Spetses

Charter in Spetses: What to Expect

Chartering in Spetses is less about organised itineraries and more about the unhurried rhythm of island life experienced from the waterline. The island sits at the southern tip of the Saronic Gulf, roughly 80 nautical miles from Athens, making it the ideal turning point for a week-long Saronic circuit or the centrepiece of a dedicated Spetses yacht charter. Ashore, the absence of private cars gives the island an almost anachronistic calm — grand neoclassical mansions, cobbled alleyways, and a working boatyard where traditional wooden kaïkia are still built and repaired. On the water, you have the freedom to anchor where you choose, swim off the stern, and be back in the old port for dinner before dusk.

Anchorages & Highlights

The main harbour, Dapia, serves as the island's social hub and primary port of entry. Superyachts and sailing yachts alike moor stern-to along the quay here, within easy reach of the waterfront cafés and the iconic Poseidonion Grand Hotel. For those seeking greater seclusion, Agia Marina on the eastern coast offers a calm, shallow bay with a small beach taverna and reliable holding ground on sand. Further east, Zogeria Bay — considered one of the finest anchorages in the entire Saronic Gulf — is enclosed by mature pine forest descending to the water's edge and retains a near-wild character even in peak summer. On the southern coast, Agia Paraskevi and Vrelos are accessible almost exclusively by sea, which ensures the kind of privacy that yacht charter was made for.

Best Time to Charter in Spetses

The Saronic Gulf's prevailing summer wind, the meltemi, is considerably milder here than in the Cyclades, making Spetses suitable for a broader range of charter vessels and experience levels. Late May through June combines settled conditions, warm water, and island life at its most authentic — before the summer crowd arrives from Athens. September and October extend the season beautifully: the light becomes more golden, passage-making is comfortable, and the anchorages clear noticeably. July and August are lively and social, with Dapia buzzing long into the night, though early departures secure the best berths and bay anchoring positions.

Getting There

Spetses is accessible from Athens' Piraeus or Marina Zea by high-speed hydrofoil in approximately 90 minutes, making it a practical base for clients joining or departing a charter mid-itinerary. Guests flying into Athens International Airport can transfer directly to the harbour and be aboard within two hours. For those already under sail, the island connects naturally to Hydra, Dokos, and Ermioni on the Peloponnese coast — all within a short day's sail. At Aris Drivas Yachting, our team handles every logistical detail of your routing, provisioning, and port arrangements, so your focus remains entirely on the voyage. Reach out to enquire about available vessels and bespoke itineraries tailored to Spetses and the wider Saronic Gulf.