Greece

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Greece Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around the Greece and the Greek islands in the Mediterranean.

Greece
Greecemap.gif
Map - click for larger view
Greeceflag.gif
Flag
Capital: Athens
World icon.png 38°0′N, 23°43′E
Language: Greek
Currency: Euro € (EUR)
Timezone: UTC+2 (DST observed)

EEST (UTC + 3 summer)

More notes about the country
Small info.png Latest News
November 2013 --Legislation has now been passed to impose a new cruising tax on all vessels sailing in Greek waters from 1 January 2014. Proposed rates are as follows: 7m - 8m: €200; 8m – 10m: €300; 10m – 12m: €400; Over 12m: €100/metre. It remains to be seen what effect this will have on the cruising economy in Greece. --Athene of Lymington 14:01, 16 November 2013 (GMT)

The Greek Islands is one of the most popular cruising and sailing regions in the world - a yachting and general boating paradise.

The background and history of Greece is best observed on Wikipedia.

Cruising the region

See also Ionian Sea and Aegean Sea.

Greece Climate & Weather

The summer weather in Greece is dominated by the meltemi which comes from the NE in the north and west Aegean and from the NW in the south and east. Usually it is a light breeze of force 4-5 in the early morning hours but as the day progresses it strengthens to 5-6 by the afternoon and subsides by sunset. However from middle June to mid Septembers you can count for the meltemi to become a gale of force 7-8 and occasionally 9. These gales usually last 3-4 days.

From October to mid May the probability is equal for either northerly or southerly winds. Winds of force 10 are not uncommon in the winter months. Violent thunderstorms are also probable by late October to early May. The southern winter winds are particularly treacherous and unpredictable.

  • Athens Observatory gives 3 day (every 6 hrs) detailed graphical forecasts for the Greek seas.
  • Poseidon System gives 5 day forecasts (every 3 hrs for 2 days, thereafter every 6 hrs) for Greek seas from the National Center for Marine Research.
  • Weather on Line provides detailed 7 day forecast charts for the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Atlantic.
  • Greek Meteorological Service (EMY) it includes the Navtex weather bulletins.
  • Wind Guru a surfer's site with worldwide wind forecasts.
  • Passage Weather - Eastern Med

Greece Navigation Charts

BA
180 Aegean Sea
189 Nísos Sapiénza to Nisos Paxoí
Imray-Tetra
G1 Mainland Greece and Peloponnisos
G2 Aegean Sea (North Part)
G11 North Ionian Islands
G16 Peloponnisos West Part
Greek
2 Ionio Pelagos
4 Aigaio Sea -Southern part
47 Aigaio Sea - Northern Part
Eagle Ray
N. D. Elias's Chart Book/cruising guide

Greek Navy charts are of high quality and cost a fraction of the cost of British Admiralty Charts. They can be found in most nautical stores in Greece.

Approaches and Navigation

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

  • Greek Coast Guard - VHF 12
  • Olympia Radio. This is the Greek VHF network. Local channels are listed in each individual port.
  • Cellular Phone(GSM). Despite the mountains and the numerous islands Greece has very good GSM coverage. Cosmote have the widest coverage, followed by Vodafone, then Wind. Only populous places have 3G.
    • In 2012 the process for obtaining a cellular telephone contract was tightened significantly. It is now necessary to have a Greek address and Tax ID number in order to obtain a contract (subscription) SIM. If staying in a marina, they can give you a letter establishing your residence at that marina. Obtaining a tax ID number at the local Tax office is relatively easy once in possession of the residency letter and your passport. GSM devices are now available that generate a wifi signal in your boat that can service multiple users. Reception is quite reliable and cost effective.
    • Foreigners can easily obtain Greek prepaid SIMs, which must be registered at an operator's shop. This requires a passport. There is no requirement to have a local address.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Arrival/Departure procedures

Arrival and departure procedures are changing in 2014. All yachts arriving from outside the EU, regardless of flag, may enter at any port with a port police office BUT are required to notify the port police in advance of their arrival (usually on VHF channel 12). Skippers are then required on arrival to present their documents (see below) and to complete a newly introduced form, the Pleasure Boat Document (PBD), and to carry it with them at all times (see File:Greek Pleasure Boat Document.pdf). The PBD must be surrendered to the nearest port police office on leaving Greek waters. At present, a PBD does not appear to be required if arriving from another EU country, but this may be open to local interpretation. In addition, all arriving yachts need to pay the necessary cruising taxes and, if coming from outside the EU, clear customs and immigration (see below).

A good quality Greek courtesy flag must be flown on entering Greek waters and, if arriving from outside the EU, a "Q" flag.

Greece Immigration & Customs

Customs

All yachts arriving from outside the EU will need to clear customs and immigration. Skippers must complete a customs declaration and any firearms and ammunitions MUST be declared on arrival.

PETS: Cats and dogs require health and rabies inoculation certificates issued in the country of origin, not more than 12 months previously for dogs, six months for cats, and not less than six days before arrival. Greece accepts pets covered by the PETS Scheme (Pet Travel Scheme) with a current "Pet Passport".

Foreign registered yachts can buy fuel at duty-free prices. This must be arranged through Customs. Stations that sell fuel for foreign registered yachts are marked by blue and yellow diagonal stripes.

Immigration

A visa is not required for a visit of up to three months for citizens of the EU, Andorra, Antigua, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, St Kitts and Nevis, South Korea, San Marino, Switzerland, Taiwan, the USA and Zimbabwe. For longer stays a visa must be applied for well in advance of the 3 month expiry date.

Visas are not required for citizens of Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay for a maximum stay of up to two months, Hong Kong and Peru up to one month and Singapore up to two weeks.

Visas must be issued in advance for all other nationalities and are valid for up to three months, depending on nationality. Visa extensions can be obtained from the nearest police station or the Greece Aliens Department in Athens.

For Non-EU passport holders - See the Schengen Visa Website for up-to-date information on this option.

Note: Entry may be refused if there are Turkish Cyprus stamps in your passport.

Special Cruising Requirements/Documentation

Greece

(Also see Med Cruising Requirements) - (Please edit/update below as/when necessary)

  • Individual passports of all crew members are inspected on entry into Greece aboard a yacht, as is the case on departure with the same yacht. If leaving or arriving by other means (e.g. by air or ferry), documents will be inspected by Immigration at the point of arrival/exit and any visa (if required) date stamped.
  • All non-EU yachts must clear in with the port police, Customs, Health, Immigration and Currency Control on arrival. The ship's papers - including detailed crew list - will be inspected by the port police and cruising tax levied as detailed below.
  • EU-registered yachts need only report to the port police office at their first port of call with their documents and pay the cruising tax as detailed below. Proof of VAT payment may be required but in practice is rarely asked for.
  • Yachts must carry their original registration documents and ship's radio station licence - one member of the crew must be in possession of a certificate to operate the radio/VHF
  • The original insurance certificate and a Greek translation showing Third Party insurance with the amounts in figures need to be produced. These minimum amounts are:
    • 293,470 EURO liability for death or injury by sinking, collision or other cause for crew and third parties,
    • 146,753 EURO for damage,
    • 88,041 EURO for pollution.
  • The skipper should have an International Certificate of Competence (although in practice this is rarely requested)
  • For non-EU citizens, nights should be spent on board (not in hotels ashore, etc) - if not, the Harbour Master and the Immigration officer should be notified
  • Fishing is only allowed with a snorkel in certain areas. Fishing with scuba gear is prohibited
  • To protect archaeological sites, scuba diving is restricted - permission should be sought locally
  • The registered yacht owner/skipper should be on board. If handing the boat's command to someone else, ensure that the proper documentation is obtained from the Port Police
  • Chartering by foreign yachts is now allowed, but the vessel must be inspected and certificated according to Greek law, a process that involves a huge amount of red tape

Fees and Charges

All Boats:

  • From 1 January 2014 all boats entering Greek waters are subject to a new cruising tax, irrespective of how long they stay. The tax is levied as follows: Overall length 7m - 8m: €200; 8m – 10m: €300; 10m – 12m: €400; Over 12m: €100/metre. There is a 30 per cent reduction for yachts permanently kept in Greece. For yachts over 12m, it is also possible to pay the tax on a monthly basis at a rate of €10 per metre. It appears that this new tax will replace all other current taxes, including the Dekpa and theTransit Log, but until it is fully in force this is not absolutely certain. Athene of Lymington

Dekpa

  • Greek and EU-registered yachts were formerly required to obtain a Dekpa at their first port of call at a cost of 30 EURO. This was to be presented for stamping on arrival at and departure from each subsequent port of call until there was no more space for stamps. In practice, it was only required to be presented once a month for stamping. It appears that the issuing and stamping of the Dekpa will cease in 2014 with the introduction of the new cruising tax. It may, however, take some time before all port police offices catch up with the changes (in Greece, old habits die hard).

Transit Log:

  • For non-EU registered boats staying longer than 90 days, there was formerly a charge of 14.67 EURO per metre for the issue of a formalTransit Log. This charge was levied at the end of each 90 day period, and usually was not levied if the yacht left Greece within 90 days. Again, this is likely to be superseded by the new cruising tax (and, again, some port police offices may take a while to catch up with the changes).

Other charges:

  • All public harbours charge a mooring or anchoring fee based on the tonnage and length of the yacht that is usually around €8 for an 11.0 metre yacht, payable to the port police. Boats from EU countries pay lower fees than those from non-EU countries, while Greek flagged boats pay even less. A debate is currently taking place in the Greek marine ministry as to whether the new cruising tax should replace these local payments entirely – Athene of Lymington.
  • If a boat is stored ashore a 'lift permission' is required, and a 'launch permission' to launch it. These are obtainable from the Port Police and cost a few euros - and some tax. Good boatyards will obtain these for you.

Health and Security

Prefer bottled water when not in big cities.

Greece Ports & Popular Stops

Also see:


TopWiki.png = Featured Cruising Guides, Poe.jpg = Port of Entry, Island icon.png = Island, Marina icon.png = Marina, Harbour icon.png = Harbor, Anchor Icon.png = Anchorage, Question icon.png = Needs data.

Epirus & Western Greece Gulfs of Corinth & Patras West Peloponnese South Peloponnese East Peloponnese
(Gulf of Argolis)
Amfilochia Question icon.png
Ambrakikos Gulf Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Ammoudia Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Igoumenitsa Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Question icon.png
Mourtos &
Sivota Islands
Island icon.png Marina icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Oxia Island icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Palairos Harbour icon.png
Parga Anchor Icon.png
Platarias Harbour icon.png
Preveza Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Marina icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Vonitsa Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Alkonides Anchor Icon.png
Anemokámbi Anchor Icon.png
Araxos Anchor Icon.png
Ayioi Saranda Anchor Icon.png
Corinth Harbour icon.png
Corinth Canal TopWiki.png
Galaxidhi Harbour icon.png
Itea Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png
Korinthiakos Kolpos
Loutráki Anchor Icon.png
Messolonghi Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png
Nafpaktos Harbour icon.png
Patras Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Question icon.png
Patraikos Kolpos TopWiki.png
Trizónia Island icon.png Marina icon.png TopWiki.png
Katakolo Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png TopWiki.png
Pylos Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png TopWiki.png
Diros Anchor Icon.png
Elafonisos Island icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kalamata Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png
Koroni Anchor Icon.png
Limeni Anchor Icon.png
Methoni Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Mezapo Anchor Icon.png
Neapolis Harbour icon.png
Petalidhi Anchor Icon.png
Porto Kayo Anchor Icon.png
Sapienza Island icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Yerolimenas Anchor Icon.png
Yíthio Harbour icon.png
Astros Harbour icon.png
Dokos Island icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Epidhavros Harbour icon.png
Ermioni Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png TopWiki.png
Hydra Island icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png TopWiki.png
Leonidio Harbour icon.png
Kyparisi or
   Kyparissia
Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Leonidio Harbour icon.png
Monemvasía Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Nafplio Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png
Porto Heli Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png TopWiki.png
Spetses Poe.jpg Island icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png TopWiki.png
Yerakas Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png TopWiki.png
Saronikos Gulf Gulf of Evia TopWiki.png Pagasitikos Gulf TopWiki.png Thermaikos &
Halkidiki Peninsulas
Thrace
Aegina Island icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Angistri Island icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png TopWiki.png
Attika Coast Poe.jpg Marina icon.png TopWiki.png
(Coast of Athens)
Poros Island icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png TopWiki.png
Salamis Island icon.png Question icon.png
West Saronikos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png TopWiki.png
Atalantis; Ormos Island icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Halkis Harbour icon.png
Karistos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kastri Anchor Icon.png
Lavrio Harbor Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png
Olympic Marine Marina icon.png
Voufalo Anchor Icon.png
Alatas Anchor Icon.png
Amalioupolis Anchor Icon.png
Andriami Bay Anchor Icon.png
Avra Anchor Icon.png
Ayia Kiriaki Anchor Icon.png
Cape Artemision Anchor Icon.png
Glyfa Anchor Icon.png
Milina Anchor Icon.png
Orei Harbour icon.png
Paleo Trikeri Island icon.png Harbour icon.png
Petraki Anchor Icon.png
Pigadhi Anchor Icon.png
Port Trikeri Anchor Icon.png
Soupis Bay Anchor Icon.png
Vathikelo Anchor Icon.png
Vathudi Bay Anchor Icon.png
Volos Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png
Ammouliani and Mt. Athos Island icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Diaporos Anchor Icon.png
Porto Carras Marina Marina icon.png
Porto Koufo Harbour icon.png
Sikias Anchor Icon.png
Thessaloniki Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Marina icon.png
Alexandroupolis Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png
Kavala Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Question icon.png
Maronia Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Porto Lago Harbour icon.png

Offshore Islands of Greece

Ionian TopWiki.png North Aegean TopWiki.png East Aegean TopWiki.png Sporades TopWiki.png
Anticythera Question icon.png
Atokos Anchor Icon.png
Corfu Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Cythera Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Ithaca Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kalamos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kastos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kefalonia Poe.jpg Anchor Icon.png
Lefkas Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Meganisi Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Paxos Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Zakinthos (Zante) Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Thasos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Samothrace Harbour icon.png
Ayios Efstratios Harbour icon.png
Chios Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Fourni Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Ikaria Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Lesvos Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Limnos Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Oinousses Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Psara Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Samos Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Alonisos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Pelagos or Kyra Panayia Anchor Icon.png
Skantzoura Anchor Icon.png
Skiathos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Skopelos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Skyros Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Cyclades (A-K) TopWiki.png Cyclades (M-Z) TopWiki.png Dodecanese (A-K) TopWiki.png Dodecanese (M-Z) TopWiki.png
Amorgos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Anafi Harbour icon.png Question icon.png
Andros Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Donousa Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Folegandros Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Ios Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Iraklia Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kea Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kimolos Anchor Icon.png
Koufonisia Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kythnos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Milos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Mykonos Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Naxos Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Paros Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Rhinia Anchor Icon.png
Santorini (Thera) Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Schinousa Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Serifos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Sifnos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Sikinos Harbour icon.png
Syros Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Tinos Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Agathonisi Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Alimniá Anchor Icon.png
Arki and Marathi Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Astypalea Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Chálki Harbour icon.png
Kalymnos Poe.jpg Anchor Icon.png
Karpathos Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kasos Harbour icon.png
Kastelorizo Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Kos Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Leros Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Levitha & Kinaros Anchor Icon.png
Lipsi Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Niseros & Yiali Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Patmos Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Pharmakonisi Anchor Icon.png
Pserimos Anchor Icon.png
Rhodes Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Sými Poe.jpg Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Syrna Anchor Icon.png
Tilos Marina icon.png Anchor Icon.png
Crete TopWiki.png      
Crete Poe.jpg Marina icon.png Harbour icon.png Anchor Icon.png (X 18)

TopWiki.png = Featured Cruising Guides, Poe.jpg = Port of Entry, Island icon.png = Island, Marina icon.png = Marina, Harbour icon.png = Harbor, Anchor Icon.png = Anchorage, Question icon.png = Needs data.

Transportation

See individual ports and islands in this page.

Routes/Passages To/From

Cruiser's Friends

  • Travels with S/Y Thetis Vasilis Riginos has been cruising Greek and Turkish waters for over 25 years, as well as having crossed the Atlantic. He lives for 6-7 months of the year in Greece and is willing to help any fellow cruisers. Email: vasilis[AT]sy-thetis.org

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Personal Notes

Personal experience?

References & Publications

References & Publications


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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page [add 3 tildes (~~~) on the name line]

Names: Istioploos, Lighthouse, Atheneoflymington, Monterey, Maelms



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