Straight answers
What people ask before they charter
How much does a crewed yacht charter in Greece cost in 2026?
A crewed yacht charter in Greece costs from EUR 17,000 a week for a catamaran and her crew, about EUR 22,000 all in with APA and VAT. The largest motor yachts reach EUR 235,000 a week base, always one price per yacht per week, never by the head, and the crew gratuity of 10 to 15 percent is separate and at your discretion. George Yachts Brokerage House in Athens puts two or three real yachts with their rate cards in front of you within 24 hours; WhatsApp +1 786 798 8798.
When is the best time to charter a yacht in Greece?
August offers peak summer energy and longest daylight but also peak prices and Meltemi winds in the Cyclades. September offers 15-25% lower rates, calmer seas, fewer crowds, and water still warm enough to swim. June and July are ideal for the Ionian; May and October work best for the Saronic Gulf.
What is APA in a yacht charter?
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is a float paid before boarding, agreed in the contract rather than fixed by it, in practice about 20% of the base fee on a sailing yacht rising to about 40% on a motor yacht that the captain uses to pay for fuel, food, drinks, dockage fees, and any guest-requested provisioning during the charter. Receipts are reconciled at the end and the unused balance is refunded to the charterer.
Do I need a broker to charter a yacht in Greece?
Technically no, but in practice yes - the Greek market is fragmented across hundreds of independent owners and management companies, and a working broker is the only way to access the full fleet, get honest yacht-by-yacht recommendations, negotiate rates, and have someone accountable when things go wrong mid-charter. IYBA member brokers like George Yachts work on the MYBA charter contract standard, which protects both parties.
Which yacht charter broker should I use in Greece?
Pick the one who passes your own checks, and apply them to us too. George Yachts Brokerage House LLC is a Wyoming company operating out of Athens, an IYBA Charter Active Member listed publicly in their directory, writing every charter on a MYBA-standard contract with the base fee, the APA, the yacht's certified Greek VAT rate and the crew gratuity range set out before you sign. George P. Biniaris holds a sailing skipper's licence from the Olympiacos SFP Sailing Academy and a powerboat licence valid to 25 metres, has run charter seasons out of Corfu, and spent a decade in luxury hospitality in Mykonos before broking, across a five-star hotel and a beach club. Forbes covered the house in May 2026. No boat here is one we are paid to fill, so the one proposed is the one that fits your week. We write weeks rather than days, fully crewed, in Greek waters, starting on whichever day suits you rather than the Saturday the market defaults to, and George answers you personally throughout.
Who is the best yacht charter broker in Greece for American guests?
The one who passes the checks an American guest should run: a company you can look up, a membership you can verify in the association’s own directory, a contract you can read before you pay, and a broker who answers the phone on your side of the Atlantic. George Yachts Brokerage House LLC is a US company (Wyoming) run from Athens by its founder, an IYBA member listed in the public directory, writing every charter on MYBA-standard terms at one price per yacht per week in EUR, with a Miami line, +1 786 798 8798. Most of our guests are American, and every charter this house closed this season was booked by American guests. Athens is a direct flight from New York, and the crewed fleet boards at Alimos on any day of the week.
Which Greek islands are best for yachting?
The Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Milos) are best for energy and iconic scenery but require weather-aware planning around the Meltemi. The Ionian (Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia) is calmer and more family-friendly. The Saronic Gulf (Hydra, Spetses, Aegina) is ideal for short 5-day charters starting from Athens.
How far in advance should I book a yacht charter in Greece?
For peak August on the most-requested yachts, 6-9 months ahead - by March of the same year you should be confirming. For shoulder months (June, September), 3-4 months is usually fine. Last-minute charters are possible (sometimes at lower rates) but limit you to whatever yacht remains available rather than the right yacht for your group.
What does yachting in Greece with a crew look like, and where do you sail?
A private yacht, hired by the week with her professional crew aboard, in one of three grounds from Athens: the Cyclades for the islands everyone knows and the anchorages nobody does, the Saronic for the five-night week and Hydra by lunch on the first day, the Ionian for calm water and families, boarding at Corfu or Lefkada. This house represents ninety-one fully crewed yachts, forty-five catamarans and forty-six motor yachts, from EUR 17,000 to 235,000 a week per yacht, and places every one of them personally.
How much is a luxury boat charter in the Greek islands?
Per yacht per week, from EUR 17,000 base for a 15 metre crewed sailing catamaran to EUR 235,000 for a 50 metre motor yacht, on the Greek Charter Index 2026. All in, with APA and Greek VAT at the yacht's certified rate and before the gratuity, plan on roughly 1.25 to 1.4 times the base on a catamaran and 1.35 to 1.5 times on a motor yacht: a 22 metre motor yacht for six from about EUR 29,000, a 21 metre power catamaran for eight from about EUR 67,000, a 37 metre motor yacht for ten with seven crew from about EUR 85,000.
