Greece : Profile

Facts

Although the more popular places on the Aegean are quite crowded, especially during the high season, there are still plenty of less frequented places dotted around the rim of the Aegean and some of the more remote islands rarely see more than a handful of yachts.
The crowds are also seasonal and it certainly pays to cruise Greece outside of the peak summer months, ideally around Easter, which is the main holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar. The autumn months are just as attractive; both winds and weather are more pleasant than in the meltemi-swept months of high summer.
The recent expansion in yachting has been accompanied by a parallel development in facilities, but fortunately none of the picturesque ports have been ruined by the construction of pontoons in centuries old harbours. Most marinas have been built inside newly built breakwaters or reclaimed land and in most islands yachts still either come stern-to the existing quay, if there is space, or stay at anchor. Most of the new marinas are on the mainland and this is also where the best repair facilities are.
If looking to take an annual contract in a Greek marina, be aware that it may well stipulate that you avoid the marina during the summer months, or have your boat on the hard during the summer. This may be due to availability of space available for charter fleets or for visiting yachts, which is where most marinas here make their money.
Harbour dues are applicable in all harbours in Greece, although in many places these are not collected. Some harbours also have local fees in addition, usually where there is a recent new extension.
The greatest concentration of facilities is in the Athens-Piraeus area, where there are several boatyards with hauling-out facilities and a full range of repair services. Haul-out facilities are available at Alimos, Aretsou, Flisvos, Glifada, Mandraki, Lavrion, Patras, Porto Carras and Zea.
Marine equipment is difficult to find anywhere outside of the Athens area where charts are also available. Essential spares may need to be ordered from abroad and, although possible, duty-free importation can be complicated and time consuming.
In summer in some of the smaller islands it may be difficult to obtain any large quantity of water, so one should try to arrive with full tanks from the mainland.

Spring and autumn weather is the most pleasant, while the summer is hot and dry. Winters are mild in Crete and Rhodes and cooler as one moves north as well as inland. The prevailing winds of summer are northerly. The seasonal wind of summer, called etesian in Greece because of its seasonal character, but better known by its Turkish name meltemi, sets in about May and lasts until September. It blows at its strongest in July and August when it can reach force 7 and even 8 on occasions. Violent storms occur only in winter, February being a particularly bad month, but overall the weather is pleasant and extreme conditions are rarely known.

Online Greek weather forecast
http://www.poseidon.ncmr.gr/weather_forecast.html