Yacht charter in Cyclades

01 · Overview

Yacht charter in Cyclades

The Cyclades are the islands most people picture when they think of Greece: Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos and Santorini. The distances between them are longer than in the Ionian or the Saronic and the wind is stronger, so this area suits crews with some experience or a skipper aboard. The reward is real sailing and a different island every night.

02 · The sailing grounds

The sailing grounds

Boats start from Lavrio and Olympic Marina on the Attica coast, from Piraeus, from Paros and from Mykonos. From Lavrio the first hop is Kea, then Kythnos, Syros or Serifos. Paros and Naxos sit in the centre of the group, with the small Koufonisia to the south-east. Milos, in the south-west, is known for its volcanic coast and sea caves.

03 · Season and weather

Season and weather

May to October. The meltemi, a strong north wind, blows most days in July and August and can reach force 6 to 7, so plan routes that keep it behind you or on the beam. June and September usually bring lighter winds.

04 · The fleet on our desk

The fleet on our desk

We list about 590 boats in Cyclades from about 110 charter companies. The fleet is sailing yachts (48%), catamarans (36%) and motor yachts and motorboats (16%). Half the boats were built in 2020 or later, and the typical boat is about 46 ft long with 4 cabins. The largest sleep guests in up to 8 cabins. The most common models here are the Lagoon 42, Lagoon 46 and Hanse 418.

05 · Ways to charter

Ways to charter

Boats in Cyclades offer these kinds of charter (a boat can offer more than one):

Bareboat (366 boats): you skipper the boat yourself. The skipper needs a licence the operator accepts, and usually a VHF radio certificate.

Crewed (171 boats): a skipper and crew come with the boat, often with a cook or host.

Day charter (75 boats): a single day on the water, usually with crew.

Skippered (53 boats): a professional skipper sails the boat with you, and you crew as much or as little as you like.

Cabin charter (10 boats): you book one cabin on a shared, crewed boat rather than the whole yacht.

All-inclusive (4 boats): crew, meals and drinks are in one price.

Flotilla (4 boats): you sail your own boat in a group, with a lead boat and crew on hand to help.

06 · What a week costs

What a week costs

These prices are for the boat for seven nights, taken from the 2027 offers we hold in November 2026.

In April, the cheapest month for most boats here, a well-priced boat costs about €2,300 a week and the middle of the fleet about €3,400.

In August, the dearest month, the middle of the fleet costs about €7,700 a week.

The cheapest tenth of boats here start from about €1,500 a week, and the top tenth from about €17,000.

Fuel, marina fees, the final clean and any skipper are usually extra on bareboat yachts; crewed boats include their crew. Each boat page shows what its operator includes and the live price for your dates.

07 · Bases and start days

Bases and start days

Boats start from Olympic Marina (120 boats), Lavrion Main Port (118 boats), Nea Peramos (90 boats), Paros port (67 boats) and Marina Zeas (33 boats). Almost every charter here starts on a Saturday.

08 · Getting there

Getting there

Lavrio is about 30 minutes by road from Athens airport. Paros and Mykonos have their own airports and ferry connections from Piraeus and Rafina.