Bearing True South
Bearing True South
5
Multi-day ToursRiver Rafting & TubingScuba & Snorkelling4WD, ATV & Off-Road ToursAdrenaline & Extreme ToursBoat ToursWalking ToursHiking & Camping ToursPrivate ToursStand Up Paddleboarding
Full view

About
A team of like minded, experienced travelers who share the vision to provide guests with authentic, memorable, 'place dependent' experiences.
We organize nature based guided tours, ranging from sailing adventures, to multi day outdoor tours.
We cooperate with hand-picked certified specialists and carefully selected locals in order to deliver high quality experiences by travelers for travelers.
Athens, Attica, Greece
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
Similar Experiences
Bearing True South
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about

Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
116 reviews
Excellent
116
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
John S
13 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
We had such a nice trip! The staff spent a good bit of time preparing us in advance recommending places to stay in Athens and even lining up a wonderful archeologist to guide us on a tour of the Acropolis and surrounding area. The sailing was incredible. Our captain and guide took care of us and the boat was amazing.
When we arrived, there was a lot of wind from a storm south of us. They were able to modify the trip to stay in calm waters and made sure we were comfortable. I highly recommend this charter company and will use them again!
When we arrived, there was a lot of wind from a storm south of us. They were able to modify the trip to stay in calm waters and made sure we were comfortable. I highly recommend this charter company and will use them again!
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley
1 contribution
Sep 2022
We had an incredible time exploring Greece with Bearing True South. This was truly a hands-off operation, where all you have to do is show up and have a good time. Their communication throughout the entire process was excellent and prompt. Every staff member we interacted with was very friendly and always strived to exceed expectations. We will definitely use this company again when we return to Greece. I wish other tourism companies operated at their level. The price was slightly higher than some of the other options but it was 100% worth it.
Our initial plan was to explore the Cyclades but bad weather was likely to make the trip unenjoyable. The crew (Panos & Happy) recognized the problem a few days in advance and suggested we visit the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs instead. We are very glad they were knowledgeable with alternatives and comfortable adjusting the route to provide us a full week of good conditions. Happy, our skipper, was a true professional. He was willing to teach us about the boat and would explain sailing concepts through out the course of our trip.
The crew was very good at communicating our options and tailored the trip according to our interests. Not once did we feel like we were led into a tourist trap at any of the restaurants or shops where they took us. We're still dreaming about every wonderful meal! We avoided crowded places for the most part and got to see many places that most tourists probably don't get to see. We appreciated their willingness to teach us about their culture and their patience answering our endless questions.
Our sailing party was a total of 6 people (3 couples) and we were unsure about which boat to get. We ended up deciding on the Hanse 508 mainly because each couple would have their own bathroom. This was the BEST decision we made the entire trip. The boat was very comfortable for our group.
After our sailing trip we took a 3 day trip to Meteora and Delfi (also through Bearing True South) and that was as well organized as the sailing. The views were amazing and our driver (Dimitri) was extremely professional and very punctual. The hotels and restaurants along the way were very nice and always exceeded our expectations.
Our initial plan was to explore the Cyclades but bad weather was likely to make the trip unenjoyable. The crew (Panos & Happy) recognized the problem a few days in advance and suggested we visit the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs instead. We are very glad they were knowledgeable with alternatives and comfortable adjusting the route to provide us a full week of good conditions. Happy, our skipper, was a true professional. He was willing to teach us about the boat and would explain sailing concepts through out the course of our trip.
The crew was very good at communicating our options and tailored the trip according to our interests. Not once did we feel like we were led into a tourist trap at any of the restaurants or shops where they took us. We're still dreaming about every wonderful meal! We avoided crowded places for the most part and got to see many places that most tourists probably don't get to see. We appreciated their willingness to teach us about their culture and their patience answering our endless questions.
Our sailing party was a total of 6 people (3 couples) and we were unsure about which boat to get. We ended up deciding on the Hanse 508 mainly because each couple would have their own bathroom. This was the BEST decision we made the entire trip. The boat was very comfortable for our group.
After our sailing trip we took a 3 day trip to Meteora and Delfi (also through Bearing True South) and that was as well organized as the sailing. The views were amazing and our driver (Dimitri) was extremely professional and very punctual. The hotels and restaurants along the way were very nice and always exceeded our expectations.
Written September 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward S
Ithaca, NY3 contributions
Sep 2024 • Friends
True Bearing South provided a fantastic experience of sailing in the Cyclades with a group of eight mature friends- 50’s thru 80’s. Our skilled and very cool captain and his assistant, our cultural ambassador, were wonderful, keeping us safe and navigating most of the island sites. We were well oriented and supported in touring Athens and then getting to the boat by the company owners, Stav and Panos - all things promised were delivered and much more. This can be an experience of a lifetime for people interested in world history, Mediterranean culture, and sailing life.
Written October 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
panelson
Stamford, CT5 contributions
Jan 2020
Six of us, myself, my wife, our friends, and their two 21 year old daughters signed on with Bearing True South for a six day trip around the Greek Islands. Along with Stavros, our guide, and Petros, our skipper, we sailed on Victoria, one of Bearing True South's 48 ft sloops.
This was an exceptional trip for so many reasons! Not only are the Greek Islands extremely beautiful, but both Petros and Stavros were very accommodating and are wonderful people. This makes all the difference, especially when sailing. Petros is an excellent skipper, so everyone always felt confident and safe, and Victoria was very clean and comfortable. Stav had the trip itinerary very well organized, taking us to different islands, swimming spots, and ancient ruins that would have been difficult to find on our own. He managed to keep us away from the overly crowded island towns while still giving us the Greek Island experience that we were looking for. He was also very flexible, so we always felt like we could adjust our plans at any time. If you like to eat, Stav will definitely set you up with reservations at some of the best authentic Greek restaurants.
Picture this: hors d'oeuvres and cocktails on deck as you are sailing at sunset with dolphins swimming along side! or: dropping anchor in a cove at Milos with crystal clear water and jumping overboard with mask and snorkel! or: hiking to the top of Serifos for sunset and dinner.
This was a "bucket list" adventure for us and one that I highly recommend. Contact Bearing True South. They do an amazing job, so you can relax and enjoy your vacation.
This was an exceptional trip for so many reasons! Not only are the Greek Islands extremely beautiful, but both Petros and Stavros were very accommodating and are wonderful people. This makes all the difference, especially when sailing. Petros is an excellent skipper, so everyone always felt confident and safe, and Victoria was very clean and comfortable. Stav had the trip itinerary very well organized, taking us to different islands, swimming spots, and ancient ruins that would have been difficult to find on our own. He managed to keep us away from the overly crowded island towns while still giving us the Greek Island experience that we were looking for. He was also very flexible, so we always felt like we could adjust our plans at any time. If you like to eat, Stav will definitely set you up with reservations at some of the best authentic Greek restaurants.
Picture this: hors d'oeuvres and cocktails on deck as you are sailing at sunset with dolphins swimming along side! or: dropping anchor in a cove at Milos with crystal clear water and jumping overboard with mask and snorkel! or: hiking to the top of Serifos for sunset and dinner.
This was a "bucket list" adventure for us and one that I highly recommend. Contact Bearing True South. They do an amazing job, so you can relax and enjoy your vacation.
Written December 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eileen C
13 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
This was an absolute trip of a lifetime! We just returned from a week long sailing trip with Bearing True South and could not be happier with our experience. We are a group of 3 couples who are all friends who had initially planned this trip to be done in 2020 but because of Covid had to reschedule a few times. From the initial communication with Stav to experiencing the trip with our guide Panos and skipper George, this week exceeded our expectations. The email, Skype and text communication with Stav and Panos was always timely and informative. We had read prior reviews through trip advisor and one person had recommended to just trust their recommendations and we wholeheartedly agree. Panos and George were phenomenal throughout the entire week. Panos had great recommendations for what bays to go to to swim, what islands to go to, what to do on the islands, where to eat etc and he did not steer us wrong. He set up dinner reservations for us each night and had the perfect recommendations for where to take out money and buy supplies on each island. George and Panos became fast friends and we enjoyed spending the week with them, having dinner and drinks with them and learning about their lives and about the Greek culture. We highly recommend Bearing True South as a company to work with and will forever remember this trip as one of the best trips we have ever taken.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cris H
2 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Our experience with True Bearing South was truly exceptional. The trip leaders were the most skilled I’ve ever encountered on any tour. Happy and his capable assistant, Joy, worked seamlessly as a team, and each was remarkable in their own way. I would gladly travel with either or both of them again, fully trusting in their deep knowledge of the land and seas we explored. Their ability to manage a group of eight while immersing us in Greek culture was truly impressive.
Written October 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jill o
1 contribution
Oct 2022
We had an amazing sailing adventure with Bearing True South! Stavros, Happy, and Joy took excellent care of us. Due to high winds and big waves, we were not able to do the planned trip to the Cyclades. However, Happy (skipper) and Joy (guide) changed our itinerary and we enjoyed alternate islands and ports on the mainland. Happy found wind protected coves for us to enjoy the Mediterranean. Joy ordered all of dinners for us so that we could maximize the number of Greek dishes we could enjoy family style. Greece is a beautiful country filled with the nicest people. We look forward to sailing again with Bearing True South!
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nvwinegirl
Napa, CA88 contributions
Jun 2022
I’ve often said that the most memorable trips are those shared with loved ones. A sailing adventure with Bearing True South truly delivered, provided the memories and so much more! Stavros and Panos helped us to organize a group of 8 girlfriends for an epic sailing week. They helped us plan a week for an authentic experience discovering the hidden gems of the Aegean Sea — from the culinary delights to a different, charming island every day, swimming in remote bays, and engaging with the locals along the way. Our host, Harris (Joy) and our Captain (Petros) were the absolute BEST! Their engaging energy and desire to show us their favorite places made it extra special. Petros had a way of always finding us a place at port (often somehow working his magic and squeezing us in) and when we asked to go “off the grid” and anchor away in a hidden bay, he found us the most spectacular locations. If you’re looking to make memories and discover a “locals” Greece, then look no further than Bearing True South. The most memorable way to travel and explore the magical islands of Greece!
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marissamtpsc
Mount Pleasant, SC3 contributions
Oct 2022
Most epic trip ever! We were lucky enough to sail the Cyclades from 10/8/22 - 10/15/22 on the Ellora. There were 3 couples along with Happy our skipper and Joy our tour guide. Each couple had their own cabin with private bathroom - which was great! It was a fantastic trip, every day carefully planned out by Happy and Joy. Each day was a new island destination. Beautiful architecture, swimming and paddle boarding in the turquoise blue sea, fantastic food and amazing sunsets all orchestrated by Joy. Joy was an expert at planning out what to do, and where to go. We had beautiful hikes to hill tops and she knew the perfect restaurants to head to after where we would try the best local foods and sample the ouzo, and tsipouro. Happy was truly an expert skipper and we all felt extremely safe every moment on the boat, and during our sailing across the Aegean. The only negative was when we had to leave... We didn't want the trip to end. I would most definitely book this same trip again! I'm certain that the next trip would be just as amazing!
Written October 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael S
1 contribution
Jun 2021
This was a fantastic trip all around. We enjoyed every part of it, from the sailing to the food to the people. We'd highly recommend it as a family vacation.
Booking and planning for this trip was a pleasure. Stavros was incredibly helpful in helping us plan travel (including through a year delay over COVID), including where to stay before and after we sailed, what to pack, booking our COVID tests for our return trip home, a tour guide in Athens. Literally everything.
Our travel was great. Stavros was our guide and Kosta was our captain. We really enjoyed being on the boat and our time in port on the islands. It's definitely tight quarters for 8 people, but it felt very comfortable and we enjoyed every minute of it. They took the time to understand what we were interested in and helped craft a trip that worked with weather, wind, and what we were interested in seeing. Also - they were frankly great company.
The islands were beautiful, interesting in their individual character, and full of delightful people and good food. Stavros made sure we were able to learn about Greek history, enjoy the food and traditions of each island, and enjoy some time in the sun and in the unbelievably beautiful waters of the Aegean.
A few tips - Getting in the day before we sailed was nice, we got to recharge a bit after a long trip from the states. We stayed in Athens, but would recommend staying close to the marina in Lavrion for the night before the sail. It seemed like a nice little town and staying there saves a lot of windshield time. Also - save a couple of days for Athens on the back end. It's a beautiful place with a lot of history. Staying near the city center was great for site seeing, dining, and shopping.
Booking and planning for this trip was a pleasure. Stavros was incredibly helpful in helping us plan travel (including through a year delay over COVID), including where to stay before and after we sailed, what to pack, booking our COVID tests for our return trip home, a tour guide in Athens. Literally everything.
Our travel was great. Stavros was our guide and Kosta was our captain. We really enjoyed being on the boat and our time in port on the islands. It's definitely tight quarters for 8 people, but it felt very comfortable and we enjoyed every minute of it. They took the time to understand what we were interested in and helped craft a trip that worked with weather, wind, and what we were interested in seeing. Also - they were frankly great company.
The islands were beautiful, interesting in their individual character, and full of delightful people and good food. Stavros made sure we were able to learn about Greek history, enjoy the food and traditions of each island, and enjoy some time in the sun and in the unbelievably beautiful waters of the Aegean.
A few tips - Getting in the day before we sailed was nice, we got to recharge a bit after a long trip from the states. We stayed in Athens, but would recommend staying close to the marina in Lavrion for the night before the sail. It seemed like a nice little town and staying there saves a lot of windshield time. Also - save a couple of days for Athens on the back end. It's a beautiful place with a lot of history. Staying near the city center was great for site seeing, dining, and shopping.
Written June 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.