Greece is sold as one destination and chartered as four. The Ionian, the Saronic, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese have different winds, different distances and different prices, and a week in one is not a week in another. Choosing between them decides more about the holiday than the boat or the company does.
The four groups, and who each suits
The Ionian, from Lefkas, Preveza or Corfu, is the gentle one: short hops, afternoon breeze, shelter everywhere, and the standard first Greek week. The Saronic, from Athens, is nearly as easy and closest to the airport. The Cyclades, from Athens or Paros, are windier, emptier and harder, and the meltemi in high summer is serious sailing. The Dodecanese, from Kos or Rhodes, are the warmest and the furthest, and open the Turkish coast across a short hop.
What the groups cost
Broadly the same, because the boats move between bases and the fleets are priced nationally. Nautilus Yachting puts a low season two to three cabin monohull around 900 pounds a week and a high season skippered catamaran upwards of 10,000. Istion Yachting lists catamarans from 3.510 EUR out of Athens and 4.950 EUR out of Lefkas. The Moorings publishes a 7 day charter for 2 from $2,634. The base changes your flights and your week far more than your quote.
Where the luxury end sits
Higher than most people expect and published, unusually. Istion's Greek listing carries a Bugari 112 with a crew of six from 55.000 EUR a week and a Maiora 126 with a crew of eight from 98.000 EUR, both cruising the Greek islands from Athens. The Moorings' Greek page reaches $36,999 for a 7 day charter for 2. Greece is one of the few places where the whole ladder from a small monohull to a crewed motor yacht is visible in public.
Charter cruise against charter
A Greek island charter cruise usually means a cabin on a boat somebody else runs, with a set route and other guests aboard, priced per person. A charter is the whole boat for your group with the route yours to change. The first is much the cheaper way for one or two people to sail the islands; the second is the only one that lets you stay a second night somewhere because you liked it.
Which base for which airport
Athens serves the Saronic and the Cyclades and has the most flights. Corfu and Preveza serve the Ionian with good summer charters from northern Europe. Kos and Rhodes serve the Dodecanese. Istion alone lists bases at Athens, Lavrion, Corfu, Lefkas, Preveza, Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, Kos, Skiathos and Volos, which is the widest Greek network in this record, and the transfer time from your flight is worth checking before the boat.
Questions people ask about greek island charters
Which Greek islands are best for a charter?
The Ionian for a first week: short hops, reliable afternoon breeze and shelter everywhere. The Cyclades are windier and emptier, and the meltemi in high summer makes them a poor first charter.
How much is a Greek island charter?
Nautilus Yachting puts a low season two to three cabin monohull around 900 pounds a week; Istion Yachting lists catamarans from 3.510 EUR out of Athens, both read on 11 September 2026.
How much is a luxury Greek island charter?
Istion Yachting's listing carries a Bugari 112 with a crew of six from 55.000 EUR a week and a Maiora 126 with a crew of eight from 98.000 EUR.
What is a Greek island charter cruise?
Usually a cabin on a boat with a skipper and other guests, sold per person on a set route. A charter is the whole boat with the itinerary yours.