In short:

• Ionian Islands: the easiest area for beginners. Sheltered waters, moderate wind, and very short hops between stops.
• Saronic Gulf: ideal for a first week departing from Athens. Short passages, simple logistics.
• Cyclades: the most spectacular islands, but with strong winds in summer. Book a captain, or go in May, June, or September.
• License: the US has no federal boating license, so Greek charter bases ask the skipper for a recognized certification (ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising, US Sailing Bareboat Cruising, or an IPC/ICC) and a sailing resume, plus a second crew member with sailing experience. No certification? Book a skippered or crewed charter, available in all three areas.

The three areas compared

Wind, the number one criterion

• Ionian: northwesterly maestro, calm in the morning, picks up around noon and dies down in the evening.
• Saronic: north to northeast wind, a weaker meltemi since the gulf is sheltered by Attica.
• Cyclades: the meltemi, a dry north to northeast summer wind, blows hardest in July and August, often for several days in a row.

Good to know:

• The meltemi can keep a boat in port for 1 to 3 days in the Cyclades.
• In the Ionian, sail in the morning and you'll be at anchor before the afternoon breeze builds.

When is the best time to sail in Greece?

Price-wise, July and August are the most expensive months in all three areas. June and September offer the best balance of weather, price, and crowds.

Charter bases in Greece and getting there

• Ionian: bases in Lefkada, Corfu, Preveza, and Kefalonia; airports in Preveza, Corfu, and Kefalonia.
• Saronic: bases in Athens (Alimos) and Lavrio; Athens airport.
• Cyclades: bases in Lavrio, Athens (Alimos), Paros, Syros, and Mykonos; airports in Athens, Paros, Mykonos, and Syros.
• Lefkada and Athens have the largest charter fleets in the country.
• Starting from Paros or Syros puts you in the heart of the Cyclades from day one, with no crossing from the mainland.
• Charters usually run Saturday to Saturday.

Each area in detail

Ionian Islands

• Strengths: waters sheltered by the mainland, plenty of coves, and islands very close to one another.
• Watch out for: very busy anchorages in August, so arrive early.
• Sample one-week route from Lefkada: Lefkada → Meganisi → Kalamos → Kastos → Ithaca → Kefalonia (Fiskardo) → Lefkada.
• Sailing time: 1 to 3 hours a day.

Compare the models available for a sailboat charter in the Ionian Islands.

Saronic Gulf

• Strengths: direct departure from Athens, lively harbors, and few transfers.
• Watch out for: ferry traffic around Athens and Aegina, and crowded docks in high season on Hydra.
• Sample one-week route from Alimos: Alimos → Aegina → Poros → Hydra → Poros → Agistri → Alimos.
• Sailing time: 2 to 4 hours a day.

Cyclades

• Strengths: whitewashed villages on Sifnos and Serifos, clear water, and fewer crowds in the Western Cyclades than around Mykonos.
• Watch out for: the summer meltemi and open-water crossings. Build 1 to 2 spare days into your plan.
• Sample one-week route from Lavrio (Western Cyclades): Lavrio → Kea → Kythnos → Serifos → Sifnos → Kythnos → Lavrio.
• Sailing time: 3 to 5 hours a day.

No license, or no wish to take the helm? A cruise in the Cyclades lets you book a single cabin and explore the islands with a crew on board.

Frequently asked questions

Catamaran or monohull sailboat for a first yacht charter?

In the Cyclades, a catamaran's stability makes the meltemi far more comfortable: explore our catamaran charter in the Cyclades.

How many days should you plan?

• Ionian: 7 days.
• Saronic: 3 to 7 days.
• Cyclades: 7 days for the Western Cyclades from Lavrio, 10 to 14 days to go further, with extra time in case of meltemi.

Can you combine two areas?

• Saronic and Cyclades: yes, from Athens or Lavrio, over 10 to 14 days.
• Ionian and Cyclades: possible as a one-way charter of 14 days or more through the Corinth Canal (toll payable). The canal has closed several times since 2021, so check its status before you book.

What about a large group?

• All three areas work well, by booking several boats that sail together (flotilla).
• Large catamarans can accommodate 10 to 12 guests.
• In all three areas, harbors have room for a flotilla to moor side by side, so your group can spend the evenings together.

The meltemi is a dry, steady northerly wind that blows across the Aegean Sea from mid-May to the end of September, peaking in July and August. It typically reaches Force 4 to 6 on the Beaufort scale (Bft), or 11 to 27 knots, with gusts of Force 7 or 8 (28 to 40 knots). In August, the central and eastern Cyclades (Mykonos, Tinos, Andros, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Amorgos, Santorini) are the most exposed. The Ionian Islands and the Saronic Gulf remain the most sheltered areas.

What is the meltemi?

The meltemi (meltemi in Greek, also known as the etesian wind) is caused by the pressure difference between an area of high pressure over the Balkans and a thermal low over Turkey. Air flows from north to south across the Aegean.

• Direction: northeasterly in the northern Aegean, northerly in the Cyclades, northwesterly toward the Dodecanese and Crete.
• Associated weather: clear skies, dry air, tempered heat.
• Sea state: short, steep seas, especially in the straits between the islands.

When does the meltemi blow?

The meltemi follows a fairly predictable pattern:

• During the day: it picks up in the late morning, peaks in the afternoon and often eases in the evening.
• Length of an episode: usually 3 to 7 days, sometimes longer in high summer.
• Lulls: windows of 1 to 3 days of light wind often separate two episodes.

For a yacht charter in Greece in July or August, these cycles matter as much as the sailing area: a lull of 1 to 3 days is often enough to make an exposed crossing.

Which islands should you avoid in August?

The islands themselves are less of a problem than the crossings between them: the Kafireas Strait (between Evia and Andros), the passage between Mykonos and Tinos and the channel between Naxos and Paros are known for rough seas when the meltemi is in full force.

Where to sail in Greece in August?

• Ionian Islands: the best choice in August, with a moderate thermal breeze in the afternoon and short distances. A yacht charter in the Ionian Islands is ideal for families or first-time crews: short legs, often under 15 nautical miles, and plenty of sheltered anchorages.
• Saronic Gulf: close to Athens, generally sheltered, with short island-hopping passages.
• Southern Dodecanese: moderate exposure and short legs between Nisyros, Tilos, Symi and Rhodes.
• Cyclades: best kept for experienced crews, or planned for June and September.

Filovent’s advisors will point you toward the most suitable departure base for your sailing dates and your crew’s experience.

How to sail with the meltemi

• Plan your route to sail downwind (wind behind you) rather than upwind (beating into the wind): head south at the start of the week, then return in short legs early in the morning, or choose a one-way charter when the base allows it.
• Set off early in the morning and arrive before the wind builds in the afternoon.
• Allow 1 to 2 spare days in your schedule in case you get stuck in port.
• Anchor on the south coasts of the islands, sheltered from the swell, but watch out for gusts funneling down from the high ground on mountainous islands (Amorgos, Ios, Andros).
• Check the forecast every day, for example on the website of the National Observatory of Athens (meteo.gr) or the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (emy.gr).
• Opt for a skippered yacht charter if your crew lacks experience in strong winds.

Frequently asked questions about the meltemi

Is the meltemi dangerous?

It is not dangerous for an experienced crew on a well-prepared boat, but it makes sailing physically demanding and uncomfortable. Before skippering yourself, check the boating license requirements in Greece and assess your ability in strong winds. In strong winds, the Greek port authorities may ban departures; the threshold depends on the type and size of the boat.

Catamaran or monohull in the meltemi?

A catamaran heels very little and is more comfortable at anchor, but it points less well into the wind. A monohull performs better upwind in a heavy sea. Either way, your route matters more than the type of boat.

Can a meltemi episode be forecast?

Yes, usually 3 to 5 days in advance. Weather models and the Poseidon system run by the Greek institute HCMR (poseidon.hcmr.gr) predict its arrival and strength reliably, so you can adapt your route day by day.

Should you avoid the Cyclades in summer?

Not necessarily. June and September remain the best months. In July and August, departing from Lavrio or Athens, favor Kea, Kythnos and Syros, which are less exposed than Mykonos or Naxos, and save long crossings for calmer days.