Everything you ever needed to know about

Sailing Yacht Charter in Greece

Climate - wind and weather information

Winds
During the summer, the main winds are from the north. This is a regular annual phenomenon, giving the winds their names: Etesian (from Etos meaning year). More commonly they are known today by the Turkish name: Meltemi. The Meltemi begins in June, reaching full strength in August, before dying off in September. In strength it varies from Force 4 on the Beaufort scale to Force 7-8 (see table), and is less strong in the north than it is in the south Aegean. In the spring and autumn, the sirocco may blow from the south, sometimes even up to gale force or more. It often arrives with little warning and extreme care should be taken, especially around the Cycladic islands.

Beaufort scale - table of indications

Back to top

Thunderstorms
2002 was an exceptional year with more thunderstorms affecting the whole of Greece than there have been for a long time. Usually one expects one or two sudden thunderstorms during high summer, with perhaps a few more in Spring and Autumn. Thunderstorms (bourini) are usually accompanied by a squall but are over in one or two hours.

Back to top

Fog and visibility
Fog is very rare in Greece although it has been reported in the winter and spring, although there will sometimes be radiation fog, usually coastal, in northern parts of Greece, early in the morning. Dust particles in the air may affect visibility in the summer months for a distance of 2 miles or more but is not usually a problem.

Back to top

Humidity, Air and Sea temperature
Low. Winter: 50-75% Summer: 35-55%
Air temperature averages are as follows: March - 19, April - 20, May - 25, June -27, July - 29, August - 30, September - 28, October - 24 degrees Celsius.
Sea temperature varies. Winter - north: 10 degrees Celsius, south: 16 degrees Celsius, Summer - north: 23 degrees Celsius, south: 25 degrees Celsius.

Back to top

Swell and Currents
Winds can build up swell in Greece, although not as strong as in the Atlantic. Currents in Greece tend to follow an anti-clockwise direction, which tends to go north along the western coast of Asia Minor, before turning to flow west and then south west in the North Aegean. It also flows northwest in the Ionian along the Greek coast. However, due to the many islands and channels between them, currents can be diverted, so that in some places it flows in a completely opposite direction.

Back to top

Tides and Sea-levels
Greece is not greatly affected by tides, so sea-levels are usually more likely to be affected by wind pressure. When the barometric pressure is high, sea levels are likely to be low and vice versa. The spring tide in Greece varies from 10 cm to 0.8m. The greatest spring rise is in the Gulf of Volos and the Gulf of Evia. The only strong tidal stream lies in the narrow channel between the Greek mainland and the island of Evia at Khalkis (Halkida), which may reach 7 knots.

Back to top

Routes
Due to the close proximity of the islands and the numerous bays and harbours which offer shelter, it is not usually necessary to plan a route. Individual itineraries can be made at each location. For further information check out our suggested itineraries pages.

Back to top

Lights
The Greek mainland coast and islands are well covered with light houses and beacons. Consult your nautical charts or your Greek Waters Pilot (Rod Heikell published by Imray) for further details. See below.

The Greek Waters Pilot is an essential companion for anyone sailing Greece. Now the 8th edition (2000) has been completely revised and is printed in full colour. Click on the link to order your copy directly from Amazon.

Back to top