Greece · Ionian, Cyclades & Dodecanese
Yacht Charter Greece
Yacht charter in Greece — the Ionian, the Cyclades and the Saronic, crewed or skippered.
Greece is not one cruising ground but three or four, and choosing between them matters more than choosing the boat. The Ionian is green, sheltered and forgiving; the Cyclades are bare, spectacular and windy; the Saronic is close to Athens and easy. Being told which one suits your party is worth more than any brochure.
The Ionian — the gentle one
Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Ithaca and Kefalonia: olive groves, Venetian harbours and an afternoon breeze rather than a serious wind. Distances are short and the water is sheltered.
It is the honest recommendation for a first charter, for families, and for anyone who would rather be sailing than braced against something.
The Cyclades — the dramatic one
Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Santorini: white villages on bare rock, and the meltemi. That north wind blows hard through July and August, and the Cyclades in a strong meltemi are a sailing challenge rather than a holiday.
In June or September, with a competent crew, they are extraordinary. Anyone who tells you otherwise about August is selling.
The Saronic — the practical one
Hydra, Spetses, Poros and Aegina, all within a few hours of Athens. Hydra has no cars at all. It suits shorter charters and parties arriving on tight schedules.
Practical notes
- Athens, Corfu, Preveza and Lefkada are the usual embarkation points
- The meltemi blows hardest in the Cyclades in July and August — the Ionian stays calm
- June and September give the same sea with a fraction of the traffic
- Greek waters require correct paperwork for the yacht; your operator handles it
Reached from: Athens, Corfu, Preveza and Lefkada
Cruising grounds
The areas we know well enough to tell you which one suits your week — and which does not.
Where to dine
A table by the water
The Hydra waterfront
HydraNo cars on the island at all, so the tables sit where the road would be and the donkeys go past them.
Fish tavernas at Poros
PorosAcross a channel narrow enough to moor in like a river, forty minutes from Athens airport.
Corfu old town
CorfuVenetian rather than Ottoman, and the cooking follows: the Ionian eats differently from the Aegean.
What to do
Anchorages & excursions
The Ionian
Green, sheltered and forgiving, with afternoon breezes instead of meltemi. The right answer for most families and first charters.
The Cyclades
Bare, spectacular and windy. The postcard, and the group that asks most of a crew.
The Saronic
Hydra, Poros, Spetses and Aegina, none more than three hours apart, and the embarkation port forty minutes from the airport.
Delos
An uninhabited island that was the religious centre of the Aegean, and where you may not stay the night — which is why you arrive by sea.
The fleet
Yachts available for Greece
Vessels that operate here, from flagship motor yachts to smaller crewed boats. Every rate is quoted on enquiry.
Itineraries
Yacht charter itineraries in Greece
What a week here actually looks like, day by day.
Good to know
Questions we are asked about Greece
- Which part of Greece should we charter in?
- The Ionian if you want an easy, green, sheltered week — it is the right answer for most families and first charters. The Cyclades if you want the postcard and can accept real wind. The Saronic if your time is short and you are flying into Athens.
- Is the meltemi a problem?
- In the Cyclades in July and August, yes — it can blow hard for days. The Ionian is barely affected. This is the single biggest reason to pick the right cruising ground rather than the right island.
- Can we charter a crewed yacht in Greece?
- Yes. We have vessels working Greek waters through the season, from sailing yachts to larger crewed motor yachts. Tell us your dates and party and we will match the boat to the area.
Charter here
Enquire about a charter in Greece
Tell us your dates and how many of you there are, and we will come back with the right yacht and a full quotation.