The Cyclades leave their mark on their visitors. Known for their picturesque coves, rustic villages, crystal clear waters, sea culture, passionate characters; the Cyclades are steeped in all of these things and so much more. The islanders focus on living well, appreciating the beauty around, and they are fiercely proud of their local traditions (music, food and wine!). There is no singular Cycladic experience, each corner has something special for you…

Although we have been sailing around the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea, for more than 26 years, we keep discovering and gaining new experiences every week! Experiences we share with our guests and we’d like to share them with you too!

Sailing around the Cyclades allows you not just to discover incredible sceneries but to get deeper into the lives of the inhabitants and the history of the region. 

Our sailing yacht Tahita often passes from the deserted island of Keros, in the Small Cyclades. Its well hidden bays offer our guests a great opportunity to refresh themselves in the crystal turquoise waters, hike its wild paths or find shelter at night under the sparkling starry sky.

Keros is the biggest deserted island in the Med and its civilisation goes back to the time of the pyramids, 4500 years ago! It’s an island that may be still on the outer surface, but hidden below lays the history of Cycladic culture.

Cambridge professor Sir Colin Renfrew tries to solve the enigma” of Keros since the 60s. Hundreds of broken idols that don’t match each other, comprise one of the greatest archeological mysteries in the world. Further findings testify that Keros was one of the first important sanctuaries in the Aegean Sea during the Bronze Age. Due to the island’s cultural wealth, it has been repeatedly plundered by smugglers, scattering the testimonies and history of its findings throughout the world.

Join our sailing holidays this summer and discover the unique history and culture of the Cyclades, while gaining experiences that will stay with you for the rest of your life. At the end we are all made out of our memories!!!!

A perfect day...

Here is a glimpse to what you'll experience while sailing with us...

"First night on the yacht was an unforgettable experience… the boat was rocking gently… you could hear the gentle swaying of the sea water… you could feel the light breeze coming from the hatches. I slept like a baby!
 
Everyone was up at 8ish excited for the day. After breakfast, we all helped to prepare the boat for departure. Our skipper, Sotiris, gave us an introduction in sailing, showed us around the yacht and explained the use of all the ropes. I really wanted to learn and help as much as I could. Sotiris assigned me the task of bringing the sail up as soon as we picked up the anchor! Yes!
 
We soon left the small, fishing port of Piso Livadi, in Paros. Our next stop would be Keros, which we were told was once a thriving ancient port and now a deserted island. The sailing was magical. I had the opportunity to hold the helm and try to keep our course. The rest of the time I was sitting at the bow admiring the deep blue colors of the Aegean Sea.

 
30 minutes before we arrived we bumped into dolphins… I was at the bow and I could almost touch them. They raced with us for 10 minutes. What a luck! We tried to capture a few photos and a video as Mystic Blue gather photos to assist the research of a leading marine biologist in Greece who collects data on marine mammals. 
 
After three hours of sailing we arrived at a secret cove in the south of the island. We swam at the crystal-clear waters of the bay and snorkeled by the rock formations. Sotiris told us that he would like to show us a presentation on the marine biodiversity of the East Med and the species that we can encounter while snorkeling and diving in Greece.
 
As soon as the sun set we (the boys) went out to the beach to gather wood and the girls prepared the salads, marinades, vegetables and other materials for our barbecue. After we prepared everything, I took the opportunity to go for a walk and discover this small, deserted island. The island was full of surprises. It looked quite rocky and bushy but in fact it was full of wild flowers and herbs. I collected thyme for the barbecue. It will go well with the meat! I walked to the top of the hill and took a few landscape pictures of the whole bay and surrounding islands. The view was mind-blowing from the top!
 
What better reward after one hour walk than a cold beer and a perfectly grilled steak as well as vegetables! After our delicious meal, we all lied back and admired the starry sky. We had an interesting conversation about life in the islands and how tourism affects the local communities.
 
Soon it was 11.00 am and we hadn't realized how time passed. Sotiris told us that now it's the best time to go for a swim and a dive in order to view the phosphorescent plankton and the phenomenon of bioluminescence. I had never seen anything like that! It was like stars underwater!

What a perfect way to end a perfect day!" Huyshe, UK 
 
If you are new reader please check our Sailing in the Small Cyclades itinerary...


Tips for sailing for the first time 

Please find below our recommendations for a successful sailing holiday based on our 20 years of experience:

• Rely on the expertise of your skipper and charter company to develop an itinerary based on their local knowledge of the islands the weather and prevailing winds. Most have pre-designed sample itineraries to give you an idea of what you'll experience. You should inform them of any particular wishes you may have, activities you enjoy and islands you would like to visit. 
   
• Realize that sailing yachts are not cruise ships. Sailboats travel at an average of about 6 to 9 knots – nowhere near the 20- to 30-knot speed of cruise ships. The average sailing time per day is four to six hours.
   
• Don't over plan and be flexible as nature is unpredictable! Sailboats rely primarily on the wind for propulsion (though of course they have auxiliary engines to use as necessary). Sailing legs and itineraries are designed based on the wind strength and direction. Any plan can be changed at the last minute at the captain's discretion. This means that all itineraries are subject to changes depending on the weather as the safety of the crew and boat is the primary concern. If the weather is rough for a day, look for alternative activities, visits to sites or just relax at the beach.
   
• Allow yourself to enjoy the unexpected pleasures that can't be planned for in advance: dolphins approaching and following your sailing boat, a spectacular sunset, a rare observation of a bird or flower, an invitation by a local at his house celebration, a discovery of a new diving site, cave or a tavern with delicious food, spontaneous singing amongst friends at a remote bay!

Remember – you're on holiday! So pour yourself a drink, lie back and let us guide you on an exciting journey through the waters that surround the largest coastline in Europe...

Clothes:

If your holiday falls between June and August, you won’t need much! A swimsuit, a beach towel, some T-shirts and shorts and something casual for the evenings. In spring and autumn we recommend to have a fleece or sweater and long trousers for the evenings as sometimes when the sun comes down it can be chilly. It’s a good idea to include a light windproof jacket in case of stronger winds.

You'll need a pair of shoes for walking and one for the boat. Flip-flops are ideal for walking around the islands in the summer but in spring and autumn you will need a closed pair of shoes for the evening. Closed non-slip shoes (deck shoes/sports shoes) are ideal for the boat and for the protection of your toes. We and many companies have a no-shoe policy onboard during the summer in order to maintain the deck as clean as possible but you are welcome to use your deck shoes just on the boat. 

Don’t forget to bring a sun hat, sunglasses and include plenty of sunscreen for protection from the sun. Reflection from the water means you soak up a lot of sun while sailing and because of the wind you don't always feel it when you are burning!

It is preferable to pack in soft bags rather than hard suitcases as hard cases are more difficult to stow away in lockers. Remember that space in sailing yacht is minimum. The less you carry, the better.

Toiletries and medication:

Most brands are sold in Greece and you'll able to purchase whatever you need before the departure of the sailing yacht or during your sailing week. If though you take prescribed medicine, it is advisable to bring enough with you for the duration of your holiday as we often like to anchor at smaller, more remote islands where there aren't any shops. Of course, if you run out we'll be able to sail to a bigger island with a pharmacy but it is good to be prepared so that we don't change our itinerary.

Note: Anyone suffering from severe food or bee-sting allergies should bring an dpi pen or pens as well as whatever antidote you may need. You may be away from instantaneous emergency medical assistance.

Although all our yachts have a basic first aid kit, it is a good idea to carry one of your own which should includes travel sickness pills, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, antihistamine cream/gel for insect bites and anything else you personally may need. If you are worried about sea sickness we recommend to purchase the “non-drowsy” formulas. 

Sleeping on a sailing yacht:

Most people sleep like babies with the rocking of the sea. Others have issues getting used to the sounds of the sea and the wind and the resulting noises. If you are a noise-sensitive sleeper we recommend that bring silicone air-plugs.

Food:

You'll find mini-markets at all the islands. Usually most sailing holidays start from the mainland or larger islands such as Athens, Lavrio, Paros and Naxos. We recommend to purchase enough food for one or two days so you leave money at all the island and support the local economies. Each island offers their own products as well such as vegetables, cheeses, different types of bread and pasta and other delicacies that are worth trying.

Although you will probably find everything you need in the supermarkets in Athens and the bigger islands, if you have food allergies (milk, wheat gluten, etc.) it is advisable to bring the substitutes you use at home as they may not be readily available in the small shops you will be visiting during your sailing holiday.

Documents & currency:

You will of course need your passport or ID card (EU member countries). If you are from a non-EU country you should check with your Greek consulate as to whether you need to apply for a visa. If you are charting your own sailing yacht, you should also bring your sailing certificate as they are requested by the Port Police. If you intend to hire a car, motorbike or other vehicle whilst on holiday you should also bring your driving licence. Your personal holiday insurance documents and if you are from a European Union member country, the EU medical card should be included in your hand luggage.

We recommend that you don't carry so much cash with you as there are ATMs everywhere. If you are planning to spend the night in a remote place or bay take some cash with you enough for a couple of days. Please note that most restaurants, cafes and mini-markets at the islands accept credit cards.

You'll find food is very good value at the islands especially at local taverns where owners have their own animals, cultivate their own vegetables, make their own wine and olive oil... the traditional way! Supper for an adult having local wine costs around 15 euros per person. Fish tends to be more expensive. Islands such as Santorini and Mykonos are more expensive than anywhere else in Greece so you should check the prices before you sit somewhere.  

Useful Extras:

You will need a continental 2 pin plug adapter for use on shore (charging cameras, phones, etc. in tavernas & cafes). We have an inverter onboard, so you’ll be able to recharge cameras, laptops, and other small electrical items. 

We have a good CD selection onboard, but IPODs can be hooked up to our stereo system so all can enjoy the music. Remember to bring your own connecting cable, specific to your IPOD. 

To get a head start on your 2022 adventure and take advantage of our early booking discount, do get in touch with our team.
 
If you wish to discuss the above or any other matter please don't hesitate to contact us either by phone at +30 6976 761492 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
 
Mystic Blue team