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
Fax: + 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 and Sat: 9am-8:30pm
Sun: 9am-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.
What's on board
Cool Boxes
Cool boxes are available at the base on a first come first served basis at no additional charge. Please sign for these and return them clean and undamaged otherwise you will be charged for replacement. Only one 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/
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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 to Monastiraki and change for Pireaus
- Bus – Route X96 to Pireaus
- Taxi – The easiest way to reach the marina is to take a taxi from the airport (plenty of taxis waiting just outside the airport). A taxi transfer takes about 60 minutes. Our base staff is happy to organize a taxi transfer for you. Please email Athanasia at [email protected].
Transfer by taxi (1-4 persons)
- Airport - Marina Zea: 60.00 €
- Marina Zea - airport: 60,00 €
Transfer by minibus (5-10 persons)
- Airport - Marina Zea: 90.00 €
- Marina Zea - airport: 90,00 €
Boarding time + checking out
On arrival
Your yacht will be ready at 1800 hrs for boarding. Chart and Boat briefings will be scheduled. 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
The base personnel will wait for you until 9:00pm. After 9:00pm, you will find an information sign at our reception office with a message for you indicating your yacht's berth. Your boat will be open and indicated by a sign with your name. The boat's equipment will be ready for the night. The base personnel will be available the next day at 9:00am.
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
- 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 5.00 euro per person. Children under 14 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool.
Sailing licenses
Sailing experience: Level 3
Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. 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.
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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Eat
Supermarket
The supermarket Sklavenitis is situated 5 minutes walk from the Sunsail yachts
Open hours:
MON-FRI: 9:00- 21:00
SAT: 9:00-20:00
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.
Shop
Around the base
Hotels
Savoy Hotel
Iroon Politechniou 93
Piräus
Tel: +30 2104 284 580
[email protected]
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.
Call our experts
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