap is artisanally made.
• Active:   bike a loop to the Temple of Aphaia, 26 km round trip
• 16:00  Sail to Alimos Marina.
• 18:00  Arrive Alimos, vehicle transfer to central Athens

CRUISE INCLUSIONS

• Vehicle transfers from central Athens to/from Alimos Marina
• Yacht with four man crew + cruise director and hostesses
• Entry fees to Temple of Aphaia
• Vehicle transport to Temple of Aphaia (leisure group)
• Presentation and complimentary bar of soap at Cool Soap workshop (leisure group)
• Hybrid bicycles, helmets, water bottles (active group)
• Traditional Greek lunch aboard yacht
• Snorkeling gear, fishing gear
• 10 passenger rib for transfers to secluded coves

CRUISE NOTES

Bring towel, swim wear, a hat, sun glasses and sun screen  For bikers, wear appropriate shoes.

On the yacht rubber soled footwear only, or barefoot.

MAP OF AEGINA, AGISTRI, MONI ISLANDS

OUR YACHTS

We manage a fleet of traditional wooden sailing yachts for the EcoAthens sailing cruises.  The Apollo is owned and operated by us and is indicative of yachts in our fleet.  The Apollo is 25 meters long (82 feet) providing ample room for groups of up to thirty passengers.   The yacht has five double cabins and one master cabin, all with en suite WC available for guests for changing into swim wear and storing your day packs.  A specially made bike rack holds up to 24 bicycles.  See here for Specs Yacht Apollon.