Region · yacht charter
Greek Islands.
Cycladic and Ionian cruising: Mykonos, Santorini and the smaller islands across the Aegean and Ionian seas.
- Athens
- Corfu
- Mykonos
- Rhodes
- Santorini
Overview
What to expect.
The Greek islands are a wind-shaped cruising ground. The Meltemi, the dry northerly that blows hardest through July and August, sets the rhythm of a charter here more than the calendar does: it decides which islands are comfortable on a given day and which routes read well. Two grounds divide the season, the Cyclades in the central Aegean and the Ionian on the western coast.
The Cyclades carry the best-known route. Mykonos is the principal base, with the superyacht fleet at Tourlos Marina and the town harbour for tenders, and the islands around it (Delos, Rhenia, Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini) sit within a day's cruising of each other. Santorini's caldera anchors the southern end. The Ionian, calmer and greener, suits longer family weeks where the wind is less of a factor.
The window runs May through October. June and September are the calmest and most comfortable for the Cyclades; July and August bring the strongest Meltemi and the largest fleet. Charters typically embark from Athens, Mykonos or Corfu depending on whether the route runs the Cyclades or the Ionian.
A Greek Islands yacht charter is matched to the wind as much as to the brief. The advisor sets the embarkation port and the route to the forecast, holds the shortlist of yachts and crews who know these waters, and carries the booking end to end. Onward cruising to the Dodecanese is arranged on request.
Destinations
Where we cruise in the Greek Islands.
5 destinations curated through our network of brokers, owners and management firms.
Season
When to cruise.
- Best months
- May–October
- Prevailing winds
- Meltemi (Jul–Aug)
- Base ports
- Athens · Mykonos · Corfu
Meltemi winds set the rhythm: strongest July through August, softer in June and September. Routes follow the Cyclades or the Ionian depending on wind direction. Mykonos and Santorini sit on the Cycladic route; the Ionian (less wind, calmer waters) suits longer family weeks.
Frequently asked
Practical questions.
- When is the best time for a Greek islands yacht charter?
- May through October. June and September are the calmest, with lighter winds and smaller crowds. July and August are the warmest and busiest, and also the strongest months for the Meltemi, the northerly wind that shapes Aegean routing.
- What is the Meltemi and how does it affect a charter?
- The Meltemi is a dry northerly wind that blows across the Aegean, strongest from July through August. It brings clear skies but firm seas, and a captain will route around it, favouring sheltered anchorages and adjusting the day's plan to the forecast. The Ionian, on the western coast, sits largely outside it.
- Should I choose the Cyclades or the Ionian?
- The Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini and the central Aegean) offer the iconic islands and the liveliest scene, with more wind. The Ionian, on the western coast, is calmer and greener and suits longer family weeks. The choice usually follows the party and the appetite for wind.
- Where do Greek charters embark?
- Most commonly Athens for the Cyclades, Mykonos for a central-Aegean route, or Corfu for the Ionian. The embarkation port is set by the route and the forecast for the week.
- How do you reach a Greek islands charter?
- Athens is the main gateway, with domestic connections on to Mykonos and Corfu for island embarkation. The advisor sets the embarkation port to the route and arranges transfers to the yacht.
- What does a Greek islands yacht charter cost?
- As a guide, a crewed yacht in the 30 to 50 metre range runs from around EUR 100,000 to EUR 400,000 per week, with the advance provisioning allowance and gratuity additional. Sailing yachts and catamarans sit lower; the advisor sets out the full figure before anything is signed.
- What size of yacht suits the Greek islands?
- Both motor and sailing yachts work well. Sailing yachts and catamarans make the most of the Meltemi and the island distances; motor yachts suit guests who want to cover more ground between anchorages. Tourlos Marina at Mykonos takes the larger superyachts.
Plan your charter
Guides and charter services.
Elsewhere
Other cruising grounds.
Plan a charter
Plan a charter in the Greek Islands.
A private advisor will return a short, curated proposal within the hour.