The Real World Is Still Out There — October Half Term Sailing in Greece

When the nights start drawing in at home and the jumpers come back out, the Ionian is still quietly humming.
The water is warm, the days are long enough to linger, and the evenings stretch out with the smell of grilled fish and wood smoke.

For us, October half-term has always been a favourite. It’s when families who crave something real come out to sea — not for the showy kind of holiday, but for something slower. Something that reminds them what time together feels like.

When Screens Go Quiet and the Sea Takes Over

You can almost feel the shift happen on that first day.
Children — usually glued to screens — suddenly start watching the water instead. They coil ropes, spot dolphins, race to drop the anchor.
Teenagers rediscover curiosity, and parents find themselves laughing at things that have nothing to do with a phone.

It’s the kind of togetherness that used to come naturally, before life sped up. And it still exists — out here, between islands, beneath sun-bleached sails.

A Season That Stretches a Little Longer

While many companies close their doors after summer, our flotillas keep sailing right through October.
By then, the harbours are quieter. The locals know your name. And there’s an unspoken warmth in being part of those last evenings before the season ends.

For many of the taverna owners and shopkeepers, these weeks matter. They’re the last chance to gather stories and share one more meal before winter. And it feels good to know that our small community of sailors helps keep that rhythm alive.

Weather That’s Kind — and Water That’s Warm

The days are easy — mid-twenties on most afternoons, soft light, and enough breeze to fill the sails without fuss.
It’s t-shirt sailing, and the sea, after months of summer heat, is still deliciously warm.

Evenings are cooler — the sort where you wrap a jumper around your shoulders and eat under the stars. The pace slows. The conversation deepens.

The Beauty of Simplicity

We’ve seen every version of a family holiday at this time of year.
Grandparents with teenagers. Parents with little ones. Two boats travelling side by side, laughter echoing across the water.

It’s the kind of holiday that bends around you. There’s no fixed schedule, no pressure — just small adventures stitched together by the rhythm of the sea.

You learn quickly that the real joy isn’t in where you go, but in being there — together.

Why October Matters (More Than You Might Think)

For us, it’s not just another week on the calendar. It’s a gentle reminder of what travel can still be.
The Greek islands are quieter, yes — but they’re also more open. Conversations last longer. Meals stretch late into the night.

There’s space to notice the details: the way the light hits the water, the call of a fishing boat at dawn, the laughter of children echoing off a stone quay.

It’s the kind of travel that restores you — the kind that connects you back to what’s real.

If You’re Thinking Ahead

If this year slipped by, the next ones are already on the horizon.
May and October half terms, the gentle bookends of our season, have become beloved traditions for many families who return year after year.

Heidi and Barrie will be sailing from Sivota up to Corfu next week — waving to familiar faces, meeting new ones, and quietly celebrating another season spent in the place that feels like home.

Because Some Lessons Can’t Be Learned on a Screen

Out here, kids don’t scroll.
They steer. They tie knots. They laugh at dolphins.

And somewhere between the ropes, the waves, and the long, golden evenings — families remember what the real world feels like.

Explore our October Half Term Flotillas here.