Yacht charter Greece

Types of boats to rent in Greece

Depending on your budget and your sailing plan, several types of boat are available:

• A monohull sailboat charter is the most economical alternative, ideal for experienced sailors! The size of this boat makes it easy to enter coves and anchorage areas. In addition, the sensations of sailing on a monohull, especially the heeling over, are unique.
• A catamaran charter is perfect for those who prioritize comfort and living space. Thanks to its great stability and spacious cabins, the catamaran is the perfect option for a relaxing vacation, provided your budget allows.
• Motorboat charter: often more affordable and economical, it is the perfect option for a day charter.

Services offered for your yacht charter in Greece

Here are the different services we offer for renting a boat in Greece: 

• Bareboat yacht charter: if a member of the crew has sailing experience, they will be able to steer the sailboat. You will have the boat to yourselves, allowing you to fully enjoy your cruise in Greece with friends or family.
• Yacht charter with a skipper: this is the perfect solution if no one in your group is capable of manoeuvring the boat or if you want a carefree vacation. The professional skipper will take charge of navigation and, thanks to his knowledge of the region, will guide you to the best places for anchored boats.
• Yacht charter with crew: this service is generally included for luxury yachts over 20 meters. For a catamaran charter in Greece between 10 and 20 meters, it is offered as an option. A typical crew includes a captain, a cook and a hostess. They will be entirely dedicated to your comfort and will ensure that your cruise is memorable!
• Cabin cruise: you rent a cabin on a high-standard, people-sized boat, shared with other passengers. A professional crew takes care of navigation, meal preparation and service on board. This is the ideal option if you plan to travel as a couple or if you don't have the budget to rent the entire boat.

How much does a yacht charter in Greece cost?

The following table gives you a dead reckoning of the average prices for a sailboat charter in Greece. Note that these rates may vary according to the season, availability, type of model, age of the boat, among other factors.

The price includes: yacht charter and the main equipment on board (sails, crockery, Wi-Fi, dinghy, bedding and outboard engine).

The price does not include: insurance, port and anchorage fees, the skipper, hostess, cleaning (which is often included in a compulsory package), extras (kayak, paddle sup, etc.) and provisions taken on board.

If you are interested in chartering a yacht in Greece, we encourage you to contact us directly to access our price list. Prices can vary greatly depending on the model of yacht. Lina, our expert in crew and luxury boats, will be happy to offer you the most advantageous deals.

We recommend that you take out our cancellation insurance when you book your yacht charter in Greece. This insurance protects all members of the crew, unlike individual cancellation insurance or that offered by your credit card, which only covers the cardholder.

We also encourage our customers to opt for damage waiver insurance. Even the most experienced sailors can encounter damage at sea. With this insurance, you can recover a large portion of your deposit in the event of damage related to navigation.

Where to sail in Greece?

Whether you want to explore the golden beaches ofthe island of Kos, admire the wild coves of the Halkidiki peninsula or stroll through the charming alleys of Paros, each stopover promises unforgettable discoveries. Get ready for a unique adventure, swimming in crystal-clear waters and visiting historical sites.

Five sailing areas are accessible by boat in Greece:

• The Ionian Islands. This area is made up of mountainous islands with lush vegetation. You can set off from Lefkas or Corfu and head down to Ithaca, the island of Ulysses, as well as Kefalonia and Zakynthos.
• The Saronic Gulf. This archipelago is famous for its mountainous islands and its nightlife. In this area you will find the islands of Moni, Hydra, Dokos and Spetses.
• The Cyclades. This is the most popular area, and for good reason! It includes very famous islands such as Mykonos and Santorini, which are visited by many celebrities. There are also many islands with small villages. Be careful, the winds regularly blow at over 60 km/h, especially in July and August.
• The Sporades. This part of Greece is more difficult to access but well worth the detour! You will find green landscapes with small mountainous islands and few tourists in summer. You can visit Skopelos, the main location for the filming of the movie Mamma Mia released in 2008.
• The Dodecanese. This archipelago is made up of 12 main islands and 150 islets with sandy and volcanic landscapes. This area is strongly influenced by nearby Turkey.

Sailing conditions in Greece

The wind is very strong periodically in the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands: the Meltemi (often >30 knots, 60 km/h, force 7), and a little less strong in the Saronic Gulf (often >20 knots, 40 km/h, force 5) which is sheltered by the Attica peninsula. The Meltemi blows from north to south, particularly in July and August.

The north wind is calmer in the Sporades, quite variable in summer (moderate Meltem), rarely exceeding wind force 4 (18 knots, 30 km/h).

The winds are steady in the Ionian Islands, with a thermal breeze in summer, rarely exceeding wind force 4 (18 knots, 30 km/h). They blow mainly from the northwest towards the mainland.

The climate is warm in Greece, between 20 and 30ºC in June, July, August and September. The water temperature is above 20ºC in June, July, August, September and October.

Sailings are long (>20 nautical miles per day, >4 hours) in the Cyclades. It is possible to sail short distances in the Saronic Gulf, the Ionian Islands, the Sporades and the Dodecanese.

When to sail in Greece?

Greece has a predominantly Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, making it an ideal cruising ground from April to October. In summer, temperatures in Greece range from 20°C to 33°C, with the water temperature around 25°C.

Here is an average of the temperatures recorded in recent years in Greece:

Sailing conditions in Greece vary from one region to another. The wind is periodically very strong in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese islands: the Meltemi (often over 30 knots, 60 km/h, force 7), and a little less strong in the Saronic Gulf (often over 20 knots, 40 km/h, force 5). The Meltemi blows from north to south, especially in July and August. The north wind is calmer in the Sporades, quite variable in summer (moderate Meltemi), rarely exceeding wind force 4 (18 knots, 30 km/h). The winds are more regular in the Ionian Islands, with a thermal sea breeze in summer, rarely exceeding wind force 4 (18 knots, 30 km/h).

The documents required to rent a boat without a skipper in Greece

In Greece, you will need a boat license to skipper a sailboat or a motorboat. The European boat license is accepted if it is translated into English or Greek.

If you are chartering a boat, you will also need to have a co-skipper on board (who does not need a boat license).

Useful information for your yacht charter in Greece

What language is spoken in Greece?

The official language is Greek, but a large part of the population, especially in the big cities, speak English.

Which currency is used in Greece?

The currency used in Greece is the euro (EUR) since January 1, 2002.

How do I get to Greece?

There are numerous direct flights from Paris to Athens airport (ATH) for a cruise in the Cyclades and the Saronic Gulf. The other sailing areas are more difficult to reach because flights are less regular, especially outside the summer months. Two airports are available for access to the Ionian Islands: Corfu Airport (CFU) and Aktion Airport (PVK) in Preveza. The Dodecanese is also accessible via two airports: Kos and Rhodes. To get to the Sporades, you will need to make a stopover in Athens and then take a domestic flight to Skiathos.

How do I finalize the booking of my boat in Greece?

As soon as we receive your charter request, one of our advisors will call you to discuss your cruise plans. They will then send you suggestions for yachts by email. Once you have chosen the yacht that suits you, you can pay a deposit via your customer area to confirm the charter and book the yacht.

Does a cruise in Greece involve long voyages?

It all depends on the navigation area. In the Cyclades, the navigations are often long, generally more than 20 nautical miles, or more than 3 hours of navigation. If you want shorter navigations, the Saronic Gulf, the Ionian Islands, the Sporades Islands and the Dodecanese are more suitable navigation areas.