Quick answer

Q. What is a crewed sailing yacht charter in the Cyclades, and what does it cost?

A week under sail on the Aegean's defining summer wind: from late June to mid-September the Meltemi blows from the north at 15 to 25 knots for days at a stretch, and the Cyclades week is a series of reaches between islands 25 to 60 nautical miles apart on the house table. One price per yacht per week with crew, from the Greek Charter Index 2026: a crewed sailing yacht of 24 to 31 metres EUR 24,000 to 55,000, a crewed sailing catamaran from 17,000 at 15 metres to 90,000 at 24, before APA of 20 to 30% and Greek VAT at the certified rate. The five sailing yachts this house represents: Huayra, Aizu, Nadamas, MELITI and Gigreca.

Key facts

The six crewed sailing yachts we represent: BLACK LION (Perini Navi, 31 m, 9 guests, EUR 50,000 to 55,000), Huayra (Comet 100, 31 m, 8 guests, 44,000 to 49,000), Aizu (Marine 99, 30 m, 33,000 to 39,000), Nadamas (Y8, 24 m, built 2022, 35,000 to 41,000), MELITI (Garcia 86, 26 m, 6 guests, 26,500), Gigreca (Admiral Sail Silent 76, 24 m, 24,000 to 29,900), each rate from its own card
Sailing catamarans on the Index: EUR 18,900 to 48,000 at 16 to 19 metres, 31,500 to 43,500 at 20 to 22, 54,900 to 90,000 at 23 to 24, per yacht per week
Legs from the house table: Mykonos to Syros 25 nm, Mykonos to Paros 30, Paros to Sifnos 35, Sifnos to Milos 25, Milos to Santorini 70, Paros to Santorini 60
The Meltemi: a northerly of 15 to 25 knots from late June to mid-September, strongest in the afternoons through the central Cyclades; June and September blow gentler
APA 20 to 30% of base under sail against 30 to 40% on a motor yacht, because the fuel bill is smaller; Greek VAT at the certified rate
Lead time on the Index: 6 to 12 months for July and August; June and September list 15 to 25% below peak

Source: The five sailing yachts, with rates, on the best-sailing-yachts page

- George P. Biniaris, Founder and Managing Broker

Sailing yacht in the Cyclades

Sailing Yacht Charter Cyclades

The Meltemi is the experience. Reaching at 11 knots across the Aegean to Folegandros is what your guests will remember.

Last updated September 2026

Why the Cyclades are Greece's premier sailing ground

The Meltemi is the Aegean's defining summer wind. From late June through mid-September, a steady 15 to 25 knots from the north pushes across the central Cyclades for days at a stretch. For sailors, this is the closest thing the Mediterranean has to a trade wind: a wind you can plan around, route into, and trust. Cycladic sailing weeks are reaching-heavy. The islands sit 25 to 60 nautical miles apart on the house table, Mykonos to Paros 30, Paros to Sifnos 35, Paros to Santorini 60, so each leg is a morning or a full day on one tack with the wind on the beam. Huayra, the carbon Comet 100 at the top of the list, is built to reach at 17 knots under sail. The crossings that make motor yachts the practical choice for non-sailing families are the whole point of a sailing charter. The sailing yachts this house represents run from 24 metres (Gigreca, an Admiral Sail Silent 76 with captain, chef and stewardess for eight; Nadamas, a Y8 launched 2022; MELITI, a Garcia 86 for six with a crew of four) to 30 and 31 metres (Aizu, a classic Marine 99 refitted 2023; Huayra, the Comet 100 refitted 2025; BLACK LION, a 2012 Perini Navi refitted 2025 for nine guests), with the crewed sailing catamarans of 15 to 24 metres alongside them for families who want the wind without the heel. The choice depends on whether you want to drive the wheel or sip wine while the captain does.

Best suited for

Sailing-experienced couples or families
Charterers who've done a motor week and want the opposite pace
August charters where Meltemi peaks - sailing weeks that handle wind
Repeat clients alternating between sailing and motor
Photography clients who want sailing-yacht-under-canvas shots

Sailing yachts in the Cyclades

Cycladic sailing yachts for 2027

S/CAT Ad Astra

24.38 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €90,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Serenissima III

24.38 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €85,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Imladris

23.9 m / 78.4 ft · 8 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €85,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Aloia

24.38 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €85,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Sol Madinina

24.38 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€65,000 - €85,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Genny

23.87 m / 80 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€56,000 - €79,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT Above & Beyond

23.87 m / 80ft · 8 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€56,000 - €77,000 | plus expenses VAT & APA

S/CAT SAMELI

23.00 m / 75.6 ft · 10 guests

Per Yacht · Per Week€54,900 | plus expenses VAT & APA

See the full fleet

When the Cyclades sail best

Mid-July to mid-September is the Meltemi peak - best sailing of the year, suitable for experienced charterers who want serious wind. June and early July offer gentler 10-18 knot sailing - the sweetest weeks for couples and families new to monohull sailing. May and late September can have variable wind; expect mix of sailing and motor-sailing days.

George's insider notes

Brief us at booking on sailing experience level. Beginners do better in June; experienced sailors thrive in August Meltemi.
Reaching across the central Aegean at 22 knots true is the photograph. Plan one such day if conditions allow.
Sailing yachts handle Meltemi better than motor yachts in some respects - the boats sail in it rather than push through.
Take the wheel on day three when you've got the boat's feel. The captain's brief turns into the highlight of the week.
Sailing weeks often sleep in quieter anchorages than motor weeks. Less marina dockage, more remote bays.

Frequently asked

Questions we get about Sailing Yacht Charter Cyclades

Can non-sailors charter a sailing yacht?

Yes. The crew handle everything; guests participate as much or as little as they want. Many of our sailing yacht clients are non-sailors who chose the format for the slower pace and lower fuel cost. The crew will brief on day one.

Is the Meltemi too strong for sailing?

For experienced sailors, the 20-25 knot range is excellent sailing. For first-time charterers, 25+ knots can feel intense; we'd recommend a sailing catamaran (less heel) or a June/September charter for gentler conditions.

How much does a Cycladic sailing charter cost?

On the Greek Charter Index 2026 a crewed sailing yacht of 24 to 31 metres lists at EUR 24,000 to 55,000 a week net base, and a crewed sailing catamaran at EUR 17,000 to 90,000 by length, before APA of 20 to 30% (lower than a motor yacht, because the fuel is) and VAT at the certified rate.

Will the sailing yacht actually sail or just motor between islands?

Brief the captain on your sailing preference. In a Meltemi week most legs sail; the engine runs for calm dawns, weather avoidance and marina arrivals. Pure-sail weeks are possible with itinerary flexibility.

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