We start the Aegean Islands from the Gulf of Saronica starting with the island of Aegina just 13 nm SE of Pireaus. Then we will head over south to the island of Poros and after that we will be watching for a good weather window to avoid the maltemi, the winds that blow from the NE and the NW as we plan to head NE towards Cape Sounion on the mainland so to position us better for heading through the Cyclades and the Dodecanese island during the heavy maltemi weather during June-July and August, before we arrive in Turkey.

Aegina: The town from our anchorage

Aegina: Fishing harbour

Poros: Very nice island with a great anchorage, all round protection

Poros: Another view of the town.

From  Poros  we spent a night anchored near Cape Sounin on the mainland then we started the Cyclades islands of the Aegean, it was like entering a different world. These islands a just magical with whitewashed walls and blue painted doors and windows, barren rock with hardly any trees. Turquoise water and nice sandy beaches and many spectacular anchorages with protection from the Maltemi. And mostly sparsely populated.

Kea: the town of Korissio in the background

Kynthos: Kolona the sand bar that connects the one island to the other

Kynthos: Kolona Bay, Maltese Falcon to the right of Lillian

Serifos: we are at the very top of the town on a peak.

Serifos: Lillian just walked on the roof of this small church at the chora

Sifnos: Church on a rock near Kastro

Sifnos: This is at the old town of Kastro

Sifnos: Chrysopiji, near Faros

Paros: The ruins of an old medeivial fort

Paros: The capital Paroikia

Paros: Having a Greek lamb lunch in Paroikia

Naxos: Restaurants in the alleys within the chora

Naxos: This is the gate to what is left of the temple of Apollo

Naxos: Hiking in the hills near Apeirantho

Mykanos: The windmils of Mykanos

Mykanos: Another windmill

Mykanos: Relaxing at Elia Beach

Fournoi: beach in front of the boat sans the tourist

Ikaria: The town of Kirykos as we saile by.

Samos: The old town by the ruins

Samos: This is Kokkari Beach very popular with tourists

Samos: Kokkari as seen from the east

Marinthos: you can only reach this island by boat

From Marinthos we headed over the short distance to the next group of islands called the Dodecanese, these include Patmos, Leros, Koz, Kalymnos and the last one Symi.
Symi was our check out point out of Greece before heading to Turkey.
Most of these islands are bare with not much vegetation except in some of the valleys not directly in the sun’s path. The scenery is most spectacular as the are mountainous and very ragged.

Patmos: View of the NE coast with its many coves as seen fro the monastery

Patmos: The Chora around the monastary

Patmos: This picture was taken as we sailed south along the coast of the island.

Leros: this is the view of Panteli from the boat

Leros: This is a very interesting winmill located in Agia Marina Bay, it partialy sank.