Sail Greece Guide

Greece is considered one of the world’s top sailing destinations because of its long sailing season, thousands of islands, reliable summer winds, clear waters, and the ability to combine sailing with historic towns, beaches, and traditional villages. Greece offers routes suitable for beginners (Ionian, Saronic) and experienced sailors (Cyclades).

The main sailing season in Greece runs from April to October, although some charters operate outside these months.

The warmest sea temperatures are usually from August to October.

• Peak Season (July–August): This is the height of summer, with consistently hot weather, busy marinas, and vibrant island life. It is also when the Meltemi wind is at its strongest, especially in the Cyclades, often creating more demanding sailing conditions.
• Shoulder Season (May–June and September–October): Highly recommended by returning visitors. The weather is comfortably warm, the anchorages and town quays are less crowded, and charter prices are generally lower. Occasional rain showers and more variable weather can occur, particularly in early spring and late autumn.
  Learn more about the Weather Conditions in the dedicated Sailing Weather Conditions in Greece page.

In short: Ionian = perfect sailing conditions, Saronic = easiest destination, Cyclades = most iconic but challenging, Dodecanese/Sporades = balanced experience.

The “best” sailing region in Greece depends on your experience level and the type of holiday you’re looking for:

• The Ionian Islands: Gentle afternoon breezes, lush green landscapes, and short distances between islands like Lefkada, Corfu, and Ithaca. While the Ionian doesn’t have the dramatic whitewashed villages of the Cyclades, it offers crystal-clear waters and perfect sailing conditions.
  👉 Ideal for both beginners and experienced sailors.
• The Saronic Gulf (and Argolic Gulf): A sheltered cruising area close to Athens, with calm waters and short sailing distances. Highlights include charming stops like Hydra, Spetses, and Poros. While the scenery and water colours are pleasant, they are not as striking as other regions of Greece.
  👉 Perfect for beginners, families, and relaxed itineraries.
• The Cyclades: The Cyclades are among the most iconic sailing regions in Greece. With their picturesque whitewashed houses, blue domes, narrow stone alleys, and dramatic cliffside settings, islands like Mykonos and Santorini offer some of the most breathtaking villages in the Mediterranean. However, this beauty comes with a serious challenge: the powerful summer Meltemi wind. In peak season, you should expect winds of 20-30+ knots on a daily basis, often creating demanding sea conditions and limiting safe anchorages to the southern and eastern sides of the islands.
  👉 Best suited for experienced sailors who are confident handling strong winds.
• The Dodecanese & Sporades: A great balance of history, fewer crowds, and generally more moderate sailing conditions. The Meltemi is present but typically weaker than in the Cyclades. These regions offer a mix of sheltered cruising and more open sailing.
  👉 Suitable for both beginners and experienced sailors, depending on the itinerary.

The Ionian Islands (such as Lefkada, Ithaca, and Paxos) and the Saronic Gulf islands (like Poros, Agistri, and Aegina) are the best choices for beginners. These areas feature shorter line-of-sight navigation, minimal swell, well-protected harbors, and plenty of options to drop anchor if the weather shifts.

Yes, if you plan to book a bareboat charter (sailing the vessel yourself), Greek port authorities strictly require the skipper to hold a valid international sailing certification. Accepted qualifications include the ICC (International Certificate of Competence), SLC (Sailing License and Credentials), or national certifications that explicitly state the holder can command a sailing yacht (such as RYA Day Skipper or ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising).

👉Note: If you do not have a license, you can easily hire a professional local skipper for your charter.

Greek regulations require one certified skipper, while some charter companies may additionally ask for a second adult crew member able to assist onboard.

In short: most mooring in Greece is done stern-to on town quays using your anchor, with limited assistance and no reservations—while marinas offer more comfort at a higher cost.

Town Quays (the Greek norm)

Mooring typically involves a Mediterranean moor: you drop your bow anchor a few boat lengths from the quay, reverse toward the pier, and secure your stern lines ashore.

• Do not expect formal mooring assistance from port authorities. In most cases, however, fellow sailors are happy to help by catching your lines.
• Fees are not standardized, but you can generally expect around €1 per metre per day for monohulls, and roughly double for catamarans.
• Payment is usually collected in the afternoon by a local port fund representative.
• Water and electricity are often available via pillars on the quay, activated using prepaid cards purchased from the port office, nearby cafés, or mini markets.
• Berths cannot usually be reserved, and availability can be limited in peak season.
• To secure a good spot in July and August, you may need to arrive around midday or earlier.
• Infrastructure varies widely—some quays are well maintained, while others may have issues such as poor holding, underwater chains, or missing fixtures.

Private Marinas

Private marinas offer a significantly higher level of comfort and organisation, but at a higher cost. Mooring is typically stern-to with lazy lines or occasionally alongside, with staff on hand to assist.

• Advance booking is possible and strongly recommended, especially in popular marinas, and prepayment is usually required.
• Facilities range from basic to fully serviced, depending on the marina.
• Prices vary considerably, but for a 12-metre monohull, expect approximately €30 to €120 per night during the peak season.

In short: Yes—free anchoring is widely allowed and very common.

Greece is one of the most anchor-friendly countries in Europe:

• Most bays allow free anchoring
• No permits required in most areas
• Excellent variety of natural anchorages

Restrictions apply:

• Near ports and cables
• In protected marine parks
• Near protected shipwrecks of archaeological interest
• Near organised beaches marked with swimming buoys.

In short: €1,500–€7,000+ per week depending on boat, season, and type.

Typical weekly prices (bareboat):

• Low season: €1,500–€5,000
• High season: €3,000–€7,000+

These prices refer to monohulls. Catamarans typically cost around twice as much.

Additional costs may include:

• Skipper (€150–€220/day)
• Fuel
• Marina fees
• Provisions

Optional extras:

• SUP
• Wi-Fi on board

👉 Booking early for July–August is essential, as the best boats are often reserved months in advance.

In short: Usually no.

Tap water in Greece is generally safe to drink on the mainland and major islands such as Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes, where desalination and modern supply systems are in place.

However, on many smaller islands, tap water may:

• Taste unpleasant (due to desalination or storage)
• Be unsuitable for drinking

👉 For this reason, most visitors and sailors prefer to drink bottled water, especially in the Cyclades and other remote areas.

In marinas and on yachts:

• Tap water is usually safe for washing and cooking
• Drinking water is typically bought separately
• Water supplied from dockside pillars is almost always unsuitable for drinking 

👉 When in doubt, it’s always best to ask locally.