Yacht charter in Greece: frequently asked questions
Short answers to what people ask us most before a week on one of our yachts from Alimos Marina, Athens. If your question is not here, write to us at customersupport@heavenofsails.com.
Planning and booking
When is the best time to sail in Greece?
May, June and September are the favourites: warm sea, long days, steady breezes and quieter harbours. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, and bring the strongest meltemi winds to the Cyclades. April and October are cooler, with fewer boats and more changeable weather.
What is the meltemi?
The meltemi is the strong, dry northerly wind of the Aegean summer. It blows mostly from June to September and peaks in July and August, often at force 5 to 7, sometimes more, and can last several days. It is strongest in the Cyclades; the Saronic Gulf is largely sheltered from it. With a meltemi forecast, plan passages for the morning, choose harbours on the sheltered side of each island, and keep a day in hand.
Should we sail the Saronic Gulf or the Cyclades?
The Saronic Gulf — Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses — has short, sheltered passages and suits first-timers and families. The western Cyclades — Kea, Kythnos, Serifos — mean longer, more open crossings and, in high summer, the meltemi, and suit experienced crews or a skippered week. Both routes are laid out day by day on our itineraries page.
How early should we book?
For July and August, as early as you can: summer weeks are the first to go. Spring and autumn weeks usually stay open longer. Each yacht's quote form shows the weeks that are already booked, so you can see at a glance what is still free.
How long is a charter, and when does it start?
Charters run for a week, Saturday to Saturday. Check-in at Alimos Marina is from 15:00 on your first day, and check-out is at 09:00 on your last.
How do we get from Athens airport to Alimos Marina?
The marina is on the southern coast of Athens, roughly 35–40 km from the airport by road. A taxi is the simplest way with luggage, usually 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. The X96 express bus runs from the airport along the coast road past Alimos — slower, but inexpensive.
Catamaran or monohull — which should we choose?
A catamaran sails almost flat, has more deck and living space and a shallower draught, which is why families, larger groups and anyone prone to seasickness often prefer one. A monohull sails closer to the wind, is more rewarding to helm and costs less per week. Our catamaran charter page compares them in more detail.
Is a sailing holiday a good idea with children?
Yes — especially in the Saronic Gulf, where the passages are short and there is a swim stop every day. A catamaran is the easiest yacht for children, with a deck that barely tilts. A safety net for the guardrails can be added as an extra when you ask for a quote, and every child needs a life jacket that fits.
Licences and skippers
Do I need a sailing licence to charter a yacht in Greece?
Only if you want to skipper the yacht yourself. For a bareboat charter, the skipper must hold a recognised sailing licence. For a skippered charter, nobody in your group needs a licence or any experience: our skipper is in charge of the yacht.
Is an ICC or RYA Day Skipper enough for a bareboat charter?
The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) and the RYA Day Skipper are the certificates bareboat skippers most often hold. Sources disagree on the details, so before you book, tell us which certificate the skipper holds and we will confirm whether it is accepted for the yacht you want.
Do I need a VHF radio certificate?
Not on a skippered charter — the skipper handles the radio. For a bareboat charter, ask us when you send your crew's certificates, and we will tell you whether a VHF / SRC certificate is needed as well.
How much does a skipper cost?
A skipper can be added to any of our yachts for €190 per night, on top of the yacht's weekly price. The skipper lives aboard, so keep a berth free for them, and it is customary for the group to cover the skipper's meals.
We have never sailed. Can we still charter a yacht?
Yes, with a skipper. You can take the helm and learn as much as you like, or simply swim and relax. The skipper chooses sheltered routes and calm hours, and a first passage from Athens to Aegina takes only three hours or so.
On board
What should we pack for a sailing holiday?
Pack soft bags rather than hard suitcases — they fold into a yacht's lockers. Bring non-slip, soft-soled shoes, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream, swimwear, a light windproof layer for the evenings, and any medicines you need, including seasickness tablets if you are unsure.
How does provisioning work?
There are supermarkets, bakeries and pharmacies near Alimos Marina. Stock up on water, breakfast, lunch and drinks for the first few days; the island harbours have minimarkets for topping up, at island prices, and most evenings are spent at a taverna ashore.
Will I get seasick?
Most people are fine, especially in the sheltered Saronic Gulf. If you are prone to it, choose a catamaran, which barely heels, sail in the morning before the wind builds, stay on deck looking at the horizon, and take seasickness tablets before you leave harbour rather than after.
What can we add to the yacht?
Our booking system lists a skipper, a hostess who cooks and keeps the yacht tidy, Wi-Fi, a stand-up paddleboard, a kayak, an outboard engine and a guardrail safety net. Choose them on the quote form of any yacht; the price of each is shown there.
Prices and payments
What does a week on a yacht cost?
Prices are for the whole yacht for a week, not per person, and follow the season. Each yacht's page shows this season's weekly price, live from our booking system; see our yachts or the prices page for every season.
What else should we budget for?
Besides the yacht and any extras: food and drink, fuel, harbour and marina fees on the islands, and — if you take a skipper — the skipper's meals. Harbour fees vary from island to island and are paid locally as you go.
Is there a security deposit?
Bareboat charters carry a refundable security deposit, returned at check-out when the yacht comes back undamaged. Ask us for the amount for the yacht you choose when you request a quote.
How do payment and cancellation work?
Ask us for the payment schedule and the cancellation terms when you request a quote, at customersupport@heavenofsails.com.