Greece Yacht Charter: Where to Go, What It Costs and When to Sail
Quick answer
A crewed Greece yacht charter typically runs from about €50,000 per week for a 30m yacht to €95,000 or more for a 40m yacht, before APA (often 30–40%), VAT (commonly 12–13% effective, up to 24%) and a 10–15% crew tip. The Cyclades suit island-hoppers who can handle the summer meltemi wind, the Ionian suits families who want calm water, and the Saronic Gulf suits short trips from Athens. The season runs roughly April to October, with June and September the sweet spots.
Why charter a yacht in Greece?
Greece has more islands within a day's cruise of each other than almost anywhere in the Mediterranean, which makes it the most varied place in Europe for a crewed charter. In one week you can mix a cosmopolitan harbour, an empty cove, a working fishing village and an ancient site, often with only two or three hours underway each day.
The country also gives you a choice of very different sailing grounds. The Cyclades are dry, bright and windy; the Ionian is green and sheltered; the Saronic Gulf is close to Athens and easy; the Dodecanese and the Sporades are less crowded alternatives. That variety is the main reason Greece and Croatia dominate the Med charter market, and our Greece vs Croatia comparison covers how the two differ in detail.
What sets Greece apart for US travelers is the depth of choice: there is a fit for a couple on a 30m motor yacht, a family of eight on a crewed catamaran, and a group of friends on a 50m superyacht, and the cruising grounds reward each one differently.
Which Greek islands are best for a yacht charter?
The best area depends on what you want from the week: the Cyclades for icons and nightlife, the Ionian for calm water and greenery, the Saronic for short trips, and the Dodecanese or Sporades for fewer crowds.
The Cyclades
This is the classic Greek island chain, and the one most first-time charterers picture.
- Mykonos: beach clubs, late dinners and a busy harbour; most larger yachts anchor off or use the new port at Tourlos. Best for groups who want a social scene.
- Delos: the uninhabited archaeological island a short hop from Mykonos, visited by day only. Best for a morning of history.
- Paros and Antiparos: Naoussa's harbour village on Paros, and the quiet anchorages around Antiparos and Despotiko. Best for a balance of buzz and calm.
- Naxos: the largest Cycladic island, with long sandy beaches and a good food culture. Best for families.
- Sifnos and Serifos: smaller, quieter islands with excellent tavernas and sheltered bays. Best for food lovers.
- Santorini: spectacular caldera views, but deep water makes anchoring awkward and crowds are heavy. Best visited for a day or one night.
- Kea and Kythnos: close to Athens and often skipped, with good anchorages for the first or last night.
The Ionian Islands
The Ionian, on Greece's west coast, is greener, wetter in winter and far calmer in summer, with a light afternoon breeze rather than the meltemi.
- Corfu: a Venetian old town, a major airport and Gouvia Marina; the natural starting point.
- Paxos and Antipaxos: the harbours of Gaios and Lakka, and the turquoise bays of Antipaxos. Best for swimming.
- Lefkada and Meganisi: sheltered inland-sea cruising with many quiet coves. Best for families and first-timers.
- Ithaca and Kefalonia: Kioni, Vathy and Fiskardo are among the prettiest harbours in Greece. Best for a slower pace.
- Zakynthos: the famous Navagio (Shipwreck) beach and sea caves. Best as a day stop.
The Saronic Gulf and the Peloponnese
The Saronic Gulf islands sit within a few hours of Athens and stay sheltered when the Cyclades are blowing.
- Aegina and Agistri: an easy first stop from Athens.
- Poros: a narrow channel town with a lively waterfront.
- Hydra: car-free, with a tiny harbour; most larger yachts anchor off and use the tender.
- Spetses and Porto Heli: elegant villas, beach clubs and good superyacht anchorages.
The Dodecanese and the Sporades
The Dodecanese (Rhodes, Symi, Patmos, Kos) sit close to Turkey and pair well with a gulet charter in Turkey for a two-week trip. The Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos and the Alonissos marine park) are pine-covered, quieter and a good choice for travelers who have done the Cyclades.
When is the best time to charter a yacht in Greece?
June and September are the best months for most charterers: warm water, long days, and less wind and crowding than midsummer. The Greek season runs roughly April to October, with peak demand and prices in July and August. For the bigger picture across the Mediterranean, see our best time to charter a yacht guide.
| Month | Conditions | Wind (Cyclades / Ionian) | Crowds and pricing | Our view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April–May | Mild air, cool sea | Variable, often light | Low; shoulder rates | Good for touring and food; swimming is brisk |
| June | Warm, long days | Meltemi starting, usually moderate / light afternoon breeze | Rising | One of the best months overall |
| July | Hot | Meltemi often strong in the Cyclades / Ionian still gentle | Peak | Choose the Ionian or Saronic if you want calm |
| August | Hottest, busiest | Meltemi at its strongest / Ionian light | Peak; Greek holidays mid-month | Book early; plan sheltered routes |
| September | Warmest sea | Meltemi easing / light | Falling | Excellent; our top pick for couples |
| October | Warm early, cooler late | Variable; first autumn systems | Low | Good value; some island services close |
The meltemi is a north wind that blows roughly June to September and peaks in July and August. It hits the central Cyclades (Mykonos, Paros and Naxos) hardest and matters far less in the Ionian. It is often reported at Force 6–7 (roughly 22–33 knots) and sometimes more, so captains plan routes to keep passages downwind or in the lee of islands. On a larger motor yacht it is mostly a comfort issue; on a catamaran or smaller yacht it can change the itinerary.
How much does a yacht charter in Greece cost?
Expect base weekly rates from roughly €50,000 for a 30m crewed yacht to €95,000 or more for a 40m yacht, with superyachts well above that. Rates exclude APA, VAT and tips, and vary by season, age and the yacht itself. Greece has relatively few gulets, so the gulet budget option is pricier here than in Turkey or Croatia.
| Yacht type and size | Typical weekly base rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed catamaran, 45–70 ft | Roughly €15,000–€60,000 | Guide range only; confirm with your broker |
| Motor or sailing yacht, 27–33m | About €51,000 typical (wide range) | Roughly US$59,000 |
| Motor yacht, 37–43m | About €95,000 typical | Roughly US$109,000 |
| Superyacht, 46–55m | About €167,500 typical | Roughly US$193,000 |
| Superyacht, 55–75m | About €350,000 typical | Roughly US$400,000 |
July and August usually command the highest rates, and the shoulder months of May, June and September–October often bring meaningful discounts. Our full yacht charter cost guide explains how the numbers stack up.
What taxes and fees apply to a Greek yacht charter?
The main extras are VAT on the base fee, the APA and the TEPAI cruising fee. Greek VAT is 24% at the standard rate, but crewed charters meeting the licence, duration and itinerary conditions usually pay a reduced effective rate. Sources conflict on a single current figure: most crewed charters over 48 hours are quoted at about 12–13%, some specific setups lower, and charters that don't qualify pay up to 24%. Our yacht charter VAT guide covers how this compares across the Med.
The TEPAI cruising fee is set by the Greek tax authority (see the AADE TEPAI brochure). Over 12m it is €8 per metre per month, with a 20% discount for professional vessels and a further 25% off for exclusive professional use. A 30m charter yacht with both discounts pays about €144 for the month, so it is small next to VAT.
Rules change; confirm the exact VAT rate and fees with your broker and in the contract at booking.
Example: a week on a 40m motor yacht in the Cyclades
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Base charter fee | €95,000 |
| APA at roughly 35% | €33,250 |
| VAT at roughly 12% effective | €11,400 |
| Crew tip at 10–15% | €9,500–€14,250 |
| Rough total | €149,000–€154,000 (roughly US$171,000–$177,000) |
The APA covers fuel, food, drink, berthing and port fees; any unspent balance is refunded, as explained in our APA guide.
How do you get to your yacht in Greece?
Most Cyclades and Saronic charters start in Athens, and most Ionian charters start in Corfu or Lefkada. Fly into the gateway closest to where the yacht is based, and ask your broker about one-way options if you want to finish elsewhere.
- Athens (ATH): the main international gateway, with direct flights from several US cities in summer. Yachts embark at Alimos Marina, Flisvos Marina or Lavrio, which is closer to the Cyclades and cuts the first passage.
- Mykonos (JMK): handy for starting or finishing in the Cyclades, usually via Athens or a European hub.
- Corfu (CFU): the gateway to the Ionian, with Gouvia Marina a short drive from the airport.
- Other options: Preveza (for Lefkada) and Rhodes (for the Dodecanese) are well served in summer.
Med charters traditionally run Saturday to Saturday, though crewed yachts are often flexible. A one-way route, such as Athens to Mykonos, usually adds a delivery fee.
What does a 7-night Cyclades itinerary look like?
A good first-time Cyclades week from Athens covers five or six islands with short daily hops of 10–35 nautical miles. The direction and order will shift with the meltemi, and your captain makes the final call each morning.
| Day | Route | Rough distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athens (Flisvos) to Kea | About 35 nm | Quiet first night in Vourkari or a southern bay |
| 2 | Kea to Syros | About 30 nm | Ermoupoli's neoclassical town and harbour |
| 3 | Syros to Mykonos | About 20 nm | Afternoon beach club, evening in Little Venice |
| 4 | Mykonos to Delos to Paros | About 25 nm | Morning at Delos, dinner in Naoussa |
| 5 | Paros to Antiparos and Despotiko | About 10 nm | Turquoise swim stop, a slow day |
| 6 | Antiparos to Sifnos | About 20 nm | Tavernas in Vathy or Kamares |
| 7 | Sifnos to Serifos, then Kythnos | About 30 nm | Last swim in Kolona's sandbar bay |
| 8 | Kythnos to Athens | About 45 nm | Early start for the airport |
Total distance is roughly 210 nautical miles. On a 40m motor yacht cruising at 12–14 knots, most days need two to three hours underway. On a sailing catamaran, expect longer passages and possibly fewer islands.
Alternative: a 7-night Ionian loop from Corfu
For calm water, a typical loop runs Corfu to Paxos (about 35 nm), Paxos to Antipaxos (5 nm), down to Lefkada's sheltered channel and Meganisi (about 40 nm), Ithaca and Fiskardo on Kefalonia (about 20 nm), then back north via Parga on the mainland. It is an easy, low-stress week and our default recommendation for families with young children, as covered in our family yacht charter guide.
Who is a Greece yacht charter right for?
Greece suits almost every type of charterer, but each area suits a different traveler, so the choice of region matters more than the choice of country.
| Traveler | Best area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Cyclades (Mykonos, Paros) | Nightlife, beach clubs, energy |
| Families with young children | Ionian | Calm water, short hops, green islands |
| Couples | Cyclades in September, or the Ionian | Warm sea, quieter anchorages |
| Short trips (3–5 nights) | Saronic Gulf | Close to Athens, sheltered |
| Repeat Greece visitors | Sporades or Dodecanese | Fewer yachts, less familiar islands |
Who should choose elsewhere? If you or your guests get seasick easily and want July or August in the Cyclades, the meltemi can make some days uncomfortable, so pick the Ionian or Croatia instead. Travelers who want a glamorous marina scene every night may prefer the French Riviera. And if budget is the priority, a gulet in Turkey or a yacht in Montenegro usually stretches further.
Can you combine Greece with other charter areas?
Yes. Two weeks lets you combine regions, either within Greece or across a border, though crossings involve formalities and possibly a delivery fee.
- Cyclades plus the Saronic: an easy two-week loop from Athens.
- Ionian plus the Peloponnese: sail south from Corfu toward Kalamata or the Mani, ending in Athens via the Corinth Canal or around the Peloponnese.
- Dodecanese plus Turkey: Kos sits just off Bodrum, and Rhodes and Symi are close to Marmaris and Datça, but charter yachts face customs, cabotage and VAT rules at each border, so your broker needs to set this up in advance.
- Greece then Croatia: a long repositioning passage via the Ionian and Albania; practical only on two-plus weeks or as separate charters.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charter a yacht in Greece for a week?
Base rates for a crewed 27–33m yacht typically sit around €50,000 per week, and 37–43m yachts around €95,000, though the range is wide. Add an APA of roughly 30–40%, VAT (often 12–13% effective for eligible charters, up to 24%) and a 10–15% crew tip. A realistic all-in total for a 40m motor yacht is roughly €145,000–€155,000.
What is the best month for a yacht charter in Greece?
June and September are the best balance of warm water, open anchorages and lighter crowds. July and August are hottest and busiest, and the meltemi wind is at its strongest in the Cyclades. May and October are quieter and cheaper but the sea is cooler.
Is the Cyclades or the Ionian better for a yacht charter?
The Cyclades offer the famous islands, nightlife and whitewashed villages, but open-water passages can be rough when the meltemi blows. The Ionian is greener, more sheltered and much calmer, which makes it the better choice for families, first-timers and anyone prone to seasickness.
What is the VAT on a yacht charter in Greece?
The standard Greek VAT rate is 24%, but crewed charters that meet the licensing, duration and itinerary conditions usually pay a reduced effective rate, commonly quoted at 12–13%. Some sources quote lower effective rates for specific setups. Rules change, so confirm the exact figure in your contract.
What is the TEPAI fee in Greece?
TEPAI is the Greek cruising fee charged monthly on vessels over 7m. For yachts over 12m it is €8 per metre per month, reduced by 20% for professional vessels and a further 25% for exclusive professional use. A 30m charter yacht with both discounts pays about €144 for the month, usually covered by the owner or the APA.
Can you charter a yacht from Athens to Mykonos?
Yes. Many Cyclades charters start in Athens and either loop back or end in Mykonos. One-way charters are possible but usually carry a delivery or redelivery fee, and sailing south from Athens with the meltemi behind you is the more comfortable direction in high summer.
How far in advance should I book a Greece yacht charter?
For July and August, start 9–12 months ahead, especially for 40m-plus yachts. June and September often have more choice at four to six months out, and last-minute availability does appear in the shoulder season.
Charter rates, APA, VAT and fees quoted are approximate, vary by yacht and season, and change often. Confirm current figures with your broker at booking.