10 min readplanning

First-Time Charter Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Never chartered a yacht before? Here's your complete guide to planning the perfect first charter in Greece.

In This Guide

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Katerina can answer any question about chartering in Greece.

What Is a Crewed Yacht Charter?

A crewed yacht charter is the ultimate private holiday — you hire a yacht complete with a professional crew who take care of everything. Unlike a bareboat charter (where you sail the yacht yourself), a crewed charter includes a captain, chef, and additional crew members depending on the yacht size. Think of it as a floating boutique hotel that moves to a new destination every day. Your captain plans the route and handles all navigation. Your chef prepares gourmet meals tailored to your preferences. Your stewardess ensures the yacht is immaculate and your drinks are always cold. All you need to do is decide where you'd like to go — and even then, your crew will have excellent suggestions.

Pro Tip

No sailing experience is needed for a crewed charter. The crew handles everything. Your only job is to relax and enjoy.

Why Greece for Your First Charter?

Greece is the world's most popular yacht charter destination, and for good reason: **Short distances between islands:** Unlike the Caribbean, where islands can be hours apart, Greek islands are often just 1–2 hours sailing from each other. This means less time at sea and more time exploring. **Sheltered waters:** The Saronic Gulf and Ionian Sea offer calm, protected sailing — perfect for first-timers who may be nervous about rough seas. **Incredible variety:** From the cosmopolitan nightlife of Mykonos to the volcanic drama of Santorini to the unspoiled tranquillity of Koufonisia — every island has a distinct personality. **Excellent infrastructure:** Greece has well-equipped marinas, reliable weather, and a long charter season (May–October). **Value for money:** Compared to the French Riviera or Croatia, Greece offers exceptional value — better food, warmer hospitality, and lower marina fees.

Choosing the Right Yacht

The yacht you choose shapes your entire experience. Here's a quick guide: **Motor Yacht:** Fast, spacious, and luxurious. Ideal for guests who want to cover more ground and enjoy onboard amenities like jacuzzis, water toys, and expansive sun decks. Best for: families, groups who want comfort and speed. **Sailing Yacht:** Romantic, authentic, and connected to the sea. The experience of sailing under wind power is magical. Best for: couples, sailing enthusiasts, those who value the journey as much as the destination. **Catamaran:** Stable, spacious, and excellent value. Catamarans offer the most living space per metre and are very stable — ideal for anyone prone to seasickness. Best for: families with children, groups of friends, first-time charterers. **Gulet:** Traditional wooden sailing vessels with a unique charm. Spacious decks, multiple cabins, and a relaxed atmosphere. Best for: large groups, those who appreciate traditional craftsmanship.

Pro Tip

For first-time charterers, we often recommend a catamaran. The stability, space, and value make them ideal for guests who aren't sure how they'll feel at sea.

How the Booking Process Works

**Step 1: Initial Consultation.** Contact us with your dates, group size, budget, and any preferences. Katerina will discuss your ideal holiday and suggest suitable yachts and itineraries. **Step 2: Yacht Selection.** We'll present 3–5 carefully selected yachts that match your requirements, with detailed specs, photos, and crew profiles. **Step 3: Contract & Deposit.** Once you've chosen your yacht, we prepare the charter contract. A 50% deposit secures the booking, with the balance due 4–6 weeks before departure. **Step 4: Preference Sheet.** 2–4 weeks before your charter, you'll complete a detailed preference sheet covering food allergies, dietary requirements, drink preferences, activity interests, and any special occasions. **Step 5: Embarkation.** On charter day, you'll board the yacht (typically at 5pm), meet your crew, settle into your cabin, and enjoy your first sunset dinner on board. **Step 6: The Charter.** Your captain will discuss the itinerary each evening and adapt based on weather, your preferences, and local knowledge. Every day is different. **Step 7: Disembarkation.** On the final morning (typically by 10am), you'll say goodbye to your crew and disembark. Many of our guests are already planning their next charter before they leave the dock.

What to Expect on Board

**Daily Routine:** There's no fixed schedule — that's the beauty of a charter. A typical day might look like this: 8:00 — Wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and breakfast prepared by your chef. 9:30 — Swim off the yacht in a crystal-clear bay. 10:30 — Cruise to the next island (1–2 hours). 12:30 — Anchor in a new bay for lunch — freshly prepared on board. 14:00 — Water sports, snorkelling, or a nap on the sun deck. 16:00 — Go ashore to explore a village, visit a monastery, or browse local shops. 19:00 — Sundowners on the yacht as the sun sets. 20:30 — Dinner on board or at a waterfront taverna ashore. **Food & Drink:** Your chef will prepare all meals on board based on your preferences. Expect fresh Greek ingredients, local fish, seasonal vegetables, and excellent wine. Most chefs can accommodate any dietary requirement. **Privacy:** The yacht is exclusively yours. No other guests, no shared spaces, no schedules to follow.

Pro Tip

Don't over-plan your days. The best charter moments are spontaneous — a hidden beach the captain knows, a fisherman selling his catch from a boat, a village festival you stumble upon.

Best Regions for First-Time Charterers

**Saronic Gulf:** The closest islands to Athens, with calm waters and short distances. Perfect for a first charter — you can visit Hydra, Spetses, Poros, and Aegina in a relaxed week without long passages. **Ionian Islands:** The calmest sailing waters in Greece. Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos offer lush green landscapes, sheltered bays, and gentle winds. Ideal for families and those nervous about rough seas. **Cyclades (moderate):** The most iconic Greek islands — Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos. The Meltemi wind can be strong in July–August, so we recommend the Cyclades in June or September for first-timers. **Dodecanese:** Rhodes, Kos, Symi, and Patmos offer a fascinating mix of history, culture, and beautiful anchorages with generally calmer conditions than the Cyclades.

Common First-Timer Questions

**Will I get seasick?** On a crewed charter, the captain chooses routes and anchorages to minimise discomfort. Catamarans are the most stable option. Most guests find that any initial queasiness passes within hours. **What if the weather is bad?** Your captain monitors weather constantly and adjusts the itinerary accordingly. Greece has excellent summer weather, but flexibility is key — sometimes the best discoveries happen when plans change. **Can children come?** Absolutely. Many of our charters are family holidays. Crews are experienced with children and can provide safety nets, water toys, and kid-friendly meals. **Do I need to tip?** Tipping is customary but not obligatory. The standard is 10–15% of the charter fee, given to the captain to distribute. **What should I pack?** Light, casual clothing. Soft-soled shoes for the yacht. Swimwear. Sunscreen. A light jacket for evenings. That's about it — yacht life is wonderfully simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

No sailing experience is needed for a crewed yacht charter. The professional crew handles all navigation, sailing, cooking, and service. Your only job is to relax and enjoy. This is what makes crewed charters ideal for first-time charterers.

A crewed charter includes a professional crew (captain, chef, and additional staff) who handle everything from navigation to gourmet meals. A bareboat charter means you sail the yacht yourself with no crew — requiring sailing qualifications and experience. For first-timers, a crewed charter is strongly recommended.

For peak season (July-August), book 6-12 months in advance as the best yachts sell out quickly. For shoulder season (May-June, September-October), 3-6 months is usually sufficient. Last-minute deals can be found 1-2 months before departure, but with limited yacht selection.

The Saronic Gulf (Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Aegina) is ideal for first-timers — close to Athens, calm waters, and short distances between islands. The Ionian Islands (Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia) are also excellent with sheltered sailing and family-friendly conditions. The Cyclades are more exposed but offer the most iconic Greek island experience.

Charter yachts typically accommodate 2-12 guests in 1-6 cabins. Catamarans and motor yachts offer the most space, while sailing yachts tend to be more intimate. Greek maritime law limits most charter yachts to 12 overnight guests. For larger groups, multiple yachts can sail together.

Your experienced captain will adjust the itinerary to find sheltered anchorages and calmer waters. Greece has many protected bays and harbours. The Ionian and Saronic are particularly sheltered. If conditions are genuinely unsafe, the captain may alter the route — safety always comes first. Travel insurance that covers charter cancellation is recommended.