Sailing in Greece is four quite different experiences sharing a flag, and the thing that separates them is wind. Pick the wrong ground for your crew and a week becomes an endurance exercise; pick the right one and it is the easiest sailing in the Mediterranean. Almost no quote will make the distinction for you, so it is worth making it yourself.
The four grounds, easiest first
The Ionian, from Lefkas, Preveza or Corfu: flat water, a gentle afternoon breeze, short hops and shelter always close. The Saronic, from Athens: sheltered, easy, and a little busier. The Dodecanese, from Rhodes or Kos: a good middle option with interesting harbours and moderate exposure. The Cyclades, from Lavrion or Paros: spectacular, exposed and genuinely demanding when the meltemi is up.
What the meltemi does
From roughly mid-June to mid-September a strong northerly blows across the Aegean, sometimes at thirty knots or more for several days at a time. In the Cyclades it decides the itinerary: going south is easy and coming back is not, so the week is planned around the return leg. In the Ionian it barely registers. That single fact should drive the choice of ground for anyone chartering in high summer.
What it costs
The Moorings publishes $2,634 to $36,999 for a 7 day charter for 2 people out of its Greek bases, which is the only published Greek weekly range in this record. Seafarer Sailing, with twelve Greek bases, publishes nothing and routes you into an availability search, which is the more common pattern here.
Questions people ask about sailing in greece
Where is the easiest sailing in Greece?
The Ionian, from Lefkas, Preveza or Corfu: flat water, moderate afternoon breezes, short hops and close shelter.
What is the meltemi and when does it blow?
A strong Aegean northerly from roughly mid-June to mid-September, sometimes thirty knots or more for days. It dominates Cycladic planning and barely affects the Ionian.
How much does sailing in Greece cost?
The Moorings publishes $2,634 to $36,999 for a 7 day charter for 2 people out of its Greek bases. Most Greek operators publish nothing.