The main inhabited islands of this group, so named because they lie in the Saronic Gulf just off the Greek mainland, are Salamis Island (where the ancient Greek navy famously defeated the Persians in the Battle of Salamis), Aegina, Angistri , and Poros. The islands of Hydra and Dokos, which lie off the northeast tip of the Peloponnese (technically between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf), are sometimes included as part of the Saronic Islands.

Many mainland Greeks have vacation homes in the Saronic Islands, which are regularly served by ferries from Piraeus and the Peloponnese.