Athens Travel Information & Planning Guide

Find everything you need to prepare for a charter in Athens. From important base information to required documents for international travel, you can use this information as your guide before and during your charter. Don’t forget to pack a copy to take with you.

Plan

Before you go

Address

Sunsail
Zea Marine Freatida
18536
Piraeus
Greece  

Sunsail’s Zea base is conveniently located in the port of Pireaus, around 1 hour from Athens International Airport. Zea marina lies on the Northwest coast of the Saronic Gulf, about 16nm from Aegina.

Phone Number: + 30 210 45 30 911 

As you prepare for departure, please reference the Athens Cruising Guide to learn more about chartering in this destination.

Opening hours

Base hours
Mon-Thu: 9am-5pm

Fri 11:00am-8:00pm

Sat: 9am-8:00pm

Sun: 9:30am-2:30pm

The base is open from early April to mid-November.

Time zone
GMT +2 hours (GMT +3 hours from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Language
The official language in Greece is Greek.

What to bring

Sailing licences

Click here to view the sailing requirements in Greece. 

The Greek Maritime Authorities have recently changed their sailing license requirements for 2022 and 2023 and have confirmed that they will no longer accept the RYA Day Skipper qualification for Yacht Chartering in Greek waters.  

All RYA Day Skipper Qualification holders are able to convert their current qualification to the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) qualification. This can be done online through the RYA website or via a paper form which can be downloaded from the website and printed. If you are a RYA member, an ICC can be issued free of charge, please visit the website and complete the application form.  

The conversion period may take several weeks, therefore please plan ahead to ensure you receive the ICC certificate in time. The skipper must bring a physical copy of their sailing qualification – a photocopy or picture on a phone will not be accepted by the marine authorities. 

Why do I need a ICC with Sunsail when other companies don’t ask for it?

By Greek Law, Port Police officials require a ‘Solemn Declaration’ to be signed and presented on request alongside the official boat papers, stating that you hold the relevant qualifications to sail in their waters. With 40 years’ at the forefront of the sailing holidays industry, we pride ourselves on being the best. Our valued reputation is second to none and we conduct all operations with great diligence, and according to the current laws and regulations of each destination. This is why we ensure that you have the necessary qualifications and paperwork to fully enjoy every sailing destination, and that you are made aware of any clauses or terms and conditions that may affect your holiday.

To charter a yacht in Greece, there must be at least one certified skipper and one experienced crew member, both over 18 years old. The skipper should be competent at handling a yacht in close quarters, anchoring and mooring in varying conditions and be able to use navigation and pilotage skills to plan the day’s sailing and know your position at any time.  The Skipper should be accompanied by at least one crew member (First Mate) of “Competent Crew” level (ASA 103 or RYA Competent Crew Course) or a similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing association.*  As a yacht skipper, you are required to have a sailing license or a certificate from a recognized sailing association AND/OR an ICC or IPC as detailed below:

Skipper is REQUIRED to have one (1) of the following: 
• US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course” or above 
• ASA “104 Bareboat Cruising Course” or above

• ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or above
• Or a similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing association

AND/OR

Skipper is REQUIRED to have one (1) of the following: 
• ICC (International Certificate of Competence), International – Prerequisites: RYA “Day Skipper Course” or similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing association or complete the ICC Assessment form to prove competence from previous experience. 
• IPC (International Proficiency Certificate), America – Prerequisites: ASA 104 or US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course”

It is imperative that you bring these sailing certificates or sailing qualifications with you.You will not be able to sail without these papers, and failure to supply information in advance could delay your departure from the base. The sailing experience you provide on your booking confirmation is required as proof of sailing experience for the Greek Port Authorities. Please bring any sailing certificates or sailing qualifications with you. If you do not have a recognized certificate, you should obtain one before your departure. 

*If the First Mate does NOT have a sailing license, they must fill out a Sunsail sailing cv to confirm that they have the necessary skills to sail in Greece aboard a Sunsail vessel.  They must also fill out a Declaration of Honor to provide a legal declaration to the Greek Port Authorities that said crew member is competent to crew aboard a chartered yacht. 

Passport and visas
Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after you return. Your passport name must match the name on the flight ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid.

It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure relevant visas are obtained where necessary. Sunsail cannot be held responsible for refusal of entry or travel due to lack of visas. If you are in any doubt please contact your Embassy for full details.

Customs + immigration
Entry, exit, and visa requirements depend on the locations you are departing from and traveling to. You are responsible for having the correct documents so make sure to check with the consulate of the countries you plan to visit before you travel. Visit travel.state.gov for the latest information.

Luggage + packing list
Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on your yacht. The base has no facilities for holding luggage under lock.

What’s on board

Cool Boxes
All Sunsail catamarans are equipped with cool boxes. Only one cooler available per boat.

Music + iPods
All boats are fitted with a radio and CD player. If you wish to listen to your iPod whilst sailing you will need to bring along an iTrip or FM radio transmitter.

Electricity
The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts. Electricity in Greece is 220 volts and uses the standard European 2-pin plug. In order to use electronic equipment that is 220 volts you will need an inverter suitable for use in a cigarette lighter.

Drone
The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-greece/

Mobile phones
Coverage is good around the major towns on the mainland and on many islands. Main operators include Cosmote, Wind and Vodafone. Please check with your service provider for coverage details and call costs. You may need to activate international roaming on your contract.

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Go

How to get there

Transfers
Transfers from Athens Airport to the Sunsail Base are approximately 60 minutes.

Upon your arrival at Athens Airport there are several ways to get to Zea. Options include:

Athens Metro – take the metro from Athens airport until the last line “Dimotiko Theatro Piraeus”

Transfer by taxi (1-4 persons)

Airport – Marina Zea: 65.00 €

Marina Zea – airport: 65,00 €

Transfer by minibus (5-10 persons)

Airport – Marina Zea: 100.00 €

Marina Zea – airport: 100,00 €

Boarding time + checking out

On arrival
Your yacht will be ready at 18:00 pm for boarding. Chart and Boat briefings will be scheduled. Chart briefings for this base are available online, so please view them before arrival, the link is found in the eGuide and as part of your pre-departure emails. Additional consultations for further questions and reservation assistance are scheduled at the base on Saturdays. The chart briefing describes the cruising area and any potential hazards.

The yacht briefing introduces you to your yacht, its systems and rigging. It is carried out individually for each yacht. It is important that all systems and equipment are fully understood. Briefings are mandatory.

Out of hours
If arriving after hours, you will find a letter on the reception door with a message indicating your yacht’s name and berth.

On departure
All charterers must return to base by 5:00 pm the night before disembarkation for debriefing and checks. Disembarkation is at 9:00 am the following morning.

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Sail

About the marina

Zea Marina facilities

• ATM
• Electricity
• Water
• Supermarket
• Chandlery
• Restaurant
• Cafes
• Bars
• Toilets and showers open for 24 hours
• WiFi internet
• Free parking in the marina
• Wifi is not free in Marina

The marina has its own swimming pool. You have to pay for a ticket, which is 15.00 euro per person. open June -middle September. Children under 14 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool.

Fuel
There is no fuel station at the marina. A fuel truck comes every Friday at 17:00 to refuel all yachts of Sunsail.

Sailing licenses

Sailing experience: Level 3

To sail in this destination you’ll need a sailing licence. The requirement is (at min.) an ICC qualification or local equivalent. Please note: The RYA Day Skipper qualification is not accepted in Greece at this time. Original license/certificate must be presented upon check-in at the base.

Follow the link for more information on the sailing conditions.

Click here to view the sailing requirements in Greece. 

Download Sunsails Athens Cruising Guide here. 

Sailing Grounds

Skippered charter information

The skipper’s time is booked from 12pm-12pm in 24-hour periods. If you have reserved a skipper for the first day of your charter and have a 6pm start, he or she will use this time to ensure they are happy with all aspects of the yacht and will be at the base to meet you upon your arrival. If you’ve reserved a skipper for a later date on your charter they will start at 12pm on that day.

The skipper is responsible for the safety of the yacht at all times. They are not permitted to dive with you, nor leave the vessel overnight. He or she must conduct a safety brief with you before leaving the dock regardless of the duration of the contract with you.

For “check out charters” (anything less than the full duration of the charter) the check out skipper’s time is booked from 6pm-6pm to allow for a meet and greet in the evening and go over basic systems, then a full day with you the next day.

The skipper is required to give you a thorough briefing on all aspects of the yacht and dinghy in addition to assisting you with planning an itinerary for the trip and advising you how to contact the base, the return to base procedures and the emergency assistance procedures. We suggest that you attend the scheduled chart brief that will be supplemented by the skipper during his or her time with you on the yacht. We also suggest that you make it clear exactly what you want to cover: anchoring, docking, etc.

The skipper fee does not include food or beverages for the skipper and this is your responsibility. We suggest that you discuss this on the first day with your skipper and establish whether you’ll provide cash for meals, whether you’ve included him or her in your provisioning or whether you’ll accommodate him or her as part of the group for meals ashore.

The skipper must have his or her own cabin. We prefer not to put the skipper in the bow due to the shared head and size of the cabin. If you expect your skipper to stay in the bow, please let us know well in advance so that we can choose the appropriate (small) skipper.

For one-day check out skippers, it’s your responsibility to get the skipper back to the base. If you prefer not to come back to the base you must pay all expenses (ferry, taxi, etc.) to get him or her back to the base.

The average tip for a skipper is 15-20 percent of the skipper’s fee. This is, of course, at your discretion.

Sailing area restrictions
This information is covered in the chart briefing.

Night sailing
Night sailing is not permitted; you must be moored at least one hour before sunset at all of our locations.

Charts + pilot books
All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are on board the yacht.

Charts and pilot books can be purchased by mail order from the UK chandler Kelvin Hughes by contacting 02380 634911.

Sailing permits + taxes
In Greece it’s essential that we have all of the following details in advance: full name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality and passport number or ID card number for every member of your crew so that your boat papers can be prepared. You won’t be able to sail without these papers, and failure to supply information in advance could delay your departure from the base.

It’s also essential that you bring any RYA certificates or other sailing qualifications with you.

Moorings fees + taxes
Greece does levy mooring fees in some harbours, and these are not included in the price of the charter.

Most overnight stops in this area will be ‘bow to’ Mediterranean mooring on town quays. This will cost approximately 10 euro per night to be paid at each town locally. Marina prices are considerably higher, depending on the size of your yacht.

If you stop free of charge at a private jetty, it is expected that you will eat at that taverna.

Shower facilities are available at most restaurants for a small charge.

Health + safety

Swim Safe 

Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. However local rules, flag systems, currents and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets and Diver Down flags are all available on board. 

Children

• Talk to children about water safety at the start of a vacation, making them aware of the potential dangers.
• Accidents can happen at any time on vacation, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by, or in the water.
• Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended. 
• Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.

Be aware of your surroundings

• Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted. 
• Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth and marine life.
• Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.

Look out for others

• Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party and use the snorkel vests provided.
• Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.

Do not overestimate your ability

• Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming technique.
• Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open water swimming can be very different.

Safety

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use this equipment during your vacation. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat on boarding – If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing. 

We have a very limited supply of children’s life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are travelling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them.  

Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck. 

Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy. 

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Provisioning

This destination offers online provisioning. Visit store.sunsail.com to order.

For delivery on the yacht, please also view https://balaskas.shop/en/?ref=sunsail-athens-provisioning

Eat

Supermarket

The supermarket Sklavenitis is situated 5 minutes walk from the Sunsail yachts

Open hours:

MON-FRI: 8:00- 21:00

SAT: 8:00-20:00

SUN: CLOSED

There is only one small supermarket which is open on Sunday and it is 10 minutes walk from the office.Opening hours are 9:00-23:00.

Dining

Restaurants
There is an excellent choice of tavernas and restaurants throughout these islands. Local Sunsail base staff will advise you of their whereabouts.

Tipping
Tipping is standard and expected in all restaurants/bars and for other services undertaken during your holiday. The rule of thumb is generally 10-15 percent of the amount charged. Some establishments automatically add this onto the bill.

Tip according to quality of service.

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Shop

Around the base

Hotels

*Savoy Hotel | Iroon Politechniou 93

*Piräus | Tel: +30 2104 284 580 | savoy@teunet.gr

*Hotel Phidia | Address:Kountouriotou 189, Pireas 185 35, Greece | Phone: +30 21 0429 6480

*The Alex, Monte Kastella | Address: Leof. Al. Papanastasiou 109, Pireas 185 33 | Greece Phone: +30 21 1198 3763

*Piraeus Theoxenia Hotel | Address: 23, Karaoli ke Dimitriou Street, Pireas 185 31, Greece | Phone: +30 21 0411 2550

Currency
The currency in Greece is the euro (EUR). Money changing facilities are present in the majority of towns, although, they are not that readily available off the beaten track. Money changing should be done either with cash or by travellers’ cheques, euro cheques and credit cards are rarely accepted, with most local tavernas accepting only cash.

Please note: base is unable to accept cash or personal cheques, and cannot give cash back on credit or debit (Switch/Delta) cards. 

Banking
Banks are open Monday to Thursday from 8:00 – 2:30 pm and Friday from 8:00 – 2:00 pm.

There is often small exchange offices in town offering a better exchange rate than the bank. They are open from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.

Banks are available in Piraeus close to Zea Marina, Epidavros, Ermioni and also on the larger islands of Aegina, Hydra, and Spetsai.

Supermarket
The supermarket Sklavenitis is situated 5 minutes by foot from the base.

For more information on what’s included on your yacht, please view the full list here.

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Things to do

Car and Jeep Hire
Car hire is available at Athens Airport and throughout Greece. All international rental companies are available.

*Hertz Car Rental -Akti Miaouli 67 · +30 21 0452 6600

*Europcar – Piraeus Port Mark. Mpotsari 1 · +30 21 0418 4448

*Avis 4 Αλέξανδρου Παπαδιαμάντη · 21 0687 9800

Visit Hellenic Maritime Museum in Zea

Sightseeing Athens-Piraeus
These lines operate daily and trace the history and culture of Athens-Piraeus. It is one of the best ways to discover Piraeus. https://citysightseeing.gr/en

Swimming Pool at The Marina

Brunch/Lunch
There are multiple restaurants available inside the marina and you can choose between pasta, Mexican, Asian or Greek souvlaki.

Walking: Visit Peiraiki in Piraeus
If you love discovering a city by walking and if you also love walking next to the sea. Peiraiki is also famous for its “ouzeri”, you can enjoy a glass of ouzo while tasting octopus, squid and a big salad with feta cheese and tomatoes.