Parga on the Epirus coast is one of the most scenic departure points for a sailing charter in northwest Greece. The town sits beneath a Venetian castle, its painted houses cascading toward the waterfront, and the Ionian Sea stretches south toward Paxos and Antipaxos. A sailing yacht here captures the reliable northwesterly winds that funnel through the Ionian channel each afternoon, making for brisk, comfortable passages between the islands. Eight sailing yachts are available from this base.
Weekly rates for sailing yachts chartered from Parga start at around 10,000 euros and rise to approximately 80,000 euros for the larger performance ketches and gulets. The advance provisioning allowance of roughly 30 percent covers fuel for the engine, food, berthing fees, and drinks. High season runs July through August, with June and September offering the same wind patterns and a measurable saving on the charter fee.
Sailing from Parga combines the tactile pleasure of a proper passage under canvas with easy access to anchorages too shallow for motor yachts. The heel of the hull and the sound of the bow wave are particular to sailing, and the reduced engine noise makes overnight anchorages noticeably quieter. Crew on the larger vessels are accomplished sailors who can tailor the pace of the passage to the preferences of the guests.
From Parga, the passage to Lakka on Paxos takes around three hours under sail in a steady northwesterly. From Lakka, the route continues to Gaios, the main port, before crossing to Antipaxos for the beaches at Voutoumi. Heading north, the dramatic cliffs at Sivota and the lagoon at Ammoudia make for rewarding anchorages along the Epirus coast.
