Greece Yacht Charter
Where ancient myths meet modern sailing adventures across 6,000 sun-drenched islands.
Glorious Yachting Holidays in Greece
The original, and some say still the best yacht charter destination, Greece's beauty has stolen hearts for millennia.
Picture this: you're anchored in a turquoise bay that looks photoshopped but feels impossibly real, bougainvillaea cascading down whitewashed walls while the scent of wild thyme and sun-warmed citrus drifts across crystal-clear water.
A gentle breeze ruffles your hair as you sip local wine and watch the sun paint ancient marble columns gold. You take the dinghy ashore to a local taverna, where you dine on homemade tzatsiki, saganaki and a cool, crisp Asyrtiko.
This isn't a holiday brochure fantasy. This is Tuesday afternoon on a Greece yacht charter.
Greece is good for:
Fresh seafood
Ancient ruins
Byzantine castles
Reliable wind and protected anchorages
Crystal clear water
Start planning your Greek Charter
Why You'll Love Yachting in Greece
A Greek yacht charter transforms ordinary holidays into odysseys worth retelling, from sensational sailing conditions through relaxed lunches to vibrant evenings.
The question isn't whether you should charter a yacht in Greece. It's which islands deserve your time and how soon you can return for more.
Discover Greece as it was meant to be seen - on a private yacht charter. Each Anchor charter broker is an experienced sailor who has done their fair share of Greece yacht charters, on a variety of catamaran, sailing yacht and motor yacht adventures.
Find yachts to charter in Greece
When to visit
Peak Season (July-August): Summer in Greece means maximum temperatures, maximum winds, maximum crowds, and maximum prices. While you might have your hand forced by school timing, the peak season is called that for a reason. If you have to go at this time, we suggest seeking quieter spots like the Sporades. The Meltemi winds can exceed 25 knots in the Cyclades, water temperatures reach 75-82°F, and anchorages often require careful tactical planning to secure spaces.
Shoulder Seasons (May-June, September-October): If you're not tied to school holidays, we’d recommend Greece's shoulder seasons as the absolute sweet spot for a perfect charter. You'll have moderate conditions, reasonable prices, and enough reliability to plan itineraries confidently. June is rich with the bloom of spring, while September offers warm water, maintained from summer heating, and gentler wind patterns.
Knowledge hub
Yachts for charter in Greece
What You'll Love About Sailing Holidays in Greece
Sailing the Greek islands is like skipping through Europe’s greatest hits album - only with better weather, fresher seafood, and a lot more ouzo.
Think warm afternoon breezes pushing you towards hidden coves, long lazy meze lunches that stretch into the evening, and sun-bleached ruins whispering tales of gods, heroes, and a splash of drama.
From the laid-back charm of the Ionian to the whitewashed drama of the Cyclades, the Greek islands aren’t just a sailing ground; they’re an open-air feast of history, culture, and pure, sun-soaked fun.
Where to charter in Greece?
Saronic Gulf (Athens)
History, culture and Aegean Sea charm
Just to the west of Athens, the Saronic Gulf is immensely popular, blessed with protected waters, reliable conditions, and enough history per square nautical mile to satisfy any appetite. The sailing conditions here read like someone designed them for private yacht charter: light to moderate winds, short passages between islands, and numerous safe harbors.
If you have the time or fancy more sailing, it's worth the longer days up past Spetses and into the Peloponnese and Argolic Gulf, where the beautiful town of Nafplio sits like a jewel atop a crown.
Key Islands:
- Aegina: Famous for pistachios and neoclassical architecture
- Poros: Pine-covered hills meeting azure water
- Hydra: Car-free island where donkeys provide transport
- Spetses: Elegant mansions and hidden coves
Sailing Conditions: Summer winds average 8-14 knots from the north, with water temperatures reaching 75°F, perfect for swimming directly from your yacht.
Fly to: Athens International Airport
Sailing: Light to moderate winds, short passages, numerous safe harbors
Charter yacht bases: Alimos Marina, Agios Kosmos Marina, Marina Delta Kalathea, Zea Marina, Nea Peramos, Flisvos Marina
Best for: Occasional charterers, families with children, cultural immersion
Level: 2
The Ionian (Lefkas & Corfu)
Easy-going island hopping
The Ionian Sea represents Greece's gentler side, where the lush greenery of the Ionian and its emerald waters contrast to the Aegean azure and sun-bleached marble.
Sailing conditions here favor relaxation over adrenaline. This is where yacht charters feel more like floating house parties than extreme sports.
It's been said many times you can set your watch to the Ionian winds, which are calm in the morning before waking up around noon, buidling through the afternoon and dying down around sunset. Very sociable indeed!
Prevailing westerly winds rarely exceed 15 knots, making the Ionian Sea perfect for families, novice sailors, or anyone who believes yachting vacations should prioritize sundowners over seamanship challenges.
Key Islands:
- Corfu: Venetian architecture and sophisticated cultural scene. Primary charter base for North Ionian
- Lefkas: Connected to mainland by bridge, excellent popular charter base for exploration of the South Ionian
- Kefalonia: Dramatic coastlines and excellent local cuisine
- Meganisi: sprawling island with some sensational anchorages and an old-world charm
- Zakynthos: Famous turtle nesting beaches and hidden blue caves. Also famed for Navagio (shipwreck beach) on the NW coast.
- Ithaca: Odysseus's legendary home, perfect for literature enthusiasts
Sailing Conditions: Westerly winds average 10-17 knots during summer months, with sea temperatures reaching 82°F (28°C) in August—warmer than most Mediterranean destinations.
Charter yacht bases: Lefkas Marina, Gouvia Marina, Preveza Marina, Sivota Marina
Best for: Families with young children, sailors preferring gentle conditions, charterers wanting lush landscapes over dramatic geology.
Level: 1
The Cyclades Islands (Lavrion)
Classic Greek Island Hopping
If the Ionian Sea is Greece's yacht charter kindergarten, the Cyclades represent graduate school.
This is where sailing dreams crystallize into reality—stronger winds, longer passages, and islands so perfectly arranged they seem designed by someone with an aesthetic obsession and unlimited budget.
From the moment you sail out of Lavrion and scoot past the imposing temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio, Homer's ‘wine dark’ Aegean Sea opens up in front of you - a sailor's playground, full of classic whitewashed walls and mythical history.
Once you're past Kea and Kythnos, it;s time for a party on Mykonos, or a quieter evening wandering the crazy-paved streets of Naoussa on Paros.
Other highlights include Milos, with Sarakiniko Beach's spectacular, lunar landscape, worn smooth by the sea.
In the high summer (July and August), the famous meltemi thermal winds blow from the north at 15-25 knots, creating conditions that suit confident sailors looking for a bit of fun. Beware though, the meltemi can get a bit fiesty, and force a change of itinerary.
Northern Cyclades:
- Mykonos: Legendary nightlife meets traditional Cycladic architecture
- Delos: UNESCO World Heritage site, birthplace of Apollo
- Tinos: Authentic Greek culture away from tourist crowds
- Andros: Lush landscapes and excellent local wine
Southern Cyclades:
- Santorini: Volcanic drama and wine that tastes like liquid sunshine
- Paros: Central location with excellent marina facilities
- Naxos: Largest Cycladic island with stunning beaches
- Ios: Beautiful bays and surprisingly sophisticated dining
Sailing Conditions: Summer meltemi winds average 20-27 knots, with July offering the strongest and most consistent conditions. Experienced sailors thrive here; nervous charterers should consider skippered options.
Charter yacht bases: Lavrion Marina, Olympic Marina, Alimos Marina, Mykonos, Paros
Best for: Experienced sailors wanting classic Greek sailing, couples seeking romantic anchorages, adventurers who prefer challenging conditions over guaranteed comfort.
Level: 4
The Dodecanese Islands (Rhodes, Kos)
Authentic Greek Island charm
The Dodecanese archipelago stretches along Turkey's coast like stepping stones between civilizations, offering a sailing holiday with a unique blend of Greek cuisine and Eastern Mediterranean influences.
Based from Rhodes or Kos, sailors access waters where Crusader castles overlook Turkish coastlines and ancient ruins dot islands that change hands between empires with each passing century.
This region provides Greece's most exotic sailing—shorter hops to Turkish bays, duty-free shopping opportunities, and cultural experiences unavailable elsewhere in Greek waters.
The Dodecanese also offers extended sailing seasons, with reliable conditions from April through October due to their southeastern location and protection from northern weather systems.
Some Dodecanese charterers like to add a visit to the Turkish coast, to visit Bodrum's castle, Datça's unspoiled bays, and Marmaris's dramatic fjords. Note that Turkish coastal cruising requires advance planning for customs clearance and appropriate documentation.
- Fly to: Kos Island International Airport or Rhodes International Airport
Major towns:
- Rhodes: Medieval Old Town, international airport, extensive yacht facilities
- Kos: Compact island base, excellent ferry connections, modern marina infrastructure
Key Islands & Destinations:
- Patmos: UNESCO World Heritage monastery, spiritual pilgrimage site
- Leros: Traditional fishing villages, World War II history
- Kalymnos: Sponge diving heritage, excellent rock climbing
- Symi: Neoclassical harbor town, pristine beaches accessible only by sea
- Tilos: Ecological preserve, excellent hiking and birdwatching
Sailing Conditions: The Dodecanese experience more moderate winds than the central Cyclades, with summer conditions averaging 12-18 knots from the north. The meltemi reaches this region but loses intensity, creating excellent conditions for intermediate sailors. Water temperatures run 2-3 degrees warmer than northern Greek waters.
Charter yacht bases: Rhodes Marina, Kos Marina
Best for: Sailors seeking cultural diversity, charterers wanting extended seasons, adventurous travelers interested in dual-country exploration, history enthusiasts fascinated by Crusader and Ottoman heritage.
Level: 3
The Sporades (Skiathos, Volos)
Greece's Hidden Gem
The Sporades remain yacht chartering's best-kept secret.
Fewer crowds than the Cyclades, more dramatic than the Ionian islands, and sailing conditions that reward both novice and expert charterers.
These pine-covered islands, more remote than other areas, offer a sailing experience that hits the sweet spot between adventure and accessibility.
Did we mention that they were the filming locations for much of the smash-hit Mamma Mia film?
Key Islands:
- Skiathos: Unspoilt sandy beaches - some of the best on Greece
- Skopelos: Mamma Mia filming locations and authentic tavernas
- Alonissos: Marine park with pristine underwater environments - fab snorkelling!
Skyros: Traditional Greek culture virtually untouched by tourism
Marinas: Skiathos Marina, Skopelos Marina, Volos Marina
Best for: Sailors wanting to avoid crowds while maintaining excellent facilities, nature enthusiasts, charterers seeking authentic Greek experiences.
Level: 3
We’re here for you
Need some help?
For an island-hopping private yacht charter Greece can't be beaten.
Chartering a yacht in Greece can be a minefield, but we're here to help find your perfect private yacht.
If you are unsure about charter or boat selection, contact us at HELM to help you decide.
We only choose boats that are in excellent condition, and we are here to help you every step of the way and to make sure the whole process is as easy as possible.
