Top Tips for a FUN and SAFE Sailing Holiday in Greece

By Captain Morgan, your salty skipper

Sailing in Greece is one of life’s greatest pleasures for any seafarer but as every good skipper knows, a little preparation is the promise of smoother seas and sunny memories. Here are my top 10 tips to make sure your sailing holiday is both fun and safe, with a salty splash of savvy.

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1. Don’t Overload the Fridge

Your onboard fridge isn’t a full-size home unit—it’s essentially a fancy cool box with a motor that draws a lot of amps. Overpacking it prevents air circulation, slows cooling, and creates moisture… kalimera bacteria. Use frozen water bottles to help keep things cool—they double as refreshing drinking water later. Store fruit and veg in open containers or shallow tupperware to free up space and allow airflow.

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2. Don’t Overbuy Supplies

It’s shocking how much food gets tossed after a charter. While some leftovers make their way to housekeeping teams, deck cleaners, or flotilla lead boats, it’s best to plan 2–3 days of meals at a time and top up as you go. Light lunches work wonders—think dips with crackers, cold cuts, cheese, hearty salads, or a fresh Spanakopita or Kotopita from the bakery. Simple, delicious, and waste-free.

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3. Always Have a Plan B (Especially for Moorings)

If your first-choice town quay is full, make sure you have a solid backup—like a nearby cove, ideally sheltered from prevailing winds. Always check the overnight forecast before you commit. Use long lines to shore if anchoring and set an anchor alarm on your plotter. Even better if you can dinghy into town and still enjoy the local tavernas. For peace of mind, pre-book with Sammyachts.com via their app. Set up a profile with your boat’s details (draft, beam, LOA) and look for the harbour markers on the chart. I’m compiling a list of contacts around the Northern and Southern Ionian that will be available to download soon.

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4. Use Water Wisely

Water is liquid gold onboard. Use deck showers (often pressure-button systems) to rinse off without wasting water. Some tavernas offer showers to customers—check your pilot book or ask around. Get yourself a water/electricity card to top up as needed. Many private pontoons offer water for a fee or even free. And yes—you can do the dishes with seawater (just not in marinas, please!).

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5. Sail More, Motor Less

Hoist those sails! Sailing isn’t just more fun—it builds up your seamanship and saves you serious money at the fuel dock. Get to know how your boat handles under sail—it’ll help you under power too. Stay head to wind when hoisting, and be mindful of battens catching in lazy jacks. For in-mast furling, avoid scandalizing the boom—keep things smooth to prevent jams. Give yourself space, reef early, and hand-steer when possible—your steering cables (and your batteries!) will thank you.

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6. Rent a SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard)

Great for balance, fitness, and… cocktails? A SUP doubles as a floating bar table (wink wink). It’s also super handy for going ashore or rigging lines to shore, especially where rocks could puncture your dinghy or damage the outboard. Bonus: no petrol required just elbow grease!

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7. Respect the Sun

Greek sun is glorious—but relentless. Apply high-SPF sunblock and reapply every two hours. Avoid full sun exposure between noon and 5 PM. Stay hydrated with regular sips of water and consider packing electrolyte tablets (easily found at pharmacies). And yes—watch that ouzo intake to give “sunstroke bay” a wide berth.

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8. Bring a Power Bank + Offline Music

Download your favourite playlists before setting off—music is a great companion underway. But keep volume low enough to hear the important stuff: sails flapping, engine humming, pumps cycling. Turn off music during docking and brief your crew clearly so everyone’s alert and ready for their roles.

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9. Pack Aqua Shoes

Neoprene water shoes are a game-changer. They dry fast, look sharp, and protect your feet from sea urchins, sharp rocks, or barnacle-covered docks—especially when swimming ashore or running lines to land.

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10. Pack Light and Smart

Space is tight on a monohull (though cats offer a bit more storage room). Skip the hard-shell suitcase—it’ll clutter up the boat and doesn’t stow easily. Go for a soft duffle instead. You won’t need much: hand luggage is more than enough for a week at sea. Pro tip: lightweight long-sleeved shirts made from technical, UV-protective fabric are your best friend onboard. Embrace the salty sailor look—you wear it well.

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Final Word from the Helm:

Preparation, a bit of foresight, and a healthy respect for the sea go a long way. With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll not only keep your holiday smooth and safe—you’ll also feel like a proper salty sea dog (or cat).

Now go forth and sail like a pro (or with me!) —with the wind in your hair, sunscreen on your nose, and a cold drink never far from hand. Sea 🌊 you out there