Yacht charter in Greece: what a week costs and what to know
A week on a yacht between the Greek islands is a dream for many Israelis. The price depends on the boat type, the season and whether you take a crew. Here are the estimates.
- According to Alpha Yachting (2025 estimates), a bareboat sailboat costs about €1,500 a week in low season and up to about €5,000 in high season.
- A luxury catamaran starts at about €7,000–10,000 a week in low season and rises to €20,000 or more in high season.
- On top of the charter there are extra costs: fuel, marina mooring, food and crew tips.
For a group of several couples or families, the price per person can be similar to a good hotel holiday. Without a sailing licence you need to hire a skipper.
What type of yacht to charter
There are three main options:
- Bareboat: you sail the boat yourselves. You need a recognised sailing licence and experience.
- With a skipper: you charter the boat and add a professional skipper to sail it.
- Crewed: a skipper and sometimes a cook or host. The most comfortable and most expensive.
What does a week cost?
According to Alpha Yachting's 2025 estimates, these are weekly price ranges:
| Yacht type | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|
| Bareboat sailboat | from about €1,500 | up to about €5,000 |
| Luxury catamaran | about €7,000–10,000 | €20,000 or more |
| Crewed yacht | from about €5,000 | about €10,000–20,000 |
The price depends on the boat's size and age, the departure marina and the season. High season is July and August.
Extra costs to plan for
According to the same source, the charter fee doesn't cover everything:
- Fuel: depends on how far you sail and how much you use the engine.
- Marina mooring: about €50–150 a night.
- Food and drink: stock up before departure or buy on the islands.
- Crew tips: 10%–20% of the charter fee is customary.
Some charters also involve payments such as an advance provisioning allowance (APA), VAT and a security deposit. Check exactly what the contract includes before you pay.
Where to start from
Popular starting points are Athens (marinas around the city) for the Saronic islands or the Cyclades, the Ionian islands such as Corfu and Lefkada, and the Dodecanese. From Israel, Athens has the most flights. See flights to Athens.
Tips for Israelis
- Shabbat: you can plan to anchor for Shabbat in a quiet bay or marina and set off again on Saturday night.
- Wind: in summer the meltemi blows in the Cyclades and can be strong. In June and September the sea is often calmer.
- Insurance: check what the boat's insurance covers and what it doesn't.
More: ferries between Santorini, Mykonos and Ios and Greece weather.
How to work out the price per person
Say you charter a bareboat sailboat for €3,000 a week, with six people on board. The charter cost per person is €500 for the week. Add your share of fuel, mooring and food. If you add a skipper, their fee is also split among everyone. This is only an example; real prices depend on the boat and the season.
FAQ
How much does it cost to charter a yacht in Greece for a week? According to Alpha Yachting, a bareboat sailboat starts at about €1,500 a week in low season and reaches about €5,000 in high season. Crewed yachts and luxury catamarans cost much more.
Do I need a licence to charter a yacht in Greece? To charter bareboat you need a recognised sailing licence. Without one, you hire a skipper.
What is not included in the charter price? Usually fuel, marina mooring, food and crew tips. Sometimes also VAT and other charges, so check the contract.
When is yacht charter cheapest in Greece? In low season, in spring and autumn. July and August are the most expensive.
