Experience a voyage of discovery with Sunsail

by Sarah Heron 17 Sep 09:00 BST

When you book a sailing holiday, the view changes every day. Exploring an area by yacht changes your perspective, gives you freedom to explore, flexibility to choose your route and a sense of discovery, as you find peaceful anchorages, discover small tavernas in tiny harbours or just paddleboard and snorkel directly from your yacht. The holiday suddenly becomes so much more than just the destination, with views and moments you can only experience on the water.

Greece and Croatia, two of Sunsail's many destinations, boast some of the world's most beautiful sailing spots and Sunsail's insider knowledge ensures you experience the best these beautiful waters have to offer.

Sunsail, the sailing holiday pros

With over 50 years of sailing experience, Sunsail are the sailing holiday pros with an award-winning fleet of well-maintained, modern boats. Whether you're looking for the independent adventure of bareboat charter or the peace of mind of a flotilla, their dedicated holiday planners can help you choose the right destination, yacht and sailing style, offering pre-holiday planning and support throughout the week meaning you'll experience multiple destinations in one unforgettable holiday.

Go your own way

For experienced sailors, bareboat charter means your week's itinerary is totally up to you. However, while you're sailing solo, you certainly aren't alone. Sunsail's dedicated team are on hand from the moment of booking, with suggestions for every step of your week aboard from route planning to technical support - their 4-hour commitment means should any essential equipment break they will be with you within 4 hours.

Join a flotilla

Sunsail were the pioneers of flotilla holidays. Flotillas are an ideal way to develop your sailing skills, and whether you're new to sailing or an old hand, you get the best of both worlds, sailing independently during the day safe in the knowledge the Sunsail lead crew are there to help. Each of the well-trained and experienced crew has a skipper, technician and host, there to help with mooring, finding the best anchorages, catching your lines and pre-booking the best tavernas.

Explore the Mediterranean

Sailing the Med is where Sunsail's expertise comes into its own with bases in Lefkas, Athens, and Corfu in Greece, and Dubrovnik and Agana in Croatia .

Exploring these islands and coastline by boat opens up a huge variety of options, whether you choose the iconic sights of Athens, ancient harbours steeped in history, or just anchoring in bays, discovering tiny tavernas and eating the freshest fish. As Claire, Sunsail's Regional manager for Greece says:

"People often think they need to visit Greece's most famous islands to experience the best of the country, but some of the most memorable places can only really be discovered by boat. From Lefkas, you can sail into the dramatic Papanikolis Cave, drop anchor off the unspoilt shores of Atokos or enjoy sunset drinks overlooking the harbour in Kastos, where time seems to stand still. That's the beauty of exploring the Ionian by yacht, every day feels like you've discovered your own hidden corner of Greece."

Bareboat adventures

This year I was lucky enough to return to this fantastic sailing area on a bareboat charter. It's the third time my family and I have sailed the Ionian and each time we have discovered a new anchorage or harbour, as well as revisiting old favourites. This year our focus was on smaller harbours and peaceful anchorages rather than the larger towns, so our first night was spent stern-to in Spartochori on Meganisi, an easy motor-sail from Lefkas, where Porto Spilia's walk-ashore pontoon and excellent beach-front taverna ensured an extremely relaxing first evening while we planned our week. It's run by the larger-than-life Panos who's on-hand to guide each yacht in, mooring is free as long as you book in for supper and there's a lovely pebbly beach for a quick dip before you head off in the morning.

Meganisi is one of our favourite islands in the Ionian. Its north eastern coastline looks like a piece of coral where you can take your pick of sheltered bays and idyllic anchorages, as well as Vathy's small Odyseas Marina odyseasmarina.com, perfect for provisioning and home to a bustling village with several tavernas and a great bakery. Porto Atheni, on the north easterly side was a new discovery for us this year. It's a quiet, picture-perfect bay where we anchored for the night on long lines, heading into Taverna Niagas for sundowners and some fresh fish.

No visit to the Ionian is complete without a night in Fiscardo on Kefalonia's northern tip. The village was the only place left standing after the earthquake of 1953 and the 18th century harbour hums with tourists who come for the boutiques and dozens of restaurants along the water's edge. Ellie's is our favourite, right at the end of the line of shops and tavernas and run by the same family for many years. Arrive in Fiscardo early, anchor with long lines and explore the pine forests on the east side of the harbour. Here, footpaths take you through the trees to flat rocks where you can swim directly below the ancient venetian lighthouse.

Croatian cruising

Croatia is also a firm favourite, with Mirna, Sunsail's Flotilla and Event manager in Agana saying

"One of the things I love most about sailing from Agana is that Croatia reveals a completely different side of itself when viewed from the water. Beyond the famous towns, there are islands like Dugi Otok, secluded bays around Hvar's quieter northern coast and stunning natural areas such as Telašcica Nature Park that many visitors never get to experience. You can anchor beneath the stars, enjoy freshly caught seafood at small family-run restaurants only accessible from the sea and wake up somewhere new each morning. It's this sense of freedom and discovery that makes exploring Croatia by yacht so special."

Win a holiday

Sunsail are offering readers the chance to experience what sailing should feel like with their competition for the chance to win a 7-night Mediterranean sailing holiday in 2027. Choose between Croatia (Dubrovnik or Agana) or Greece (Lefkas) on either a Bareboat or Flotilla charter. Enter here: Terms and conditions apply.

Speak to the Sunsail team

Inspired to explore Greece or Croatia by yacht? Visit Sunsail at Southampton International Boat Show from 18-27 September (Stand H58) and speak to our expert holiday planners about finding the perfect sailing holiday.