Yacht Charter in Greece

A yacht charter in Greece costs roughly €1,800–€6,500 a week for a bareboat monohull and €3,500–€11,000 for a catamaran, before extras. The season runs from May to October, and June and September are the best months for most crews. Choose the Ionian or the Saronic Gulf for an easy first week, the Cyclades for the classic island hop (with the strong meltemi wind in July and August), and the Dodecanese or the Sporades for a quieter second trip.

This guide brings together the regions, prices, seasons and practical rules for a yacht charter in Greece in 2027, with links to our detailed guides on each island and topic.

Typical week (bareboat)	€1,800–€6,500 monohull; €3,500–€11,000 catamaran
Crewed charter	From about €5,000 a week for a crewed sailing yacht
Season	May to October
Best months	June and September
Main winds	Meltemi in the Aegean (July–August); gentle maistro in the Ionian
Licence (bareboat)	Recognised qualification such as the ICC, plus a second crew member
Main charter bases	Athens (Alimos, Lavrio), Lefkas, Corfu, Kos
VAT on charters	12% on most charters
When to book	6–9 months ahead for July and August

• Sailing regions
• Islands
• Prices
• Bareboat or crewed
• Best time
• Itineraries
• Practical
• All Greece guides
• FAQ

Where to sail in Greece: the five main sailing regions

Greece has five main sailing areas. The difference between them is mostly the wind: the Ionian and the Saronic are sheltered and easy, while the Cyclades take the full force of the summer meltemi.

Tap a region or an island on the map to open its guide, or view the map full size.

	Wind and conditions	Level	Main bases	Best for
Ionian Islands	Afternoon maistro of 10–20 knots; no meltemi	Beginner	Lefkas, Corfu, Kefalonia	First charters, families, catamarans
Saronic Gulf	Short legs, milder summer wind; busy in August	Beginner	Athens (Alimos)	A first week, short trips from Athens
Cyclades	Meltemi of 25–30 knots in July and August	Intermediate to experienced	Athens (Lavrio), Paros	Island hopping, iconic islands
Dodecanese	Strong summer wind in the north of the chain	Intermediate	Kos, Rhodes	A second Greek trip, near the Turkish coast
Sporades	Green, partly sheltered islands; quieter than the Cyclades	Beginner to intermediate	Volos, Skiathos	A quieter week, the Alonissos marine park

For pick-up logistics, airports and fleet sizes, see our guide to charter bases in Greece.

The Greek islands for a yacht charter

How much does a yacht charter in Greece cost in 2027?

These are weekly charter fees before extras. Prices roughly double between low season and July–August for the same boat.

	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
Crewed sailing yacht	€5,000–€7,000	€7,000–€9,000	€8,000–€15,000+

On top, budget for a security deposit of €2,000–€6,000 (or a damage waiver), end cleaning, fuel, moorings and 12% VAT. Mooring fees are low in most town harbours but can reach €60–€250 a night in Mykonos or Santorini in high season. Our Greece yacht charter cost breakdown covers every line.

Bareboat, skippered or crewed?

	What you get	Licence needed	Extra cost
Bareboat	The boat only; you sail it yourself	Yes, plus a second crew member	None
Skippered	A professional skipper	No	€180–€250 a day plus the skipper’s food
Crewed	Skipper plus hostess or cook	No	Crew fee plus an APA of 25–35% for food, fuel and berths

Once food, fuel and moorings are counted, a crewed charter is often only 8–15% more than bareboat on the same large boat: see our bareboat vs crewed comparison. To choose the boat, read our catamaran vs monohull guide; for the paperwork, our licence requirements for Greece.

Best time to charter a yacht in Greece

	Sea	Wind	Crowds	Price
May	19–20°C	Light, building	Low	Lowest
June	21–23°C	Moderate, meltemi starting	Moderate	Low–mid
July	24–25°C	Strong meltemi	High	High
August	25–26°C	Strongest meltemi	Peak	High
September	24–25°C	Moderate, easing	Moderate	Mid
October	22–23°C	Variable, some rain	Low	Lowest

Early to mid September is the best compromise: warm water, easing wind, lower prices and everything still open. Read our guide to the best time to charter a yacht in Greece, and our month guides for July and August.

Sample 7-day sailing itineraries in Greece

Practical information

• Where to start: Athens (Alimos) for the Saronic, Athens (Lavrio) or Paros for the Cyclades, Lefkas or Corfu for the Ionian, Kos for the Dodecanese. Avoid Mykonos and Santorini as bases for a full week. See our guide to charter bases.
• Licence: required only for bareboat. The ICC is the safest choice; RYA Day Skipper is a grey area, so confirm in writing. Details in our licence guide.
• Changeover: most bases hand over boats on Saturday afternoon and want them back on Friday evening.
• Mooring: stern-to with your own anchor in most harbours. In July and August, arrive by 2–3 pm.

When to book

1. July and August: by January or February, six to nine months ahead for the best boats.
2. Around 15 August: book by December or January; it is the busiest week of the Greek summer.
3. June and September: three to four months ahead is usually enough.
4. May and October: last-minute deals are possible, rarely on catamarans.

All our Greece guides

• Islands and regions: Mykonos, Santorini, Paros and Naxos, the Ionian Sea, the Saronic Gulf.
• Itineraries: 7-day Cyclades sailing itinerary.
• When to go: best time to charter, Greece in July, Greece in August.
• Budget and charter type: yacht charter cost in Greece, bareboat vs crewed, catamaran vs monohull, catamaran charter, bareboat charter, sailing holidays (flotilla, skippered, crewed).
• Planning: charter bases, licence requirements.