The Greek season runs from April to the end of October and the month decides both the sailing and the bill. Nautilus Yachting's own Greek page puts the two extremes plainly: a low season two to three cabin monohull starts around 900 pounds a week, and a high season luxury catamaran with a skipper could be upwards of 10,000 pounds. Between those sit the months worth booking.
Best time to sail in greece: the ranking, and the criterion
- September: The one month that is warm, quiet and still fully served by the bases. The meltemi has eased, the sea is at its warmest after a summer of sun, the town quays empty in the second week, and the fleets have come off peak pricing. Istion Yachting's eleven Greek bases are all still operating, which is not true by late October.
- June: The cheaper shoulder. Nautilus Yachting's around 900 pounds a week for a two to three cabin monohull is a low season figure, against upwards of 10,000 pounds for a high season skippered catamaran on the same page. The islands are emptier than September and the sea is colder.
- July and August: Last on both counts. The meltemi blows hardest in the Cyclades, the quays fill by early afternoon, and these are the weeks at the top of every published range: The Moorings' Greek page runs to $36,999 for the same 7 days and the same two people that start at $2,634. Worth it only if school terms decide your dates.
What the wind does through the season
The meltemi is the fact that organizes the Greek year. It is a northerly that blows down the Aegean from roughly June to September, strongest in July and August, and it can reach gale force in the Cyclades for days at a time. The Ionian is largely sheltered from it and gets a gentle afternoon sea breeze instead, which is why almost every first Greek charter is sold there rather than in the islands on the postcards.
What the water and the crowds do
The sea is cold until June and warmest in late August and September, having absorbed a summer of heat. The crowds run a month ahead of that: the town quays fill from late June and empty in the second week of September. September is the month those two curves cross, which is why experienced Greek charterers book it first and why it is the one shoulder month that is not discounted much.
April, May and late October
The cheapest weeks of all and a genuine gamble. The fleets are not all commissioned in April, some bases are closed, the water is too cold for most people to swim, and the weather is unsettled rather than windy. Late October has the same shape at the other end with warmer water. Both are good value for crews who want the sailing and do not mind the sea.
Questions people ask about best time to sail in Greece
When is the best time to sail in Greece?
September for most crews: warm sea, thinning crowds, the meltemi eased and prices off the peak. June is the cheaper alternative with cooler water.
What is the meltemi?
A northerly wind that blows down the Aegean from roughly June to September, strongest in July and August, reaching gale force in the Cyclades for days at a time. The Ionian is largely sheltered from it.
How much cheaper is the Greek shoulder season?
Nautilus Yachting puts a low season two to three cabin monohull around 900 pounds a week against a high season skippered catamaran upwards of 10,000 pounds.
Is April too early to charter in Greece?
For most crews, yes. Not all boats are commissioned, some bases are closed, the water is too cold to swim and the weather is unsettled. It is cheap for a reason.