Our video:
Day 1
Having arrived in Athens the previous evening, our family had time for a quick visit to the foot of the Acropolis and a refreshing dip in the rooftop pool at their hotel.
In the early afternoon, the crew takes possession of the Moorings 464 PC at the Piraeus base - the historic port of this ancient city. It’s time to take care of provisioning: the nearest supermarket is just a three-minute walk from the dock and even offers free delivery.
Afterwards, we take a stroll to discover the small, lively urban beaches. The day quickly flies by, especially with dozens of restaurants surrounding the base. Now it’s Ludovic’s turn to come aboard. Departure is scheduled for tomorrow, following the skipper briefing…
Day 2
We start the day with a briefing aboard the powercat at 9:30 am. The northeasterly wind is quite strong, so we decide to begin our cruise by heading southeast to remain sheltered by the coast. We leave the harbor at around 11 am for a two-hour passage to the very chic seaside resort of Vouliagmeni.
This is where we enjoy our first - and essential - Greek salad with feta and olives. During our stop, we are treated to the spectacle of windsurfers on foils flying across the water around us.
We set off again for a 20-mile passage before dropping anchor beneath the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. This ancient monument was built between 444 and 440 BC. A visit at sunset is a must!
Day 3
Today, our crew is growing! Noé and Rainou, who have spent a week on vacation in Corfu, landed in Athens very early this morning to join us on Sounion Beach. After sharing breakfast on board, we start the engines, raise the anchor and set off.
We head west-northwest towards Aegina. The 28-mile crossing of the Saronic Gulf takes place on a very calm sea with only a light breeze. We make an impromptu lunch stop near a completely unspoiled cove on the southeast of the island, before discovering the fishing harbor of Perdika, nestled in a charming village. The water is crystal clear, and the entire crew happily goes for a swim in this idyllic setting.
Day 4
Our destination today is the island of Poros, heading south. Along the way, we make an impromptu breakfast stop at Agistri in an idyllic setting. We secure our stern lines to the pine trees and everyone enjoys a swim in the clear water. It’s so pleasant that we decide to extend our stop and make the most of the kayak and paddleboard carried on the deck of our Moorings 464 PC.
We then discover Aponisos Beach, bordered by a beautiful pine forest and lapped by turquoise waters. At a small shaded restaurant, we sample some local specialties. At the end of the day, we reach the beautiful harbor of Poros, where a friendly local resident helps us moor and takes the opportunity to offer us a cold beer - her very simple restaurant happens to be just 5' (1.50 m) from our powercat. Sometimes things work out perfectly!
A harbor employee tells us the overnight mooring fee: just €13! In the evening, it’s difficult to resist the countless local restaurants lining almost the entire waterfront…
Day 5
After picking up a few provisions in the village of Poros, we set off at 11 am through the spectacular strait between the island and Galatas, heading south. After some trolling at reduced speed, we stop for lunch in a small sheltered cove. Swimming is delightful, and we make the most of the relaxed atmosphere to listen to music - our playlists follow one another throughout the day.
We decide on a second impromptu stop at Dokos, in a charming cove where we are surrounded by just three other boats. More swimming and plenty of laughter are once again on the agenda.
We set off again at around 5 pm, and the passage to Porto Heli is incredible. Throughout the crossing, we watch the sun gradually sink towards the horizon, before setting as if by magic just as we arrive in the harbor.
We are now stopping over in a very chic seaside resort, opposite the island of Spetses. This is the day when everyone really settles into life on board. Isaac, who has been having fun all day, even manages to sleep for more than an hour during the passage.
Day 6
Another action-packed day! We wake up in Porto Heli and decide to make the most of this small town of 2,000 inhabitants (off-season) to pick up a few provisions and have a coffee. A few vacationing sailors like us, as well as some locals, gather on the terrace of the “Petit Café” - you couldn’t make it up!
We leave the harbor at around 11 am, taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings to shoot a few photos and videos. After an hour’s cruising, we arrive at the port of Spetses. We discover a pleasant fishing harbor, significantly larger than the one at Porto Heli. Ashore, there are plenty of souvenir stores. This is clearly one of the region’s upscale seaside resorts: prices soar and yachts are everywhere.
At around 3 pm, we set off again, heading for the islands between Spetses and Hydra. The scenery is incredible. After a short stop in a pretty nearby cove, we head for Hydra as the sun begins to set. The moment is magical, and we all fall under the spell of this beautiful town. There is no room in the harbor, so we settle for the neighboring cove. There are even more water taxis here than in Porto Heli, and many boaters use them to spend the evening in Hydra rather than taking their own tender ashore.
Day 7
Already the last day of our cruise! Water taxis are everywhere around us, so we hail one to return to Hydra, which we had enjoyed so much the previous evening. On the island and in the town of the same name, there is plenty of activity, tourists and stores, but also donkeys, one of the symbols of the island!
Perched above the sea, the town is best explored by getting lost in its mysterious narrow streets. There is something of the Cyclades here, especially when looking at some of the all-white houses. We are enjoying ourselves so much that we lose track of time: at around 1 pm, we realize that we really should be getting back aboard.
We return to our 464 PC and begin heading north, with a swimming stop near Agia Marina along the way. Cruising at 12 knots allows us to make it back to the base on time. Once in port, we refuel before a full debriefing with the Moorings team, who proved professional and attentive throughout.
