The Cyclades are the Greek islands everyone pictures and the ones fewest charter crews should take without help. Thirty bare granite and marble islands in open water south east of Athens, a summer wind that blows from the north for a week at a time, and anchorages that are magnificent in the morning and untenable by four in the afternoon.
What it costs
Read on 11 September 2026, The Moorings starts a seven day Greek charter for two at 2,634 USD and runs to 36,999, and Istion Yachting prices a Bali Catspace of 2023 from 3.510 EUR a week out of Athens. For a day rather than a week, Sailo lists 29 boats at Santorini at an average of 1,612 EUR a day, from 350 to 9,600, with a captained 34 foot Dufour at 380 EUR for eight hours.
The meltemi, which decides everything
A dry northerly that sets in from late June and blows through August, typically twenty five to thirty five knots and occasionally more, for two to five days at a time with a day or two of calm between. It builds a short steep sea in the channels between islands. The consequence for a charter is directional: sailing south and east is fast and comfortable, and coming back north against it is the part people underestimate.
How to plan the week
Go north and west first, while you have the option, and run south east later with the wind behind you. Build in two spare days, because a meltemi day is a day in harbour rather than a day sailing. Prefer the harbours with real shelter, Paroikia, Naoussa, Livadi on Serifos, and treat the beautiful open anchorages as lunch stops. A one way charter, Athens out and Paros or Naxos back by ferry, removes the return beat entirely.
When to go instead
May, June and September. The meltemi is absent or light, the water is warm by September, the islands are open and the fleets are cheaper. Late September in particular gives the Cyclades at their best: fifteen knots, empty quays and shoulder pricing. July and August are for crews who want the wind and know what to do with it.
Questions people ask about yacht charter cyclades
How much is a yacht charter in the Cyclades?
The Moorings starts a seven day Greek charter for two at 2,634 USD and Istion prices a Bali Catspace from 3.510 EUR a week out of Athens, read on 11 September 2026.
What is the meltemi?
A dry summer northerly blowing twenty five to thirty five knots for two to five days at a time from late June through August, with a short steep sea in the channels. Sailing south is fast; returning north is the hard part.
When should you go?
May, June or September. Late September gives fifteen knots, warm water, empty quays and shoulder prices, which is the Cyclades at their best.
Is a one way charter worth it?
In the Cyclades, often yes. Sailing out from Athens with the meltemi behind you and returning by ferry removes the beat home, which is the part of the week most crews find hardest.