Sailing & Yachting

Sailing & Yachting in Greece

With 3,000 islands of the Greek archipelago and a coastline that extends to more than 20,000 km, Greece is an aquatic heaven, teeming with life. Seawater washes the continental part from the East, the South and the West, creating a wealth of ever-changing images, completing the greater picture, showing the harmony and sheer beauty of it all. Visiting a place is not just about seeing it; it is mostly about experiencing the way of life on it. Geographical information, even the most detailed data, cannot but fail to describe the place’s true character.

Cruising off the Greek coastline is a fine way to get to know the country better, where seawater is an element in abundance. Live your dream! Sail the Greek seas, discover mythological figures, legendary heroes and ordinary everyday people. View the coastline and part of the inland from a different perspective. Acquaint yourself with the unique character and amazing topography of the various groups of islands. Feel the vigor of nature! Greece is one of the best yacht charter destinations in the Mediterranean, where all the main types of yacht charter are available.

The most popular sailing areas of Greece are:

The Ionian Sea - the Seven Islands including Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, the beautiful coast of Epirus and other small, picturesque historic port towns as well as the Western Peloponnesian coast;

The Aegean Sea - Mykonos, Santorini, Folegandros, Anafi, Patmos, Paros, etc. aka The Cyclades, as well as The Dodekanese, and the Sporades; and, of course, magnificent Crete, including Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos;

The Argo-Saronic Gulf - several islands and ports, with the most popular islands of Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, as well as the Attica Coast and the Eastern Peloponnesian Coast.

Each destination has something different to offer: Cosmopolitan life, like Mykonos or Hydra; Archaeological & Cultural interest, like Delos, Paros, Naxos or Patmos; and Picturesque Life on all of them. Sailing along the Greek coastline is a must-do for every modern adventurer. Thousands of islands with hundreds of hidden coves are perfect for discovering the true essence of the Mediterranean sea. A sailing destination where magical myths await around every corner. Only a country of such magnificence can truly capture the spirit of sailing.

Bon voyage, or – as the saying goes – Godspeed!

Chartering a Yacht in Greece

For the pure clean air and sea.
Sail away from the polluted cities, crowded airports, hotel lobbies. Relax in comfort, with your own crew, your private sun and blue skies.

For privacy.
Any of the Greek islands can offer you remote beaches, secluded bays or almost barren rocks. You can be on your own, sailing, swimming, water-skiing or just relaxing.

For comfort.
An experienced crew is eager to make you feel special. Allow yourself to be pampered while feeling at home aboard the yacht of your choice.

For exclusivity.
There are countless places in Greece that remain unspoiled by tourism and available to you only by yacht. Just as if you owned your private island.

For full enjoyment.
For quiet relaxation or for excitement there are over 4,000 islands scattered all over the Aegean and the Ionian Sea as well as 13,000 miles of seashore.

Yachts
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term designates two rather different classes of craft: sailing and power boats. Yachts differ from working ships mainly by their leisure purpose. Yacht lengths generally range from 10 m (33 ft) up to dozens of meters (hundreds of feet). A luxury craft smaller than 12 m (39 ft) is more commonly called a cabin cruiser or simply a cruiser. A super-yacht generally refers to any yacht (sail or power) above 24 m (79 ft) and a mega-yacht to one over 50 m (164 ft).

Motor Sailers
Not surprisingly, a motor-sailer is defined as a boat equipped with both sails and an engine. Some define it as a sailing boat with an auxiliary internal combustion engine, others as a motor-boat with auxiliary sails. Since all sailing boats have a small auxiliary engine for when there is no wind or for manoeuvres, we will side with the version of a relatively small-speed motor boat with auxiliary or decorative sails.

Sailing Yachts
A sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails. The generic term covers a variety of boats, larger than small vessels such as sailboards and smaller than sailing ships, but distinctions in the size are not strictly defined and what constitutes a sailing ship, sailboat, or a smaller vessel (such as a sailboard) varies by region and maritime culture. Apart from size, sailboats may be distinguished by their hull configuration (monohull, catamaran, trimaran), keel type (full, fin, wing, centerboard etc.), purpose (sport, racing, cruising), number and configuration of masts, and sail plan.

Power Boats or Cruisers
A pleasure boat powered exclusively by a power engine, thus achieving higher speed and able to travel longer distances in comfort, yet not necessarily offering the same pleasure of contact with the sea.