Paros is one of the premier sailing destinations in the Cyclades, and chartering a sailing yacht from here opens the entire island chain to a week of passage making under the summer meltemi. The northwesterly wind that defines Aegean summer sailing is consistent and reliable in the waters between Paros and Mykonos, and the islands to the south and east provide shelter for anchoring at the end of each day. Eight sailing yachts are available from this base, ranging from 15-metre sloops to 24-metre ketches.
Weekly rates for sailing yachts chartered from Paros range from 10,000 to 80,000 euros. The advance provisioning allowance of approximately 30 percent covers engine fuel, food, marina fees, and drinks. Paros is also one of the world capitals of windsurfing at Golden Beach, and the same conditions that draw competitive sailors make it an exhilarating charter base. June and September are the most comfortable months, with winds slightly moderated from the August peak.
Sailing in the Cyclades requires a captain experienced with the meltemi, which can reach Force 6 in the open channels between islands by midday in July and August. The passages are exhilarating on a well-found yacht, and the reward is arriving at a sheltered anchorage on a lee shore with the wind dropping at sunset. Most sailing yachts in this fleet carry an experienced professional captain and crew.
Parikia harbour is the practical departure point, well stocked with provisions and fuel. From there, the favoured route for sailing yachts heads north toward Mykonos on a close reach in the morning breeze, stops at Rineia for a calm anchorage, then pushes east to Naxos, south to Ios, and across to the caldera at Santorini for the most dramatic anchorage in the Cyclades.
