The Sporades Islands, scattered like emeralds across the northwest Aegean, are known for their lush pine forests, clear turquoise waters, and laid-back charm. Less crowded than other island groups, they offer a perfect blend of nature, tradition, and cinematic beauty, ideal for sailors seeking authentic Greek summer moments.
Day 1: Volos → Kottes (Trikeri Peninsula) (~22 NM)
Anchor at: Kottes Bay
Activities: Scenic Sailing | Taverna Dining | Trikeri Walks
Set sail from Volos and ease into your journey with a gentle cruise across the Pagasetic Gulf. Let pine-lined shores and calm waters guide you toward the peaceful Kottes Bay, tucked into the Trikeri Peninsula.
Drop anchor near Old Trikeri Island, where no cars interrupt the sound of the sea. Stroll along flowered paths, light a candle in the island’s monastery, and end the day with dinner at a quiet seafront taverna. Just you, the stars, and the sound of waves.
Day 2: Kottes → Glossa (Skopelos) (~18 NM)
Anchor at: Loutraki Harbor
Activities: Island Hopping | Sunset Hike | Mamma Mia Moments
Sail northeast and let Skopelos’ forested coastline unfold before you. As you approach Glossa, the hillside village comes into view like a painting. Balconies overhanging the sea, white walls glowing in the sun.
Anchor in Loutraki and hike up to Agios Ioannis Chapel, perched dramatically on a sea-splashed rock. If it feels familiar, you’re not wrong. This is the iconic wedding chapel from Mamma Mia!, and the view at sunset is nothing short of cinematic.
Day 3: Glossa → Skopelos Town (~10 NM)
Anchor at: Skopelos Harbor
Activities: Swimming | Exploring | Cheesepie Tasting
Cruise south along Skopelos’ lush western shore, stopping for a morning swim at Kastani Beach, another Mamma Mia! gem. The waters here are impossibly clear, framed by thick pine trees and smooth white sand.
In Skopelos Town, wander among bougainvillea-filled alleys, browse local shops, and don’t leave without tasting a warm, spiral-shaped Skopelitiki cheesepie. Flaky, golden, and made with island pride.
Day 4: Skopelos → Steni Vala (Alonissos) (~15 NM)
Anchor at: Steni Vala
Activities: Sailing | Monk Seal Center Visit | Harbor Dining
Make your way to Alonissos, a more serene and untouched side of the Sporades. Anchor in the calm marina of Steni Vala, where fishing boats bob beside family-run tavernas and time slows down.
Here, you can visit the Alonissos Marine Wildlife Rescue Center, one of the few places in Europe dedicated to saving Mediterranean monk seals, shy, beautiful creatures who sometimes visit nearby coves.
Day 5: Alonissos Marine Park (~12–15 NM loop)
Anchor at: Kyra Panagia or Peristera
Activities: Snorkeling | Monk Seal Spotting | Secluded Beaches
Sail into Greece’s largest protected marine area, the National Marine Park of Alonissos. Your day will be spent discovering hidden anchorages, diving into aquamarine waters, and snorkeling over ancient ruins and shipwrecks.
With a bit of luck, you might even glimpse a monk seal sunning itself on a remote rock. These are the moments that stay with you. The silence, the water, the feeling of being somewhere truly rare.
Day 6: Alonissos → Old Trikeri (~30 NM)
Anchor at: Old Trikeri Bay
Activities: Full-Day Sailing | Island Walks | Farewell Dinner
Begin the journey back westward with a full day of open-sea sailing, enjoying the rhythm of the waves and the wind as you pass remote islets.
Arrive again at Old Trikeri, now with the calm perspective of a seasoned sailor. Go ashore for a farewell dinner under the stars, where seafood is grilled fresh and served with a side of laughter.
Day 7: Old Trikeri → Volos (~12 NM)
Relax stop: Tzasteni Cove Return: Volos Marina Activities: Morning Swim | Smooth Sail | Last Espresso by the Sea
Your final stretch takes you back across the Pagasetic Gulf. Stop for one last dip in the postcard-perfect cove of Tzasteni, where whitewashed houses touch the sea and the water sparkles in the morning light.
Return to Volos with sun-kissed skin, sea stories, and that quiet joy only sailing can give.
Chart Your Sporades Story
From pine-clad islands to chapel-topped cliffs and hidden marine sanctuaries, the Sporades are a sailor’s secret worth discovering. Let your journey blend nature, culture, and cinematic beauty - all at your own pace.
Your Sporades story begins now. Are you ready to live it?
