22 Catamarans available
· Greece.

Top sailing areas for catamarans in Greece

Cyclades — Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Santorini & the Small Cyclades

The Cyclades are the postcard. White cubist villages on volcanic rock, deep-blue water that turns turquoise over sandy patches, and a steady summer meltemi wind that rewards a stable two-hull platform when the channels between Paros, Naxos, and Mykonos pipe up to 25–30 knots. Most charters depart from Athens (Alimos or Lavrion), Mykonos, or Paros and chain a week through the central Cyclades — Kythnos and Serifos for the empty bays, Mykonos for the nightlife, Paros and Antiparos for family anchorages, Naxos for the long beaches on the south coast, and the Small Cyclades (Koufonisi, Schinoussa, Iraklia) for the quietest week of your sailing life.

Santorini is the dramatic finish — anchor in the caldera off Thira or Oia, and the sunset earns the cliché. See our Cyclades catamaran charter guide for sample 7-day routes, meltemi week strategy, and what to budget per week.

Ionian — Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca & Zakynthos

The Ionian is the gentler, greener half of Greek sailing. Less wind, more shelter, and a chain of islands that almost guarantee a calm anchorage every night — Lefkada and Preveza are the most popular bareboat bases in the country precisely because the cruising radius around them is so forgiving. Sail from Lefkas Marina down to Meganisi, the protected channels between Kefalonia and Ithaca, the cinematic shipwreck cove on Zakynthos, or north to Corfu with its Venetian old town and the green islets of Paxos and Antipaxos.

Read the Ionian catamaran charter guide for a classic Lefkada → Kefalonia loop, harbour tips, and weekly cost ranges. The Ionian is the right choice for first-time charterers and families with young children.

Saronic & Argolic — Athens day-sailing playground

The Saronic Gulf sits right on Athens' doorstep. From Alimos or Lavrion you can be at anchor off Aegina, Poros, or Hydra inside half a sailing day. The Argolic peninsula adds Spetses and the mainland coast around Porto Heli for week-long loops. Wind is gentler than the Cyclades and the water is calmer — an excellent first-week shake-down for crews who plan to push further south or east on a longer charter.

See our Athens & Saronic charter guide for marina detail and a sample 7-day Athens → Hydra → Spetses route.

Dodecanese — Rhodes, Kos, Symi & the Turkish coast

The Dodecaneseare Greek sailing's east-Aegean line, hugging the Turkish coast. Charters from Rhodes or Kos mix the crusader-castle harbours of Symi and Rhodes Old Town with the volcanic crater of Nisyros, the long beaches of Kos, and the ferry-free quiet of Tilos and Astypalaia. The meltemi reaches the Dodecanese late afternoon, but the chain of islands gives plenty of leeward shelter.

See our Dodecanese charter guide for permits, base detail, and a sample two-week Rhodes → Kos loop.

Sporades — Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos & the marine park

The Sporades are the green islands of the Aegean — pine forest down to the water, a national marine park around Alonissos, and a much shorter cruising radius that suits a relaxed week. Charters launch from Skiathos or Volos; the classic loop takes in Skopelos (the Mamma Mia island), the protected anchorages around Alonissos and the Northern Sporades marine reserve, and the mainland coast of Pelion. Wind is gentler than the Cyclades and the islands are closer together — a good week for crews who want to swim more than sail hard.

Bareboat or crewed — picking the right setup

Around 86% of our Greek charters go out bareboat, but the choice deserves real thought. To bareboat in Greece you need an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Day Skipper, or an accepted national equivalent, plus a VHF SRC certificate on board. A second competent crew member is required by Greek law and named on the contract. Recent skippering experience on a similar-size catamaran is non-negotiable for base approval.

A skippered charter adds a captain (roughly €170–€220 per day plus food) and removes the licensing question entirely — useful if your group is mostly non-sailors, or if you want to focus on the experience rather than meltemi tactics. A fully crewed catamaran with captain and hostess (or chef) sits at the luxury end: provisioning, meals, and routing are handled, and you step on board to a stocked galley and a planned itinerary you can adjust day by day.

Our team can switch the contract type even after you have picked the boat. If you are unsure, send us your dates and group profile and we will recommend the setup that fits.

When to charter — Greek-waters season guide

Peak season — July and August

The hottest, busiest, and most expensive weeks. Anchorages around Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini fill by late morning; the Sporades marine park mooring fields book up the same day. Air temperatures sit at 28–34°C, sea at 24–26°C, with the meltemi blowing reliably 15–25 knots from the north (occasionally 30+). The Ionian and Saronic stay calmer — meltemi-affected weeks usually mean the wind funnels harder through Cyclades channels. Reserve six to nine months ahead for prime weeks (15 July – 20 August).

Shoulder season — May, June, September, early October

Our recommended windows. Stable weather, sea warm enough for swimming (20–25°C), marinas calm, and prices typically 25–40% below peak rates. June and September give you the best balance of warm sea, manageable crowds, and dependable wind without the full-strength meltemi. Late May and early October are wonderful for sailors but can bring the occasional unsettled front — a flexible itinerary pays off.

Off-season — late October to April

Most catamarans winter ashore from late October. A handful stay available for warm weather windows or specialty charters; talk to us if dates are flexible and you want a quieter Greek experience.

What a Greek catamaran charter costs

Pricing depends on the model, the season, and whether the boat is bareboat or crewed. For a 4-cabin Lagoon 42 or Bali 4.2 in shoulder season, expect roughly €5,500–€8,500 per week bareboat; the same boat in peak season tends to land between €9,500 and €13,500. Larger 46–50 ft catamarans run €11,000–€18,000 per week peak. Skipper, hostess, fuel, marina fees, end-cleaning, and permits (e.g. Sporades Marine Park) are typically additional and listed transparently on every quote.

See the payment procedure page for the booking timeline (50% on confirmation, balance four weeks before departure) and a breakdown of refundable security deposits versus damage waivers. Greece is in the eurozone, so all pricing and on-the-water transactions are in EUR.

Sample 7-day catamaran itinerary — Athens to Mykonos & back

Saturday — Alimos / Lavrion. Check-in from 17:00, crew brief, first night in marina. Sunday — Kea or Kythnos. Cross to Kea (Vourkari) or push further to Kythnos (Loutra) for thermal-spring beach. Monday — Serifos / Sifnos. South-east hop; anchor in Livadi (Serifos) or Kamares (Sifnos). Tuesday — Paros. Beat across to Naoussa for old-town dinner; tuck into Kalogeria for a swim stop. Wednesday — Mykonos. Short hop north; anchor off Ornos or Platis Gialos, tender into Mykonos Town. Thursday — Delos & Rinia.Day-mooring at Delos for the archaeological site, overnight in Rinia's sheltered bay. Friday — Kythnos via Tinos / Syros. Long downwind day with the meltemi behind you. Saturday — Alimos by 09:00. One-way drops to Mykonos (€600–€1,000) are also available if you prefer a one-way charter.

Frequently asked — catamaran charter Greece

How far in advance should I book a catamaran in Greece?

For July and August, book six to nine months ahead — the best Athens, Mykonos, Lefkada, and Rhodes boats sell out by January for that summer. Shoulder season (May, June, September) is usually fine three to four months out, and last-minute deals open within four weeks of departure on boats the bases want to fill.

Do I need a sailing licence to bareboat a catamaran in Greece?

Yes. Greek regulations require a recognised skipper licence (ICC, RYA Day Skipper or higher, or accepted national equivalent) and a VHF SRC certificate on board. Skipper documents are checked at base check-in. A second competent crew member is also required by Greek law and named on the charter contract. If your licence is in doubt, book a skippered charter — the captain handles all licensing and base sign-off.

Can I sail a catamaran one-way between Greek bases?

On selected routes and dates, yes. Athens → Mykonos, Lefkada → Corfu, and Kos → Rhodes are the most popular one-way charters. A one-way fee applies (typically €600–€1,200) and is calculated by the base depending on repositioning logistics. Send us your preferred start and end ports and we will check availability for your week.

What is included in the charter price?

The base bareboat rate covers the catamaran with its standard inventory — sails, dinghy and outboard, bed linens, galley kit, and safety gear. Fuel, water, marina fees, marine-park permits (Sporades), end-cleaning, and optional extras (skipper, hostess, water toys, early check-in) are quoted separately so you see exactly what you pay for.

Are catamarans a good fit for families with small children?

Yes — catamarans are the most family-friendly platform we charter. Stable on anchor, wide deck space, easy access to the water from the swim platforms, separate cabin layouts for parents and children. The protected channels of the Ionian, the Saronic islands close to Athens, and the short hops of the Sporades are particularly suited to younger crews. The Cyclades work too in shoulder season when meltemi is gentler.

How strong is the meltemi, really?

The meltemi is a dry summer northerly that blows from late June into early September, strongest in July and August. In the central Cyclades it routinely sits at 20–28 knots, with channel-funnel days of 30–35 knots. It is steady (not gusty), predictable (forecast windows are reliable), and the chain of islands gives you constant lee shelter — but it does shape the route. Sail downwind through the Cyclades, plan a layover day if 30+ knots are forecast, and consider the Ionian or Saronic if your crew is mixed-experience.

Ready to start? Browse the fleet above, narrow by region or dates with the search bar, or send us your trip details and we will reply with matching catamarans, real photos, and a transparent price — usually within a few hours.