Sailing Yacht Charters
Sailing Yacht Charter Greece
The original way to read the Aegean. Wind under the hull, mountains on the horizon.
Why a sailing yacht in Greece
In its favour
- Heeling reads as romance, not discomfort, at 12 to 18 knots true.
- Anchor-side roll is far softer than a motor yacht of equal length.
- Half the fuel cost on the same itinerary as a motor yacht.
- Sailing the Meltemi is the experience guests remember years later.
- Better access to small bays that motor yachts struggle to enter.
Worth knowing
- Long passages take longer. Two-destination days require an early start.
- Floor space is roughly half what an equal-length motor yacht offers.
- Heeling under sail is uncomfortable for guests with mobility issues.
- Mast height limits some bridge-clearance routes.
Best suited for
- Couples on a honeymoon who want rhythm over speed
- Friend groups where two or three guests will actually trim the sails
- Families introducing children to sailing in safe coastal water
- Ionian itineraries where day-sailing 6 to 10 hours suits the calm wind
- Repeat clients who have already done two motor yacht weeks
When to book a sailing yacht
May to mid-June is the sweetest sailing window in Greek waters. The Meltemi has not yet set in, daily breezes are 10 to 18 knots and reliable from mid-morning, water is warm enough for swimming, and the anchorages still feel quiet. Mid-July to August suits experienced charterers who want serious wind for spinnaker runs and tight downwind boatwork; we recommend stronger crew on these weeks. September mirrors May, often slightly warmer, and is the favourite shoulder month for repeat clients.
Notes from George
- Ask whether the yacht has electric winches. On boats over 18 metres, hand-cranking a 45-foot genoa loses its romance by day three.
- If you've never sailed, a one-hour briefing on day one with the captain answers more questions than a week of marketing brochures.
- Children under eight do better on catamarans. Heel angles disorient them on monohulls.
- Reaching across the central Aegean in 22 knots true is the postcard the brochures don't show. Plan one such day if the weather pattern allows.
- Sailing crews are often the most musical. If the captain hosts dinner on deck with a guitar, accept the invitation.
Frequently asked
About sailing yacht charter greece
How much does a sailing yacht charter cost in Greece?
Weekly rates start around €18,000 for a 50-foot sailing yacht with captain and cook, and run to €180,000+ for a 100-foot performance ketch with five crew. Most of our sailing charter weeks settle between €30,000 and €70,000, before APA (typically 25 to 30% of the base rate, lower than motor yachts due to lower fuel use) and Greek charter VAT.
Do I need sailing experience to charter a crewed sailing yacht?
No. The crew handle every aspect of sail trim, navigation, and yacht operation. Guests are welcome to participate (steering, trimming, raising the main is a guest favourite) but no experience is required. We do recommend choosing a sailing yacht over a motor only if you appreciate that some days will have longer passages.
Will the yacht actually sail or just motor between islands?
If you brief the captain on your preference for sailing, they will plan around it. The honest answer is that 60 to 70% of a typical Greek sailing week is under sail and the rest is motor-sailing or motoring (calm dawn departures, marina arrivals, weather avoidance). Pure-sail weeks exist, but they require flexibility on itinerary.
What's the difference between a sloop and a ketch?
A sloop carries one mast and is the modern standard, easier to sail, better upwind. A ketch carries two masts (the second smaller and aft) and divides sail area into more manageable pieces, often preferred by older crew on long passages. For charter purposes the practical difference is small; ketches feel more traditional, sloops more contemporary.
Are there sailing catamarans available?
Yes. Catamarans are technically sailing yachts but charter very differently. See our crewed catamaran page for that breed: more floor area, no heel, but slower upwind. Different week, different feel.
Continue exploring
Closely related to this page
Sailing yacht in Lefkada
Sailing Yacht Charter Lefkada
Yacht Type Comparison
Motor vs Sailing Yacht Charter Greece
Sailing yacht in Mykonos
Sailing Yacht Charter Mykonos
Sailing yacht in the Ionian
Sailing Yacht Charter Ionian
Sailing yacht in the Cyclades
Sailing Yacht Charter Cyclades
Planning tool
Smart Match Quiz