Athens Yacht Charter

Athens Yacht Charter Guide: Fleet Bases, Routes & Operational Costs

An Athens yacht charter is the primary launching point for bareboat, skippered, and fully crewed sailing holidays in Greece. Operating out of mainland bases like Alimos Marina and Lavrion Base, charterers access two distinct Greek island cruising grounds: the sheltered Saronic Gulf and the Cyclades Islands.

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CHARTER SELECTION GUIDE

Comparing Yacht Charter Types

Understand the key operational differences, crew requirements, and lifestyle experiences across each vessel category.

Sailing Yachts

Catamarans

Motor Yachts

Charter Criteria	Bareboat (Monohull & Catamaran)	Crewed Sailing Yachts	Crewed Catamarans	Crewed Motor Yachts
Fleet Examples	Sailing Monohulls: Sun Odyssey 410, Oceanis 46.1 Catamarans: Lagoon 42, Bali Catspace	Luxury Performance Monohulls: SHOOTING STAR (Gianetti 64 / Custom Performance)	Flagship Catamarans: POSIERA (Lagoon 55), ALICE (Lagoon 46), VALIUM 62	Luxury Power Vessels: Princess, Sunseeker, Ferretti, & Azimut Motor Yachts (50ft–100ft+)
Crew & Service Level	Self-Skippered or Hired Skipper Only Guests handle navigation & cooking, or hire a local skipper for handling.	2 to 3 Permanent Crew Captain, Deckhand, & Chef/Hostess dedicated to classic luxury sailing.	2 to 4 Permanent Crew Captain, Executive Chef, Stew, & Deckhand managing full-service hospitality.	3 to 6+ Uniformed Staff Full white-glove service including Captain, Engineers, Chef, & Stews.
Living Space & Stability	Compact, functional layouts optimized for self-sufficiency and easy mooring.	Sleek, traditional interior elegance with authentic heel/sailing dynamics.	Massive beam width, dual-hull stability, expansive flybridges, & wide saloons.	Multi-deck luxury, indoor climate-controlled lounges, & stabilizer fins at anchor.
Cruising Speed & Range	6 to 8 knots. Dependent on wind conditions and engine efficiency.	8 to 11 knots. High-performance sail plans capable of fast ocean passage-making.	8 to 10 knots. Smooth, stable cruising across protected island channels.	15 to 25+ knots. Fast island-hopping across open seas (e.g. Athens to Mykonos).
Fuel & Expense Mechanics	Low Fuel Burn Pay-as-you-go fuel refill at charter end plus security deposit hold.	Moderate APA (20%–25%) Low engine fuel consumption; APA covers food, port fees, & wines.	Standard APA (25%–30%) Efficient twin engines & generator run time for A/C & watermakers.	High APA (35%–40%+) Significant diesel fuel burn at high cruising speeds across open channels.
Ideal Guest Profile	Active sailors, licensed skippers, & hands-on groups seeking independence.	Sailing purists who love real monohull performance paired with luxury service.	Families, multi-couples, & luxury seekers wanting deck space, stability, & toys.	VIPs & fast-paced travelers wanting maximum speed, luxury, & nightlife access.
Search Fleet	Bareboats →	Crewed SY→	Crewed Cats →	Motor Yachts →

Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) & Port Costs

When booking a yacht charter in Athens, variable operational expenses are covered by the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) on a crewed vessel, in comparison a bareboat charter is pay-as-you-go. The APA is typically set at 25% to 30% of the base charter fee. Base marina berthing on Saturday night embarkation and Friday night return is usually included in the base charter rate at no extra cost. Public town quays in the Saronic Gulf average €15 to €40 per night, while private pontoons in Spetses or Mykonos range from €80 to €200 per night. Catamaran diesel fuel costs for twin engines and generator usage average €400 to €800 per week. For crewed vessels, all original receipts are logged by the captain, and any unspent APA balance is refunded in full upon Saturday disembarkation. Any unspent balance will be return to you via the team at High Tide Yacht Charters.

Greece Sailing Routes: Saronic Gulf vs. Cyclades Islands

An Athens sailing itinerary splits into two primary regional choices based on sea conditions, guest experience, and vessel size.

Saronic Gulf Charter Route (Calm Waters & Families)

The Saronic Gulf cruising area encompasses Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, and Epidaurus. It features short 1 to 2-hour passages spanning 15 to 25 nautical miles per day. Because the gulf stays protected from heavy summer winds, it is the premier choice for first-time charterers, bareboat sailors, and family groups sailing monohulls, 40ft to 50ft bareboat catamarans, or crewed sailing yachts like SHOOTING STAR.

Cyclades Islands Charter Route (Active Sailing & Beach Clubs)

The Cyclades Archipelago route covers Kea, Kythnos, Syros, Mykonos, Paros, Sifnos, and Serifos. It requires longer 3 to 5+ hour open-water passages spanning 30 to 45 nautical miles per day. The area is subject to the summer Meltemi wind, which reaches Force 5 to 7 in July and August. This route requires experienced skippers or high-performance vessels like flybridge catamarans (POSIERA, Lagoon 55), power catamarans, and crewed motor yachts.