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Yacht Charter with Kids: Family Guide to Greece

How to plan the perfect family yacht charter — from choosing the right yacht to keeping children entertained and safe.

In This Guide

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Katerina can answer any question about chartering in Greece.

Why a Yacht Charter Is Perfect for Families

A crewed yacht charter is one of the best family holidays you can take. Here's why: **No packing and unpacking:** Unlike a multi-hotel trip, your accommodation travels with you. Unpack once and wake up at a new island every day. **Private space:** No sharing a pool with strangers, no fighting for sun loungers. The yacht is exclusively yours. **Flexible schedule:** Children don't do well with rigid itineraries. On a yacht, you can adapt the day to their energy levels — swim when they want to swim, nap when they need to nap. **Screen-free adventure:** Between swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, and exploring islands, children are naturally entertained without screens. **Quality family time:** No distractions, no separate activities. A yacht charter brings families together in a way that resort holidays rarely do. **Kid-friendly food:** Your chef prepares meals tailored to children's preferences — from simple pasta to adventurous Greek dishes for brave young eaters.

Choosing the Right Yacht for Families

**Catamarans** are the top choice for families with children: - Exceptionally stable — minimal rocking, reducing the chance of seasickness - Wide, flat decks with plenty of space for children to play - Shallow draft allows anchoring close to beaches - Trampolines (the nets between the hulls) are a natural playground - Cabins are spacious with good headroom **Motor Yachts** are excellent for families who want speed and amenities: - Faster passages mean less time at sea and more time at islands - More onboard amenities (jacuzzi, water toys, entertainment systems) - Larger crew can include a dedicated stewardess for children - Stabilisers reduce motion at anchor **Sailing Yachts** can work for families with older children: - The sailing experience itself is educational and exciting - Children can learn to sail, tie knots, and read charts - More affordable than motor yachts - Best for families where parents are experienced sailors

Pro Tip

For families with children under 8, we strongly recommend a catamaran. The stability, space, and shallow-water access make them ideal. For families with teenagers, a motor yacht with water toys is hard to beat.

Best Regions for Family Charters

**Saronic Gulf — Best for young families:** Calm waters, short distances, and proximity to Athens. Hydra's car-free streets are safe for children to explore. Aegina has the Temple of Aphaia for a mini history lesson. Distances between islands are just 1–2 hours. **Ionian Islands — Best for all ages:** The calmest sailing waters in Greece. Beautiful sandy beaches, lush green landscapes, and sheltered bays. Zakynthos has the famous Shipwreck Beach and turtle-spotting. Corfu has waterparks and family-friendly attractions. **Cyclades — Best for older children and teenagers:** The iconic Greek islands. Mykonos and Santorini are exciting for teens. Paros and Naxos have excellent beaches. The Meltemi wind can be strong — choose June or September for calmer conditions. **Sporades — Best for nature-loving families:** Green, pine-covered islands with pristine beaches. Alonissos Marine Park offers dolphin and seal spotting. Skiathos has 60+ beaches to explore. Skopelos is the Mamma Mia! island.

Water Toys & Activities

Most charter yachts come equipped with water toys that keep children entertained for hours: **Standard equipment:** Snorkelling gear, paddleboards, kayaks, inflatable towables, fishing gear, and a tender (small boat) for beach access. **Premium equipment (larger yachts):** Jet skis, water skis, wakeboards, seabobs, inflatable water slides, floating trampolines, and diving equipment. Beyond water toys, a Greek yacht charter offers endless activities for children: - Snorkelling in crystal-clear bays - Exploring rock pools and sea caves - Fishing with the crew - Learning to paddleboard or kayak - Beach treasure hunts - Visiting ancient ruins and castles - Trying Greek food at local tavernas - Stargazing from the deck at night

Safety on Board

Safety is the top priority on any family charter. Professional crews are trained in child safety and will: **Before departure:** - Conduct a safety briefing for the whole family - Show children where life jackets are stored - Explain the rules for being on deck - Install safety nets if needed (available on most yachts) **During the charter:** - Supervise water activities - Ensure children wear life jackets in the tender - Monitor swimming and snorkelling - Keep a watchful eye on deck movement **Your responsibilities:** - Supervise young children at all times on deck - Ensure children understand the safety rules - Apply sunscreen regularly (children burn faster) - Keep children hydrated in the Greek heat Most charter yachts can provide child-sized life jackets, high chairs, and baby monitors on request. Discuss specific needs with your broker when booking.

Pro Tip

Brief your children before the charter about yacht safety rules: always hold on when moving around the yacht, never go on deck alone at night, and always wear a life jacket in the tender.

Planning Tips for Family Charters

**Book early:** Family-friendly yachts (especially catamarans) are in high demand during school holidays. Book 6–12 months in advance for July–August. **Choose the right pace:** Don't try to see too many islands. Children need downtime. Plan for 2–3 hours of sailing per day maximum, with plenty of swimming and beach time. **Involve the kids:** Let older children help plan the itinerary. Give them a map and let them choose an island to visit. It builds excitement and ownership. **Pack entertainment:** While the yacht and sea provide endless entertainment, bring a few card games, books, and colouring supplies for quiet moments. **Celebrate on board:** If there's a birthday or special occasion during the charter, tell the chef. They'll prepare a cake and the crew will make it memorable. **Consider a nanny:** For families with very young children, some yachts can accommodate a nanny as an additional crew member or guest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Children of all ages can enjoy a yacht charter, but families typically find it most rewarding with children aged 4 and above, when they can swim, snorkel, and participate in water activities. Toddlers and babies are welcome on larger yachts with appropriate safety equipment — discuss specific needs with your broker.

Yes, crewed yacht charters are very safe for children. Professional crews are trained in safety procedures, yachts carry life jackets in children's sizes, and the captain selects calm anchorages suitable for families. Catamarans are particularly family-friendly due to their stability and spacious deck layout with safety nets.

Catamarans are the top choice for families — they're stable (less seasickness), have wide flat decks with safety nets, offer spacious cabins, and provide easy water access from the stern. Motor yachts are also excellent for families wanting more space and amenities. Sailing yachts can heel (tilt) which may be uncomfortable for young children.

Most charter yachts carry water toys including paddleboards, kayaks, snorkelling gear, inflatable toys, and water skis. Larger yachts may have jet skis, seabobs, and water slides. The crew often organises fishing trips, treasure hunts, and beach games. Island exploration, swimming, and snorkelling keep children entertained for hours.

The Ionian Islands are ideal for families — calm waters sheltered from the Meltemi, sandy beaches, and short sailing distances. The Saronic Gulf is also excellent, being close to Athens with calm conditions. In the Cyclades, Paros, Naxos, and Koufonisia are particularly family-friendly with shallow, sandy beaches.