Sailing with children
Sailing with children in Greece is a wonderful adventure. The Ionian Sea, Lefkas and Corfu areas are ideal for children of all ages. The sea is calm, the wind is not very strong and the distances between ports and bays are small, allowing you to easily travel both great and short distances. Along the way there is ample time to anchor in a bay, take a swim in the beautiful clear water and go snorkelling.
The children will certainly amuse themselves
There is often a beach near the harbour where you can go swimming or fishing with a net or fishing pole. The Greeks loves children and they are always enthusiastically received in the many taverns.
Both older and younger children can enjoy themselves during a sailing holiday in Greece. Depending on the age, they can help each other while sailing and mooring. They can go for a swim, jump off the boat, go out during the evening, snorkel, fish, travel in the dinghy, explore caves and watch turtles and dolphins swim!
During school holidays, there are many children in the flotillas. The children will have fun together, on the shore, in the water and on the boat. Sometimes they sail along in a friend’s boat, allowing you a day’s rest. The next day they will all join you again, and you will be pleasantly busy.
Helpful tips
- Entertainment: Drawing pens/pencils, puzzles, games, iPad and books are convenient when they are not interested in sailing for a day.
- Fishing equipment, buy it on the spot, it is not expensive and saves luggage space. You can even leave it for the next guests.
- For younger children it is a great idea to bring a small inflatable pool that you can place on the ship and fill up with seawater. Lots of fun!
- Older children can team up with children of their age, go out in the evenings and…. help on board.
- Safety: Small children should always wear a life jacket. These are available, free of charge, at the home base in Greece.
Very small children can be placed in a folding booster seat (attached with straps) in the cockpit. They’ll have a great view and with a bucket next to them they’ll enjoy themselves as well. - Protection: High factor, waterproof sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. The UV shirts are great. They can be worn in the water and dry extremely fast. Water shoes are also useful for the rock and sea urchins.
Bed rail
For children that still fall out of bed there is a handy little foldable bed rail available. This also allows you to create a safe play area.
Children in the holiday weeks
To give an indication of the number of children (including ages) present during the holiday weeks, see the table below.
Leeftijd | May holiday | July | August | |||||||
1e wk | 1e wk | 2e wk | 3e wk | 4e wk | 1e wk | 2e wk | 3e wk | 4e wk | ||
0-5 jaar | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
5-10 jaar | 7 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 10 | |
10-15 jaar | 14 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 5 | |
15-20 jaar | 16 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 10 |