I Sail in Greece

Introduction

Sailing in Greece means exploring one of the most complex and diverse maritime areas in the Mediterranean. Located between the Ionian Sea to the west and the Aegean Sea to the east, Greece has an extremely indented coastline, numerous peninsulas, gulfs, straits and thousands of islands, islets and rocks. Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Zakynthos, the Sporades, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, Crete and the Saronic Gulf islands all represent distinct sailing areas with their own characteristics.

Marine charts for Greece should therefore be selected according to the area being sailed, the intended route and the required scale. A general chart is useful for planning a passage or navigation between several island groups, while a coastal chart, approach chart or harbour plan becomes necessary for accurate navigation through channels, bays and harbour approaches.

The Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service, or HNHS, is Greece's official hydrographic service. Its catalogue includes charts covering the Ionian Sea, Aegean Sea, Crete, the Greek islands and numerous ports and anchorages. Official Greek electronic navigational charts are also distributed through international networks such as PRIMAR and IC-ENC.

Sailing in the Ionian Sea

The Ionian Sea forms the western gateway to Greece. It extends between the western coast of mainland Greece and the Ionian Islands, including Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

Corfu is one of the main starting points for cruising in the northern Ionian Sea. The ports of Corfu, Gouvia, Kassiopi, Lakka and Gaios provide access to a variety of routes around Corfu and the Paxos Islands. Passages between the islands and the Albanian coast require sufficiently detailed charting to identify depths, hazards and navigation areas.

Further south, Lefkada is another important sailing base. The island is connected to the mainland by a channel and provides access to Meganisi, Kalamos, Kastos, Ithaca and Kefalonia. The numerous anchorages and channels in this area make an appropriate coastal chart particularly useful.

Imray's G series includes coverage of the northern and southern Ionian Islands. G11 covers the area from Corfu to Lefkada, while G12 covers Lefkada to Zakynthos. These charts combine coastal coverage with detailed plans of several ports and anchorages.

The Ambracian Gulf and Gulf of Patras

The Ambracian Gulf is a large semi-enclosed body of water. Its entrance is relatively narrow, and navigation has characteristics that differ from those of the open Ionian Sea.

Further south, the Gulf of Patras forms an important passage between the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Corinth. Patras is one of the region's major commercial ports and is also an important waypoint for sailors continuing towards the Corinth Canal or the Peloponnese.

The Gulf of Corinth then forms a long stretch of water between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. Sailors can reach Itea, Galaxidi and the Gulf of Krissa, or continue towards the Corinth Canal and the Saronic Gulf.

For these areas, passage and coastal charts should be supplemented, where necessary, with approach charts and harbour plans.

Athens and the Saronic Gulf

Athens is one of Greece's major nautical centres. The ports of Piraeus and Flisvos, together with numerous marinas in Attica, provide access to the Saronic Gulf.

The gulf includes Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and Salamis. The ports and anchorages of these islands are heavily used by recreational vessels, while the density of traffic around Athens and Piraeus makes careful chart preparation particularly important.

The Corinth Canal also provides a connection between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf. Its use should be prepared using documentation appropriate to the specific conditions of the passage.

Imray offers, among others, chart G14 covering the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs, as well as G141 covering the Saronic Gulf and the area between the Corinth Canal, Cape Sounion and Poros.

The Cyclades and the Aegean Sea

The Aegean Sea is probably the most iconic Greek sailing area in the Mediterranean. It includes the Cyclades, Sporades, Dodecanese, the northeastern Aegean islands and numerous passages between the islands and the Turkish coast.

The Cyclades include well-known islands such as Mykonos, Tinos, Syros, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Milos, Sifnos, Serifos, Amorgos and Santorini. Sailing conditions vary considerably depending on the chosen route and weather.

Marine charts make it possible to identify passages between islands, shoals, isolated rocks, harbour approaches and anchorage areas. In the Cyclades, charting at several scales is particularly useful: a general chart for planning the overall route, a coastal chart for navigation between islands and a detailed plan for harbour approaches.

Imray covers the Cyclades with several charts from the G series, including G31 for the Northern Cyclades and G33 and G34 for the Southern Cyclades. The catalogue also includes charts covering the eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese.

The Sporades and northern Aegean Sea

The northern Aegean includes the Sporades, particularly Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos and Skyros. The area also includes the island of Euboea, the Euboean channels and the gulfs between the mainland and the islands.

Volos is an important port in northern Greece and a gateway to the Sporades. Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonnisos are major cruising destinations.

Navigation between the islands requires accurate charting of the passages, particularly where routes enter narrow straits. HNHS produces charts covering these areas as well as harbour and approach plans.

In the northeastern Aegean, the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Limnos and Ikaria present a different geographical configuration. The proximity of the Turkish coast also requires appropriate preparation when a route takes place on both sides of the maritime boundary.

The Dodecanese and sailing towards Turkey

The Dodecanese extends across the southeastern Aegean, immediately adjacent to the Turkish coast. Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, Symi, Karpathos and Kastellorizo are among the main islands in this region.

Rhodes is a major sailing centre and a starting point for cruises through the Dodecanese. Kos also provides access to Kalymnos, Leros and Patmos, while Symi lies close to the Turkish coast.

Navigation in this area requires good knowledge of the islands, passages and harbour approaches. Imray charts G32, G35 and G39 cover different parts of the Dodecanese, while HNHS provides official charts for areas including Kos, Rhodes, Kalymnos and neighbouring waters.

Charting should also allow sailors to prepare for international passages between Greece and Turkey.

Crete and the Cretan Sea

Crete is the largest Greek island and forms a natural barrier between the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. Its coastline features numerous headlands, bays, ports and areas of rugged terrain.

The main ports and nautical centres include Chania, Souda, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia. Souda Bay is a particularly large natural harbour and an important area for navigation and port activity.

The southern coast of Crete has a succession of smaller bays and anchorages, although the degree of shelter available can vary considerably depending on weather conditions.

Imray offers two main charts for Crete: G37 for the western part and G38 for the eastern part. They include harbour and bay plans such as Chania, Souda, Rethymno, Heraklion, Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia.

Which marine chart publishers should be used for sailing in Greece?

Several hydrographic services and chart publishers provide coverage of Greek waters.

• HNHS – Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service: Greece's official hydrographic service, producing general, coastal, approach and harbour charts.

• Admiralty – United Kingdom Hydrographic Office: international coverage of the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and eastern Mediterranean.

• Imray: extensive charting for recreational sailing in Greece, with G series charts covering the Ionian Islands, Peloponnese, Cyclades, Dodecanese and Crete.

• NV Charts: nautical atlases for Greece, including coverage of the Ionian Islands and Peloponnese as well as the Cyclades, Crete and Athens.

• SHOM: selected general Mediterranean charts can complement broader sailing documentation.

• PRIMAR and IC-ENC: networks through which official ENC data, including Greek hydrographic data, is distributed.

Available coverage varies according to the area. For local navigation in Greek waters, official HNHS charts are particularly important. For recreational cruising, Imray charts and NV Charts atlases are also useful tools for route planning.

Paper charts and electronic charting in Greece

Navigation in Greece can combine paper charts with electronic charting. Official ENCs are standardised electronic charts intended in particular for ECDIS systems. They provide digital chart information and can be used with compatible navigation equipment.

Electronic charting offers the advantage of displaying the vessel's position dynamically, planning a route, monitoring navigation and changing scale quickly.

Paper charts nevertheless retain an important role in route planning and redundancy. They allow a wide area to be viewed simultaneously and provide a navigation reference independent of electronic equipment.

In the Greek archipelagos, this combination is particularly useful: a general chart provides an overview of the entire area, while a coastal chart or detailed plan can be used when approaching an island or harbour.

Which scale should be chosen for sailing in Greece?

The appropriate scale depends directly on the type of navigation.

A general or passage chart is suitable for planning a long route between different regions of Greece. A coastal chart is better suited to navigation between islands. An approach chart or harbour plan is required when greater positional detail becomes important.

Greek charting is therefore available at many different scales. HNHS, for example, provides Aegean Sea charts at 1:500,000, regional charts at 1:150,000 or 1:250,000, as well as harbour charts at much larger scales.

Imray follows a similar approach: G11 is at 1:185,000, G12 at 1:190,000 and G13 and G14 at approximately 1:220,000 and 1:190,000 respectively. Some charts also include much larger-scale plans for harbours and anchorages.

It is therefore preferable to select several levels of charting rather than looking for a single chart covering the whole of Greece.

Main ports and sailing areas in Greece

For navigation planning, the main areas can be grouped as follows:

• Ionian Sea: Corfu, Gouvia, Paxos, Lefkada, Preveza, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos.

• Gulf of Patras and Gulf of Corinth: Patras, Nafpaktos, Galaxidi, Itea, Corinth Canal.

• Saronic Gulf: Athens, Piraeus, Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses.

• Sporades: Volos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos, Skyros.

• Cyclades: Mykonos, Tinos, Syros, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Milos, Sifnos, Serifos, Amorgos, Santorini.

• Northeastern Aegean: Limnos, Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria.

• Dodecanese: Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, Symi, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kastellorizo.

• Crete: Chania, Souda, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia.

This geographical diversity explains why Greek charting is organised by geographical area and scale.

Planning a cruise in Greece

Effective chart planning begins with defining the overall route. A cruise between Corfu and Zakynthos does not require exactly the same chart coverage as a voyage between Athens, the Cyclades and Crete.

The next step is to select charts covering the entire route and identify the larger-scale charts required for particular ports, passages and anchorages.

Planning should also include information concerning buoyage, lights, depths, hazards, regulated areas, anchorages and weather conditions.

In Greece, wind is a particularly important factor when planning a passage. In the Aegean, the Meltemi is a seasonal wind that can significantly affect sailing conditions. A route planned through the Cyclades should therefore be adaptable according to the conditions encountered.

Charting is therefore not simply used to follow a predetermined route. It also allows sailors to study alternatives, identify available shelter and modify the itinerary according to the weather and sea conditions.

Conclusion

Sailing in Greece requires charting adapted to the considerable diversity of Greek waters. From the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea, from the Gulf of Corinth to the Cyclades, and from the Dodecanese to Crete, each region has its own geographical and nautical characteristics.

The Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service provides official Greek charting, while Admiralty, Imray, NV Charts and SHOM complement the available documentation according to the type of navigation. Greek ENCs distributed through PRIMAR and IC-ENC networks also provide access to official electronic charting.

A thorough preparation combines general charts, coastal charts, approach charts and harbour plans. For a cruise in Greece, this approach provides an overall view of the route while maintaining sufficient detail when sailing between islands, through channels and during harbour approaches.

FAQ – Sailing in Greece

Which sea borders Greece?

Greece is bordered mainly by the Ionian Sea to the west and the Aegean Sea to the east. Both are part of the Mediterranean and have different sailing characteristics.

What is the best marine chart for sailing in Greece?

There is no single chart suitable for every type of Greek sailing. The choice depends on the area, route and required scale. Official HNHS charts cover Greek waters, while Imray, Admiralty and NV Charts also provide extensive coverage of Greece.

Who produces the official marine charts of Greece?

The Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service, or HNHS, is Greece's official hydrographic service. It produces general, coastal, approach and harbour charts as well as official ENCs.

Which charts should be used for sailing in the Cyclades?

Navigation in the Cyclades requires chart coverage appropriate to the different island groups. Imray charts G31, G33 and G34 cover the northern and southern Cyclades. Official HNHS charts also cover the various areas of the Aegean Sea.

Which charts should be used for sailing in the Ionian Islands?

Imray charts G11 and G12 cover the northern and southern Ionian Islands respectively. They provide coverage for navigation around Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

Which charts should be used for sailing in Crete?

Imray provides, among others, G37 for western Crete and G38 for eastern Crete. These charts cover the main sailing areas and include plans of several ports and bays.

Can Admiralty charts be used in Greece?

Yes. Admiralty provides international coverage of the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and eastern Mediterranean. These charts can be used for international sailing and routes linking several Mediterranean countries.

Does NV Charts cover Greece?

Yes. NV Charts publishes atlases dedicated to Greece. The coverage includes the Ionian Islands and Peloponnese, as well as the Cyclades, Crete and Athens.

Are official electronic charts available for Greece?

Yes. HNHS produces official Greek ENCs. Their international distribution is carried out through RENC networks including PRIMAR and IC-ENC.

Which scale should be chosen for a Greek marine chart?

The scale depends on the intended use. A general chart is suitable for planning a passage or a large-scale route. A coastal chart is more appropriate for navigation between islands, while an approach chart or harbour plan provides the detail required for entering a port or navigating through a narrow area.

Is a paper chart required for sailing in Greece?

Paper charts remain useful for route planning, maintaining an overall view of the sailing area and providing a navigation reference independent of electronic equipment. They can be used alongside electronic charting and official ENCs.

Why is charting particularly important in Greece?

Greece has an extremely indented coastline and an exceptional number of islands, islets, channels, headlands and anchorages. Navigation between the Cyclades, Sporades, Dodecanese or Ionian Islands may therefore require several chart scales to properly identify passages, hazards, depths and harbour approaches.