Greece: Sailing Guide to the Gulf of Corinth – Highlights, Tips & Route

Many crews know the Gulf of Corinth primarily as a stopover on the way to the Aegean. Yet the crossing is well worth it as a destination in its own right: small harbour towns, brisk winds, historic coastlines and surprisingly calm anchorages characterise the area.

Lukas and Toni have been sailing for a year and a half on their ‘Eleanor’, a 1982 Malö 40 H. Setting off from Germany, they sailed via France and Italy to Greece, into the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Corinth. Their friend Rosi from Hamburg is joining them for this leg of the journey, gaining her first sailing experience on board.

Part 1: From Patras to Trizonia

We set off from Patras, where an ancient trading metropolis and an industrial port co-exist today. Onwards across the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge into the Gulf of Corinth, our first night at anchor off the Venetian-style fortified town of Nafpaktos, and a gruelling day’s sailing with a 23-knot headwind to the car-free island idyll of Trizonia.

Greece: Gulf of Corinth – from Patras to Trizonia

Part 2: Galaxidi and the trip to Delphi

When the wind drops, it’s a 22-nautical-mile motorised journey to the neoclassical seaside town of Galaxidi. Here, the “Eleanor” is moored right on the promenade. The following day, we take a hire car to the oracle site at Delphi on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the centre of the ancient world.

Greece: Gulf of Corinth – Galaxidi and a trip to Delphi

Part 3: With a tailwind to Corinth and through the canal

Amid gathering storm clouds and with the waves coming from astern, the Eleanor 38 nautical miles back: sailing from Galaxidi to Corinth with the sails reefed, the crew complete the fastest leg of the trip. But the real highlight comes next: the passage through the Corinth Canal. Over a distance of 3.4 nautical miles, the waterway cuts through rock faces up to 80 metres high.

​Greece: With a tailwind to Corinth – and right through the rock

Tour information​

The district:

The route leads from the Ionian Sea through the Gulf of Patras and the Strait of Rio-Andirrio into the Gulf of Corinth. Open stretches alternate with sheltered bays and harbour towns amidst high mountain ranges. The 3.4 nautical mile-long Corinth Canal connects the area with the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea. Navigation marks: The gulf is sparsely marked; important shoals, headlands and harbour approaches are marked by lights. Caution is required around headlands and reefs to the west, as well as in relation to commercial and ferry traffic. At the canal, signals indicate when the entrance is clear and the direction of the current. Consult nautical charts, NAVTEX and ‘Notices to Mariners’.

Bridge and canal:

Pleasure craft up to 20 metres in length must report to ‘Rio Traffic’ on VHF channel 14 approximately five nautical miles before the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge, stating the vessel’s name, type, direction of travel and mast height. Contact must be made again one nautical mile from the bridge. The traffic control centre will allocate the bridge span. The maximum clearance height is 45 metres. Sails must be stowed; the passage must be made under engine power. Take care to watch out for ferries, currents and gusts of wind. Passage through the single-lane channel must be booked in advance and coordinated via VHF channel 11 as you approach. Entry is only permitted upon authorisation. A speed limit of six knots applies; stopping is prohibited. Differences in wind and water levels can generate a current of up to three knots. As maintenance days vary, the opening status and operating hours must be checked in advance. CORINTHCANAL.COM

Wind and weather:

In the Ionian Sea, the thermal ‘Maistro’ wind from the west to north-west dominates in summer: light in the morning, usually three to four Beaufort in the afternoon, and dying down in the evening. In the mountainous Gulf of Corinth, the wind is channelled and usually blows from the west or east; jet and downbursts are possible. In the Saronic Gulf, the Meltemi is noticeably weaker. Spring and autumn bring more frequent periods of calm, passing low-pressure systems, rain and strong, changeable winds.

Nautical literature:

We recommend ‘Sailing Guide to Greece 1’, ISBN 978-3-667-12382-4, priced at 49.90 euros, Rod Heikell’s *Greek Coasts* (ISBN 978-3-667-12948-2) for €69.90, and the *Port Guide to Greece 1*, ISBN 978-3-667-11511-9, priced at 69.90 euros. shop.delius-klasing.de The “NV Atlas Greece GR 1” contains detailed maps for bridges and canals, ISBN 978-3-910-64459-5 for €74.99. NVCHARTS.COM

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