As many sailors know, Greece is renowned for being one of the most popular sailing grounds in the world. Sailing is a real dream in this beautiful country due to its extensive coastlines and its excellent weather conditions.
You will be enchanted by the ancient Greek culture, impressive historical sites, nightlife, beautiful architecture, and by its captivating nature. Without any doubt, Greece is the jewel of the Mediterranean!
When is the best time to sail to Greece?
Many visitors come to visit Greece from April through October, but the peak season is both in July and August. In fact, it is entirely crowded, especially Crete, Cyclades, Dodecanese, and the Western Greek Islands.
Greece has a Mediterranean climate and has about seven months of sunshine throughout the year.
The rest of the period, from November through April, is relatively cold. So, the best time to explore the Greek islands is definitely from May to June and September to October. The climate is very pleasant during these months. Many tourists love traveling in July and August to enjoy the warmest months of the year and all the fun attractions.
Where to Book?
There are hundreds of yacht charter agencies in Greece, and personally, I would recommend checking them well before making any arrangements with the booking for several reasons. First, many of them do not possess exclusive contracts, and secondly, not everyone speaks English, which can make it difficult to communicate.
If you want good advice, find a good broker company because if something goes wrong, you rather wish to have someone on your side who could solve the problem. It is much easier with a charter broker, and you can count on them.
They take care of everything; they research the right yacht and professional crew, and since they have good relationships in the business, they usually get a better price.
The way a yacht broker operates is similar to a travel agent, so if you plan your next vacation, I highly recommend you choose a good dealer. It will save you plenty of time; you will be tranquil, and not just the service is fantastic, but it is also free!
What Type of Charter?
Bareboat charter
The quality of your sailing vacation will depend on several factors, such as the kind of charter.
With a bareboat charter, you will be totally in charge of the vessel, which means safety, cooking, and navigation. Thus, I would recommend sailing with some friends or with family so all the tasks can be split among the passengers. Be aware that if you charter a bareboat, you’ll need a certificate (ICC), especially in Greece. They are very strict about this rule!
Skippered yacht charter
Skippered yacht charter is an excellent choice if you prefer to relax and enjoy your trip without making too much effort. You will still have to care for some housework as the skipper suppose to be only responsible for the navigation.
Crewed yacht charter
However, if you want to cherish yourself and your family, then a crewed yacht charter will be the best option. You won’t have to do anything apart suck up the sun, relax, and enjoy all the fun activities.
Where to Sail?
Even if Greece is a small country, there are many beautiful islands to choose from, and sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start.
Be aware that yacht charter companies will charge you on the go and return even If you wish to sail one way.
Argo – Saronic & Peloponnese
The Argo-Saronic and the Peloponnese offer a wide variety of things to do.
From beautiful harbors and bohemian villages to natural coves and bays with warm, clear blue waters, you will always be surprised by the beauty of this magnificent country!
How to get there?
If you choose to explore this region, the most appropriate airport is in Athene.
Southern Aegean & Crete
Southern Aegean and Crete attract every year a wide amount of travelers from all over the world due to its beautiful architecture, ancient history, isolated beaches, and quaint harbors.
How to get there?
If you land in Athene, you can take a ferry. It will take about four to five hours to reach these beautiful islands. Another alternative is to land at one of these airports, which are Chania, Sitia, and Heraklion.
Cyclades
The Cyclades possess easy sailing ground and contains beautiful islands such as Sifnos, Amorgos, Kythnos, Milos, and Koufonissia, but these are only a few of them!
The nightlife is very active; there are plenty of tiny towns, a lot of local taverns, natural coves, and excellent harbors.
How to get there?
For the Cyclades islands, it will be easy to land at these airports such as Paros, Santorini, Kos, Mykonos, and Athens.
Dodecanese
If you like palpitations, the Dodecanese is the ideal place to sail. It is a little more agitated over there. You will find dramatic islands, beautiful tiny villages, volcanic craters, and fantastic anchorage.
How to get there?
You will have to fly directly to Kos, Rhodes, or Athens airports to discover the Dodecanese islands.
Ionian
The Ionian coastlines are amazing; you will find plenty of quiet bays and local taverns, natural green landscapes, and excellent anchorages.
The weather condition is fantastic to navigate, and the islets are very close to each other, which make it easier to stop at beaches and harbors.
How to get there?
To land in the Ionian, fly directly to one of these airports. Athens, Corfu, Kefalonia, Leona, Kalamata, Zakynthos, Lefkas, and Araksos.
Sporades
The Sporades is a beauty; you will love to sail in this region due to its stunning nature reserves, green coastlines, and beautiful tiny villages.
The weather conditions are favorable but can be influenced by the Meltemi winds in the peak summer. If you are an experimented sailor, then this is the place to be.
How to get there?
For the Sporades, fly directly to one of these airports, Athens, Volos, or Skiathos.
Aegean
The Aegean Sea is the perfect sailing ground for novice sailors. The water is calm, and the weather is excellent, allowing you to enjoy the trip thoroughly.
The areas are fantastic, with stunning coastlines, clear, clean blue waters, and plenty of white sandy beaches.
How to get there?
Fly directly to Thessaloniki Airport to discover the Aegean Sea.
As mentioned above, Greece is the jewel of the Mediterranean. Each island is unique, making it the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable sailing experience with friends or family. There are a wide variety of activities to do; if one thing is sure, you will never get bored in Greece!
Want to sail in Greece?
Have you already sailed in Greece? Let me know in the comments below.
Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.
beautifull….. sister slage
Thank you!