The beauty of flotilla rallies is that they are also done in the Mediterranean
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If you are thinking of sailing in the Mediterranean in 2026, but want to do so safely and in an atmosphere of sharing and celebration, here are two super-tested events for you.
Created to tackle ocean challenges, flotilla rallies have proven their effectiveness in making even the most challenging routes accessible, ensuring safety and mutual support. Today, this winning formula expands, landing in the heart of the Mediterranean, one of the most beautiful and historically rich seas in the world. Let’s discover together two events that embody the spirit of rallies, offering unique experiences among the crystal-clear waters and breathtaking coastlines of the “Mare Nostrum”: the adrenaline-fueled Aegean 600, a regatta-rally among the Greek islands, and the goliardic Trophée Bailli de Suffren, a stage cruise for vintage boats that evokes the charm of classic sailing.
Read also: Sailing in the Pacific: how to sail a flotilla in the South Seas
A sport rally among the majesty of the Greek islands
Organized by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club and supported by Olympic Marine and Rolex, the Aegean 600 is a true rally-regatta that is very competitive and that sailors love for a very simple reason: it takes place along a course that is one of the most spectacular you will ever encounter. It is basically a counterclockwise circumnavigation of the Aegean Sea that starts from below the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion and winds around magnificent Greek islands rich in history: from Rhodes, to Milos, and then Agathonissi, Santorini, Karpathos to the beautiful Mykonos, to name a few. The mileage total is 605 topped by abundant Meltemi, the north-northwest wind that blows full blast over those archipelagos in the summer months. A real treat for the participants.
Aegean 600 2026
Route: Sounio – Milos – Santorini – Kassos – Karpathos – Rhodes – Kandelousa – Kos – Kalolimnos – Farmakonissi – Agathonissi – Patmos – Mikonos – Dilos – Kea – Sounio
Miles: 605 miles
Departure: July 5, 2026
Duration: about 10 days
Minimum boat size: IRC, ORC, ORC Club tared boats
Crew: minimum 2 people
Info: www.aegean600.com
The Bailli de Suffren: competition, goliardia and fabulous sea
Goliardia, reenactment of the past, merriment, distribution of honorifics of a chivalrous nature, gifts, rivers of champagne, gentlemen, owners and captains engaged in a long stage race-cruise based on free tactical choices, where “far play” and the desire to have fun count, without giving too much weight to competition. This is the spirit of the Trophèe Bailli de Suffren, an original two-week Mediterranean stage offshore race reserved for classic and vintage sailboats. It is run along the Saint Tropez – Malta route, stopping in Porto Rotondo, Sardinia, and Trapani, Sicily. About 30 boats register for each edition. The event is organized by the MareNostrum Racing Club of Saint Tropez.
Trophèe Bailli de Suffren 2026
Route: Saint Tropez – Bonifacio – Porto Rotondo – Trapani – Malta
Miles: about 600 miles
Departure: end of June 2026
Duration: about two weeks
Minimum boat size: reserved for vintage and classic boats
Crew: minimum 2 people
Info: www.tropheebaillidesuffren.com
David Ingiosi
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