Due to the austerity measures being implemented in Greece at the moment – the VAT rate on yacht charters has risen from 4.5% to 5.0%. But we certainly hope that won’t discourage charterers from visiting this Mediterranean charter paradise. In fact Greece is putting out the welcome mat more than ever to attract visitors.
To remind you of the wonders of sailing in Greece – Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, etc. see our Greece yacht charter guide.
We have emphasized many times that Greece is one of the best sailing spots in the world, it has it everything for the perfect sailing vacation or holiday: proximity between islands, variety of landscapes and activities, inviting clear blue waters and innumerable welcoming ports. Whether you wish for peace & quiet or late nights of partying, Greece has it all!
This year, we encourage you to think about chartering a gorgeous Motor Sailer for your Greek Charter.
Motor Sailers are traditional wooden sailing yachts which run with an engine. They are spacious and can be very luxurious, ideal for large families or group of friends as they have a lot of deck space. Although they run with an engine, consumption is very low, and the average you would be looking at is Euro 70 to 200 per cruising hour, making motor sailers a much more economical option than typical motor yachts. More about Greece Motor Sailers and our complete yacht listing.
ALEXANDER ACHILLES:
Almost brand new, she was finished in 2009 and had her first charters this past summer. The crew of 4 are wonderful and the cook has been trained by one of the best chefs in Greece. A holiday on board Alexander Achilles will make your stay in Greece a dream come true!
Prices range from Euro 2000/day + VAT and expenses in low season.
Complete details on ALEXANDER ACHILLES Motor Sailer.
DOXA II:
DOXA II is one of the old time bestsellers in Greece. She sports 6 cabins, fantastic deck spaces and has been chartered by famous celebrities from around the world.
Although not luxurious, DOXA II has everything a yacht holiday can offer. The owner and his family are the crew, so they take care of every detail personally. The cook is absolutely wonderful! You will savour every Greek delicacy as if it was cooked by a Greek grandmother!
Prices range from Euro 2200/day + VAT and expenses in low season.
More information on DOXA II Motor Sailer.
AEGEOTISSA I & II
Aegeotissa I & II are two huge motor sailers owned by the same family. A I is 34 m. long and A II is 40 m. If you have a special celebration the owner is willing to give a discount for chartering both at the same time and you can get yourself 22 cabins!
Individually chartered these boats are great options for large groups or families at very affordable rates.
Prices range from Euro 19.000/week + VAT and expenses in low season.
https://www.boatbookings.com/yacht_search/yacht_view.php?pid=2404
https://www.boatbookings.com/yacht_search/yacht_view.php?pid=2409
ELENA J
ELENA J is a fantastic 28 m motor sailer with capacity for up to 14 guests in 7 cabins. She has 4 crew members which sleep in separate facilities ensuring privacy all the time while on board. A very affordable option for large groups. The rates in 2009 started from Euro 14.800/week + VAT + expenses. For 2010 bookings please enquire individually.
https://www.boatbookings.com/yacht_search/yacht_view.php?pid=5366
ALMYRA
One of the old time favourites, she’s a real beauty, very well maintained and with tasteful interiors. She was built in 1997 and fully renovated in 2009 to very high standards. Her large master suite and four double luxurious cabins can comfortably accommodate ten guests, while its professionally skilled crew of four sleep in totally separate quarters with their own facilities. Almyra’s crew remains the same for the past 4 years, having had a very positive feedback from all clients.
She offers the possibility of SPA CRUISES with a yoga instructor and a therapist on board! Rates are different, please enquire individually. In this case, the capacity would be for 8 passengers.
Rates start from Euro 3400/day + VAT + expenses in low season if booked before the end of the year. For bookings after 31/12/09 POA.
https://www.boatbookings.com/yacht_search/yacht_view.php?pid=2082
TROJAN LEGEND (before known as œTroia)
TROJAN LEGEND is one of the most luxurious yachts sailing Greek waters. Every charter with her has been a success, especially due to her fantastic crew of 5. They pay attention to every detail, yet they seem to disappear when they are not needed giving the guests a feeling of total privacy.
Again TROJAN LEGEND is ideal for large families and groups with 6 cabins which can comfortably accommodate 12 guests.
https://www.boatbookings.com/yacht_search/yacht_view.php?pid=2137
LIANA H
LIANA H is an extremely beautiful motor sailer which combines the latest technology with traditional craftsmanship. She has 5 cabins that sleep 10 guests comfortably. The crew of 5 is very professional and the cook will make your meals a very pleasurable experience!
Prices in 2009 start from Euro 4300/day in low season + VAT + expenses. Please enquire individually for specific dates.
https://www.boatbookings.com/yacht_search/yacht_view.php?pid=2138
IRAKLIS L
A brand new œjewel it is probably the most luxurious motor sailer in Greece. 6 spacious cabins can accommodate 12 to 14 guest. Each cabin has en-suite facilities, hydro jet showers and individually controlled entertainment (DVD, music system etc).
Beautiful rich reddish woods are throughout the yacht. On deck, there is a large elevated area for sunbathing and a fore space for sitting and enjoying the views. A fantastic crew of five tends to guests’ needs. Fully equipped with toys and top of the range entertainment, this is a dream come true!
Rates start from Euro 49.000/week + VAT + expenses. Please enquire individually.
https://www.boatbookings.com/yacht_search/yacht_view.php?pid=7915
Chartering a Motor Sailer
The best time to make your bookings is from November to March, as from April onward the demand gets very hectic and the best yachts are often no longer available. Most yachts are based in Athens but go to nearly every destination within Greece subject to a relocation fee. For more on chartering in Greece, please see our Greece Yacht Charter Guide.
Enjoy your charter!!
Due to an a massive fire while moored near Marmaris, Turkey, the gorgeous sailing yacht PRINCESS ZEYNEP is no longer for charter.
The PRINCESS was one of the most extraordinary sailing yachts and we’ll miss her!
We’ve just added a 7 day Sailing itinerary for the Saronic Islands and Peloponnesian region of Greece. The itinerary includes Poros, Spetses, Nafplio, Hydra, Epidavros, and Aegina, with descriptions of each stop and nearby attractions.
Here’s an extract: “Poros is a small charming island full of picturesque villages and traditional architecture. Some of those villages are fishing settlements located near beautiful beaches, while others are close to the mountains surrounded by green vegetation.The capital of the island is characterised by beautiful two-storey houses with tiled roofs, coloured walls, wooden balconies and narrow windows.”
Really makes you want to go there and get on a boat now! You can see the entire Saronic Islands Sailing Itinerary here. Here’s a Google map of the route:
Mariona Riera is our Greece Charter Manager, and has spent the past 2 years learning as much as possible about the yachts, crews and charter destinations of the storied Greek Isles. She provides another in our series of “Expert Commentary” on the Greek Isles.
Q – Everyone knows that the Greek Islands are one of the world’s greatest charter areas – can you provide your thoughts about the attractions of Greece?
Greece is one of the best sailing destinations in the world for many reasons. First, there are more than 15.000 km of coastline, and several excellent island groups in two seas – the Cyclades, Sporades, Saronic and Dodecanese Islands in the Aegean, the Ionian Islands in the Ionian Sea, facing Italy and let’s not forget the gorgeous island of Crete.
It is this variety that makes Greece a unique place, and each destination provides a completely different experience.
The Cyclades Islands are the most chartered group of islands and are especially idyllic destination during the months of May, June, early July and late September. The famous destinations of Mykonos and Santorini are in the Cyclades. Due to the Meltemi, a characteristic strong, dry north wind from the Aegean sea, it is better to avoid them in late July and August, as it is the time when the winds are usually stronger.
Q – You’re a big believer in the Ionian Islands, can you tell us more?
The Ionian Islands are characterised by calm, crystal clear waters, beautiful sandy beaches, charming villages and stunning scenic countryside. Each Ionian island has a distinct character and between them they offer everything you could wish for from a sailing holiday. This group of islands, comprised of Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Ithaka, Cephallonia, Zakynthos, and Kythira, are one of the most spectacular sailing spots in the world. Indeed, many of their beaches are only reachable by boat.
They are a great destination for late July and August because the winds are not as strong as in the Cyclades.
The main bases for bareboat charters are Corfu and Lefkas, there is a large fleet of sailing yachts and catamarans based in the Ionian during the months of June, July and August, due to the increasing demand and popularity of this area.
Q – Tell us a bit about bareboat chartering in Greece
Greece has hundreds if not thousands of bareboat charter yachts of all types and sizes – it is a very developed charter area bareboat charters and we can normally find you exactly the boat you want if you give us enough time! We always recommend booking early, because not only will you have great selection, but you may also qualify for early-bird discounts.
Bareboat charter prices usually include VAT (4.5%) in the price, but might exclude end cleaning and the outboard engine. Moorings in Greece are not included, but in most places are for free, but there is also no way to book a berth in advance, it works on œfirst come, first served basis. There might be some small charges in some marinas (10-15 euro), but it is unusual, this does not apply to private marinas, but in any case the most likely scenario is that you will be anchoring in a dreamy location and just going to the marinas to get supplies and visit the beautiful Greek towns.
Provisioning is easy in the Greek Islands, there are plenty of supermarkets and small shops, but bear in mind that supermarkets close on Sundays, you may find some small shops open for some hours in the morning, and surely a bakery and kiosks (œperipteros) where you can find anything from water, to yogurt, chips, cookies, and a variety of supplies to get you by till Monday.
In high season, the rule for bareboats is embarkation/disembarkation Saturday, this is almost unbreakable, and very few suppliers will accept other dates due to the high demand.
Q – How about Crewed Charters?
When it comes to crewed charters, every year the yachts seem to get bigger, more luxurious, and more comfortable. I’ve met the crew on most of the yachts, and therefore feel very comfortable recommending the boats that I do – I match them to your needs and they will truly take care of you with professionalism and go the extra mile! We have a great selection of crewed catamarans, motor yachts, sailboats, gulets, and of course amazing Super Yachts.
The majority of our crewed charter yachts are based in Athens, therefore relocation fees apply when requested in the Ionian, also you have to take into consideration the Corinth Canal fees, which vary depending on the size of the yacht, number of passengers and other criteria.
Q – What other recommendations do you have for charterers?
Most of our charterers in Greece are extremely happy with the charter, as long as the clients listen to the captain and follow his advice when it comes to the weather conditions and itineraries. This is a region where winds can be very strong, so clients need to very flexible and able to change their mind as to their initial destination.
Having said that, all destinations within Greece are breathtaking, so no matter when you go we’re sure you’ll be extremely happy with your charter ! Be sure to see our Greece Yacht Charter Guide.
