We thought it would be fun to share info about what we’ve learned from our recent trip to Greece! As lovers of sailing & great vacation experiences, it’s fun to explore beyond the Virgin Islands.
Let’s begin planning your crewed yacht vacation with info on the 5 sailing areas of Greece. See the chart below. With nearly 277 inhabited islands, the area is so large that you cannot possibly see it all in one week. So yes, it really does take some thought on where you want to go.
June, July and August are usually dry months, full of sunshine and plenty of opportunities to sail. See the attached file on "Discover Greece” with a suggested discussion on things to see & do for each of these sailing areas: Cyclades Islands, Saronic, Sporades and Dodecanese Islands. It is very helpful.
We've also attached a very specific suggested sailing itinerary one that was recently by the captain of 67’ Catamaran Kimata for our clients. (It’s great!)
Typically, clients fly to ATH / Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos” the area is often referred to as “Attica".
What about the Weather & Wind in Greece?
Monthly Average Wind Speed and Water Temperature in Greece:
May: 10 kts / 71.6 °
June: 12 kts / 75.2 °
July: 15 kts / 78.8 °
August: 18 kts / 80.6 °
September: / 10-11 kts / 75 °
October: / 10-7 kts / 66 °
The sailing season is May to October. We feel like the water is too cool in May for lots of water sports activities such as snorkeling & swimming for extended periods of time; but we like June to mid-July. The #1 advice that we receive from the yacht managers for clients chartering in August to mid-September is “be flexible” with the itinerary. If the weather is affected by strong Meltemi winds the week of your charter, then your captain will sit down with the entire group and adjust the itinerary according to your needs, wishes and whether or not the group. The most important point to remember is that the captain will do what is best for you and make certain you have a great time. When the Meltemi does blow, it tends to be that much stronger in the afternoons and typically dies down again in the evenings. At the end of the sailing season in October, the winds are calmer; but the water is cooler.
On average the Meltemi dry Northerly wind blows at around 4 to 5 (20-38 kts) on the Beaufort Scale, but in August it can reach quite a lot higher which is anything between 5 and 7 or occasionally 8 too. For the seasoned sailor, it can be a real joy when the Meltemi starts to blow as it means there is some serious sailing to be enjoyed. If at any time, the winds blow 35+ knots, then you might want to alter your itinerary and sail the Peloponese coast (Saronic Islands) which is more sheltered. Although the Meltemi blows in the Aegean Sea, it does not affect the Ionian Sea which is too far to west and actually the Ionian and Aegean are two very different seas.
So, let’s say that everyone really wants to go in August; but they are not great sailors and they are worried about wind. We suggest you plan a charter from Athens back to Athens enjoying either the Peloponese coast (Saronic Islands) OR the Cyclades IF the weather permits. (We wish we had a crystal ball to predict the weather!) When the charter is over, take a quick inexpensive commuter flight from ATH/Athens to MYK/Mykonos and stay in a resort or villa for 2-3 nights. While you are in Mykonos, hop a fast hydrofoil and go to Santorini for the day. Based on what our clients like you have said recently, they really don’t enjoy spending a lot time in either Mykonos or Santorini due to the huge cruise ship crowds; but they want to see it. This is a great option that allows everyone to say they’ve been there and it’s easy to fly home from the international airport in Mykonos.
2023 Visitor Statistics for Mykonos: While there are approx. 4,800 cruise ship passengers everyday that visit the ever popular islands of Mykonos & Santorini, there will be 15,000 cruise ship passengers visiting Mykonos on August 22, 2023. This is because there will be eight cruise ships docking in Mykonos on that day. On the same day, there will be 12,000 visitors from the cruise ships visiting Santorini. It’s important to know this so that you understand how crowded it can be. The numbers of visitors are growing every year to these 2 popular islands and it is impacting the experience overall.
Hope this gets the discussion started about planning a yacht vacation in Greece!
Don’t forget to open the “Discover Greece” and the “Suggested Sailing Itinerary” attachments. Spend some time reading them.
Cheers to planning another fun sailing trip sometime, somewhere in the world soon!
About Us:
Your Charter Yacht Brokers: Capt. Randy & Shelly Tucker!
If you want to experience a luxury yacht charter vacation first hand and up close, there is no better way than on your own privately crewed yacht with a full-time professional Captain and Chef/First Mate. We've been sailing and chartering for well over twenty-five years.
The U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands were our "backyard" which we came to love and cherish. So much so, that we sold everything in 1997 and moved to Charlotte Amalie, USVI as owners & operators aboard the 72' sailing yacht Three Moons. We do know the ins and outs of this special place & the people who live there. That's what makes us an official "Yacht Charters Guru”!
Never been on a chartered yacht vacation? We will help you personally design your charter yacht vacation. Imagine being able to sail into small bays with beautiful white sands & fantastic snorkeling. A yacht vacation is a great way to spend time with your friends or family.
Why use a CYBA certified yacht charter broker?
Key Takeaways:
As a member of CYBA, the Charter Yacht Broker’s Association, we adhere to strict yacht charter booking protocols. We have access to the CYBA industry escrow account to protect your money.
Charter yacht crews do not have access to this account. If it is a busy yacht with lots of booking reservations, they are taking care of guests onboard and do not have time to answer travel questions.
This is what differentiates professionally licensed yacht brokers from crews booking charters.
It is not safe to send your hard-earned money directly to a business or yacht that is not accredited by a professional charter industry association to handle client funds. Always ask!
Choose from an extensive list of yachts, including our spacious and stable catamaran charters, power catamarans, traditional monohull sailboat vacations, or high-end luxury motor yacht charters in the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Belize, Croatia. Greece, and the Mediterranean.
We do not sell yachts like many other agencies so there is no conflict or distraction in our focus for your yacht charter. Our service is free to you. We travel extensively to boat shows and yacht charter shows year-round to personally view and inspect as many of the yachts as possible.
6 Reasons Why We are Qualified:
1. As Members of the Charter Yacht Brokers Association, The Virgin Islands Professional Charter Yacht League, and the BVI Charter Yacht Society, we maintain contact with the yachts to keep abreast of the very latest information on crew/yacht conditions and new yachts entering the arena.
2. We stay on top of local and Federal Governments to keep informed about changes in our industry, as well as involve ourselves with the changes in the environment in which we offer charters.
3. We engage in open dialogue with local publications to help keep the government and the public aware of this important industry in our islands.
4. We attend multiple charter yacht industry shows in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, go aboard each of the yachts, meet the crews, attend association meetings and seminars. We'll happily share our notes about changes to the boats and crews and confirm any newly added features and upgrades as well as re-fits to the boat’s decor like new carpets, interior and exterior soft goods & fun new water toys.
5. As a seasoned charter yacht Owner & Crew, we have access to the "inner circle" and know all the insider facts.
6. We've developed a longtime friendship with vendors of services such as local taxi drivers, ferry companies, good places to stay on land, great restaurants, and much more.
Yacht Charters Guru is Accredited by the Following Professional Associations:
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