Greece Yacht Charter: The Complete Guide to the Ionian Islands and the Cyclades (2026)

Greece offers two very different seas for a charter. In the Ionian, green islands sit close together in sheltered water and an afternoon breeze carries you from one harbour taverna to the next. In the Aegean, the Cyclades are bare, white and wind-scoured, with longer legs and the meltemi setting the rhythm of summer. This hub opens our Greece by Boat series: both cruising grounds, the rules for 2026, and routes for a day or a week.

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Ionian or Cyclades: choosing your water

The Ionian runs down Greece’s west coast: Corfu, Paxos and Antipaxos in the north; Lefkada, Meganisi, Kalamos, Kefalonia and Ithaca in the middle; Zakynthos in the south. Islands are wooded, hops are short, and the Inland Sea between Lefkada and the mainland is very well sheltered. The summer maistro, a north-westerly, usually builds after lunch and fades by evening. If you know Puglia, the Ionian feels like the other half of the same sea.

The Cyclades sit in the middle of the Aegean: Mykonos, Delos, Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, Milos and Santorini, among dozens more. Legs are longer, anchorages more exposed, and in July and August the meltemi, a strong northerly, can blow for days. The reward: whitewashed villages, volcanic coastlines and archaeological sites reached by sea.

The Saronic Gulf is a third option straight from Athens: Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, sheltered from the worst of the meltemi and ideal for a short first charter.

If you have sailed in Croatia, the Ionian will feel familiar; for a glossier port-to-port style, compare our French Riviera yacht charter guide.

Harbours and marinas: where the boats leave from

• Gouvia Marina, Corfu: on the bay north of Corfu town, a short drive from the airport. Best for Paxos, Antipaxos and the north-east coast. See Corfu, Paxos and Antipaxos by Boat.
• Lefkas Marina, Lefkada town: roughly half an hour by car from Aktion (Preveza) airport. The base for the Inland Sea, Meganisi and Kalamos; day boats also leave from Nidri. See Lefkada, Meganisi and Scorpios by Boat.
• Kefalonia and Zakynthos harbours: Argostoli, Fiskardo and Zakynthos town, for day trips to Ithaca and the Keri coast. See Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos by Boat.
• Alimos Marina, Athens: south of the city centre, the main base for the Saronic Gulf and many Cyclades charters; allow around 40 minutes from the airport outside rush hour.
• Lavrio: near Cape Sounion, closer to the airport and a few hours nearer Kea and the western Cyclades.
• Mykonos (Tourlos): the new port north of Mykonos town, for Delos and Rhenia. See Mykonos and Delos by Boat.
• Paros (Parikia and Naoussa): central, with Antiparos and Naxos close by and a domestic airport. See Paros, Antiparos and Naxos by Boat.

Santorini and Milos are better treated as destinations for day boats and crewed yachts than as charter bases; our guides to Santorini by boat and Milos and Kimolos by boat cover the local departures.

Five routes in detail

Times are approximate for a cruising yacht in settled weather; your skipper will adjust for the wind.

1. Half day: Nidri, Skorpios and Meganisi

From Nidri it is a short run to Skorpios, the privately owned island once associated with the Onassis family; landing is not permitted, but boats cruise along its wooded shore. Continue to Meganisi for the Papanikolis sea cave, which small boats and swimmers can enter in calm water, and a swim in a bay near Spartochori. Around four hours, with little open water.

2. Full day: Corfu to Paxos and Antipaxos

From Gouvia, a fast motor boat reaches Gaios on Paxos in around 90 minutes; sailing yachts usually stay overnight. Follow the west coast cliffs for sea caves and the Tripitos arch, swim off Voutoumi or Vrika on Antipaxos, and lunch ashore in Lakka or Gaios before the afternoon breeze builds.

3. Full day: Mykonos, Delos and Rhenia

Delos is a short hop from Mykonos, but independent visits by private boat are restricted, and most visitors arrive on the licensed tour boats from Mykonos. Check the current anchoring and landing rules with the Mykonos port police. Combine a timed visit to the site with lunch at anchor in a bay on Rhenia, beyond Delos. On meltemi days the crossing back can be lively.

4. Seven days in the Ionian: Lefkada, Meganisi, Kalamos, Ithaca, Kefalonia

• Day 1: Lefkas Marina to Vathy on Meganisi, about three hours.
• Day 2: Meganisi to quiet Kalamos, two to three hours.
• Day 3: South to Kioni on Ithaca, the longest leg, four to five hours.
• Day 4: Around to Vathy, Ithaca’s sheltered main harbour.
• Day 5: Fiskardo on Kefalonia; arrive early for a berth.
• Day 6: North to Sivota on Lefkada, three to four hours.
• Day 7: Back to Lefkas Marina via Nidri.

5. Seven days in the Cyclades from Paros

• Day 1: Parikia to the Despotiko anchorage off Antiparos.
• Day 2: To Naxos town, three to four hours.
• Day 3: South to Koufonisia for the clear water at Pori.
• Day 4: Schinoussa or Iraklia, a short hop.
• Day 5: West to Ios, four to five hours.
• Day 6: Back north to Antiparos.
• Day 7: Naoussa and back to Parikia.

From Lavrio, a gentler western loop runs to Kea, Kythnos, Serifos and Syros. Crossing from Italy with your own boat? See Italy to Greece by Boat.

Rules, protected areas and fees in 2026

Marine parks and Natura 2000

The National Marine Park of Zakynthos protects loggerhead turtle nesting beaches in Laganas Bay. Its published zoning: zone A, no boats; zone B, under 6 knots and no anchoring; zone C, under 6 knots with anchoring allowed. Ask your skipper which zone applies around Marathonisi and Keri. Many other coasts are Natura 2000 sites, managed by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA). Avoid anchoring on seagrass and take rubbish ashore.

Greece has announced two new national marine parks, in the Ionian and the southern Aegean (including Milos, Santorini and the Small Cyclades). In July 2026 the South Aegean decree was still awaiting review by the Council of State; its published restrictions mainly concern fishing. Check with the port police for any new rules for leisure boats.

Closures in 2026

• Navagio (Shipwreck Beach), Zakynthos: closed to the public because of landslide risk under a Joint Ministerial Decision published in June 2026, valid until 31 October 2026. Rules for the 2027 season had not been published when we checked, so ask the Zakynthos port authority before you go. Swimming is banned across the whole cove and no vessel may approach or anchor within 50 metres of the shore; the beach can be viewed only from the clifftop platform. Boats may still pass further offshore; confirm the current limits with the Zakynthos port authority.
• Red Beach, Santorini: closed to the public after rockfalls during the 2025 earthquakes. Our research turned up contradictory information on whether boats may still bring visitors close to the beach. It was not clear to us which applies, so confirm with your skipper and the Thira port authority.

Swimming zones, anchoring and archaeology

Each port authority issues its own summer rules for bathing areas; for example, Heraklion in Crete barred private yachts from anchoring within 100 metres of swimming buoys in summer 2026. Keep outside buoyed zones, approach beaches slowly, and check local rules with the skipper or port police. Antiquities on the seabed are protected by law: never lift anything, and ask before diving near an underwater archaeological site.

TEPAI cruising fee

According to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), the TEPAI fee applies to all private and professional leisure vessels over 7 metres in Greek waters, regardless of flag, and is managed through the eTEPAI online system. On a charter, the operator normally handles it for the boat; ask whether it is included in your contract.

Types of boat and what a charter includes

• Day boats and RIBs: half or full days from Nidri, Gouvia, Mykonos or Paros, usually with a skipper.
• Skippered sailing yacht or catamaran: boat plus licensed skipper for a week; catamarans suit families and the Cyclades.
• Fully crewed motor or sailing yacht: skipper, chef and crew; the easiest way to combine Santorini, Milos and Mykonos.

A typical skippered charter fee covers the boat, the skipper and basic equipment. Expect to pay separately for fuel, provisioning, the skipper’s meals, marina and town quay fees, water and electricity, and an end cleaning. Ask for a written list of inclusions.

Bareboat: licence and crew

To charter without a skipper, the person in charge needs a recognised certificate that covers the type of boat, and Greek bases widely accept the ICC and most national sailing licences. Charter bases commonly also require a second crew member with sailing experience. We could not find a clear official statement of these rules for 2026 on the Hellenic Coast Guard website, so confirm with the charter base and the port authority before you book.

Routes compared

Best months, winds and practical tips

Ionian: May to October. The maistro gives pleasant afternoon sailing and often drops at dusk. June and September bring warm water and calmer harbours; in August, berths in Fiskardo, Kioni and Lakka fill early.

Cyclades: June and September are the sweet spot. The meltemi blows mostly in July and August, often for days, which can mean rough crossings and changed plans; catamarans and larger yachts handle it more comfortably.

• Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water shoes and a light layer for evenings.
• Prone to seasickness? Choose the Ionian or the Saronic and sail in the morning.
• For July and August, book the winter before.

Getting there from Italy

Ferries sail from Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi to Igoumenitsa and Patras, with seasonal sailings to Corfu. In 2026 Superfast runs from Venice, Ancona and Bari, Grimaldi Lines from Ancona and Brindisi, and Ventouris adds summer sailings from Bari; check schedules with the operators. Our Yacht Charter in Italy hub covers the Italian side of the Ionian.

Where to stay near the departure harbours

Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa, Corfu

A five-star resort on Gouvia bay; some rooms overlook the marina itself, a short taxi ride away. Rooms with private pools, a spa and seaside gardens. Ask the hotel for its 2026 opening dates.

Best for: Corfu, Paxos and Antipaxos departures from Gouvia.

Check rates at Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens

On a pine-covered peninsula at Vouliagmeni, about 25 minutes from the airport according to the hotel, with Alimos a short drive up the coast and the Astir Marina nearby. Beaches, restaurants and a spa for a first or last night.

Best for: charters from Alimos and Lavrio.

Check rates at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens

Cavo Tagoo Mykonos

On the hillside about a kilometre north of Mykonos town, roughly 2 kilometres from the Tourlos port. A west-facing infinity pool, spa and sunset restaurant. Seasonal, usually mid May to mid October; confirm dates with the hotel.

Best for: Delos and Rhenia days and crewed yachts boarding in Mykonos.

Check rates at Cavo Tagoo Mykonos

Parilio, a Member of Design Hotels, Paros

A suites-only hotel near Naoussa, about ten minutes by car from the harbour and half an hour from the airport. Large pool, small spa and poolside restaurant. Open roughly early May to mid October.

Best for: Paros, Antiparos and Naxos charters.

Check rates at Parilio

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licence to charter a boat in Greece?

Not with a skipper. For bareboat, you need a recognised certificate such as the ICC, and usually a second experienced crew member; confirm with the base.

Which region is best for a first Greek charter?

The Ionian around Lefkada, or the Saronic Gulf from Athens for a shorter trip.

Can I visit Delos from my own boat?

Independent landings are restricted; ask your skipper or use the licensed boats from Mykonos, and check opening hours, which change through the season.

How does Greece compare with Croatia or Italy?

The Ionian feels close to Croatia; the Cyclades need more time because of the meltemi. For Italy, see our Yacht Charter in Italy hub.