Best Aegean island hopping holidays – 2026 Sailing Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos

North Sporades sailing, summer, 2026 reviews

If you want a week on the water that actually works for kids, couples, and mixed groups, the North Sporades are one of the easiest wins in Greece. From Halkidiki we do one proper open-sea leg, then the rest is protected bays, small ports, and clear swim stops.

I run these routes out of Sithonia and what I like most here is the balance. You get real sailing when the breeze is right, but you also get calm anchorages and short hops when the family wants a slower pace, and that keeps everyone smiling.

Vacation for all the family

One of the greatest sailing destinations in Greece is North Sporades, a group of islands in the Northern part of the Aegean Sea, located about 40 NM of the mainland. The winds are mild the weather is typical great from May until October. There are plenty of places to visit at the three top Islands Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and the smaller Pelagos or Kira Panagia and the uninhabited Peristera, Skantzoura, Yioura, Piperi, and Psathoura.

Geographically you are in the north Aegean, but the feel is greener than the Cyclades. Pine comes down close to the sea, and in many coves the water stays a deep blue even when the sun is high. For families, that means comfortable swim stops with shade nearby, and for snorkelling it means good visibility on calm days.

How to reach it is simple and usually stress-free. Most guests fly into Thessaloniki and drive down into Halkidiki, then continue to Sithonia. Neos Marmaras is practical for boarding because you have parking, supermarkets, bakeries, and last-minute bits close to the marina area. If you are already on Skiathos by plane, you can still do the islands by boat, but the classic multi-day route from Halkidiki gives you that proper “voyage” feeling from the start, and the kids love the first long sail.

The NE part of the island complex is a National Wildlife Park, famous as one of the last breeding places of the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus).

This protected zone is the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and Northern Sporades, and it is the reason we keep our distance from certain caves and islets, and we stay quiet in specific anchorages. If you are travelling with nature lovers, it is a big highlight, even if you only feel it in the silence and the wild coastline. Official info and rules are here: National Marine Park of Alonnisos and Northern Sporades.

The Northern Sporades are perfect for sailing and motor yachting because:

• there are a lot of safe and equipped ports
• Mild winds, ideal for sailing
• plenty remote protected gulfs to spend the night on anchor
• many beautiful traditional villages to visit
• An unlimited number of beautiful beaches, some private and some organized with beach bars, lifeguards, etc.
• Easy access
• great food ( Skopelos is famous for its pies, Skiathos is famous for its goat meat, and Alonissos is known for the fresh fish )
• unbelievable sunrises and sunsets
• open sea game fishing
• vibrant nightlife at Skiathos and Skopelos

A practical note from the helm. In summer you will often see a light to moderate northerly pattern and the sea state is usually friendly compared to more exposed Aegean routes. Still, the open leg between Sithonia and Skopelos can kick up if a system passes, so we plan departures with a weather eye and we keep the first day flexible. For official forecasts, check the Hellenic National Meteorological Service.

Seasonal feel matters a lot here. May and early June are my favorite for quiet ports and clear water, cooler nights so you sleep well. July and August are lively, especially Skiathos town and Skopelos harbour, and you need earlier arrivals for the best spots. September is a sweet spot again, warm sea, less noise, and sunsets that feel slower. If your trip lands around big Greek holidays like

Sun, Apr 12 2026

or

Monday, June 1 2026

, expect fuller marinas and more local travel, so we adjust the plan and choose calmer bays.

Who it suits. Families who want safe swim stops and easy walks in town, couples who like a mix of quiet bays and a proper dinner ashore, groups who want a bit of nightlife without committing to it every night, and nature lovers who want the marine park side of Alonnisos. It also works for older travelers because once you are in the islands you can keep daily distances short, and there is always an option for a calm evening in a sheltered gulf.

Sporades sailing package

The Sporades sailing package consists of seven – day sailing. The journey starts from Porto Carras Grand Resort Marina in Halkidiki and takes you around most of the North Sporades islands, with plenty of stops for swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing. It’s a dream holiday.

On board, the rhythm is easy. We sail a few hours, drop anchor for a long swim, then move again when the sun is softer. Kids usually love the routine because it is simple, and there is always something to do, mask and fins, a bit of fishing, or just floating around the boat. If anyone in the group wants to add a proper dive day, a good local reference for planning is portoscuba.com, especially for the Halkidiki side before or after the trip.

Sailing the Sporades with a sailing boat is a cheap and alternative way to spend your holiday than to spend a week in just one island staying at a “rent a room”. Especially if you consider the cost of ferrying yourself and your automobile to the aisle.

It is also a different kind of holiday. You do not pack and unpack every two days, you do not sit in ferry lines, and you are not stuck with one beach. If the wind is wrong for a spot, we go somewhere better. If the kids are tired, we shorten the day. That flexibility is what people remember, even more than the photos, and it makes a mixed group work without drama.

Before we cast off, we usually do a provisioning run in Neos Marmaras or nearby. Fresh fruit, easy breakfasts, snacks for the cockpit, and a few simple meals for nights when you prefer to stay at anchor. Soft bags are better than hard suitcases because they stow easily, and a light jacket is smart even in August because the evening breeze can feel cool after a long swim, trust me.

And don’t forget the sailing!

The vacation package offered, includes the sailing boat, skipper, port and marina fees, fuel and water. As the boats have a kitchen is fully equipped, it is possible to cook on board.

You can keep it relaxed, but it is still real seamanship. We do a short briefing, show you where everything is, and explain how we move on deck and how we use the dinghy. If you want to learn, I am happy to let you take the helm, trim a sail, or help with mooring, always when conditions are safe and the crew is comfortable. Some guests come with zero experience and by day two they are doing the basics with confidence, and it feels good.

Sea and outdoor activities depend on the weather and your own fitness level. Always follow local safety advice and skipper instructions.

If anyone gets seasick, tell me early. We plan the first leg smart and keep everyone happy, no hero stuff. And if you are travelling with small kids, I always suggest bringing their favorite snacks and a thin long-sleeve for the afternoon sun, because on the water you feel it later and then it hits.

Unforgettable yachting holidays!

Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos sailing cruise itinerary.

This is the classic loop we run from Sithonia to the islands and back. It is designed for a mix of sailing time, beach time, and evenings ashore, with enough flexibility to avoid crowds when needed. If the group wants more quiet bays and less town, we do that. If you want a lively night, we plan for it.

Timetables, opening hours and routes can change without notice. Always double-check locally before you travel.

• Leave Neos Marmaras at 17:00. Make sure your stuff is tidy in the cabins, and we set sail for Glossa at Skopelos for the night. Along the way, we stop at The Southern edge of Kassandra and try our luck with trolling fishing for tuna (10-12 kg when in season)
• Next morning sail to Skiathos, have a coffee, do some shopping and then visit some famous beaches like Koukounaries. early in the evening, we return to Skopelos and Neo Klima small fishing port with its fish taverns.
• Sail around Skopelos to the Hora with stops at “Mama Mia” beaches Kastani, Panormo, Staphylo, Elia. Spend the night at Skopelos harbour to see the island and its nightlife. Good morning with a local pie.
• Visit The North East of Skopelos and Southwest of Alonnisos beaches. Return to Skopelos Port for the night.
• Sail to Alonnisos and early stop at Steni Vala, so you can take the bus to Alonissos Chora one of the best preserved traditional Aegean villages. Return for fresh fish at the Steni Vala tavernas.
• Sail to Kyra Panagia and the remote area of the marine wildlife park of Monachus – Monachus Mediterranean seals. Sail to Agios Petros cove and spend the night at Planitis safe cove.
• Return to Sithonia, stop at Psathoura small island with its lighthouse and Marathias beach on the way to and Porto Koufo fishing village. Then sail the west side of Sithonia and Return toy Neos Marmaras where we spend the night.
• Leave the yachts by 9:00 in the morning.

A few skipper notes to make this itinerary even better in real life. Glossa is a good first-night target because it lets us arrive without rushing, and you wake up already inside the island complex. Skiathos can be busy in high season, so we go early for coffee and supplies, then we escape to beach time. Koukounaries is famous for a reason, sandy, shallow, and family-friendly, but it is also popular, so timing is everything and we do not hang around the peak hours.

Skopelos Hora is the evening that usually wins the trip. The harbour promenade, the steps up into the old town, and the viewpoints above the roofs are worth it. If you like a bit of background on the islands, this is a simple starting point: Northern Sporades. Not perfect, but it helps you place the names before you arrive.

On Alonnisos days, the vibe changes. More quiet, more nature. Steni Vala is a comfortable stop and it works well for families because it is easy to go ashore and back. Alonissos Chora is the kind of place you walk slowly, take photos, and stay for a relaxed dinner. In the marine park area we keep the boat tidy and the noise down. Sometimes you see wildlife, sometimes you do not, but the feeling of being in a protected zone is special, and you can feel how different it is from the busy ports.

Back in Sithonia, Porto Koufo is a proper natural harbour and a good place to reset before the last sail. If the group wants a final swim, the west side of Sithonia has clear water and nice light late in the day. Then we return to Neos Marmaras for the last night so disembarkation is easy and nobody is running around in the morning with bags, thats the plan.

Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos map

The itinerary may change because of the actual weather or Guest request. The skipper will advise for best route and place to see. You may decide not to visit crowdy islands in the foul season to spend more time in the remote areas. They are unspoilt and unique.

That flexibility is important. Some weeks the best plan is more Skopelos and Alonnisos with extra anchor time. Other weeks you want one louder night in Skiathos and then quiet again. Tell me what your group likes, swimming all day, village walks, fishing, or just a calm cockpit with a book, and we shape it around that.

For a bit of official destination info while you plan, you can also check the Greek National Tourism Organisation site: visitgreece.gr. It helps with the big picture, then we handle the local details on the water.

If you’d like to explore the coast, ask us about day trips at sea and sailing boat options.