Our comprehensive sailing guide has everything you need to know about your next sailing holidays in Greece. The Greek Islands offer a great variety of sailing options with regards to different sailing experience levels and itinerary preferences. There really is something for everyone! Eager to learn more? Keep reading!
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Sailing holidays Greece at a glance
The golden sandy beaches, blue skies, turquoise waters, whitewashed houses and traditional Greek cuisine, will make you want to return again and again. Greece is located in the East Mediterranean and is one of the top “island-hopping” sailing destinations worldwide. With 6000 islands and a coastline of more than 13.500 km, you will be able to explore a new location each day of your sailing holiday. Sail amongst others the Ionian Islands, the Saronic Gulf, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the Sporades.
Whether you are a beginner sailor or an experienced one, sailing with your family or a group of friends, there is a Greek destination for you. Now, here are some quick facts to keep in mind:
Currency: Euro
Language: Greek – English widely spoken
Marina fees: Minimal – for town quays and bays
Embarkation-Disembarkation day: Saturday - Saturday
Charter duration: Usually 7 days, especially during high season
Best time to visit: May to October
Tipping: not obligatory but common to round off an amount.
Sailing Saronic Gulf setting sail from Athens or Lavrion
A Saronic Gulf yacht charter combines wildlife, beautiful anchorages and historical sights. This destination is ideal for beginner sailors (thanks to the short distances between the islands), while still offering opportunities for exhilarating sailing making it suitable for more confident charterers as well. Here you will find lighter winds than the Cyclades (the strong Meltemi is not usual in the Saronic Gulf) yet still not as light as the Ionian Sea.
Just about an hour-long sail from Athens, the Saronic islands are easy to get to and perfect for a week-long getaway with family or friends.
Argo-Saronic Gulf itinerary highlights
Embark in Athens and sail amongst others, the islands of Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Aegina and Dokos, or add the Argolic Gulf to your itinerary on a two-week charter.
Read more about Saronic Islands: Sailing Itinerary from Athens: 7-day Saronic Gulf sailing route
Sail Saronic with an Alimos Yacht Charter
The most famous start-point marina is Alimos marina (Kalamaki) and this is where most yachts are based. There are a few other locations that you could charter from, such as Marina Zeas, Agios Kosmas Marina, or even Lavrion main port which has easy access to both the Saronic Gulf and Cyclades islands alike.
The weather in the Saronic Gulf is generally mild, with winds not stronger than 4 Beaufort. During summer, you will find mostly SE winds 3-5 Beaufort. During spring and autumn, prevailing winds are a little weaker and usually come from the South.
To get there you will fly into Athens International Airport, which is Greece’s busiest airport and is the 27th-busiest airport in all of Europe! With many international flights daily from EU and the US, you should have no problem getting to Athens. From AIA, it’s just a short 30 kilometers to Kalamaki-Alimos Marina, where you will begin your sailing adventure. There are a number of transport methods available, such as buses -the X96 line which runs directly from the airport to the marina-, or taxes. Yacht4Less can assist with organising and booking your airport transfer for a relaxing, stress-free arrival.
Transfer Time: 40 mins
One thing not to miss on a Saronic sailing yacht charter is a visit to the Acropolis - one of Greece's most famous ancient landmarks. Make sure you change your clocks to Eastern european time; we do recommend having some cash in Euros with you, as there might be some places that don't accept credit cards. Mooring fees are minimal and you can usually safely anchor at town harbors or free-swinging at bays.
Sailing the Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades islands (over 220 islands and islets) are located right in the heart of the Aegean Sea and form a circular series. Some also divide them into two regions - the main Cyclades and the small Cyclades. A boat rental in Cyclades is an ideal option for experienced sailors or those looking for a skippered charter or a fully crewed yacht charter.
Explore the islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Syros, Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, Ios, Koufonisia with the traditional white-washed houses, stunning sunsets and blooming bougainvilleas.
Day 1. Lavrion (check-in)
Day 2. Lavrion - Kea 14 NM
Day 3. Kea - Syros 32 NM
Day 4. Syros - Paros 23 NM
Day 5. Paros - Sifnos 30 NM
Day 6. Sifnos - Kythnos 31 NM
Day 7. Kythnos - Lavrion 25 NM
14-days Cyclades Sailing Itinerary
Day 1. Lavrion- Kea 17 NM
Day 2. Kea - Tinos 38 NM
Day 3. Tinos - Mykonos 11 NM
Day 4. Myconos - Rinia 7 NM
Day 5. Rinia - Paros 15 NM
Day 6. Paros - Skinousa 24 NM
Day 7. Skinousa - Amorgos 26 NM
Day 8. Amorgos - Thira 39 NM
Day 9. Thira - Ios 20 NM
Day 10. Ios - Sifnos 37 NM
Day 11. Sifnos - Serifos 37 NM
Day 12. Serifos - Kithnos 23 NM
Day 13. Kithnos - Lavrion 45 NM
We definitely recommend starting your sailing holiday from Lavrion (wider selection of yachts available there). Lavrion is very close to the International Airport of Athens and has easy access to the Cyclades; the first island (Kea) is only about one and a half hours away. You could also start your yacht charter from Paros island, right in the heart of the Cyclades (less availability than Lavrion and usually has higher boat rental prices).
Best time to sail the Cyclades
This area is ideal for more advanced sailors, as the north prevailing wind "Meltemi" usually blows at 5-6 beaufort and sometimes even 7-8. The Meltemi is stronger during July and August, so if you want slightly calmer seas, you should visit the Cyclades in spring or autumn. As the Cyclades is Greece's most "challenging" destination with stronger winds and longer distances between the islands, we recommend opting for a 2-week charter when possible.
To get to Lavrion, you will need to fly into Athens international airport. If you want to fly directly to the islands, you can look for convenient flights to the airports of Paros and Mykonos.
On two week charters, we recommend taking advantage of the warm wind as it comes from the North, and go further South to explore the breathtaking "Small Cyclades" as well.
Mooring fees are minimal in Greece and due to limited space, you will mostly be free-swinging at idyllic bays or using the town harbours.
With light winds blowing, emerald seas for swimming and a history of thousands of years, the Land of Odysseus offers the ideal sailing ground for sailors with primary sailing experience and young children in the crew. The Ionian Sea consists of 7 main islands "The Heptanese" and many more little islets in between. This area is known for the small distances between the different possible anchorages, although the North Ionian has slightly longer passages and is also recommended for mile-building trips.
Explore the islands of Corfu (Kerkyra), Kefalonia, Zakynthos (Zante), Paxos, Antipaxos, Ithaca, Lefkas (Lefkada) as well as Sivota and Parga on the Greek mainland.
Learn more about the Ionian islands:
1. Sailing holidays in Corfu: everything you need to know
2. Sailing Lefkas, Kefalonia & more
The Ionian Sea is divided into two parts - North and South. To sail the North Ionian, you will need to start your sailing boat rental from Corfu (Gouvia marina) and fly in and out of the International Airport of Corfu.
Transfer time (Corfu): 15 mins
To explore the South Ionian, you can either start your yacht charter from Lefkas or Preveza marina. The South Ionian is served by the international airport of Preveza in Aktion.
Transfer time (Lefkas): 25 mins
It is also possible to combine the North and South Ionian itineraries on a 2-week yacht charter.
The weather in this area is usually very sunny and warm. During spring, summer, and autumn, an NW wind of up to 3 Beaufort starts blowing almost every afternoon (2-3pm) and dies down after sunset.
North of Corfu you shouldn't miss the tiny, almost untouched Diapontia Islands of Manthraki, Othonoi, and Ereikoussa.
For mooring, you will find many anchorages, town harbours and marinas dotted around the coastline.
More topics about Ionian Islands
>> Top 5 Reasons to Go Sailing in the Ionian
The Sporades consist of 24 islands in total, 4 of which are completely uninhabited. This area is ideal for nature lovers, who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy unspoilt sailing anchorages.
The Sporades Islands i.e. Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos, but also the gulf of Volos, are located in the east coast of the mainland of Greece.
Day 1. Skiathos (check-in)
Day 2. Skiathos - Limnonari 10NM – Skantzura 15NM
Day 3. Sail Around Alonissos - Alonissos (Patitiri) 17 NM
Day 4. Alonissos (Milia) 3NM – Kyra Panagia 12NM
Day 5. Psathoura 12NM – Milia Kokkinokastro 12NM – Planitis 11NM
Day 6. Alonissos (Mourtia) 21NM – Skopelos 6NM
Day 7. Tsougria 17NM -Skiathos 4NM
Recommended 2-week Sporades sailing itinerary from Skiathos
Day 1. Skiathos - Tsougria 26 NM
Day 2. Tsougria - Orei 25 NM
Day 3. Orei - Trikeri 15 NM
Day 4. Trikeri - Koukounaries 12 NM
Day 5. Koukounaries - Panormos 15 NM
Day 6. Panormos - Agnondas 10 NM
Day 7. Agnondas - Steni Vala 17 NM
Day 8. Steli Vala - Planitis 18 NM
Day 9. Planitis - Linaria 35 NM
Day 10. Rest day
Day 11. Linaria - Skantzoura 22 NM
Day 12. Skantzoura - Glossa 23 NM
Day 13. Glossa - Skiathos 10 NM
Recommended 7-day Sporades sailing itinerary from Volos
Day 1. Volos - Trikeri 14 NM
Day 2. Trikeri - Skopelos (Panormos) 28 NM
Day 3. Skopelos (Panormos) - Alonisos (Steni Vala) 19 NM
Day 4. Alonisos (Steni Vala) - Skopelos town 16 NM
Day 5. Skopelos - Skiathos 17 NM
Day 6. Skiathos- Agia Kyriaki 24 NM
Day 7. Agia Kyriaki - Volos 16 NM
Day 1. Volos - Trikeri 14 NM
Day 2. Trikeri- Skiathos 26 NM
Day 3. Skiathos - Tsougria 26 NM
Day 4. Tsougria - Orei 25 NM
Day 5. Orei - Koukounaries 23 NM
Day 6. Koukounaries - Skopelos 22 NM
Day 7. Skopelos - Panormos 14 NM
Day 8. Panormos - Agnondas 10 NM
Day 9. Agnondas - Steni Vala 17 NM
Day 10. Steli Vala - Skiathos 24 NM
Day 11. Rest Day
Day 12. Skiathos- Agia Kyriaki 22 NM
Day 13. Agia Kyriaki - Volos 17 NM
There are two main locations from where you can rent a boat in the Sporades - Skiathos and Volos ports. For a Skiathos boat rental, you will need to fly in and out of the International Airport of Skiathos. For a Volos boat rental? Easy peasy! It is served by its own airport (direct flights from the UK).
Transfer time (Skiathos): 5 mins
Transfer time (Volos): 30 mins
Generally, in the open Aegean Sea, winds are stronger in July and August and lighter during spring and autumn. We recommend the Sporades to intermediate sailors, who feel confident with moderate North winds of 3-5 Beaufort. Rarely, these winds can reach the "Meltemi" level of 6-7 Beaufort.
Almost all of the Sporades area is considered a National Park, and visitors are advised to explore while making sure to leave the park and its "residents" unharmed and perfectly preserved. The Sporades are the home of the rare Mediterranean Monk Seal. If you love snorkeling or scuba-diving, don’t miss out on the area’s shipwrecks which have turned into underwater museums.
More topics about Sporades Islands >> Sailing in Sporades Islands - Our favorite itinerary [2020]
The name 'Dodecanese' stands for the number twelve in the Greek language (dodeca). There is a lot of history one can find while exploring the Dodecanese. Kos was the birthplace of Hippocrates' medical school, and in Rhodes, you can find the two bronze deer where the Great Colossus stood.
Explore Rhodes (the famous island of Knights) and Kos which are the two main yacht charter bases in the Dodecanese islands. A typical sailing itinerary also includes unspoiled sailing destinations, such as Tilos, Nysiros - with the famous non-active volcano -, and Symi. Furthermore, with the Turkish borders being just a couple of nautical miles away, you can make the most of both countries on a longer duration charter.
You can start from Kos island (Kos Marina) or Rhodes island (Mandraki Marina) - both are well served by their own international airports. Since these two islands are close to each other, you can combine a Kos and Rhodes itinerary, especially on a longer duration charter i.e. 2 weeks.
Transfer time (Kos): 30 mins
Transfer time (Rhodes): 30 mins
Read more about Dodecanese Islands:
Rhodes sailing holidays: Everything you need to know
Kos sailing holidays: Everything you need to know
During summer and autumn, the prevailing wind is the "Meltemi", which can reach up to 6 Beaufort on a daily basis, and rarely 7 or 8. The Dodecanese is an ideal sailing destination for intermediate and advanced charterers who want to enjoy a "true sailing experience". You should be careful when sailing off the leeward side of the islands, as the funneling phenomenon creates gusts much stronger than those in the open sea.
The old town of Rhodes and Lindos should definitely be at the top of your list, while Casa Romana in Kos is one of the many historical sights you can visit in the Dodecanese islands.
It depends. There are many factors that can shape a Greece yacht charter price. The most important ones are the type of boat you will choose and whether you require a professional crew on board (e.g. skipper/hostess/cook). More specifically, sailboats (monohulls or catamarans) generally have lower overall rental prices as well as fuel costs as they do not only rely on their engines (most charterers sail as much as the wind allows instead of motoring) to get from A to B.
Check our real-time boat rental pricing and availability:
Sailboat charter Greece starts from 135$ per day
Catamaran charter Greece starts from 172$ per day
Motorboats, on the other hand, can only operate with an engine (more risky in case of mechanical failure & also burning 700-800 EUR more per week than a sailing monohull or catamaran would do)
Motorboat charter Greece starts from 3618$ per day
Gulet charter Greece starts from 0$ per day
For real-time availability and pricing on sailing yacht, catamaran, gulet, power catamaran, and motorboat deals, visit our real-time search engine. This tool allows you to explore the best charter options instantly and secure your dream yacht charter with ease.
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