Sailing in Greece: Meltemi, island groups and formalities
as of 07/10/2026 · 5 min read
In short: The Ionian and the Saronic Gulf are moderate in summer, while the Cyclades and Dodecanese lie in the Meltemi; the TEPAI for boats over 7 m and an up-to-date crew list are compulsory.
In Greece you sail between very different island groups: the Ionian and the Saronic Gulf are moderate in summer, while the Cyclades and Dodecanese lie right in the Meltemi, which in July and August often blows force 6 to 7 for days. Boats over 7 m pay the TEPAI, and an up-to-date crew list is always kept on board.
Which cruising areas are there in Greece?
Sailseer lists more than 200 harbours in Greece, from Corfu to Kastellorizo and Crete with Gavdos. The most popular areas differ above all in how hard the Meltemi hits them.
| Area | Summer wind | Harbours, for example |
|---|---|---|
| Ionian Sea (Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca) | afternoon Maestro from the northwest, usually moderate | Old Port Marina in Corfu, Cleopatra Marina near Preveza, Lefkas Marina |
| Saronic and Argolic Gulfs (Athens, Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Nafplio) | weakened Meltemi, short hops | Alimos Marina, Aegina, Poros |
| Cyclades (Syros, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos, Santorini) | full Meltemi, in high summer often force 6 to 7 for days | Olympic Marina near Lavrio, Parikia on Paros, Naxos Marina |
| Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos, Leros, Patmos, Symi) | strong Meltemi, mostly from the northwest | Kos Marina, Mandraki on Rhodes, Lakki on Leros |
| Sporades and Pagasetic Gulf (Volos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos) | Meltemi usually weaker than in the Cyclades | Marina Volou, Koukounaries on Skiathos |
For a first trip, the Ionian and the Saronic Gulf are a good choice: short distances, many sheltered bays and less wind. The Cyclades are better suited to experienced crews with reserve days, because the Meltemi can block passages to the north for days. Other areas include the Gulfs of Patras and Corinth, the Peloponnese, Chalkidiki, Thrace, the North Eastern Aegean with Samos, Chios and Lesbos, and Crete.
When does the Meltemi blow and how strong does it get?
The Meltemi blows from June to September, often from May, and is strongest in July and August. It then frequently blows force 6 to 7 for days on end, from the north, in the northern Aegean more from the northeast, in the Dodecanese from the northwest. It comes with clear skies, is strongest in the afternoon and often eases a little at night. Strong gusts fall in the lee of high islands, and between the islands the wind accelerates and kicks up a short, steep sea.
| Time | Conditions |
|---|---|
| May and June | warm, Meltemi usually still moderate, fewer people |
| July and August | Meltemi at its strongest, harbours full, the Ionian is calmer |
| September | Meltemi easing, the water at its warmest |
| October | lighter winds, first lows with thunderstorms possible |
For planning, this means:
- Put long legs in the early morning.
- Sail north when the Meltemi is weak if you can; heading south is often a broad reach.
- Choose berths sheltered from the north; open town harbours get swell in a Meltemi.
- Plan reserve days, especially before returning a charter boat.
More about the wind on the page Meltemi and in the guide Local winds of the Mediterranean.
Which formalities apply in Greece?
Coming from a Schengen country there are no border checks. The TEPAI for boats over 7 m and an up-to-date crew list on board are compulsory.
| Requirement | For whom | Note |
|---|---|---|
| TEPAI | pleasure boats over 7 m | per metre and month, paid online before arrival with the tax authority AADE (e-TEPAI); the receipt is checked |
| Crew list | every boat | with passport numbers and crew joining and leaving, always up to date |
| DEKPA | no longer required | not needed for EU-flagged yachts since April 2020 |
| Transit log | non-EU-flagged yachts | stamped by the port police |
| Insurance | every boat | third-party liability with the Greek minimum cover, confirmation in Greek or English on board |
On top of that you need a licence (ICC or a licence recognised under the law of your home country) and the SRC for the radio. If you are coming from Turkey, Albania or Montenegro, first call at a harbour with a border crossing, such as Corfu, Preveza, Patras, Piraeus, Syros, Samos, Chios, Lesbos, Kos, Rhodes or Heraklion, and go to the port police (Limeniko), passport control and customs.
In the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades there are zones where navigating or anchoring is prohibited; in Laganas Bay on Zakynthos a speed limit and an anchoring ban apply because of the turtles. Seagrass meadows (Posidonia) are protected, so anchor on sand. Emergency: 112 or 108 (coastguard), VHF channel 16. Everything at a glance on the country page Greece.
Which canals and bridges are there in Greece?
Three narrows have set times:
- The Corinth Canal operates around the clock except on Tuesdays from 06:00 to 18:00. You call in on VHF 11, yachts go through after commercial shipping, and the transit is subject to a fee. After landslides it was closed from November 2025 until 17 June 2026; check that it is operating before you set off.
- The Lefkada floating bridge opens on the hour according to a schedule that changes often; Lefkas Marina gives information on VHF 69.
- The Chalkida bridge over the Evripos opens once a night at slack water, currently only in the nights after Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The current there runs at up to 7 knots.
How does Sailseer help with sailing in Greece?
On the map you plan a route or a multi-day trip with reserve days, free and without an account. In the Aegean, from May to September, Sailseer names the Meltemi in its recommendation as soon as the models show it from northwest to northeast at 15 kn or more. On top of that come the official warnings from HNMS, the Greek weather service, via MeteoAlarm, filtered to your route, the HNMS high-seas forecast in English and the DWD's German-language marine forecast for the Mediterranean, plus measured wind from coastal airports (METAR). The times for Corinth, Lefkada and Chalkida appear in the passage details, and when crossing into Turkey the route reminds you to clear out.
Sailseer is a planning aid and not for navigation: official charts, the marine forecast and the HNMS warnings take precedence. Read on in the guides Planning a charter trip and Sailing in Turkey.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TEPAI and who has to pay it?
The TEPAI is a fee for pleasure boats over 7 m, charged per metre and month. You pay it online with the tax authority AADE (e-TEPAI) before arrival; the receipt belongs on board and is checked. On a charter boat, ask the charter company which receipts are on board.
When is the best time to sail in Greece?
May, June and September: warm, fewer people and usually less Meltemi than in high summer. The Meltemi is strongest in July and August; then the Ionian and the Saronic Gulf are the calmer choice.
How strong is the Meltemi?
In July and August often force 6 to 7 for days, strongest in the afternoon. Strong gusts fall in the lee of high islands, and between the islands there is a short, steep sea. That is why long legs are best sailed in the morning.
Which area of Greece is calmest in summer?
The Ionian Sea with Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia and Ithaca: there a moderate Maestro usually blows from the northwest in the afternoon. The Saronic Gulf also gets only a weakened Meltemi, while the Cyclades get the full force.
Do I still need a DEKPA in Greece?
Not for EU-flagged yachts; the DEKPA was dropped in April 2020. An up-to-date crew list with passport numbers must always be on board, though. Non-EU-flagged yachts need a transit log, stamped by the port police.
Can I sail from Greece to Turkey?
Yes, but the border is an external Schengen border. You clear out in a Greek harbour with a border crossing, such as Kos, Rhodes, Samos or Chios, and sail directly to a Turkish port of entry, where you get the transit log. More in the guide Sailing in Turkey.