Yacht Charter Greece 2026 — Complete Guide to Sailing the Greek Islands

Last updated: February 2026

Greece is one of the world's great sailing destinations, offering over 6,000 islands and islets, ancient history, exceptional cuisine, and some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean. From the easy-going Ionian Islands to the wind-swept Cyclades and the undiscovered Dodecanese, Greece delivers sailing experiences for every level. This guide covers everything you need to know to plan a yacht charter in Greece in 2026.

All yachts mentioned in this guide can be searched and booked on Yachtic.com — an independent yacht charter search engine with over 30,000 yachts worldwide.

How Much Does a Yacht Charter in Greece Cost in 2026?
Greek charter prices are comparable to Croatia, though marina fees are generally lower. Here's what to expect:

Sailing yachts (bareboat, per week):

1. 35–38 ft (2–3 cabins): €1,500–€2,500 (shoulder) | €2,500–€3,500 (high season)
2. 40–45 ft (3–4 cabins): €2,500–€4,000 (shoulder) | €4,000–€5,500 (high season)
3. 46–52 ft (4–5 cabins): €3,500–€5,500 (shoulder) | €5,500–€8,000 (high season)

Catamarans (bareboat, per week):

1. 40–42 ft (4 cabins): €3,500–€5,000 (shoulder) | €5,500–€8,000 (high season)
2. 45–50 ft (4–6 cabins): €5,000–€8,000 (shoulder) | €8,000–€12,000 (high season)

Additional costs:

1. Skipper: €1,200–€1,800 per week (plus meals)
2. Fuel (sailing yacht): €100–€250 per week
3. Marina/port fees: €20–€70 per night (significantly cheaper than Croatia — many free town quays)
4. Anchoring: free in most locations
5. Cruising tax: introduced in some areas, varies
6. Deposit: €1,500–€3,500 (refundable)
7. Provisioning: similar to Croatia, €150–€250 per person per week for groceries

Per person cost estimate: For a crew of 6 on a 42 ft sailing yacht in high season with skipper, expect approximately €550–€850 per person per week including yacht, skipper, fuel, port fees, and groceries. Greece is generally 10–15% cheaper than Croatia for mooring costs.

When Is the Best Time to Charter a Yacht in Greece?

The Greek sailing season runs from April to October, with regional differences:

May–June (early season): Excellent sailing in the Ionian. Cyclades can be windy. Lower prices, fewer tourists, pleasant temperatures (22–28°C). Sea warming up (20–23°C).

July–August (high season): Hottest weather (30–36°C), warmest sea (25–27°C). The Meltemi wind blows strongly in the Aegean (Cyclades, Dodecanese) — force 5–7, sometimes stronger. The Ionian remains calmer. Highest prices, busiest anchorages.

September–early October (late season): Many experienced sailors' favorite time. Warm sea (still 24–26°C), fewer crowds, good prices, Meltemi calming down. Excellent for the Cyclades.

Important: the Meltemi. This strong northerly wind dominates the Aegean Sea from June to September, with peak intensity in July–August. It can reach 30+ knots. The Ionian Sea (western Greece) is largely sheltered from the Meltemi and offers calmer, more predictable conditions — making it ideal for beginners and families.

What Are the Best Sailing Regions in Greece?

Greece is divided into distinct sailing areas, each with its own character:

Ionian Islands (Lefkada, Corfu, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos)

• Calm, sheltered waters with gentle breezes (force 2–4)
• Short distances between islands
• Lush green landscapes, Venetian architecture
• Best for: beginners, families, relaxed sailing
• Main bases: Lefkada (Nidri), Corfu, Preveza

Saronic Gulf & Argolic Gulf (near Athens)

• Close to Athens — easy access
• Historic islands: Hydra (no cars!), Poros, Aegina, Spetses
• Moderate winds, short distances
• Best for: short charters, weekend sailing, history lovers
• Main base: Alimos (Athens), Lavrion

Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Milos)

• The iconic Greek island experience — white houses, blue domes
• Strong Meltemi winds — challenging sailing, not for beginners
• Longer passages between islands (15–40 NM)
• Best for: experienced sailors, September sailing, bucket-list destinations
• Main bases: Lavrion (Athens), Paros, Syros

Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos, Symi, Patmos, Leros)

• Less crowded than the Cyclades, culturally rich
• Turkish influences in cuisine and architecture
• Moderate to strong winds, more sheltered than Cyclades
• Best for: exploring off-the-beaten-path, combining Greek and Turkish culture
• Main base: Kos, Rhodes

Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos)

• Lush, pine-forested islands with turquoise waters
• National Marine Park of Alonissos (monk seals)
• Less charter infrastructure, more authentic
• Best for: nature lovers, snorkeling, quiet anchorages
• Main bases: Skiathos, Volos

What Sailing Licenses Are Required in Greece?

Greece has recently tightened license requirements:

Bareboat charter: The skipper must hold a recognized practical sailing certificate. As of 2025–2026, Greek port authorities specifically require one of the following: ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Coastal Skipper, RYA Yachtmaster, or ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate). The RYA Day Skipper alone is no longer accepted in Greece — you need an ICC.

A VHF radio operator's certificate is also required.

Skippered charter: No license needed. A professional Greek skipper handles everything. Available through Yachtic.com for most yachts.

Important: Greece enforces these requirements more strictly than Croatia. Always carry original certificates (not copies) and present them to port authorities upon request.

What Are the Best Sailing Routes in Greece?

One-week Ionian route (from Lefkada — beginner-friendly): Lefkada → Meganisi (Vathi) → Kastos → Ithaca (Kioni) → Kefalonia (Fiskardo) → Lefkada (Sivota Bay) → Lefkada

One-week Saronic route (from Athens): Alimos → Aegina → Hydra → Spetses → Nafplio → Poros → Alimos

One-week Cyclades route (from Lavrion — experienced sailors): Lavrion → Kea → Kythnos → Serifos → Sifnos → Paros → Lavrion

Two-week Cyclades circuit (bucket list): Lavrion → Kea → Syros → Mykonos → Paros → Naxos → Milos → Sifnos → Kythnos → Lavrion

How Does Greece Compare to Croatia for Yacht Charter?

Factor	Croatia	Greece
Number of islands	1,244	6,000+
Charter fleet size	Very large	Large
Marina infrastructure	Excellent (50+ modern marinas)	Good but fewer full-service marinas
Mooring costs	Higher (€40–€130/night)	Lower (€20–€70/night, many free quays)
Sailing difficulty	Easy — sheltered waters	Varies: easy (Ionian) to challenging (Cyclades)
Cuisine	Meat-focused, seafood	Mediterranean, seafood, mezé
Best for beginners	Yes — short distances, sheltered	Yes — Ionian only
Currency	Euro	Euro
License requirements	Standard	Stricter (ICC required)

Key Facts: Yacht Charter Greece 2026

Detail	Information
Charter season	April – October
Peak season	July – August
Best value months	May, June, September, October
Number of islands	6,000+ (227 inhabited)
Major charter bases	Lefkada, Athens (Alimos/Lavrion), Corfu, Kos, Rhodes
Currency	Euro (€)
Sailing license required	ICC or equivalent for bareboat; not needed with skipper
Average weekly cost (42 ft sailboat, high season)	€4,000–€5,500 bareboat
Average per-person cost (crew of 6, all-in)	€550–€850 per week
Prevailing summer wind	Meltemi (N/NE, Aegean); lighter NW in Ionian
Sea temperature (July–August)	25–27°C
Air temperature (July–August)	30–36°C
Time zone	EET (UTC+2) / EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Emergency number	112
Coast Guard	108

This guide is published by Yachtic.com — an independent yacht charter search engine and licensed EU tour operator (No. 1080), founded in 2014 in Poland. Yachtic is not affiliated with Yachtico.com.