Sailing in Greece: A Complete Guide to Yacht Charters and Sailing Destinations
Greece is one of the Mediterranean’s most attractive destinations for a sailing holiday, combining hundreds of islands, clear waters, sheltered bays, historic coastal towns and a wide choice of sailing conditions. From the Ionian Islands in the west to the Cyclades in the Aegean, travellers can choose between relaxed island hopping, active sailing adventures and fully crewed luxury holidays.
One of the first decisions to make is what type of yacht is right for your holiday. Sailing yachts, catamarans, power catamarans and motor yachts offer very different experiences. It is also important to decide whether you want to sail independently with a qualified skipper, have a professional skipper on board, or enjoy a fully crewed charter with a captain and chef.
Choosing the Right Yacht for a Greek Sailing Holiday
The ideal yacht depends on your group size, experience, itinerary and preferred style of travel.
Sailing Yachts
A sailing yacht is a natural choice for travellers who want to experience Greece from the water and enjoy the traditional sailing experience. Sailing yachts are available for bareboat and skippered charters, with different sizes and layouts suitable for couples, families and groups.
A bareboat charter allows qualified sailors to take responsibility for the yacht themselves, provided someone in the group has the appropriate sailing qualifications and meets the charter requirements. A skippered charter, meanwhile, includes a professional skipper who handles navigation and sailing while guests concentrate on enjoying the journey.
Catamarans
Catamarans are particularly popular for Greek sailing holidays because they combine generous living space with excellent outdoor areas. Their twin-hull design generally provides a stable platform, while the spacious cockpit and forward areas are well suited to relaxing, swimming and enjoying meals at anchor.
A catamaran charter in Greece can be arranged as a bareboat, skippered or fully crewed experience. For travellers looking for a higher level of comfort and service, luxury crewed catamarans can include a captain and chef or cook, with additional crew depending on the yacht.
Motor Yachts and Power Catamarans
Motor yachts provide another way to explore Greece, particularly for travellers who want to cover longer distances without depending on sailing conditions. They can be suitable for guests who prioritise comfort, speed and convenient access to multiple destinations.
Power catamarans offer another combination of space and performance and can be an attractive option for families and larger groups. For a premium holiday, luxury motor yacht charters in Greece can include professional crew and personalised itineraries.
Bareboat, Skippered or Fully Crewed?
The charter type can be just as important as the yacht itself.
- Bareboat charter is designed for experienced and appropriately qualified sailors. You have greater independence over the itinerary and sailing experience, but you are responsible for operating the yacht.
- Skippered charter is suitable for guests who do not have a qualified skipper in their group. A professional skipper takes care of navigation and sailing while you enjoy the destinations. Some groups also choose to add a hostess to assist with service and everyday onboard needs.
- Fully crewed charter provides the most comprehensive experience. Luxury crewed catamarans typically have a captain and chef or cook, with larger yachts often carrying additional crew. Guests can enjoy professionally managed sailing, meals and personalised service without having to manage the practical aspects of the yacht.
Where Should You Sail in Greece?
Greece offers several distinct sailing regions, and each has its own character.
Athens and the Saronic Gulf
The Saronic Gulf and eastern Peloponnese provide convenient sailing opportunities from the Athens area. Charter bases include Athens, Alimos Marina, Lavrion, Nea Peramos, Flisvos Marina, Delta Kallitheas, Agios Kosmas and other locations around Attica.
The region offers a combination of islands, coastal towns, archaeological sites and relatively short sailing distances. It can therefore be a practical choice for families, first-time charter guests and groups looking for a varied itinerary.
Cyclades
The Cyclades offer a very different experience, characterised by iconic whitewashed villages, dramatic landscapes and famous islands such as Mykonos and Paros.
Charters can start from Athens, Alimos, Lavrion, Paros or Mykonos, depending on the yacht and itinerary. The region is particularly attractive to travellers who want to combine sailing with Greek island culture, restaurants, beaches and lively destinations.
Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are particularly popular for sailing holidays because of their beautiful coastlines, sheltered waters and picturesque islands. Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos are among the key destinations, while Preveza is another important charter base.
Popular starting points for Ionian sailing holidays include Corfu, Lefkada, Preveza, Kefalonia and Zakynthos. The region can be an excellent choice for families and travellers looking for scenic anchorages, beaches and charming island villages.
Sporades
The Sporades, including Skiathos and Skopelos, are known for green landscapes, beautiful beaches and clear waters. Volos, Skiathos and Skopelos are important starting points for sailing in this area.
Dodecanese and North Aegean
The Dodecanese offer opportunities to explore islands such as Rhodes and Kos, while the North Aegean provides a different atmosphere with less familiar islands, traditional communities and distinctive coastal landscapes.
How to Choose Your Sailing Area
When choosing a Greek sailing destination, consider more than the islands you would like to visit. Think about the time of year, sailing experience, preferred distances, weather conditions, group size and type of yacht.
A family seeking shorter passages and sheltered anchorages may have different requirements from an experienced sailing group interested in covering more distance. Likewise, guests booking a luxury crewed catamaran may prioritise secluded bays, excellent restaurants and personalised service rather than a fixed itinerary.
A professional yacht broker can help match the sailing area, yacht and charter format to these requirements.
Why Book Your Greek Yacht Charter With SEVEN Sailing & Tourism Services?
SEVEN Sailing & Tourism Services is a family-run agency based in Argostoli, Kefalonia, with 25 years of experience in the tourism industry. The agency has specialised in yacht charters in Kefalonia and the Ionian Islands and offers sailing yacht and catamaran charters throughout Greece, including bareboat, skippered and fully crewed options.
The agency works directly with trusted yacht owners and carefully selected charter operators throughout Greece. Yachts are maintained and provided with the documentation required for professional charter operations.
SEVEN Sailing & Tourism Services offers hand-picked yachts of different types, including sailing yachts, catamarans, power catamarans, motor yachts and luxury yachts. For many bareboat and skippered yachts, guests can also benefit from real-time online availability, making the planning process easier.
The agency focuses on:
- Reliable and consistent charter services
- Competitive prices and available discounts
- Personal customer care
- Hand-picked charter operators and partners
- Carefully selected yachts throughout Greece
- Real-time online availability for many yachts
- Flexible payment methods
- Local knowledge and professional support
SEVEN Sailing & Tourism Services is based at Vandorou Vas. 6 in Argostoli, Kefalonia, and is registered and licensed by the Greek Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organisation under licence number 0458E60000094101. The agency is also a member of the Hellenic Yacht Broker Association (HYBA).
Yacht Charters Beyond Greece
Although Greece is our main destination, SEVEN Sailing & Tourism Services also offers private yacht charter opportunities in other popular Mediterranean destinations, including Croatia, Italy, Turkey, France and Spain. Whether you are dreaming of exploring the Croatian coast, discovering Italy’s beautiful islands, cruising along the Turkish Riviera or enjoying the French and Spanish Mediterranean, our team can help you find a yacht suited to your preferred destination, travel style and group. This wider selection gives travellers more flexibility when planning their next Mediterranean sailing holiday.
Start Planning Your Sailing Holiday in Greece
Whether you are an experienced sailor looking for a bareboat charter, a family interested in a skippered catamaran, or a group searching for a luxury crewed yacht with a captain and chef, Greece offers a remarkable range of possibilities.
With sailing areas extending from the Ionian Islands and Kefalonia to the Cyclades, Saronic Gulf, Sporades and Dodecanese, the right yacht can turn a Greek island holiday into a completely different experience.
The key is to match the yacht, charter type and sailing area to your group and travel style. Working with an experienced local yacht broker can make that process easier while giving you access to carefully selected yachts and charter operators across Greece and other Mediterranean destinations.
