Greece has more charter yachts than anywhere except Croatia and it is split into three cruising grounds that barely resemble each other. The Ionian is gentle and green, the Cyclades are windy and bare, the Dodecanese and the Sporades sit between the two. Choosing the wrong one for your crew is the mistake that spoils a Greek week, and it costs nothing to avoid.
What a week costs
Read on 11 September 2026, Nautilus Yachting prices a one week charter on a two to three cabin monohull from around 900 GBP in low season and states that a week on a luxury catamaran with a skipper in high season could be upwards of 10,000. The Moorings starts a seven day Greek charter for two at 2,634 USD and runs the same page to 36,999. Istion Yachting prices named boats from its own fleet: a Bali Catspace of 2023 from 3.510 EUR a week out of Athens and an Excess 14 from 4.950 out of Lefkas.
Greek island yacht cruise: the three grounds
The Ionian, from Corfu south through Lefkas to Kefalonia and Zakynthos, is the beginner's water: fifteen knot afternoon breezes, short hops, and a town quay every evening. The Cyclades, from Athens out to Paros, Naxos, Mykonos and Santorini, carry the meltemi, a summer northerly that blows twenty five to thirty five knots for days at a time. The Saronic and the Sporades are the middle ground, sheltered and close to Athens.
A Greek island catamaran cruise, or a monohull?
The Greek quay is the argument. Almost every harbour here is moored stern to with an anchor out ahead, and a catamaran's width means a berth is often refused or charged double in high season. Against that it does not heel, the cabins are separated, and in the Ionian's light afternoons it sails perfectly well. In the Cyclades a monohull is the better boat: it sails upwind against the meltemi and it fits the quay.
The extras a Greek week carries
Istion's own charter guide prices fuel at 200 to 400 EUR a week for a monohull and 500 to 700 for a catamaran, depending on engine and generator use. On top sit port dues, water and electricity on the quay, and the end cleaning. A skipper is quoted per day and is the usual answer for a crew that has not moored stern to before. Seafarer Sailing lists twelve Greek bases and publishes no price at all, which is the more common pattern here.
Questions people ask about greek island sailing holidays
How much is a Greek island sailing holiday?
Nautilus prices a low season two to three cabin monohull from around 900 GBP a week and a high season skippered catamaran upwards of 10,000. The Moorings starts a Greek week for two at 2,634 USD, read on 11 September 2026.
Which islands suit a first charter?
The Ionian: Corfu, Lefkas, Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Afternoon breezes of about fifteen knots, short hops and a town quay every night. The Cyclades carry the meltemi and are for crews who can sail upwind in thirty knots.
Is a catamaran worth it in Greece?
In the Ionian, often. In the Cyclades, less so: a monohull sails upwind against the meltemi and fits a stern to berth, where a catamaran is frequently refused a place or charged double in high season.
What extras should you budget?
Istion prices fuel at 200 to 400 EUR a week for a monohull and 500 to 700 for a catamaran, plus port dues, water and electricity on the quay, and end cleaning.