Bareboat Charter in Greece: Requirements, Costs & How It Works
A bareboat charter in Greece means you rent the yacht without crew and sail it yourself. A week costs roughly €1,800–€4,500 for a 35–40 ft monohull depending on season, €2,800–€6,500 for a 45-footer and €3,500–€11,000 for a 42–46 ft catamaran, before extras. You need two things before you can take the boat out: a recognised sailing qualification for the skipper, and a second named crew member on the crew list.
This guide covers the requirements, the real cost of a bareboat week, how check-in and check-out work at Greek bases, and which regions suit which level of experience. For the wider picture, see our guide to yacht charter in Greece.
What you need to charter a bareboat yacht in Greece
- A recognised skipper’s qualification: the ICC with sail endorsement is the safest choice. RYA Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster and ASA 104 are widely accepted; other national licences depend on the operator and may need a sworn English translation.
- A second crew member: Greece requires a second named person on the crew list. They usually do not need a licence, but must be an adult with some boating experience.
- The original documents: bring your certificates in original form; photocopies and phone photos are often refused at the base.
- A sailing CV: many operators ask for a short résumé of your experience, boats and sailing areas.
- A VHF certificate (recommended): requirements vary, but an SRC removes any risk of being turned away.
RYA Day Skipper is the grey area: some sources say Greek port authorities stopped accepting it in 2019, while some operators still do. Confirm in writing before you book. All the details are in our licence requirements for Greece.
How much does a bareboat charter in Greece cost in 2027?
| Low season | Shoulder | High season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monohull 35–40 ft | €1,800–€2,800 | €2,800–€3,800 | €3,000–€4,500 |
| Monohull 45 ft and over | €2,800–€4,000 | €4,000–€5,000 | €4,500–€6,500 |
| Catamaran 42–46 ft | €3,500–€5,500 | €5,500–€8,000 | €7,000–€11,000 |
These are weekly charter fees. On top, budget for:
- Security deposit: €2,000–€6,000, refundable, or replaced by a damage waiver costing around 5% of the charter fee.
- End cleaning and linen: €150–€600 depending on boat size, often mandatory.
- Moorings: €10–€20 a night on most town quays; €60–€250 a night in popular marinas such as Mykonos in high season.
- Fuel: modest on a sailing yacht, more on a catamaran with two engines.
- VAT: 12% on most Greek charters, sometimes included, sometimes not.
Split across six people with food included, a bareboat week typically comes to €400–€700 per person. Our Greece yacht charter cost page breaks down every line.
How a bareboat week works: from booking to check-out
- Booking: for July and August, book by January or February; for June and September, three to four months ahead is usually enough.
- Paperwork: send scans of the skipper’s and co-skipper’s certificates two to four weeks before departure, and the crew list one to two weeks before, depending on the operator. The port authority approves the crew list before you leave.
- Check-in (usually Saturday afternoon): most bases hand over the boat from around 17:00. Expect a technical briefing, an inventory check and the deposit or damage waiver. Many crews spend the first night in the marina and leave on Sunday morning.
- The week: you choose the route, moor stern-to in town harbours or anchor in bays, and keep the boat in the condition you received it.
- Return (usually Friday evening): most operators want the boat back in the base marina by about 18:00 on Friday, refuelled, with a final check by the base team.
- Check-out (Saturday morning): you leave the boat by around 09:00 and the deposit is released once the inspection is clear.
Where to go bareboat in Greece, by experience level
| Conditions | Suits | |
|---|---|---|
| Ionian Sea | Gentle afternoon breeze, short legs, sheltered harbours | First bareboat week, families |
| Saronic Gulf | Short legs, close to Athens, busy in August | First bareboat week, short trips |
| Dodecanese | Stronger summer wind in the north | Crews with a few weeks of experience |
| Cyclades | Meltemi up to 25–30 knots in July and August | Experienced skippers, or June and September |
If this is your first bareboat charter, the Ionian or the Saronic Gulf is the safe choice. Save the Cyclades for a later trip, or sail them in June or September with a route that leaves room for the wind, like our 7-day Cyclades sailing itinerary. Our guide to charter bases helps you pick the right starting marina.
Bareboat tips for Greek waters
- Arrive early: in July and August, popular harbours fill by 2–3 pm. Arriving late often means anchoring outside.
- Practise stern-to mooring: it is the standard in Greek harbours, with your own anchor dropped ahead. Rehearse it on the first afternoon.
- Sail in the morning: in the Aegean, wind usually builds through the afternoon.
- Watch fuel and water: not every island has a fuel dock, so top up when you can.
- Keep a plan B: pick two or three possible harbours each day rather than one fixed destination.
Bareboat or something in between?
If you are not sure your crew is ready, there are two middle grounds. A flotilla lets you sail your own boat with a lead crew on hand for briefings and mooring help; our guide to sailing holidays in Greece explains how it works. A bareboat with a hired skipper, at roughly €180–€250 a day, removes the licence requirement while keeping the boat private. When the full costs are compared, a crewed charter is often closer in price than you would expect: see our bareboat vs crewed comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a licence for a bareboat charter in Greece?
Yes. The skipper needs a recognised qualification such as the ICC, RYA Coastal Skipper or ASA 104, and Greece requires a second named crew member on the crew list. Without a licence, you can hire a skipper or book a crewed charter.
How much does a bareboat charter in Greece cost?
A 35–40 ft monohull costs roughly €1,800–€4,500 a week depending on season, a 45 ft monohull €2,800–€6,500, and a 42–46 ft catamaran €3,500–€11,000. Add the deposit or damage waiver, cleaning, moorings, fuel and VAT.
Is RYA Day Skipper accepted for bareboat charter in Greece?
It is uncertain. Some sources say Greek port authorities stopped accepting it in 2019, while some operators still accept it. Ask your charter company to confirm in writing before you book, or get an ICC.
What are the check-in and check-out times for a bareboat charter in Greece?
At most bases, check-in is on Saturday from around 17:00, the boat must be back in the marina by about 18:00 on Friday, and you leave it by around 09:00 on Saturday. Times vary by operator, so check your contract.
Where is the easiest place for a first bareboat charter in Greece?
The Ionian Sea, based in Lefkas or Corfu, or the Saronic Gulf from Athens. Both have short legs, gentler wind and plenty of sheltered harbours.
